Parks and the outdoors in Nara

Parks and the outdoors in Nara

1. See

   Isui-en Garden

   依水園

   Enjoy the magnificently arranged garden with full of flowers, surrounded by all the rest of Nara Park. Restaurant on site.

   Closed · opens 9:30 am·¥900

2. See

   Kasuga Taisha

   春日大社

   Worth a visit for the beautiful approach, through the Kasuga-yama Primeval Forest (see below), more than the temple itself. What Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Taisha is for torii, Kasuga Taisha is for stone lanterns. Notice the giant rack of sake barrels near the front gate and the fountain-statue of a giant buck. The temple is occasionally closed for services, but a walk around the outside is likely to be no less rewarding.

   Grounds free, inside of shrine ¥500, treasure hall ¥400

3. See

   Kasuga-yama Primeval Forest

   春日山原生林

   A gorgeous hill of wild, undeveloped forest leading to Kasuga Taisha and some of the other sights in Nara Koen. The path is clearly marked, though, so don't worry about getting lost. It's a quiet walk at any time of day. If you're determined to feed some deer, save your biscuits for the ones out here instead of the loafers by Todai-ji.

4. Eat

   Sanshū-tei

   三秀亭

   It's worth a visit more for the attractive old house and garden than the menu, which consists of two very traditional dishes: mugi tororo (plain rice with ground yam, ¥1200), and unagi tororo (the same with grilled eel, ¥2500).

   Wed-Mon 11:30-15:30

5. See

   Sarusawa Pond

   猿沢の池

   This small pond at the east end of Sanjō-dōri with Nara Park behind or Naramachi to its south is a very popular viewing spot for Kōfukuji.

6. See

   Tōdai-ji

   東大寺

   Home to the famous Great Buddha (Daibutsu, 大仏), the largest Buddha statue in Japan and one of the largest in the world. The Daibutsu-den, which houses it, is said to be the largest wooden building in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The giant front gate, Nandai-mon, is guarded by two fierce, awe-inspiring protectors. It's also swarmed by deer, who know this is the best place to come looking for a hand-out. Through the gate is a stone path leading to the outer walls surrounding the Daibutsu-den. Follow the signs to the left to enter the inner courtyard, and if you happen to have a stick of incense with you, join the crowd around the incense offerings before you head onward. The Daibutsu-den contains four other giant statues. Once you've taken in the Daibutsu itself, walk around it to the left to see the other statues, as well as a few old tiles and leftover relics. There's a stand inviting you to sponsor a tile in order to help with the upkeep of the temple, and English-language fortune scrolls (omikuji) are on sale year-round. Take a final look at the Daibutsu as you leave; don't let the souvenir stand be your last memory of this incredible sight. Just before the souvenir area, behind and to the right of the Daibutsu, is a wooden column with a small hole carved through the bottom. Enlightenment is reportedly promised to anyone who can squeeze through this hole. In practice, this means a lot of kids have enlightenment in store (thanks in part to other kids who kick their feet to "help" them through), and all but the skinniest adults can only look on in envy. To the right of the entrance to the Daibutsu-den is a statue of the Yakushi Nyorai. Though a bit scary-looking on first glance, it's actually a Buddha of medicine and healing. Touching a part of the Yakushi Nyorai and then the corresponding part of your own body is said to heal any ailments you have there.

   Nov-Mar 08:00-17:00, Apr-Oct 07:30-17:30; museum opens at 09:30·¥600; ¥1000 to see the museum as well

7. See

   Ukimidō

   浮見堂

   A hexagonal building built on Sagiike Pond in Nara Park so that it appears to float on water.

8. See

   Yoshikien Garden

   吉城園

   Really nice garden that is worth a visit because it is free. Can be coupled with the Isui-en Garden as the entrances are right beside each other.

   Closed · opens 9 am·¥250; free for foreigners

9. Do Not mapped

   Nara Tōka-e

   なら燈火会

   An annual light festival. 10,000 candles illuminate the area around Nara Park and major temples.

   Closed

10. Do Not mapped

    Nara Walk

    Tour covers popular destinations around Nara Park: Great Buddha, Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, Deer Park and Kasuga Grand Shrine. Reservations not necessary for regular tours. Private tours or tours in French available with reservation.

    Mar - Sep: daily 10:00·¥3000

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Nara (CC BY-SA 4.0).