Nara was once heralded as the ancient capital for about 70 years. Today, many tourists treat it simply as a day trip from Kyoto or Osaka, claiming there is simply too little to do. The prefecture, known as the cradle of Japanese civilization, and its capital (Nara City) are delightful destinations in the Kansai Region.
You could easily spend a week, as there are plenty of unique things to do in Nara, from soaking up the beauty of a park inhabited by adorable wild deer to crawling through Buddha’s Nostril. If you are in the region or preparing your Osaka itinerary, set aside at least one day to explore Deer City.
Disclaimer: The most famous temples in Nara aren’t detailed in this post because any Google search will lead you to them. I’ve tried to concentrate on some of the more UNIQUE things to do in Nara. Remember, you’ll need FAR MORE than just a day trip to see the true beauty of this beautiful region.
VIDEO: Unusual Things to Do in Nara
What to Eat in Nara City
As in every region of Japan, Nara city and Nara prefecture are famous for certain specialty foods. If you are traveling here for a few days, you should research the best restaurants to try each of these delicious dishes. Here are some staple things to eat in Nara:
- Manju steamed buns:You will find a lot of cute, sweet shops in Nara city, especially in the older, more traditional parts. Here, you can taste yummy Manju or steamed buns with sticky fillings.
- Miwa Somen: These noodles, eaten cold or warm, originated over 1,200 years ago in Miwa, Nara Prefecture.
- Chagayu Porridge: This hometown dish is made with Japanese tea and rice.
- Kakinoha-zushi: This sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves contains vinegar, rice, and a slice of mackerel or salmon.
- Narazuke pickles: A specialty pickle loved by the people of Nara, made from fresh fruit and vegetables and pickled in a mix of sake and mirin.
- Kasuga Hakutaku Udon: This historic Nara specialty uses flat noodles and is served at the Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
- Asuka nabe: This hot, welcoming dish is especially popular during the cold winters. It’s a hot pot filled with vegetables and meat, using chicken broth and milk as the base.
Where to Stay in Nara City
Many people use Nara City as a stopover alongside their things to do in Kyoto. But Nara Prefecture offers many fun activities for adventurous visitors. But Nara Prefecture offers many fun activities for adventurous visitors. If you’re visiting Nara for a one- or two-day trip, the best place to stay is a centrally located hotel or hostel near the station and Nara Park.
One option is a fancy hotel called Nara Hotel, also known as “Nara Royal Hotel,” which welcomed many important figures and members of the Japanese Royal family.
Right next to this hotel, though, are many great hostels and cheap guest houses within walking distance from the Kintetsu Nara Station. The tourist information office in town is convenient, and the staff speak excellent English and can provide advice or recommendations if you arrive without a booking.
Nara Japan Map
As you can see from the map of Nara below, the area is close to the famous cities of Osaka and Kyoto, and it’s very easy to do a day trip here by train via the JR Nara Station or the Kintetsu Nara Station.
Nara Prefecture is much larger, and there are many more notable cities to discover beyond Nara City when visiting this region. Examples include Doragowa Onsen, Asuka, and Kashihara, all mentioned in this guide.
Unforgettable Things to Do in Nara at Night
As with many Japanese cities, visiting Nara City can be expensive. However, you can see the city on a budget, as there are so many fun and free things to do in Nara.
You will see in the list below that half of the items are free. Other activities can be made free by not hiring a guide, visiting the deer without feeding them, or simply photographing the exteriors of temples and palaces instead of taking a tour.
Nara Park, many temples, shopping streets, markets, and the forest are all fun, free places to visit.
1. Do a Temple Stay
Out of all the fantastic things to do in Nara, sleeping the night in a Buddhist temple will forever remain a favorite for many visitors. Typically, a head priest shows you to a simple room that opens to the balcony. Outside your door, prepare to be greeted by one of the most magical views you’ve ever had.
The temple food is perfectly color-coordinated and vegetarian. You’ll have a chance to attend morning prayers before sunrise, wander the temple grounds, and even watch an extraordinary fire prayer ceremony at five o’clock in the morning.
This video shows the beautiful Gyukuzoin Temple and how it is distinct from Kofuku Ji Temple. The video shows exactly why everyone should add this activity to their Japan bucket list.
2. Explore the Magical Dorogawa Onsen
Make time to explore Nara at the Dorogawa Onsen, taking time wandering the quiet streets lit at night with beautiful strings of lanterns. It is known for the local hot springs, the small temple in the village, and the numerous brightly painted bridges that crisscross the river, connecting one side to the other. Dorogawa Onsen is a unique place to spend one day (and maybe one night) in Nara.
You can hike up the nearby suspension bridge, one of the largest in Japan, that crosses the beautiful Mitarai Valley and offers gorgeous views of the town. It’s a sacred area, with many pilgrims hiking here.
The surrounding mountains contain mining trekking paths and stunning rivers and waterfalls, best explored in spring or summer in Japan.
3. Stay In an Onsen Ryokan
Staying in an Onsen Ryokan, a traditional-style Japanese hotel where you sleep on the floor and enjoy a shared bathhouse in the basement, is a must while in the Nara Prefecture.
The entire experience was one you will never forget: wearing the Pajamas they supply, bathing with other guests, sleeping on a mattress on the floor, and being treated to an amazing hot-pot dinner to warm the soul.
See this video below for more on the experience:
4. Do a Farm Homestay in Asuka
While many encourage others to visit a temple and stay at an onsen hotel in Japan, only a few opt for a unique rural farm stay in Asuka. The local hosts here couldn’t be more welcoming, often moving here because they crave a simpler life and a better upbringing for their families.
Oftentimes, you’ll see your homestay hosts grow vegetables on their small farm. Sometimes the locals will enjoy hunting deer (lucky they stay away from Nara Park), and they welcome guests with open arms.
On a farmstay, you’ll sleep in their home. You may share a room with others (if there are other guests), in a traditional Japanese style with many blankets and thin mattresses on the floor.
The food is phenomenal. Thanks to Japanese hospitality, you’ll most likely leave after a night’s stay having had an absolute feast for dinner and a simple but delicious Japanese breakfast, served on a low table while sitting cross-legged on the floor.
This is a highly authentic and unique experience and ranks among my top things to do in Nara, Japan, especially if you want to interact with locals and explore an area not frequented by international tourists.
5. Stay at the Royal Nara Hotel
If budget isn’t an issue, you must stay at the Royal Nara Hotel mentioned earlier. This historic hotel is renowned for its five-star service, thanks to its distinguished guests, including former emperors, members of the royal family, celebrities, and international presidents.
Aside from the lavish rooms, excellent service, and beautiful decor, you’ll also find a piano once played by Albert Einstein sitting in the hotel drawing room.
The food in their restaurant is mouth-watering, whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Simply walking (or sleeping) in the footsteps of so many great people is a privilege in itself.
Unique Things to Do in Nara, Japan
Ready to see what to do in Nara? From the steamy onsens to the yummy food, here are some awesome, unique places to visit in Nara, Japan.
6. Forest Bathing in Kasugayama Primeval Forest
This is only a thing many people have only ever heard of or experienced in Japan.
Suppose you want to return to nature and explore the mountain and forest right on Nara’s doorstep. In that case, you can sign up for a “Forest Bathing” experience in Kasugayama Primeval Forest in Nara, within walking distance from Nara Park.
A qualified guide will take you on a three to four-hour hike through the forest. The guide will explain the benefits of being back in nature and will allow you to inspect plants and insects up close with a magnifying glass. You will be encouraged to lie down on the soft, cushion-like bed of moss, close your eyes, and listen to the sounds of the forest.
You’ll be treated to lunch from a local (and famous) bakery and hot tea to warm you on your way back down.
Top Tip: If you’re interested in more quirky activities like this, then visiting Sado Island with my Sado Island travel guide will be a treat.
7. Feed the Famous Free-Roaming Wild Sika Deer in Nara Deer Park
One of the most prominent and popular things to do in Nara is to visit the Nara Deer Park.
Still, no matter how many people write about it or take photos of these adorable deer, it will remain an extraordinary activity. More than 1,500 wild deer roam Nara, and the story of how this city became home to so many deer is interesting and mystical.
A deity enshrined in Kasuga Taisha Shrine, one of the other prominent places to visit in Nara, is Takemi Kajichi no Mikoto, who is said to have ridden to Nara upon a mystical white deer from Kashima Shrine in Ibaraki Prefecture.
Because of this legend, the deer were considered divine and sacred, and right up until World War II, killing a deer in Nara was punishable by death. That has changed: the deer are now seen as natural treasures, and locals appreciate that they are the main draw for tourists and thus value their presence.
You can buy deer crackers from vendors in the park and feed the deer with caution, and if you bow your head to the deer, they bow their heads right back in the most adorable way.
Top Tip: If you don’t want to tour all these places on your own and would like more info, find a local guide to show you the best sites in Nara. This, like a local customizable guided tour, is a great option.
8. Eat Traditional Hot Pot
Japanese hot pot is a popular dish in Nara Prefecture and across Japan during the winter. You can’t travel to Nara without enjoying one of these delicious, warming meals.
You’ll be able to try a few different hot pot dishes in Nara, and you’ll love how you can choose the type of meat, from duck to beef to pork. There are also stunning additions, such as large bowls of vegetables, a plate of meat, sauces, and side dishes like fish, rice, and raw, marinated vegetables. You sit and wait while your dinner cooks slowly right on the table in front of your eyes. Enjoying an ice-cold beer with any hot pot is often customary in Japan.
9. Explore Kasuga Taisha Shrine
You can’t travel to Nara without visiting the Kasuga Taisha Shrine, one of Nara’s most famous attractions and the reason Nara is overrun with deer, as explained earlier in the article.
This extremely important and architecturally stunning shrine also offers many activities for visitors.
Apart from roaming around and petting or bowing to the inquisitive deer that roam the shrine grounds, you can admire the thousands of stone and bronze lanterns that worshipers have donated.
You can also explore the botanical gardens, walk up to the nearby Kasuga Primeval Forest, or visit the museum on-site.
10. Go Shopping in Higashimuki
Like all great cities in Japan, both big and small, Nara has a lively shopping district. Even if you’re just window-shopping or looking to experience the energetic atmosphere, many travelers highly recommend spending an afternoon shopping in Higashimuki.
There are some super funky shops, including one selling magnets and other small trinkets, where everything is food-themed and hand-made to look like miniature food items. You can stop by to see locals making traditional rice sweets like mochi at famous shops like Nakatanidou, which is famous in this region for its mochi pounding.
From sweet shops to souvenir shops, themed cafés, vintage clothes shops, and costume stores where you can don traditional Kimonos and walk the streets of Nara, this district is a top Nara attraction.
11. Get Lost in the Super Cute Naramachi District
Naramachi District is a quaint, cozy area in Nara City. You’ll feel as if you have traveled back in time as you pass by men in traditional dress, exquisitely decorated house fronts, small temples, and sweet shops with pretty red lanterns hanging on strings outside.
This area is the former merchant district in Nara, which explains why there are so many beautiful houses and buildings. You can easily spend hours walking around and getting lost in its narrow streets.
The things to see in Nara’s Naramachi District are delightful, from hand-pulled rickshaws to simply wandering and absorbing the atmosphere. It’s also dotted with trinket shops, artists’ galleries, and unique, tiny, nondescript house museums.
12. Visit the Nara Cultural Centre
Blink, and you might accidentally miss this place when walking from the Nara Hotel to the train station. The Nara Cultural Centre and Tourist Information offers many free activities that you’ll love as a budget traveler.
For kids, there’s origami, coloring, and even Japanese calligraphy lessons, while for adults, you can dress up in funny sumo suits or a kimono for free and do a fun photo shoot. They also offer luggage storage, free Wi-Fi, and extensive information on places to visit in Nara, which could be helpful.
It is well worth visiting. There are many other places in Nara where you can get dressed up in a national costume, and you can even book a local culture and heritage tour to see more of the city.
Tip: Look at our train etiquette guide for traveling by train in Japan.
13. Visit Kasihara Shrine
On a trip to Japan, you’ll probably visit many shrines and temples, especially while exploring Nara Prefecture. But this one is unique. Not necessarily because it was more beautiful or impressive than the others, but because there are fewer tourists, which makes the experience more authentic. Don’t be surprised if you are the only tourist there at times!
The shrine is next to a large lake you could walk around, which was very peaceful. The town itself is a nice place to walk around if you have some free time.
Here is a video about a visit there and some etiquette for visiting a shrine in Japan:
14. French Cuisine at L’Auberge de Plaisance
One of the most memorable non-local meals you might have in Nara is at the renowned L’Auberge de Plaisance. This French-Japanese fusion restaurant offers panoramic views of the lush surroundings.
Keep in mind that this is a pretty fancy restaurant, so try not to feel underdressed. The staff is very friendly, so don’t be afraid to ask the waiter for help understanding what you are eating or how to eat it.
Expect a set seven-course lunch menu that won’t leave you hungry for the rest of the day. The presentation and taste of each unique dish are exquisite, and it might be one of the most memorable meals you could have during this 14-day trip across Japan.
It is a little pricey, but it would be ideal if you are looking for a place special enough to break the budget for a day or a special occasion like a birthday, honeymoon, or anniversary.
15. Try Some Famous Asuka Nabe in Nara
One of the must-try culinary dishes that originate in Nara Prefecture is the Asuka Nabe, which is similar to most Japanese hot pots except for its addition of milk in the broth. A very soothing dish in winter, I had the pleasure of tasting this dish at my homestay in Asuka — and was delighted to learn later this is where the dish is most famous.
16. Visit the Hana Hana Small Animals Pet Café
if you’re looking for what to do in Nara, Japan, that isn’t all onsens, deer, and temples. But you’ve always been a huge fan of themed cafés, you’ll love Hana Hana Café.
While most themed cafés in Japan are in cities like Osaka and Tokyo, this small animal café is a short distance from the Kintetsu Train Station in Nara City. You pay a small fee to enter, buy a coffee or small snack, and check out their array of small animals.
The animals include ferrets, puppies, rabbits, hamsters, and cockatiels. So come prepared for a lot of snuggles.
17. Visit Buddha’s Nostril at Todai-ji Temple
If you have some spare time and want to participate in one of the weirdest things to do in Nara Prefecture, you can visit Buddha’s Nostril. Located inside Todai-ji Temple, this hollowed wooden piece is said to symbolize the Buddha’s nose.
Visitors who crawl through the small holes at the bottom of the nostrils are said to find a degree of enlightenment. The Todai-ji Temple is also a beautiful place to visit, where you can see Buddhist art throughout the great Buddha hall and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
18. Climb Mount Wakakusa
Marvel at the natural beauty of cherry blossoms in this prefecture from the top of Mount Wakakusa near Todai-Ji Temple. Even if you’re not a hiker, you’ll be able to make the short but steep trail that should take about 30–60 mins to complete.
The entrance fee is 150 yen for adults and students, and the gates open from 9:00 to 17:00. Keep in mind that the mountain is closed in winter (mid-December to late March). It is also closed during the annual Yamayaki fire festival in January to February.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nara
Now that you’ve seen my list of things to do in Nara, you probably have some questions. Fortunately, I’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions below.
Is Nara Worth Visiting In the Winter?
Yes, Japan in winter offers a unique atmosphere that couldn’t be more fitting in a place like Nara. You’ll find it easy to cozy up under a Kotatsu (Japanese heated table) while enjoying traditional winter dishes like hotpot and somen.
What Makes Nara Special?
The Buddhist temples, deer population, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites play a significant role in what makes Nara special. However, it is also the prefecture’s ancient history that makes it stand out. Be sure to visit the Nara National Museum to learn more about this cradle of Japanese civilization.
What Is the Best Time to Visit Nara?
While choosing the best time to visit should be based on personal preference and your own budget and time requirements, autumn in Japan is an ideal time to visit Nara if you like warm hot pot, onsens, and pretty views.
Is it Free to Enter Nara Park?
Yes, it is completely free to enter and walk around Nara Park 365 days a year.
Unique Attractions in Nara Wrapped Up
There you have it: fun things to do in Nara, Japan. With all the captivating Nara attractions, it’s a wonderful getaway for those looking to head off the beaten track and experience authentic, historical elements of Japan.
Up Next: Look at these unique things to do in Niigata.
This article was compiled thanks to a sponsored trip funded by Nara Prefecture. You can find more information about visiting Nara at the official site here or their sightseeing website. #VisitNara
Last updated on April 10th, 2026 at 02:46 pm
