Day 1
Around Nara Park
9:00 AM – 3:49 PM
- Nara Park9:00 AM
- Todai-ji Namdaimon (Grand South Gate)10:05 AM
- Tōdai-ji11:11 AM
- Lunch at Mizuya ChayaClosed Tuesdays and Wednesdays12:26 PM
- Kasugataisha Shrine1:31 PM
- Kasuga Taisha Kokuhoden (Museum)3:04 PM
- Typical Nov · 16° / 7°
- Autumn pick: Nara Park
Nara
Watch 3 days unfold, then make them yours. Nara's best, planned around opening hours.
Nara at a glance
Nara was Japan's capital from 710-784 AD, known for its Buddhist cultural assets and National Treasures.
About Nara
Nara flourished as Japan's capital, developing numerous cultural assets and buildings under Buddhist influence. Many of these are preserved today, including eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The city's main sights are concentrated in Nara Park, with temples, shrines, and deer. Other areas include a merchant town known as Naramachi.
- Buddhist temples
- Shinto shrines
- Wild sika deer
- National Treasures
- Kaki-no-ha zushi
How long to stay
3 days
3+ days will allow you to see more of Nara.
Best time to go
Spring & autumn
Apr–May, Oct–Nov are the mildest.
Getting around
Within Nara Park, most major sites are walkable. Buses cover most attractions, including temples on the outskirts. Bicycles are also an option due to Nara's flat layout.
Nara in 3 days
Each day stays in one part of town, timed around opening hours, with lunch on the way.
Day 2
Around Todai-ji Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall)
9:00 AM – 3:22 PM
- Todai-ji Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall)9:00 AM
- Nigatsu-do10:37 AM
- Todai-ji Hokkedo (Sangatsudo, March Hall)11:40 AM
- Todaiji Kagami-ike Pond12:46 PM
- Isuien Garden and Neiraku MuseumClosed Tuesdays1:52 PM
Day 3
Around Wakakusayama Hill
9:00 AM – 3:29 PM
- Wakakusayama Hill9:00 AM
- Ukimido Pavilion9:45 AM
- Tobihino10:49 AM
- Deer Park11:53 AM
- Ukigumo-enchi12:59 PM
Add dates, swap places and book stays, free in Pilot.
Use this 3-day planWhere to stay in Nara, by area
Every part of town at a glance: what's near, and where you'd sleep, with tonight's price.
When to visit Nara
Weather by month, and what's best each season.
Best time to visit
Spring & autumn
- Best
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- Hottest
- Aug · 31°C
- Coldest
- Jan · 0°C
- Wettest
- Jul · 262 mm
Jan: 0 to 7°C, 69 mm of rain. Feb: 0 to 9°C, 65 mm of rain. Mar: 3 to 13°C, 135 mm of rain. Apr: 8 to 18°C, 171 mm of rain, one of the mildest months. May: 12 to 23°C, 181 mm of rain, one of the mildest months. Jun: 17 to 26°C, 260 mm of rain. Jul: 22 to 29°C, 262 mm of rain. Aug: 23 to 31°C, 248 mm of rain. Sep: 19 to 27°C, 257 mm of rain. Oct: 13 to 21°C, 200 mm of rain, one of the mildest months. Nov: 7 to 16°C, 98 mm of rain, one of the mildest months. Dec: 2 to 10°C, 62 mm of rain.
Green = mildest months. Averages for 2015–2024 from NASA POWER; local readings can differ by 1–2°.
Best places to see in Nara by season
What's worth it in each season, and the month it peaks.
SpringAsajigahara Enchi
Season 1 of 2 · Mar–May
Spring
Highs 13–23°CIncludes the mildest months
Season 2 of 2 · Sep–Nov
Autumn
Highs 16–27°CIncludes the mildest months
Top 15 things to do in Nara
The sights travellers rate highest.
Where to eat in Nara
What Nara eats, by cuisine, and the best places to try it.
More places in Nara
Beyond the highlights above. Everything else in Nara is on the map.
Start with these 3 days
Add dates, swap places, book where you'll sleep. It stays free.
Places to visit in Nara, A to Z
- Asajigahara Enchi
- Deer Park
- Isuien Garden and Neiraku Museum
- Kasuga Taisha Kokuhoden (Museum)
- Kasuganoenchi
- Kasugataisha Shrine
- Meoto Daikokusha
- Nara Park
- Nigatsu-do
- Tobihino
- Tōdai-ji
- Todai-ji Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall)
- Todai-ji Hokkedo (Sangatsudo, March Hall)
- Todai-ji Namdaimon (Grand South Gate)
- Todaiji Kagami-ike Pond
- Uguisu Waterfall
- Ukigumo-enchi
- Ukimido Pavilion
- Wakakusayama Hill
