Top Things to do in Nara
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Thirteen hundred years ago, Nara (then Heiju-kyu) was the imperial capital of Japan. "Old Japan" is still easy to spot here, from Great Buddha Hall to traditional ryokans and the serene Isuien garden. Travelers rave about walking tours of Nara, particularly in the historic Naramachi merchant area.
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1. Nara Machi Walking Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 32 reviews
This is a three-hour guided walking tour of the old town district called Nara-machi. It is conducted by a professional guide, Yoshiko Hatcho, every Saturday from April to November except August.
2. NARAWALK
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 210 reviews
NARAWALK offers daily walking tours in Nara Park. Available every day from March 1 through November 30. We also offer customized private tours to meet your needs. Visit our Facebook sites for recent tour photos etc. We also offer tours in Kyoto as Kyoto Premium tours.
3. Nara Visitor Center & Inn
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 372 reviews
Nara Visitor Center & Inn is located in the midst of Nara. Right on the edge of Sarusawa Pond, the location offers wonderful views of the changing seasons. Nara Visitor Center & Inn provides tourists visiting Nara a great place to relax and interact along with the opportunity to discover and experience the city’s cultural and sightseeing riches. We provide with variety of cultural activities from 10 am - 5 pm everyday
Reviewed By naomi2320 - Komaki, Japan
スタッフはとてもフレンドリーでした。奈良の可能スポットやハラルの食べ物を提供するレストランの情報も教えてくれました。祈り室も広くて綺麗でした。ムスリム旅行者にとってはとてもありがたいです。 The staff was very friendly! He taught me the best way to stroll around Nara with a sightseeing map they have which was very helpful for my first trip to Nara.I also used the free storage and the prayer room they have. The prayer room was extremely clean and spacious! There is a place for doing the Wudhu too, so it is very convenient for muslim who is traveling to Nara.
4. Waplus Nara
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 111 reviews
WAPLUS NARA is the Japanese kimono experience shop, just 2 minutes' walk from JR Nara station. We have a variety of Kimono related services such as kimono rental, costume photos and kimono school. Not only at our shop, we can offer these services at your accommodation or event venue as well. Why don't you enjoy kimono experience in the Ancient Nara. Service details; 1) Kimono School Waplus is one of the only kimono-school for foreigners in Japan, and will help you learn everything there is to know about the tradition of Kimono wearing. After a class on Kinomo history you will be taught how to dress, with amazing patience and attention to detail, the staff help you understand and perfect the intricate process. Knowing that you have learned the traditions and perfected the art yourself is truly rewarding, and the final outfit, with finishing touches from the teachers, is stunning. 2) Costume Photos For a once in a lifetime experience, the costume fitting allows you to transform into a princess, samurai or oiran—with a traditional outfit. Rather than using wigs, trained hairstylists will carefully recreate the authentic appearance using your own hair. When you are ready, the staff will help you dress in the many layers, slowly constructing your complex outfit. Finally, you can step into the studio for your shoot and then choose the final photos as a stunning reminder of your experience, and treasure them as a memory of Japan.
Reviewed By Shinnosuke88
Nice kimono experience, staff was really helpfull and polite. Very recommended kimono rental for tourist. ;)
5. Nara Student Guide
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Join our FREE and PRIVATE guided English tours in Nara city! Nara Student Guide is a volunteer group with more than 50 years of history, and it has been run by local university students who love to share Japanese culture and the history of Nara with international tourists. Our walking tours can take you around many beautiful places according to your interests, such as Nara Park, Kohukuji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Todaiji Temple,Naramachi town and more! For further information or to make reservations, please visit our website and complete the reservation form!
6. NARA JAPANESE COOKING
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
NARA JAPANESE COOKING is a hands-on cooking activity in English for the foreign visitors to a historical city, Nara. We will teach you not only how to cook the cuisine but also some Japanese cooking methods and knowledge. You haven't cooked many before? You don't have confidence in your cooking? Even if so, you don't need to feel worried to join in our cooking class! Each process is simple and our home chef, Chie will demonstrate first and guide you one by one. We will also provide a recipe so you can enjoy the Japanese cuisines we made together at home too. Let's enjoy delicious Japanese food and a fun chat together. Please come join in our class! Please check my website for further info & booking! 【CLASS】 ・Tempura ・Onigiri & Karaage (Japanese fried chicken) ・Ramen & Gyoza ・Bento ・Temari-sushi ・Takoyaki
Reviewed By allly2015 - Brisbane Region, Australia
Thank you so much Chie! This is a great experience whilst in Japan. Chie is so incredibly lovely, the food is amazing and it was good day spent in Nara. The recipe card is so easy to follow, I’ve managed to get all the ingredients so I can cook as soon as I get back to Australia. Will definitely be back for the karaage and takoyaki classes!
7. Nara Craft Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
At Nara Craft Tours, we love Japan and its culture, beer, and guiding people. That’s why we created our activity. Our guides are very friendly and always ready to help you. You don’t speak Japanese? Not a problem at all! They will take you to places you might not go by yourself. visit popular local micro breweries in Nara City and enjoy a very authentic and modern Japanese Craft Beer experience. We look forward to welcoming you for some nice beer discoveries in Nara City.
8. Kasuga Grand Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,765 reviews
Reviewed By 338siddharthb - Seattle, United States
When we went to Kashuga Taisha, we didn’t have much expectations and only went there as it showed on Google’s list of “things to do in Nara”. However I’d say now if there was only thing you could do in Nara apart from feeding the deers, go to Kasuga Taisha. It is slightly far from the JR Station so you will need to use some sort of public transport. We used Google Maps to catch bus 77 from near Kofukuji Temple and get down at Stop # 10 for 100 yen each. From the moment of entering the temple complex, we were amazed at the beautiful lanterns as they paved the entrance till we see the majestic orange tori gates. Then starts the trail of the majestic orange buildings lined along the lanterns, with a constant stream of tori gates as it feels magical to walk through them. There are lots of photo shoot places here too. As you walk along, this leads you to a dark room just illuminated with lanterns and it looks magical. Once you exit, you can see deers hiding among the moss-covered lanterns making for beautiful views and pictures. You can follow the trail back to Todai-ji or take a bus. Overall it’s the best attraction in Nara and I’d strongly recommend it. The gates are not as majestic as Fushimi Inari, but it definitely has it’s own charm.
9. Todai-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,653 reviews
Reviewed By Krubee - Singapore, Singapore
After a leisurely and fun stroll in Nara Park with my memorable deer encounters the pinnacle of my journey is the Great Todai-ji temple (Great Eastern Temple), one of the 7 Great Temples in Japan built in the 8th century. Located at the Northern Park of Nara Park. At its entrance stands Nandaimon Gate with two huge sculptures of Guardians. Its Great Buddha Hall at the center of the temple stands Daibutsu or Buddha Vaironaca, a giant bronze statue around 52 ft high. The path leading to the Temple including several complexes (Todai-ji museum, Nigatsudo Hall, Hokkedo Hall, Kaidando Hall to name a few). There is a large bronze bell in front of the Great Hall. In the Great Buddha Hall, two guardians who are equally big stands on each side guarding the shrine. Smaller statues, historical manuscripts and fine sculptures surround this hall and complex. Souvenirs and Toilets are also available in the complex. Incense, Prayers and Offerings are also available at the temple. It was indeed a worthwhile and memorable visit here at Todai-ji temple in Nara Park.
10. Nara Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,669 reviews
Reviewed By 901aditia - Hyderabad, India
In early April, when there are cherry blossoms everywhere, the weather is great, there are wild (but friendly) deer all around you and eating deer crackers from your hand, some lovely gardens with waterfalls- there is no better place than Nara. In my view it is best covered individually or with family
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