Nara Prefecture offers much more than meets the eye.
The region is known for its history and calm landscapes.
But it also hides many surprises.
These set it apart from its busier neighbours like Osaka and Kyoto.
Thinking of visiting Nara? Then try these out:
- 1) Nara Park's Friendly Deer
- 2) Todai-ji's Giant Buddha
- 3) Heijo Palace's Historical Ruins
- 4) Kofuku-ji's Five-Story Pagoda
- 5) Kasuga Taisha's 3,000 Lanterns
- 6) Mount Yoshino's Cherry Blossoms
- 7) Naramachi's Traditional Townscape
- 8) Isuien Garden's Scenic Beauty
- 9) Horyu-ji Temple's Ancient Architecture
- 10) Naramachi History Museum
- 11) Jiko-in Temple's Tea Ceremony
- 12) Ukimi-do Pavilion on Sagiike Pond
- 13) Yatadera Temple's Hydrangea Bloom
- 14) Toshodai-ji's Tang Dynasty Influence
- 15) Asuka Village's Historical Significance
- 16) Yamato Koriyama Castle Remains
- 17) Enjo-ji Temple's Garden
- 18) Murou Art Forest's Outdoor Sculptures
- 19) Akishino-dera Temple
- 20) Harushika Sake Brewery
Here are 20 facts about Nara.
1) Nara Park’s Friendly Deer
At Nara Park, you’ll find hundreds of friendly deer.
You can buy specially made deer crackers to feed them.
This interaction is a highlight for many.
Remember to be respectful, as the deer are considered sacred in Japanese culture.
2) Todai-ji’s Giant Buddha
Todai-ji’s Great Buddha, or Daibutsu, is an astonishing sight.
This gigantic bronze statue is a sight, standing 15 metres tall and weighing over 500 tons.
This immense statue, completed in 752 CE, represents Vairocana Buddha.
It is in the Great Buddha Hall, the largest wooden structure in the world.
3) Heijo Palace’s Historical Ruins
In the 8th century, Heijo Palace, located in Nara Prefecture, was the heart of Japan’s first permanent capital, Heijokyo.
Walking through its ruins, you can feel the history beneath your feet.
The palace site spans a large area and includes many restored structures.
The reconstructed Suzaku Gate and the First Daigoku-den Hall are proud reminders of the site’s grandeur.
4) Kofuku-ji’s Five-Story Pagoda
Kofuku-ji’s Five-Story Pagoda is a famous landmark in Nara. It is located within the temple complex and stands about 50 metres tall.
It has a unique five-tiered structure, each tier adding to its impressive height.
It’s one of Japan’s best examples of traditional Buddhist architecture.
5) Kasuga Taisha’s 3,000 Lanterns
Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara is famous for its beautiful lanterns.
You’ll find 3,000 lanterns that light up the shrine.
They create a magical atmosphere, especially during special events.
Many of these lanterns have been donated by worshippers over the centuries.
Stone lanterns line the paths, and bronze lanterns hang around the buildings.
6) Mount Yoshino’s Cherry Blossoms
Mount Yoshino in Nara Prefecture is famed for its cherry blossoms. The mountain is home to around 30,000 cherry trees, some dating back over 1300 years.
Each spring, the mountain becomes a sea of pink blossoms.
The best time to visit is from late March to early April.
7) Naramachi’s Traditional Townscape
Naramachi, in Nara Prefecture, is the city’s historical heart.
This area was once a bustling merchant district known for its well-preserved traditional buildings.
You’ll find many machiya, long, narrow townhouses that used to be homes and shops.
These buildings date back to the Edo period and are a key part of Naramachi’s charm.
Walking through Naramachi, you’ll see narrow lanes lined with boutiques, cafes, and museums.
Many of these establishments still use the original structures, giving you a glimpse into the past.
8) Isuien Garden’s Scenic Beauty
Isuien Garden in Nara is known for its picturesque landscape.
The garden cleverly uses nearby temples and mountains as borrowed scenery to enhance its natural beauty.
Walking through Isuien, you’ll notice the careful design.
Each area offers different views, combining water, trees, and traditional structures.
9) Horyu-ji Temple’s Ancient Architecture
Horyu-ji Temple, in Nara Prefecture, is famous for its well-preserved wooden buildings.
They date back to the 7th century.
Established by Prince Shotoku in 607 CE, this temple complex contains some of the oldest wooden buildings in the world.
The most notable is the five-storey pagoda.
The temple includes 48 listed buildings.
Each building showcases traditional Japanese Buddhist architecture.
10) Naramachi History Museum
The Naramachi History Museum is in Nara’s old town.
It is a maze of narrow streets that displays tools, signboards, and artefacts from the Edo and Meiji periods.
11) Jiko-in Temple’s Tea Ceremony
When you visit Jiko-in Temple in Nara, you’ll experience a tea ceremony deeply rooted in Japanese tradition.
The temple, surrounded by nature, offers a peaceful setting for this ritual.
The head priest prefers “tea hospitality” instead of “ceremony,” which makes it more welcoming.
12) Ukimi-do Pavilion on Sagiike Pond
Ukimi-do Pavilion is a charming hexagonal wooden gazebo on the picturesque Sagiike Pond in Nara Park.
The pavilion appears to float on the water, providing a quiet spot for visitors to relax and take photos.
The pavilion was initially built around 100 years ago.
It was reconstructed in 1994 with a roof thatched with Japanese cypress bark.
13) Yatadera Temple’s Hydrangea Bloom
Yatadera Temple in Nara is famous for its stunning hydrangea garden, open to the public from June 1st to July 10th each year.
The hydrangeas were first planted in 1965.
The garden now boasts over 10,000 plants covering 60 varieties spread across 25,000 square metres.
14) Toshodai-ji’s Tang Dynasty Influence
Toshodai-ji is a temple in Nara built in 759 AD.
Its founder, Ganjin, was a Buddhist monk from the Tang Dynasty in China.
Ganjin brought many Chinese architectural and artistic elements to Toshodai-ji.
You can see them in the temple’s Classic Golden Hall.
The hall features a hipped roof with a seven-bay-wide facade.
15) Asuka Village’s Historical Significance
Asuka Village in Nara Prefecture is an important historical site in Japan.
The village was the capital of Japan from 538 to 710 AD, during the Asuka period.
In this period, Buddhist temples, such as Asuka-dera, were constructed.
You can explore ancient burial mounds like the Ishibutai Kofun.
Asuka is considered the birthplace of Japanese culture and politics.
16) Yamato Koriyama Castle Remains
Yamato Koriyama Castle is an important historical site in Nara Prefecture.
Built in the Sengoku Period by Tsutsui Junkei, it later became the residence of Toyotomi Hidenaga.
Its moats, trenches, and unique walls are still visible today.
17) Enjo-ji Temple’s Garden
Enjo-ji Temple’s garden is a mesmerising example of Japanese landscaping.
Located in the hills north of Nara, it is a peaceful place that reflects the beauty of the late-Heian period.
The pond at Enjo-ji is a key feature, reflecting the traditional design elements of ancient Japanese gardens.
18) Murou Art Forest’s Outdoor Sculptures
Murou Art Forest was primarily designed and developed by Israeli sculptor Dani Karavan, starting in 1998 and completed in stages by 2006.
The park features Karavan’s large-scale installations that harmonize with the natural surroundings.
19) Akishino-dera Temple
At Akishino-dera Temple, you can see ancient wooden statues and artefacts, such as the statue of Gigeiten, the goddess of music and dance.
20) Harushika Sake Brewery
Harushika Sake Brewery is a highlight in Nara Prefecture for any sake enthusiast.
It is located in the charming Naramachi neighbourhood, just a 25-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station.
For 500 yen, you can enjoy tasting five different varieties of sake.
Each tasting includes Ginjyo, Junmai, and aged sake.
