Nara Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
city in Nara prefecture, Japan
About Nara
Along with the development ofHeijōkyō(平城京), the capital of Japan between 710-784 AD, Nara flourished under the influence of Buddhism, leading to the creation of an enormous number of cultural assets, buildings and books, many of which are preserved today. Nara has the most buildings designated National Treasures in Japan. While the Heijō Palace (平城宮) site turned into plain fields after the capital was moved to Kyoto, the shrines and temples were left on the east side of the palace (called Gekyo (外京)), and Buddhism remained influential throughout the following centuries. Another part of the area developed as a merchant town, notably in the Edo period, known as Naramachi (奈良町) today. Eight places in the old capital Nara have been inscribed to theUNESCOWorld Heritage Site "Historic Monuments
Top Attractions in Nara
Explore the best things to see and do in Nara:
- ★Deer-horn Cutting Ceremony
- ★Gangō-ji
- ★Heijōkyū Palace Site
- ★Himuro Shrine
- ★Isui-en Garden
- ★Japanese Tattoo Art Gallery
- ★Kasuga Taisha
- ★Kasuga-yama Primeval Forest
Where to Eat in Nara
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Hiraso
- 🍴Honpo Tanaka
- 🍴Maguro Koya
- 🍴Maruchū
- 🍴Nakatani Honpo
- 🍴Okaru
Where to Stay in Nara
- 🏨Hotel Nikko Nara
- 🏨Kikusuirō
- 🏨ML International Hostel
- 🏨Nara Hotel
- 🏨Nara Washington Hotel Plaza
- 🏨Ryokan Matsumae
Nara Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 13 sections including: