Nara · Things to do
Things to Do in Nara: 17 Places with Hours, Fees and Access
17 things to do · checked October 20, 2026
17 things to do in Nara, from Nara Park outward
Hours, prices and access checked against each place's own page on October 20, 2026. They change; check before you go.
1Nara Park奈良公園
Park and deer · Nara Park
A park of about 660 hectares in eastern Nara that contains Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji, Kasuga Taisha, the Nara National Museum and the Kasugayama Primeval Forest, home to about 1,300 wild deer. A pack of 10 deer crackers cost ¥200 in 2024; the tourism association asks visitors to feed the deer nothing else.
- Access
- About 8 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nara Station. From JR Nara Station, about 20 minutes on foot or a 7-minute ride on the city loop bus (outer route) to Kencho-mae.
- Closed on
- Open 365 days a year
- Price
- Free
2Todai-ji東大寺
Temple (World Heritage) · Nara Park
The temple of the Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden). Hokke-do (Sangatsu-do) and Kaidan-do are open 8:30–16:00 all year, and the Todai-ji Museum opens 9:30–17:30 (April–October, last entry 17:00) or 9:30–17:00 (November–March, last entry 16:30).
- Access
- About 20 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nara Station, or city loop bus to Todai-ji Daibutsuden Kasuga Taisha-mae and about 5 minutes on foot. About 7 minutes by loop bus from either Nara station.
- Hours
- Great Buddha Hall 7:30–17:30 (April–October); 8:00–17:00 (November–March)
- Closed on
- Open all year
- Price
- Great Buddha Hall: adults and ages 13 and over ¥800; ages 6–12 ¥400. Great Buddha Hall plus Museum joint ticket: adults ¥1,200; ages 6–12 ¥600
3Kofuku-ji興福寺
Temple (World Heritage) · Nara Park
A temple on the edge of Nara Park where you pay per hall: the Central Golden Hall and the Eastern Golden Hall are ¥500 each for adults, the National Treasure Hall ¥900, and a ticket for all three is ¥1,600. Cash only.
- Access
- About 5 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nara Station. From JR Nara Station, 5 minutes by city loop bus to Kencho-mae.
- Hours
- 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:45). The three-hall ticket is sold only until 16:00
- Closed on
- Open year-round
- Price
- Three-hall ticket adults ¥1,600; high school and junior high ¥1,100; elementary ¥600. Single halls: Central Golden Hall ¥500, Eastern Golden Hall ¥500, National Treasure Hall ¥900 (adults)
4Kasuga Taisha春日大社
Shrine (World Heritage) · Nara Park
The head shrine of about 3,000 Kasuga shrines across Japan, said to date from 768, with lantern-hung corridors. The Man'yo Botanical Garden beside it, opened in 1932, shows plants named in the Man'yoshu. Lantern festivals (Mantoro) are held on Setsubun in February (18:00–20:30) and on 14–15 August (19:00–21:30).
- Access
- Bus from either Nara station to Kasuga Taisha Honden (about 11–15 minutes), or the city loop bus (outer route) to Kasuga Taisha Omotesando (about 9–13 minutes) and about 10 minutes on foot.
- Hours
- Grounds 6:30–17:30 (March–October); 7:00–17:00 (November–February). Man'yo Botanical Garden 9:00–16:30 (last entry 16:00)
- Closed on
- Man'yo Botanical Garden closed Tuesdays from June to March (open daily in April and May). The Treasure Hall opens only during three special exhibitions a year
- Price
- Walking the grounds is free. Main Hall (Hon-den) ¥700. Man'yo Botanical Garden adults ¥500, children ¥200
5Nara National Museum奈良国立博物館
Museum · Nara Park
A national museum in Nara Park. The collection exhibitions of famous pieces and special collections are ¥700 for adults; special and collaborative exhibitions are priced per event, and hours can be extended for them.
- Access
- About 15 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nara Station along Noborioji Street. City outer loop bus (No. 2) from either Nara station to Himuro-jinja / Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan.
- Hours
- 9:30–17:00 (last entry 16:30); may be extended for special exhibitions
- Closed on
- Mondays (the next day when Monday is a public holiday); 28 December–1 January
- Price
- Collection exhibitions: adults ¥700; university students ¥350; high school and younger free. Special exhibitions priced separately
6Isuien Garden and Neiraku Museum依水園・寧楽美術館
Japanese garden and museum · Nara Park
A garden between Todai-ji and Kofuku-ji made of two parts, one from the Edo period and one from the Meiji era. The entry fee includes the Neiraku Museum, a small museum of early East Asian art.
- Access
- About 15 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nara Station, next to Todai-ji on its west side. About 3 minutes on foot from the Kencho-higashi loop bus stop.
- Hours
- 9:30–16:30 (entry until 16:00); April and May 9:30–17:00 (entry until 16:30)
- Closed on
- Tuesdays (open if a public holiday, closed the next weekday); garden maintenance from the end of December to mid-January and the last third of September
- Price
- Adults ¥1,200; university and high school ¥500; junior high and elementary ¥300
7Mt. Wakakusa若草山
Hill walk and view · Nara Park
A grassy three-tiered hill of 342 m behind Nara Park with a view over Todai-ji, the park, the city and Mt. Ikoma. The summit is reached on foot or by a toll road for cars.
- Access
- 12 minutes on foot from the Daibutsuden Kasuga Taisha-mae stop on the city loop bus from either Nara station.
- Hours
- 9:00–17:00 (except during special mountain access periods)
- Price
- Adults, university, high school and junior high ¥150; elementary ¥80
8Naramachiならまち
Old merchant district · Naramachi
A district that grew around the former grounds of Gango-ji, where houses from the Edo period to the postwar era remain. Red monkey charms (migawari-zaru) hang from the eaves, and some old houses are now cafés and shops. Tourist information centres in the district include Shika no Fune at the south end.
- Access
- Within walking distance of Kintetsu Nara and JR Nara stations and next to Nara Park.
- Price
- Free to walk
9Naramachi Koshi-no-Ieならまち格子の家
Recreated townhouse (free) · Naramachi
A recreated Naramachi townhouse (machiya) where visitors can look at the exterior, walk through the interior and rest. It has information about Naramachi.
- Access
- 20 minutes on foot from JR Nara or Kintetsu Nara; 10 minutes on foot from JR Kyobate. Or city loop bus (anticlockwise, No. 1) about 15 minutes to Tanaka-cho, then 2 minutes on foot.
- Hours
- 9:00–17:00
- Closed on
- Mondays (the next day when Monday is a public holiday); the day after a public holiday (open if that day is a Saturday, Sunday or holiday); 26 December–5 January
- Price
- Free
10Naramachi Karakuri Omochakanならまちからくりおもちゃ館
Toy museum (free) · Naramachi
A museum of karakuri (mechanical) toys in Naramachi. Entry is free; the tourism association advises checking the museum's own site for temporary closures.
- Access
- 10 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nara Station; 15 minutes from JR Nara Station; 13 minutes from JR Kyobate Station.
- Hours
- 9:00–17:00
- Closed on
- Wednesdays; 29 December–3 January
- Price
- Free
11Gango-ji元興寺
Temple (World Heritage) · Naramachi
One of the Seven Great Temples of the 8th century, registered as a World Heritage Site. Gokurakudo Hall is a national treasure, and the five-story pagoda, also a national treasure, is displayed in the treasure hall. Autumn special exhibitions raise the adult fee to ¥600.
- Access
- 15 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nara Station, or 5 minutes from the Fukuchiin-cho loop bus stop. 20 minutes on foot from JR Nara Station, or 5 minutes from the Tanaka-cho stop.
- Hours
- 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)
- Closed on
- Open all year
- Price
- Adults and university students ¥500; high school and junior high ¥300; elementary ¥100
12Yakushi-ji薬師寺
Temple (World Heritage) · Nishinokyo
A temple with a 1,300-year history, the first in Japan built with two pagodas. Its Yakushi Triad dates from the founding of the temple. The regular ticket covers the Kondo, Daikodo and Toindo.
- Access
- 1 minute on foot from Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station. About 18 minutes by bus from JR Nara or Kintetsu Nara, to the Yakushiji stop.
- Hours
- 9:00–17:00 (reception closes at 16:30)
- Closed on
- Open all year
- Price
- Adults ¥1,000; junior and senior high ¥600; elementary ¥200. Cash only
13Toshodai-ji唐招提寺
Temple (World Heritage) · Nishinokyo
The head temple of the Risshu school in western Nara. Its fan-throwing ceremony (Uchiwa-maki) is held on 19 May at 15:00 and the Kaisanki memorial on 5–7 June.
- Access
- About 17 minutes by bus bound for Rokujo-yama from either Nara station, to the Toshodaiji stop. About 10 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station.
- Hours
- 8:30–17:00 (reception closes at 16:30)
- Closed on
- Open all year
- Price
- Adults and university students ¥1,000; high school and junior high ¥400; elementary ¥200
14Heijo Palace Site Historical Park国営平城宮跡歴史公園
Historic site (World Heritage) · West Nara
The site of Heijo-kyo, the capital built about 1,300 years ago. It was designated a Special Historic Site in 1952 and is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara. It is open to walk around, and the First Daigokuden compound is being reconstructed.
- Access
- Nara Kotsu bus toward Gakuen-mae to the Suzakumon-hiroba-mae stop: 16 minutes from Kintetsu Nara Station, 22 minutes from JR Nara Station. Or 20 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Yamato-Saidaiji Station (south exit).
- Hours
- Hours differ by facility
- Closed on
- Closed days differ by facility
- Price
- Free
15Horyu-ji法隆寺
Temple (World Heritage), day trip · Ikaruga
The temple in Ikaruga, west of Nara. The Hall of Dreams (Yumedono) opens for worship of Kuse Kannon from 22 October to 22 November, and Kami-no-Mido opens from 1 to 3 November.
Day trip. The Yumedono is open for worship from 22 October to 22 November.
- Access
- From JR Nara Station, 13 minutes by JR Yamatoji Line to JR Horyuji Station; then 15 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by NC bus.
- Hours
- 8:00–17:00 (22 February–3 November); 8:00–16:30 (4 November–21 February)
- Price
- Adults (15 and over) ¥2,000; junior high ¥1,700; primary school ¥1,000
16Deer antler cutting (Shika no Tsunokiri)鹿の角きり
Seasonal event · Nara Park
The traditional antler-cutting of the Nara deer, held at the Rokuen deer enclosure in the Kasuga Taisha grounds. It used to be held in October and moved to November from 2025. In 2026 it runs on 7 and 8 November, with same-day tickets only.
7–8 November 2026 only.
- Access
- 30 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nara Station. Or city loop bus from either Nara station for 8 minutes to Kasuga Taisha Omotesando, then 7 minutes on foot.
- Hours
- 7–8 November 2026, 11:45–15:00 (doors open 11:15, last entry 14:30)
- Price
- Adults (junior high and over) ¥1,000; elementary ¥500. Same-day tickets only
17Wakakusa Yamayaki (mountain burning)若草山焼き
Seasonal event · Nara Park
The ceremony in which the grass on Mt. Wakakusa is set on fire to mark the arrival of early spring. It is held on the fourth Saturday of January, which is 23 January in 2027, and joins Kasuga Taisha, Kofuku-ji and Todai-ji. The starter fire comes from the Kasuga no Otondo held in Tobihino the same day.
January only. The fourth Saturday is 23 January in 2027.
- Access
- 12 minutes on foot from the Daibutsuden Kasuga Taisha-mae stop on the city loop bus from either Nara station.
Good to know
Start on the east side. Nara Park, Kofuku-ji, Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, the Nara National Museum and Isuien sit next to each other, 5 to 20 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nara Station: Kofuku-ji about 5 minutes, Nara Park about 8, the museum and Isuien about 15, Todai-ji about 20. Kasuga Taisha and Mt. Wakakusa are further up the slope and take a bus or a longer walk. Naramachi, with its free townhouse and toy museum, is within walking distance of both stations.
Yakushi-ji and Toshodai-ji are west of the centre and share Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station, and the Heijo Palace Site is a bus ride of 16 to 22 minutes. Horyu-ji is the one real day trip on this list: 13 minutes by JR from JR Nara Station, then 15 minutes on foot or 5 by bus.
Times to plan around: the Todai-ji Great Buddha Hall moves to 8:00–17:00 from November, Horyu-ji closes at 16:30 from 4 November, the Nara National Museum is closed on Mondays and Isuien on Tuesdays. The Yumedono at Horyu-ji is open for worship from 22 October to 22 November, the deer antler cutting is on 7 and 8 November, and the Wakakusa Yamayaki falls on 23 January 2027.
In depth
Park, Naramachi, west Nara or a day trip
How far each group is from the stations, what it costs to enter, and when it stops admitting. Adult prices; children's prices are on the cards above.
| Where | Getting there | Entry (adult) | Time limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nara Park, Kofuku-ji, Todai-ji | From Kintetsu Nara on foot: Kofuku-ji about 5 min, Nara Park about 8 min, Todai-ji about 20 min (or loop bus 7 min plus 5 min on foot) | Park free · Kofuku-ji ¥500 per golden hall, ¥900 National Treasure Hall · Todai-ji ¥800 | Todai-ji hall 17:00 (Nov–Mar) · Kofuku-ji last entry 16:45 |
| Kasuga Taisha and Mt. Wakakusa | Bus from either station to Kasuga Taisha Honden about 11–15 min; Wakakusa 12 min on foot from the Daibutsuden Kasuga Taisha-mae stop | Main Hall ¥700 · Man'yo Botanical Garden ¥500 · Wakakusa ¥150 | Shrine grounds 17:00 (Nov–Feb) · Wakakusa 17:00 |
| Nara National Museum and Isuien | About 15 min on foot from Kintetsu Nara, both | Museum collections ¥700 · Isuien ¥1,200 | Museum last entry 16:30, closed Mon · Isuien last entry 16:00, closed Tue |
| Naramachi | Koshi-no-Ie 20 min on foot from either station; Karakuri Omochakan 10 min from Kintetsu Nara; Gango-ji 15 min from Kintetsu Nara | Koshi-no-Ie and Karakuri Omochakan free · Gango-ji ¥500 | Gango-ji last entry 16:30 · Koshi-no-Ie and Karakuri 17:00 (closed Mon and Wed) |
| West Nara: Yakushi-ji, Toshodai-ji | Bus 17–18 min from either station; or Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station (Yakushi-ji 1 min, Toshodai-ji about 10 min on foot) | Yakushi-ji ¥1,000 · Toshodai-ji ¥1,000 | Both stop taking entries at 16:30 |
| Heijo Palace Site | Bus 16 min from Kintetsu Nara, 22 min from JR Nara, to Suzakumon-hiroba-mae | Free | Hours differ by facility |
| Day trip: Horyu-ji | JR Yamatoji Line 13 min from JR Nara to JR Horyuji, then 15 min on foot or 5 min by bus | ¥2,000 | 16:30 from 4 Nov, 17:00 until 3 Nov |
By kind of trip
First trip, one day on foot from Kintetsu Nara
Kofuku-ji, Nara Park and Todai-ji are 5 to 20 minutes on foot from the station and Isuien is next to Todai-ji. Kofuku-ji takes its last entry at 16:45 and Isuien at 16:00; the Todai-ji hall closes at 17:00 from November.
Kofuku-ji · Nara Park · Todai-ji · Isuien Garden and Neiraku Museum
Free or nearly free
Nara Park, the Naramachi Koshi-no-Ie, the Karakuri Omochakan and the Heijo Palace Site cost nothing to enter. Koshi-no-Ie is closed on Mondays and the Karakuri Omochakan on Wednesdays.
Nara Park · Naramachi Koshi-no-Ie · Naramachi Karakuri Omochakan · Heijo Palace Site Historical Park
Rain
The Nara National Museum, the halls and National Treasure Hall at Kofuku-ji, and the Karakuri Omochakan have indoor rooms. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Nara National Museum · Kofuku-ji · Naramachi Karakuri Omochakan
Temples west of the centre
Yakushi-ji (1 minute from Kintetsu Nishinokyo) and Toshodai-ji (about 10 minutes on foot from the same station) share a stop. Horyu-ji is a separate JR trip of 13 minutes plus a 15-minute walk or a 5-minute bus.
Dates in the next few months
The Yumedono at Horyu-ji is open from 22 October to 22 November, the deer antler cutting runs 7–8 November, the Kasuga Taisha Setsubun lantern festival is in early February, and the Wakakusa Yamayaki is on 23 January 2027.
Horyu-ji · Deer antler cutting (Shika no Tsunokiri) · Wakakusa Yamayaki (mountain burning) · Kasuga Taisha
Questions
How far apart are the main sights in Nara?
From Kintetsu Nara Station, Kofuku-ji is about 5 minutes on foot, Nara Park about 8, the Nara National Museum and Isuien about 15 and Todai-ji about 20. From JR Nara Station, Nara Park is about 20 minutes on foot or a 7-minute ride on the city loop bus, and Todai-ji is about 7 minutes by loop bus plus 5 on foot.
How much does Todai-ji cost, and when does it close?
The Great Buddha Hall costs ¥800 for adults and ¥400 for ages 6–12; the hall and the Todai-ji Museum together are ¥1,200 and ¥600. The hall is open 7:30–17:30 from April to October and 8:00–17:00 from November to March.
What should I know before feeding the deer in Nara Park?
The deer are wild animals. A pack of 10 deer crackers cost ¥200 in 2024, and the Nara City Tourism Association asks visitors to feed them nothing else. Males can become aggressive, especially in autumn, and deer may try to eat plastic bags, maps and pamphlets.
Which places close on which day?
The Nara National Museum is closed on Mondays (the next day if Monday is a public holiday) and from 28 December to 1 January. Isuien is closed on Tuesdays. Naramachi Koshi-no-Ie is closed on Mondays and the Karakuri Omochakan on Wednesdays. Nara Park, Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji, Gango-ji, Yakushi-ji and Toshodai-ji are open all year.
How do I get to Horyu-ji from Nara?
Take the JR Yamatoji Line from JR Nara Station to JR Horyuji Station, 13 minutes, then walk 15 minutes or take the NC bus for 5 minutes. Admission is ¥2,000 for adults. Hours are 8:00–17:00 until 3 November and 8:00–16:30 from 4 November to 21 February.