Japan's first permanent capital was established in the year 710 at Heijo, the city now known as Nara (“Þ—Ç). Prior to that, the capital was moved to a new location whenever a new emperor ascended to the throne.
However, as the influence and political ambitions of the city's powerful Buddhist monasteries grew to become a serious threat to the government, the capital was moved away from Nara to Nagaoka in 784 and a few years later to Kyoto.
Nara is located less than one hour from Kyoto and Osaka. Due to its historical importance, the city remains full of cultural treasures, including some of Japan's oldest and largest temples.
Top attractions in Nara
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Getting there and around
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Links and Resources
English
Nara City Sightseeing Information Center
Official website of the local tourism association.Nara SGG Club
Volunteer group assisting international visitors to Nara.Nara Guide Club
Offering free guided tours by volunteers for foreign tourists.Nara YMCA Goodwill Guides
Offering free, personalized tours in English.Nara Volunteer Guide Group
Offering tours in English.Japanese
Hotels around Nara
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Guest House OkuA 5-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, Guest House Oku is located a 15-minute walk from JR Nara station. Guest House Oku features a total of 3 guest rooms and free WiFi throughout the property. All rooms come with air conditioning. A shared toilet and shower is available for guests. You will find luggage storage space at the property. Kofuku-ji is 900 metres from Guest House Oku, while Todaiji Temple is 1.4 km away. Kansai International Airport is a 95-minute limousine bus ride away.View on Booking.com
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Guesthouse NaramachiThe 100-year old Guesthouse Naramachi offers simple Japanese-style accommodation just a 5-minute walk from JR Kyobate Train Station. The property is completely non-smoking. It offers massages, bicycle rental and free Wi-Fi throughout. The World Heritage registered Nara Park is a 10-minute walk away. Guests at Naramachi can choose a private room with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and Japanese futon beds. All rooms are air-conditioned, and bathrooms and toilets are shared. Bath towels, washclothes and Yukata robes can be rented. JR Nara Train Station is a 20-minute walk, and Kofuku-ji Temple is a pleasant 10-minute walk away through the traditional streets of Nara. Gangoji Temple and three public baths are available within a 5-minute walk. Various types of bicycles can be rented. A free-use kitchenette is provided, with a microwave, fridge and electric kettle. At time of booking, you must inform the hotel what time you plan to check in. If your check-in time changes, please update the hotel. Guests who require parking must inform the hotel at time of booking.View on Booking.com
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NARA Visitor Center and InnThe Nara Visitor Center and Inn is situated in the heart of Nara, just a 3-minute walk from Kofuku-ji Temple and Naramachi. The Todai-ji Temple and Deer Park are a 10-minute stroll away, while Nara Station on the Kintetsu Line is a 7-minute walk. JR Nara Station is 14-minutes away on foot. All guest rooms feature air conditioning and heating, and are equipped with a fridge and flat-screen TV. Japanese samue nightwear are available to all staying guests. Some units come equipped with an en suite bathroom with a shower, while some Japanese-style rooms come with an en suite shower. Japanese-style rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding. The property offers free WiFi access and a 24-hour front desk. Luggage storage is available. There is a public bath on site, where guests will find free toiletries and hairdryers. A coin launderette, a shared kitchen and free-use internet PCs are offered on site. The on-site tourist information desk offers information in English, Chinese and Korean. Services offered at the desk include transport and meal tickets at a discount, currency exchange, bike hire at a charge, cultural activities at an additional charge, such as Japanese calligraphy lessons, and tour arrangements. Some cultural activities such as origami folding are offered free of charge.View on Booking.com
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Hilo HostelHilo Hostel is located in Nara, within less than 1 km of Nara Station and 18 km of Iwafune Shrine. The 3-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with a shared bathroom and free WiFi. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen, and luggage storage for guests. Higashiosaka Hanazono Rugby Stadium is 21 km from the hostel, while Nippon Christ Kyodan Shijonawate Church is 22 km away. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 53 km from Hilo Hostel.View on Booking.com
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SETRE Naramachi ƒZƒgƒŒ ‚È‚ç‚Ü‚¿SETRE Naramachi ƒZƒgƒŒ ‚È‚ç‚Ü‚¿ features free bikes, garden, a shared lounge and terrace in Nara. With a restaurant, the 5-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 1.9 km from Nara Station. At the hotel, the rooms are equipped with a wardrobe. Each room comes with a kettle, while certain rooms include a balcony and others also offer mountain views. Guest rooms in SETRE Naramachi ƒZƒgƒŒ ‚È‚ç‚Ü‚¿ are equipped with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. Staff speak English and Japanese at the reception. Iwafune Shrine is 19 km from the accommodation, while Higashiosaka Hanazono Rugby Stadium is 23 km away. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 54 km from SETRE Naramachi ƒZƒgƒŒ ‚È‚ç‚Ü‚¿.View on Booking.com
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Mountain Home Lodge in Deer ParkMountain Home Lodge in Deer Park is situated in the Nara Park district of Nara, 3.3 km from Nara Station and 20 km from Iwafune Shrine. Complimentary WiFi is available throughout the property. There is a private bathroom with bidet in some units, along with free toiletries, a hairdryer and slippers. If you would like to discover the area, hiking is possible in the surroundings. Higashiosaka Hanazono Rugby Stadium is 23 km from the lodge, while Nippon Christ Kyodan Shijonawate Church is 25 km from the property. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 55 km from Mountain Home Lodge in Deer Park.View on Booking.com
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Yuzan GuesthouseConveniently located a 5-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station and a 8-minute walk from JR Nara Station, Yuzan Guest House Annex offers cosy accommodation with a shared kitchen. Free WiFi access is available throughout the property. Each room is simply decorated and comes with air conditioning and heating facilities. Guests can choose to stay in Japanese-style rooms featuring tatami (woven-straw) floor and futon bedding. Bathroom facilities are shared. At Guest House Yuzan Annex you will find a small garden, a terrace and a shared lounge. Free luggage storage is also available upon request. Guests can make a 10-minute stroll to the Nara Park, located in the city central area. Todaiji Temple and Heijo Palace are both a 10-minute drive away while Kansai International Airport can be reached with a 80-minute drive. Meals are not served on site.View on Booking.com
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Guesthouse TamuraRenovating a Japanese-style private house with a 100-year history, Guesthouse Tamura offers an accommodation in Fushigazushi-cho, Nara. Kintetsu Nara Station is a 13-minute walk away, while Kasuga Taisha Shrine is a 20-minute stroll. Every room comes with a shared bathroom. Some rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) flooring and Japanese futon bedding. You will find luggage storage space at the property. Vegetarian meals can be offered upon request. Kofuku-ji is 8 minutes on foot from Guesthouse Tamura, while Nara Park is a 20-minute stroll away. Osaka Itami Airport is 38 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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Onyado Nono Nara Natural Hot SpringFeaturing natural hot spring baths on site, Onyado Nono Nara Natural Hot Spring is set in Nara, just a 3-minute walk from JR Nara Station. Free WiFi is available throughout the property, and private parking is available on site. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. Kofuku-ji Temple is 15 minutes on foot. All rooms include a flat-screen TV and electric kettle in the room. Rooms have a private bathroom fitted with a bath or shower and bidet. For your comfort, you will find slippers, free toiletries and a hairdryer. Extras include a fridge and toothbrushes. There is a 24-hour front desk at the property. Free luggage storage service is provided. Todaiji Temple is 10 minutes by car from Onyado Nono Nara Natural Hot Spring, while Nara Park is a 20-minute stroll from the property. Osaka Itami Airport is 37 km away.View on Booking.com
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Hotel RokuneSet within 17 km of Iwafune Shrine and 21 km of Higashiosaka Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Hotel Rokune provides rooms in Nara. Featuring a terrace, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is located 700 metres from Nara Station. All units are equipped with a fridge, microwave, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. At the hotel every room is equipped with bed linen and towels. At Hotel Rokune guests are welcome to take advantage of a hot tub. Nippon Christ Kyodan Shijonawate Church is 22 km from the accommodation, while Shijonawate City Museum of History and Folklore is 22 km away. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 52 km from Hotel Rokune.View on Booking.com
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Experiences around Nara
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Nara Park and Snow Play at Rokko Snow Park Day Tour from OsakaTake the direct ride from Osaka to Rokko Mountain Ski Resort, so you donft have to worry about transferring and enjoy 4 hours of skiing fun.View on Klook
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Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, & Awaji Island Private Car Charter TourDeparting from Kyoto city, a customized 10-hour chartered one-day tour in the Kansai region. The route can be planned freely. Professional drivers can also recommend attractions.View on Klook
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Ikaruga Pagodas Tour with Buggy in NaraDiscover the scenery of Ikaruga with the cute open-type buggy and an experienced instructorView on Klook
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Kyoto and Nara Private Car Charter with English Speaking GuideExplore Kyoto and Nara city on a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto!View on Klook
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Kyoto and Nara Golden Route 1 Day Bus Tour from Osaka and Kyoto*This full-day experience is a great choice to explore both the historic cities of Kyoto and Nara. You can see the popular and famous temples, shrines and also a park with charming deersôView on Klook
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Osaka Kyoto Nara Kobe Customized Chartered Car One day TourNo shopping, pure play journey, no mandatory shopping.View on Klook
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Kyoto and Nara Day Tour from KyotoLearn more about this activity's [Enhanced Health & Hygiene Measures](https://www.klook.com/en-US/article/11049-covid-measures)View on Klook
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Departing from Osakab Kansai private chartered one-day tourbOsaka Kyoto Nara Kobe Awajishima Amanohashidate Lake BiwaKansai RegionbCustomized 10-hour chartered one-day tour from Osaka (Kyoto), free planning of the entire route, professional driver recommended attractions, spend a relaxing and rich one-day tour!View on Klook
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Arashiyama, Kinkakuji, Nara Park Day Tour from Osaka/KyotoExperience the picturesque beauty of Arashiyama, from the tranquil waterfront to the atmospheric bamboo forestView on Klook
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