Visit Nara

Only a 1-minute walk from the east exit of JR Nara Train Station, the modern Super Hotel Lohas boasts a natural hot-spring bath and breakfast with fresh-baked bread. Decorated in a bright, colorful style, the air-conditioned rooms at Super Hotel Lohas JR Nara Eki an LCD TV, an electric kettle with tea bags, and a private bathroom and Yukata robes. Slippers and free toiletries are provided.

One of the best ways to sightsee in this part of Nara is by riding a bicycle. There are many bike rental shops in Asuka, so you don’t have to worry. Roads are also smooth, signs are easy for riders, and there are parking areas all over the place. The points you should see are Asakudera Temple, Ishibutai Burial Mold, and Amakashi-no-oka Hill.

Last but not least, in the list of the World Heritage Sites in Nara is the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. There are three pilgrim sites: Yoshino and Omine, Kumano Sanzan, and Koyasan. There are temples and shrines in the area like the Kinpujinja, Tamakijinja, or Kimpujinja. You will also be in awe of the natural sites like the cherry blossoms of Yoshinoyama or the view in Mitarai Gorge. It’s a unique and memorable thing to do in Nara.

The first Japanese site in the UNESCO World Heritage List from Japan is the Buddhist Monuments in the Horyuji Area. It was awarded since the wooden buildings are the oldest in the world and it also shows the beginning of Buddhism in Japan. You will be amazed by the structure and architecture of these buildings.

See the Horyuji Temple; the Saiin Garan (West Precinct) was built in the 7th century while the Toin Garan (East) in the 8th century. There is also the Hokiji, Horinji, and Chuguji Temples that are just near each other. It’s one of the best things to do in Nara.

Did you know that before Kyoto and Tokyo, Nara was the capital of Japan? That’s why there are many buildings here from the Nara Period that are also considered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Many of these ancient buildings or temples are located at Nara park but some at other towns in the prefecture.

Those located in Nara Park are Kofuku-Ji, Todai-Ji, Kasuga-Taisha, and Kasugayama Primeval Forest. You can go to Nara Park by stopping at JR / Kintetsu Nara Station. At Nishinokyo, you can see Yakushi-Ji, Toshodai-Ji, and Heijokyo Ruins (Palace) while Gango-Ji is in Naramachi.

Nara Koen is a 600-hectare park on the foot of Mt. Wakakusa and one of the oldest parks in the country. Over a thousand wild sika deer are roaming around the park, so why don’t you buy some deer biscuits (Shika-senbei), feed, and pet them. Because of people, the deer now learned how to bow so that they get food. They are considered natural treasures; it is said that one of the Kasuga Shrine gods visited riding a white deer. Please be careful though, as they are still wild animals.