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Road trip from Osaka · About 50 min by car
Nara
Nara was Japan's capital in the 8th century, and its great temples and shrines sit together in one large park. The star is Todai-ji, where a 15 m bronze Buddha sits inside one of the world's largest wooden buildings.
More than a thousand free-roaming deer live in Nara Park and bow for 'shika senbei' crackers. With a car, park once near the park and do everything on foot.
Where to go
1Todai-ji (Great Buddha Hall) 東大寺 大仏殿The huge wooden hall holding the 15 m bronze Great Buddha. Near the back, a pillar has a hole the size of the Buddha's nostril that children try to squeeze through.1–1.5 hr · Adult ¥800, child (6–12) ¥400; with museum ¥1,200 / ¥600. Cash only.Map ↗
2Nara Park deer 奈良公園Open lawns where around a thousand wild deer roam. Buy official crackers from the vendors and watch the deer bow.1 hr · Park free; deer crackers ¥200 a packMap ↗
3Kasuga Taisha 春日大社Forest shrine lined with about 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns, a 20-minute walk through the woods from Todai-ji.1 hr · Grounds free; main sanctuary special area ¥700Map ↗
4Kofuku-ji 興福寺Temple with Nara's famous five-storey pagoda and a museum of national-treasure Buddhist statues.45 min · Grounds free; National Treasure Museum adult ¥900, junior/senior high ¥800, elementary ¥500Map ↗
5Naramachi ならまちOld merchant quarter of wooden townhouses with small shops and cafés, just south of Kofuku-ji.1 hr · Free to walkMap ↗
A day there
- 8:30Leave south Osaka early; about 50 minutes to Nara
- 9:30Park at Daibutsu-mae car park; visit Todai-ji before the tour groups arrive
- 11:00Feed the deer on the lawns of Nara Park
- 12:00Lunch near Higashimuki / Kofuku-ji; see the pagoda
- 13:30Walk through the forest to Kasuga Taisha's lantern-lined paths
- 15:30Stroll Naramachi for sweets and souvenirs, then drive home
What to eat
Kakinoha-zushi (sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves)Around Kintetsu Nara Station and Higashimuki shopping street
Kuzu-mochi and other kuzu (arrowroot) sweetsNaramachi
Freshly pounded mochiHigashimuki and Sanjo-dori shopping streets
With kids
Children love feeding the deer, but they can nip and head-butt. Show empty hands once the crackers are gone, and keep small children close. The 'nostril pillar' at Todai-ji is a fun challenge.
Good to know
- The prefectural car parks change their fees from 1 October 2026, with higher caps on peak days. Arrive early on weekends.
- Todai-ji takes cash only, so bring yen.
- Only feed deer the official crackers, and don't tease them by pretending to.