What's so special about Nara?


What's so special about Nara? Nara, once known as Heijo-kyo, was the first capital of Japan (710-794). It's home to 3 of Japan's World Heritage Sites and many impressive shrines, temples and ruins.


Can you touch the deer in Nara?

Do not carelessly touch or approach the deer! Do not let your child approach the deer alone! The deer in Nara Park are wild animals. Their behavior is unpredictable.


How much is the bullet train from Kyoto to Nara?

The one way trip takes 45 minutes, costs 720 yen and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass. For the same fare, the trip could also be made by twice-hourly local trains in 75 minutes. Twice-hourly limited express trains take about 35 minutes and cost 1280 yen for the one way trip from Kyoto Station to Kintetsu Nara Station.


Is Nara worth spending the night?

Nara National Museum is also located in the park. Staying overnight gives you extra time to see Nara by night, and explore some of the dinner options available. You can try some of Nara's specialities, such as somen noodles (a string-thin flour noodle), or bitter persimmon leaf sushi, kaki no ha zushi.


Why do people like Nara?

A celebration of the seasons. If it's springtime Nara is a top spot for cherry blossom. The city itself was stunning enough but Nara is also the name of a prefecture that includes Yoshino, one of the top cherry blossom viewing sites in all of Japan.


What is Nara best known for?

Nara Prefecture is located in the Kansai Region of Japan, and is known as the home of many early emperor palaces, large Shinto shrines, and abundance of wild deer that roam freely through the region.


Is Nara colder than Osaka?

Winter (December to February) In January, it gets even colder, with an average temperature of 6? in Osaka, 4.6? in Kyoto, and 3.9? in Nara.


Is Nara Park free?

Admission is free, but you will most likely wish to purchase deer crackers during your visit. A pack of ten crackers costs 150 yen. The Todaiji Temple is open from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm during the months of April through October, and 8 am to 4:30 pm from November through March. Admission is 500 yen.


What animal is specifically sacred in Nara Japan?

Because of this legend, deer were thought of as sacred animals--the helpers of gods--and have been carefully protected for many years. Even today, Nara's deer are carefully protected as natural monuments.


Why do so many tourists visit Nara?

The deer, wild and out in the open in the park, have grown accustomed to being fed by tourists, most of whom trek to Nara for this very reason. Established in 1880, Nara Park is one of the oldest parks in Japan.