Nara is a city located less than an hour away to Osaka and Kyoto. Tourists tend to visit the place together with Kyoto and Osaka not knowing that there are also hidden gems waiting to be uncovered in this city. It houses most of the history and heritage of Japan, including a number of oldest and largest temples. Here’s a Japan travel guide as you wander in Nara.
How to get there?
Kansai International Airport is most likely to be the airport of your arrival if you are flying out from Manila. In case you will be coming from other prefectures or parts of Japan, you may take Itami Airport which is closer to Osaka City compared to Kansai International airport.
Options from the Airport to Nara City
If you are coming from Kansai International Airport (KIX), there are a few options to choose from on how to reach Nara City:
First option is by train which is one of the most efficient and fastest means of traveling around Japan. From Kansai International Airport, you can take Kansai Airport express “Haruka” to Kyoto and this train will take one (1) hour and fifteen (15) minutes of travel time only.
Your second option is to travel by bus. There are airport limousine buses that regularly run from the airport to Kyoto; however, this ride would make a few stops, as it works like a point to point bus, before finally reaching your destination. Travel time for this option would be approximately one (1) hour and thirty (30) minutes depending on the traffic situation in the area.
Lastly, there is an option to ride a taxi. This is by far the most expensive mode of transfer from the airport going to your destination since it is technically a private transfer. The rate of the taxi might be triple than what you usually pay if you would ride a train to your destination. What is good on this option is that, if you want a direct ride from the airport straight to your accommodation’s door step, this is for you.
Nara’s Tourist Attractions
So if you’re planning to travel to Nara City, here are some of the places you should not miss.
Todaiji Temple
Todaiji Temple is a Buddhist temple complex that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples. It has a great contribution to Japanese history and it also houses one of Japan’s giant Great Buddha. This attraction is one of the famous temples in Nara due to Daibutsuden that exhibits breathtaking wooden structure.
Nara Park
Nara Park is connected to Todaiji Temple. This is where you can see the iconic sika deers roaming around the park and the streets, which have become the symbol of the city and is considered as messengers of the gods. These animals are being fed by some tourists who buy crackers from vendors at the park. If these deers bow their heads, this means that they are asking for a food from you.
Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Kasuga Grand Shrine is a Shinto shrine which is considered as the grandest shrine in the city and a home to four main deities or gods. Tourists visit the place in awe of its structures and hundreds of hanging bronze lanterns that were given by its worshipers surrounding the shrine. All lanterns are lit during Chugen Mandoro Lantern Festival which makes the shrine brighter.
Kofukuji Temple
Kōfuku-ji is a Buddhist temple, one of the powerful Seven Great Temples in the city of Nara, Japan. The temple features several structures of great historic value. One of Nara’s famous landmark is the five-storied pagoda which is Japan’s second tallest wooden pagoda. To name, The Central Golden Hall, The Eastern Golden Hall, National Treasure Museum and the Northern and Southern Octagonal Halls are some of these historic structures that you can visit within Kofukuji Temple.
Nara may not be that famous compared to neighboring cities but giving it a visit is definitely worth it. Spend a day in this place, have a relaxing atmosphere and a glimpse of Japan’s history and heritage. Get in touch with us so we can include Nara on your travel places to visit for your next trip to Japan.