Best time to visit · Nara · Japan
The best time to visit Nara
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Kimon Berlin ( Gribeco ), CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best times to visit Nara are late March to May, for cherry blossom and mild weather, and October to November, for comfortable days and autumn colour in Nara Park. Early April and November weekends are the most crowded, so visit early in the morning. Summer is hot and humid but brings evening lantern festivals in August, and winter is cold, clear and quiet.
Key facts
- Best months
- March–May and October–November
- Shoulder season
- December–February
- Warmest month
- August (avg high 33°C (91°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 9°C (48°F))
- Rainiest month
- June (~12 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- December–February
Seasons
Nara sits in an inland basin, so it is colder in winter and hotter in summer than coastal Osaka. Expect occasional frosts from December to February, a rainy season from about early June to mid-July and humid summer highs above 30°C.
March–May
Spring
Omizutori fire rituals in March, cherry blossom in early April and fresh green in May; busy at Golden Week.
June–August
Summer
A rainy June, fawns in the park, then hot, humid days and lantern festivals in August.
September–November
Autumn
Pleasant temperatures, the deer antler-cutting, the Shoso-in Exhibition and maple colour in November.
December–February
Winter
Cold, dry and the quietest season, with Wakakusa Yamayaki in January and lantern festivals in February.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9°C | 0°C | 5 | 10.1 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 10°C | 0°C | 7 | 10.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 14°C | 3°C | 10 | 11.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 20°C | 8°C | 9 | 13 h | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| May | 25°C | 13°C | 10 | 14 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 28°C | 18°C | 12 | 14.5 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| July | 32°C | 22°C | 12 | 14.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| August | 33°C | 23°C | 8 | 13.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| September | 29°C | 19°C | 10 | 12.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 23°C | 12°C | 8 | 11.2 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| November | 17°C | 6°C | 6 | 10.3 h | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| December | 11°C | 1°C | 6 | 9.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Wakakusa Yamayaki — burning of Mount Wakakusa with fireworks (usually the fourth Saturday of January) |
| February | Setsubun Mantoro — all of Kasuga Taisha's lanterns lit (usually around 3 February) |
| March | Omizutori (Shuni-e) — fire rituals at Nigatsu-do (1–14 March) |
| April | Cherry blossom in Nara Park (usually early April); Cherry blossom at Mount Yoshino (usually early to mid-April) |
| May | Golden Week holidays (late April to early May) |
| June | Deer fawns in Nara Park (June–July) |
| August | Nara Tokae — candle lantern festival in Nara Park (usually early to mid-August); Chugen Mantoro — lanterns lit at Kasuga Taisha (usually 14–15 August) |
| September | Uneme Festival at Sarusawa Pond (usually around the September harvest moon) |
| October | Deer antler-cutting ceremony (usually October weekends); Shoso-in Exhibition at the Nara National Museum (usually late October to mid-November) |
| November | Autumn leaves in Nara Park (usually mid to late November) |
| December | Kasuga Wakamiya On-matsuri — processions and performing arts (usually 15–18 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in December–February, and the sights are quietest in June and December–February.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Nara?
The best times to visit Nara are late March to May, for cherry blossom and mild weather, and October to November, for comfortable days and autumn colour in Nara Park. Early April and November weekends are the most crowded, so visit early in the morning. Summer is hot and humid but brings evening lantern festivals in August, and winter is cold, clear and quiet.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Nara?
Usually in December–February. Cold, dry and quiet apart from New Year visits to shrines; frosty mornings in the park.
+What is the rainiest month in Nara?
June, with about 12 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Nara get?
The warmest month, August, averages highs of 33°C (91°F) and lows of 23°C (73°F).