Outdoors · Nara · Japan
5 best outdoor things to do in Nara
Parks, viewpoints and open-air sights for the dry, bright days.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: 663highland, CC BY 2.5
Quick answer
Start with Nara Park and its deer, Isui-en and Yoshiki-en gardens and Mount Wakakusa. Together the 5 picks below take roughly 8–10 hours across 2 areas; 3 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 5
- Free entry
- 3
- Time to see them all
- 8–10 hours
- Areas
- Nara Park and Nishinokyo
Outdoors in Nara
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Park · Nara Park
1.Nara Park and its deer
Feed crackers one at a time and show empty hands when you are done; deer can nip or butt when they see food, especially in autumn rutting season.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Garden · Nara Park
2.Isui-en and Yoshiki-en gardens
Combine both with lunch at Isui-en's restaurant overlooking the pond; Yoshiki-en has been free for foreign visitors showing a passport.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Viewpoint · Nara Park
3.Mount Wakakusa
Climb to the first plateau for sunset views; the summit can also be reached by car via the Nara Okuyama Driveway.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Outdoors
- Active
- Couples
Nature · Nara Park
4.Kasugayama Primeval Forest
Walk the trail in the morning and carry water; it is quiet and has few facilities.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Nature
- Free
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Nishinokyo
5.Heijo Palace site
It is large and exposed; visit in spring or autumn and rent a bike from near Yamato-Saidaiji station.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Outdoors
- Architecture
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Nara Park | Nara Park and its deer, Isui-en and Yoshiki-en gardens, Mount Wakakusa and Kasugayama Primeval Forest | 1–2 hours + 1–1.5 hours + 1.5 hours + 2–3 hours |
| Nishinokyo | Heijo Palace site | 2 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 5, 3 free, 2 low cost. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Kasugayama Primeval Forest; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 2 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Nara Park): Nara Park and its deer → Isui-en and Yoshiki-en gardens → Mount Wakakusa, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Nara Park and Nishinokyo): Kasugayama Primeval Forest → Heijo Palace site, at least 4 hours.
The best months to be outside
- October: highs of 23°C (73°F), about 8 rainy days, busy crowds. Comfortable and dry; deer antlers are cut in a traditional ceremony, and the Shoso-in Exhibition opens late in the month.
- November: highs of 17°C (63°F), about 6 rainy days, very busy crowds. Autumn colour peaks in Nara Park, Isui-en and Yoshiki-en, usually mid to late November; very busy at weekends.
- April: highs of 20°C (68°F), about 9 rainy days, very busy crowds. Cherry blossom in Nara Park and at Mount Yoshino; one of the busiest and most beautiful times.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Takabatake — Quiet residential lanes south of Kasuga Taisha, once home to writers and artists
- Nishinokyo — Western temple district around Yakushi-ji and Toshodai-ji
More of Nara
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Nara?
Nara Park and its deer. This large public park of lawns, ponds and forest links Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji and Kasuga Taisha.
+Which of these are free in Nara?
Nara Park and its deer, Kasugayama Primeval Forest and Heijo Palace site.