Must-Visit Places and Events in Nara for Your Next Trip

Nara Prefecture is a fascinating region where you can experience Japanese history and culture with your whole body. The relaxed nature and deer of Nara, the magnificent faith displayed by the Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple, and the architecture and festival traditions handed down at Horyuji Temple and Kasuga leave a deep impression on visitors.

Nara is not just home to temples and shrines, but also to historical parks and cultural heritage sites that blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings of everyday life, allowing you to experience a different landscape no matter what season you visit. In this article, we'll introduce you to must-see tourist spots in Nara. Whether you're visiting Nara for the first time or have been there many times, we hope you'll discover something new and fascinating.

• Table of Contents
• Must-See Tourist Spots in Nara Prefecture
• Tickets in Japan Performances and Events in Nara 
• Introducing Tickets in Japan
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Must-See Tourist Spots in Nara Prefecture

Nara Prefecture is home to many famous places where you can deeply experience Japanese history and culture. Visitors are captivated by timeless cultural assets such as the nature and deer of Nara, the Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple, and Horyuji Temple, known as the world's oldest wooden building. In addition to shrines and temples, other must-see spots include Heijo Palace Historical Park, where you can learn about the remains of the ancient capital, and Asuka Historical Park, where you can experience the history of the Asuka period.

Here we will introduce some must-visit spots when you go to Nara Prefecture.

Nara Park

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Nara park is a prefectural city park that opened on February 14, 1880. Its attractive features include a landscape that combines cultural assets such as Todaiji Temple, Kasuga, Kofukuji Temple, and the National Museum with lush forests.

Approximately 1,300 Nara deer, a national natural monument, live within the park, and together with the flowers and trees of each season, they create an atmosphere reminiscent of the ancient capital. The lawns are perfect for strolling and taking photos, making this a must-see for first-time visitors to Nara. When feeding the deer crackers, it is a good idea to hold on to your belongings and keep any papers out of sight. The quiet morning hours are less crowded, allowing you to explore at your leisure.

Todaiji Temple

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Todaiji Temple is the temple where the Great Buddha's eye-opening ceremony was held in 752 (the 4th year of the Tenpyo Shoho era), and is one of Nara's most famous attractions. The huge Great Buddha Hall and South Gate are impressive, and although they have been burned down and rebuilt many times throughout history, they have survived to the present day, and within the temple grounds you can experience the grandeur and tranquility of the temple buildings.

Horyuji Temple

Horyuji Temple

1-1-1 Horyuji Sannai, Ikaruga-cho, Ikoma-gun, Nara 636-0115

Horyuji Temple was founded around the 15th year of the reign of Emperor Suiko (607) and is known as one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world. After being burned down in the 9th year of the reign of Emperor Tenji (670), it was rebuilt by the beginning of the Nara period, and the five-story pagoda and main hall were completed in the Western Precinct.

Kasuga

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

160 Kasuganocho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture 630-8212

Kasuga Taisha Shrine is a World Heritage Site located in Nara Park, a historic shrine founded in 768. The vermilion-painted shrine building and the stone lanterns on the approach to the shrine create a mystical atmosphere. The nature is beautiful throughout the seasons, and the wisteria flowers are especially famous. You can view valuable cultural assets in the Treasure Hall.

Kasuga is an ancient shrine founded in 768, and is characterized by its vibrant vermilion-lacquered shrine buildings and sacred grounds protected by virgin forest. Looking up to Mt. Mikatayama as a Kamiyama, the shrine holds more than 2,200 festivals a year to pray for the peace and prosperity of the nation and its people. Approximately 3,000 lanterns line the grounds, and the shrine is also famous as a famous wisteria viewing spot.

Heijo Palace Ruins Historical Park

Heijo Palace Remains Historical Park

〒630-8012 3-5-1, Nijooji Minami, Nara City, Nara Prefecture

Heijo Palace Ruins Historical Park is a national park centered around the Heijo Palace Ruins, a World Heritage Site and Special Historic Site . You can learn about life in the capital at Suzakumon Square and the Heijo Palace Izanaikan. You can experience the scale of the past at the approximately 74m-wide Suzaku Avenue and the Daigokuden-in South Gate (Daigokumon). We also recommend admiring the Suzakumon Gate in the evening as it bathes in the setting sun.

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Tickets in Japan Performances and Events in Nara 

In Nara, you can experience both traditional events and performing arts. Be sure to check the event dates and venue access, and plan your participation carefully to avoid crowds. Here we will introduce performances and events in Nara .

YAMATO Performance

The Japanese drumming group YAMATO is a popular group based in Asuka, Nara , that performs all over the world. From January 2nd to 5th, 2026, they will be holding a 70-minute performance and a "Japanese drumming experience" (1:00 PM - 60 minutes) at Nara Park Bus Terminal. They are also planning a New Year's performance on January 10th at Pegasus Hall in Kanmaki Town.

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