Things to do in Nara
Nara was the capital before Kyoto, and it still feels like a place that stopped growing at the right moment. The whole of the area below fits into an afternoon on foot. The deer in Nara Park are wild animals rather than an attraction — they bow because they have learned it gets them crackers, and they will take a paper map out of your hand if you let them.
2 places in Nara, covering temples & shrines, nature & parks — each with opening hours, directions from the nearest station, and the official site.
All places
Todaiji
Todaiji houses the world's largest bronze Buddha statue at 14.98 meters inside the world's largest wooden building. The temple was founded in 752 and is one of Japan's most awe-inspiring historical landmarks.
Nara Park
Nara Park is home to over 1,000 freely roaming sika deer considered sacred messengers of the gods. Visitors can feed them special deer crackers called shika senbei, and the deer have learned to bow their heads in anticipation.
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