Location: Nara Prefecture
Top Things to do in Nara Prefecture
The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in Nara Prefecture, Kinki
Nara Prefecture (奈良県, Nara-ken) is a prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. The capital is the city of Nara. Nara Prefecture has the distinction of having more UNESCO World Heritage Listings than any other prefecture.
Restaurants in Nara Prefecture
1. Kasuga Grand Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,765 reviews
Reviewed By 338siddharthb - Seattle, United States
When we went to Kashuga Taisha, we didn’t have much expectations and only went there as it showed on Google’s list of “things to do in Nara”. However I’d say now if there was only thing you could do in Nara apart from feeding the deers, go to Kasuga Taisha. It is slightly far from the JR Station so you will need to use some sort of public transport. We used Google Maps to catch bus 77 from near Kofukuji Temple and get down at Stop # 10 for 100 yen each. From the moment of entering the temple complex, we were amazed at the beautiful lanterns as they paved the entrance till we see the majestic orange tori gates. Then starts the trail of the majestic orange buildings lined along the lanterns, with a constant stream of tori gates as it feels magical to walk through them. There are lots of photo shoot places here too. As you walk along, this leads you to a dark room just illuminated with lanterns and it looks magical. Once you exit, you can see deers hiding among the moss-covered lanterns making for beautiful views and pictures. You can follow the trail back to Todai-ji or take a bus. Overall it’s the best attraction in Nara and I’d strongly recommend it. The gates are not as majestic as Fushimi Inari, but it definitely has it’s own charm.
2. Nara National Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 481 reviews
Reviewed By scottofhawaii - Honolulu, United States
I would say visiting this museum is equal to or more in significance than seeing Todaiji - the premier attraction in Nara. Todaji's got size and fame, but you're gonna see a wide variety of Buddhist treasures here. Magnificent statues, sculptures, reliefs, and whatnot pepper both buildings where you can spend quite a few hours viewing the exhibits and reading the excellent English descriptions most of them have. One special exhibition that I thought was fun was Buddhist art that involved images of animals. There were lots of informational signs here too in English with animal cartoon characters that I thought would be funny for the kids. I liked coming here a lot and am glad I didn't skip it. You shouldn't either.
3. Todai-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,653 reviews
Reviewed By Krubee - Singapore, Singapore
After a leisurely and fun stroll in Nara Park with my memorable deer encounters the pinnacle of my journey is the Great Todai-ji temple (Great Eastern Temple), one of the 7 Great Temples in Japan built in the 8th century. Located at the Northern Park of Nara Park. At its entrance stands Nandaimon Gate with two huge sculptures of Guardians. Its Great Buddha Hall at the center of the temple stands Daibutsu or Buddha Vaironaca, a giant bronze statue around 52 ft high. The path leading to the Temple including several complexes (Todai-ji museum, Nigatsudo Hall, Hokkedo Hall, Kaidando Hall to name a few). There is a large bronze bell in front of the Great Hall. In the Great Buddha Hall, two guardians who are equally big stands on each side guarding the shrine. Smaller statues, historical manuscripts and fine sculptures surround this hall and complex. Souvenirs and Toilets are also available in the complex. Incense, Prayers and Offerings are also available at the temple. It was indeed a worthwhile and memorable visit here at Todai-ji temple in Nara Park.
4. Toshodai-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 634 reviews
Reviewed By KodoDrummer - Yekaterinburg, Russia
Tōshōdai-ji is a beautiful, peaceful Buddhist temple with nice gardens, surrounded by stately trees. The temple’s origins date back to 759, when it was founded by a Chinese monk, Ganji Wajo. It still remains the headquarters of the Buddhist Ritsu-shu sect.
5. Nigatsu-do Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 750 reviews
Reviewed By rachelfZ5622UA - Vaudreuil-Dorion, Canada
Beautiful hike up to see all of Nara. We were there during one of the festival in early March and saw they light large torches and run across the temple. It was amazing!
6. Hasedera Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 371 reviews
Hase-dera is also nicknamed a flower 's temple, so it came to be called so because flowers do not go through throughout the year like cherry blossoms, peony, hydrangeas, autumn leaves in autumn. As I go through the mountain gate, I climb a long corridor called Erawing, and in Nara I can visit the main hall (Kannondo) next to Todaiji Temple. There will be a big Kannon exceeding 10 meters. The view from the outside stage where the three sides are surrounded by mountains is a word of great view.
7. Muroji Temple
8. Horyu-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 610 reviews
Reviewed By RaymondHua - Vancouver, Canada
Historically the Horyuji is a very important temple: it was founded in 607 CE by Prince Shotoku, who is credited with the early court promotion of Buddhism in Japan. This temple, therefore, can be considered as the official birthplace of Japanese Buddhism. Horyuji is also one of the country's oldest temples and contains the world's oldest surviving wooden structures. Notice the kondo (main hall) and the pagoda in the Western Precinct (Saiin Garan), they were built side by side, violating the traditional Chinese building fashion - everything must be symmetrical. This indicates that Japan had begun to develop its own style very early in its history.
9. Taimadera Temple
10. Omiwa Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 333 reviews
Reviewed By kimitakas - Taichung, Taiwan
Omiwa Shrine is the oldest Shinto shrine in Japan. Its wide precinct is filled with a majestic atmosphere. There is a hall of reverence, but there is no tangible body of god. Mt. Miwa, behind this shrine, is the god of Omiwa Shrine. This place is therefore the origin of animism and Japanese Shinto. It is absolutely worth visiting this holy place. There are many subsidiary shrines that you should visit.
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