6 Best Things to do in Nara, Japan
Planning a trip to Nara? Get ready for an unforgettable trip.
This historic city is famous for its free-roaming deer, towering temples, and lantern-lined shrines, but what we love most is how much culture and charm you can experience in just a single visit. From the massive Great Buddha at Todai-ji to the peaceful streets of Naramachi, every corner has a story to tell.
We’ve spent time exploring Nara and had such a great time seeing the famous deer, wandering temple grounds, and trying unique cultural experiences like sushi-making and tea ceremonies. To help you make the most of your trip, we’ve pulled together our favorite tours that highlight the very best of the city. So if you’re looking for inspiration on what to do in Nara, let’s dive right in!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
This is the tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP!
Our personal FAVORITE activity is this small-group walking tour of Nara’s highlights! From seeing the famous deer to historic temples and shrines, it’s the perfect mix of iconic sights and hidden gems. Plus, entrance fees, lunch and crackers to feed the deer are included!
Things to do in Nara, Japan
1. Explore Nara on two wheels
- Duration: 3–4 hours
- Time: 10 am and 2 pm
- Highlights: Cycle through Nara’s top sights on a small-group bike tour, meet the friendly deer in Nara Park, explore iconic landmarks like Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine
- Inclusions: Use of bicycle, helmet, and other bike gear, in-depth background from your guide on shrines, temples, and more, all fees and taxes
- Rating: 4.7 stars (check 80+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Exploring Nara on foot can be exhausting, especially when you’re trying to cover all the top sights in just one day. That’s why this small-group bike tour is such a game-changer. Instead of battling long walks or confusing transport, you’ll hop on a bike and breeze between shrines, temples, and parks with ease.
From the very first stop at Nara Park, we were already having fun feeding the friendly deer that roam freely throughout the park. With our guide, Jerome, leading the way, everything felt easy and relaxed. He took the time to adjust our bikes to fit perfectly, provided helmets, and kept us cool with bottled water on a hot day. It made the whole ride not just comfortable, but genuinely enjoyable.
The route itself was filled with variety. One moment we were standing before the towering Namdaimon Gate, and the next we were stepping inside Todai-ji, the largest wooden structure in the world, home to a giant bronze Buddha that left us speechless.
A visit to Kasuga Taisha, with its endless rows of lanterns, felt magical, while Sagi Pond gave us the perfect peaceful ending (and a great photo spot!). We even stopped at a traditional cutlery shop, where you can buy handcrafted knives and have them engraved on the spot.
This ride wasn’t strenuous at all—it felt more like a casual roll through history with friends. It’s the perfect way to experience Nara’s charm without the stress, and one tour you’ll remember long after you leave!
Book this bike tour today and see the very best of Nara!
2. Stroll through historic streets and temples on a walking tour
- Duration: 5 hours
- Time: 10 am
- Highlights: Explore Nara on a small-group walking tour, see Todai-ji’s Great Buddha and Kasuga Taisha’s lanterns, enjoy a traditional lunch, meet the friendly deer, wander historic merchant houses in Naramachi
- Inclusions: Guide, entrance fee for temples and shrines, one packet of crackers to feed the deer, lunch (vegan menu available)
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 870+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Trying to see Nara’s highlights on your own can feel overwhelming—you don’t want to miss the famous spots, but you also crave those tucked-away gems most tourists never find. That’s why this small-group half-day walking tour was one of our favorite ways to explore the city. It blends the big landmarks with hidden corners and gives you the full Nara experience in just a few hours.
With our guide, Yuuki, leading the way, we felt completely at ease. Yuuki was not only knowledgeable, but also made the entire experience engaging and fun, sharing fascinating stories that brought each stop to life.
The tour began at Kofuku-ji Temple, where the iconic five-story pagoda towers over the city. From there, we walked through the Namdaimon Gate and into Todai-ji, home to the massive Great Buddha that never fails to impress. Lunch was another highlight, enjoyed in a traditional old town before heading to Kasuga Taisha Shrine, a UNESCO site lined with hundreds of stone and bronze lanterns.
We continued through the tranquil Kasugayama Primeval Forest, stopping to greet Nara’s beloved deer, before ending in Naramachi. Wandering through its preserved townhouses offered a fascinating glimpse into the everyday lives of merchants centuries ago.
This tour truly has it all: history, culture, nature, and fun. It’s our top pick in Nara, and we’re not the only ones who loved it. Check out the five-star reviews here and see why travelers consistently rate this walking tour as the best in the city!
This small-group tour is likely to sell out—secure your spot here!
3. Learn the art of sushi making
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Time: 10 am, 1 pm, and 4 pm
- Highlights: Dress in traditional Japanese attire, learn every step of sushi-making from rice to nigiri, grate fresh wasabi and slice sushi-grade fish, enjoy the sushi you’ve crafted
- Inclusions: Lecture about how to make sushi, enjoy eight pieces of sushi, rental clothes, various toppings, certificate of completion, souvenir photography
- Rating: 5 stars (check great reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Dining out for sushi in Japan is incredible, but there’s something special about learning how to make it yourself. That’s why this hands-on sushi-making class is such a standout experience. You don’t just eat, you create, and in the process, you get a deeper connection to Japanese culture!
From the moment you step in, you get the feeling that this isn’t your average cooking class. You get the chance to dress in traditional Japanese attire, which instantly sets the tone. The instructor, Okashi, makes the entire class engaging and fun, guiding you through each step with patience and plenty of laughter.
Even if you’re a complete beginner, Okashi makes everyone feel completely comfortable. The class covers the full process—perfectly seasoning sushi rice, grating fresh wasabi, slicing sushi-grade fish, and finally shaping nigiri like a pro. Have fun choosing your own toppings and flavors to personalize the sushi and then the best part – eating it!
The experience wraps up with a lighthearted graduation ceremony, complete with a certificate of completion and souvenir photos to remember the day. More than just a class, this is an unforgettable cultural experience that gives you skills to take home with you!
Book this sushi-making class here and see why it’s a must-do in Nara!
Related Read: Wondering how to plan your days? We have the best Nara itinerary that covers exactly how to spend one or two days here!
4. Enjoy a private tea ceremony
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Time: 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:30 pm
- Highlights: Taste five Japanese teas in a 120-year-old traditional house, learn to whisk matcha with a skilled tea master, enjoy seasonal wagashi alongside your cup
- Inclusions: Five types of Japanese tea, traditional Japanese sweets, two kinds of matcha
- Rating: 5 stars (check great reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Amid the hustle of sightseeing, it’s easy to forget to slow down and simply enjoy the moment. That’s why this private Japanese tea experience is such a special part of any trip to Nara. Set inside a beautifully renovated traditional house, it’s equal parts cultural immersion and pure relaxation.
Our guide, Mike, was both kind and incredibly knowledgeable, making the experience feel welcoming from the start. He walked us through five different teas sourced right here in Nara prefecture, explaining their unique aromas and flavors.
From roasted hojicha to bright and vibrant matcha, each sip felt like its own little story. Mike even offered giveaways and tips for exploring the city, which made the experience feel personal and thoughtful.
The highlight was getting hands-on with the matcha. Under Mike’s guidance, we learned the proper motions to whisk and prepare it ourselves. It was surprisingly calming, almost meditative, to focus on each step. Enjoying the finished bowl alongside seasonal wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) felt like the perfect harmony of flavors.
Because this is a private session, there’s no rushing or waiting—you’ll have plenty of time to ask questions, chat with your host, and soak in the atmosphere. By the end, we not only left with new knowledge of Japanese tea but also a sense of connection to the culture that goes far beyond the cup.
Don’t miss out—reserve this relaxing tea experience here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
5. See Nara your way on a private guided tour
- Duration: 6 hours
- Time: Multiple departure times available from 9 am–1 pm
- Highlights: Design your own private Nara tour with a local guide, choose three to four sites like Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara Park, or Mt. Wakakusa, enjoy stories and insights tailored to your interests
- Inclusions: Private English-speaking guide, customizable tour of three to four sites of your choice
- Rating: 5 stars (check 210+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
With so much to see in Nara, it’s easy to feel torn about how to spend your limited time. That’s why this private customizable tour is such a fantastic option—it lets you pick the sights that matter most to you, with a knowledgeable local guide leading the way.
We met our guide, Toshi, right at Nara Station and set off on foot, instantly feeling like we had a local friend showing us around. He was warm, attentive, and eager to tailor the experience to what we wanted most—whether that meant history, scenery, or hidden corners of the city. With the flexibility to choose three to four stops, we got to design a day that was exactly our style.
Some travelers head straight for the big highlights like Todai-ji Temple, where the towering Great Buddha leaves a lasting impression, and Nara Park, where deer roam freely. Others prefer to explore the lantern-lined paths of Kasuga Taisha Shrine, climb Mt. Wakakusa for sweeping city views, or wander through the preserved merchant district of Naramachi.
The best part is that the choice is yours, and your guide makes every site come alive with stories and local insight. And because this is a private tour, there’s no rushing, no big groups, and plenty of chances to ask questions or linger where you’d like.
We left feeling like we’d truly experienced Nara on our own terms. It’s no surprise this tour is one of Nara’s most highly rated—just scroll through the glowing five-star reviews here!
Book your private Nara tour here and get FREE 24-hour cancellation!
6. Visit the world-famous Nara Park
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 10 am
- Highlights: Explore Nara Park on a small-group walking tour, visit Kasuga Grand Shrine, Todai-ji’s Great Buddha, and Kofuku-ji Temple, feed the friendly deer
- Inclusions: Knowledgeable local guide, admission to Great Buddha Hall, one bus ride from JR Nara Station to the Nara Park area
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 100+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Exploring Nara Park on your own can feel daunting—there are so many temples, shrines, and, of course, the famous deer, that it’s hard to know where to start. That’s why this small-group walking tour is such a smart choice. With a knowledgeable local guide leading the way, you’ll get the stories, history, and context that bring each stop to life.
The guide, Nobuko, is absolutely wonderful—kind, patient, and full of fascinating insights. She explains the unique relationship between Nara’s deer and the city’s shrines, and if you’re lucky, she’ll even point out baby deer that can be hard to spot!
The tour covers all the must-sees of Nara Park, starting with the serene paths of Kasuga Grand Shrine before heading to Todai-ji Temple to marvel at the massive Great Buddha. Walking between sites, there’s plenty of time to chat, snap photos, and feed the deer. Your guide might even surprise you with a stop at a hidden Japanese garden!
The experience wrapped up at Kofuku-ji Temple, home to the iconic five-storied pagoda, where Nobuko shared more about the history before sharing her favorite lunch stops and nearby sights so you can keep exploring on your own time.
This tour is the perfect mix of learning and fun, with the added benefit of a warm local guide who makes Nara feel personal. It’s an experience you’ll carry with you long after the walk is over!
Read five-star reviews and book this Nara Park tour here!
Where to Stay in Nara, Japan
Now that you’ve got your list of the best things to do in Nara, the next step is figuring out where to stay. The good news? Nara has something for everyone—whether you’re after a luxurious ryokan-style stay with a private onsen or a modern hotel just steps from the station.
Just keep in mind that hotels here can fill up quickly (especially during cherry blossom season and autumn), so it’s smart to book early. To help you out, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite places to stay in Nara, with options for every budget.
Hotel New Wakasa – $$$
Hotel New Wakasa is a stunning and luxurious hotel that won’t break the bank. Basically, it’s a total gem! The rooms are beautiful and well-laid out, with modern Japanese decor and soft, cozy lighting. Some rooms have private gardens or onsens, as well as a rooftop terrace with a communal onsen and amazing views of Mount Wakakusa, making it a standout stay in Nara.
Rooms cost between $175 and $880 USD per night, depending on the dates and room category you choose. Check availability and book this luxury stay on Booking.com!
Onyado Nono Nara Natural Hot Spring – $$
Onyado Nono Nara Natural Hot Spring is a popular hotel with lots of traditional design touches like tatami flooring, yukata robes, and sliding doors, plus all the conveniences of a modern hotel. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from JR Nara Station, so we think that this place strikes a really good balance between practicality and cultural charm. There’s also a free bowl of late-night ramen—a very welcome perk!
Rates typically range from $95 to $320 USD per night, depending on your dates and room category. Head over to Booking.com to secure this stay!
Hotel Nikko Nara – $
Hotel Nikko Nara is directly connected to JR Nara Station, making it one of the most convenient places to stay in the city. It’s a full-service hotel with spacious rooms, an on-site restaurant, and even a wellness spa. Rooms are clean and well-equipped, and there are both Western and Japanese-style options available. It’s a solid upscale choice, particularly if you’re stopping in Nara as part of a longer Japan itinerary.
Expect to pay between $90 and $200 USD per night for a room here. Browse room options for your travel dates on Booking.com!
For even more great accommodations, check out all of Nara’s hotels listed here!
Related Read: Still don’t see a hotel you like? We have a full where to stay in Nara guide that goes into more detail on the best areas and hotels for all budgets!
Renting a Car in Japan
Japan’s trains are great, but if you want to explore rural areas, scenic routes, or off-the-beaten path hidden gems, renting a car offers unmatched flexibility. Driving in Japan is generally safe, with well-maintained roads and clear signage, though there are some unique rules and customs to be aware of.
We always book with Discover Cars and can’t recommend them enough. It’s super easy to compare multiple provider prices, check company ratings, filter for the type of vehicle you want, and add affordable full coverage insurance. If you want a full breakdown, check out our Discover Cars review here.
Tips for Renting a Car in Japan
- Drive on the left: In Japan, vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road. The driver’s seat is on the right, and you’ll need to adjust to roundabouts and different road layouts. Take some time to get comfortable before hitting busy roads.
- Know the local rules: You must come to a full stop at “止まれ” (stop) signs, and pedestrians always have the right of way. It’s also mandatory for all passengers to wear seatbelts, even in the back seat. It’s also a good idea to brush up on the Japanese road signs before you go. They are mainly symbol based, and being able to recognize them will make your journey a lot smoother!
- Insurance is essential: We always recommend full coverage rental insurance—especially in Japan, where tight city parking, narrow village streets, and even wildlife on roads (like deer in Hokkaido) can lead to unexpected dings or damage. Discover Cars makes it easy (and affordable) to add this peace of mind when you book.
- Choose the right car: Roads and parking spots in Japan can be tight, especially in cities and older towns, so a small or mid-sized car is usually best. Discover Cars makes it easy to filter by transmission, fuel type (like hybrid), luggage space, and more, so you can find exactly what works for your trip.
- Watch for toll roads: Japan has an extensive network of toll roads (expressways). Tolls can be paid by cash or card, but it’s worth checking if your rental car comes with an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) card for convenience.
What You Need to Rent a Car in Japan
- A valid driver’s license from your home country.
- An International Driving Permit (IDP) under the 1949 Geneva Convention. This is a must—it’s the only version Japan recognizes, and you’ll need to get it before arriving.
- A credit card in the driver’s name for the deposit.
- Most companies require you to be at least 18 years old, and some may require you to have held a license for at least one year. Drivers under 25 may face additional fees.
Ready to hit the road? Book your car with Discover Cars here and discover the freedom of exploring the Japan on your own terms!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Nara is one of those must-visit places in Japan for us! From the famous deer to the awe-inspiring temples, it’s well worth adding a stop here. This list covers the experiences in Nara that stood out for us and we hope you’re inspiried to add a couple of these to your trip!
If you’re in the midst of trip planning, have a look at all our Japan guides here! From itineraries to hotel recommendations and the best things to do in each place, consider us your personal travel guides! Here are a few related blogs to get you started:
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