Just a brief train journey south of Kyoto, Nara is Japan’s ancient capital and cradles some of the country’s oldest and most significant temples. The heart of Nara is Nara Park, where friendly sika deer roam free, mingling with visitors beneath the leafy canopy. Inside the park, Todaiji Temple houses the mighty Great Buddha, a serene bronze statue that astonishes with its sheer scale and quiet power.

Wandering the wide avenues, you’ll move from grand temple complexes like Kofukuji and Kasuga Taisha—with its soft lantern-lit interiors and forested approaches—to smaller shrines and tranquil ponds brimming with turtles and lotus blossoms in summer. Nara’s old town streets, particularly Naramachi, are lined with well-preserved machiya houses now serving as art galleries, teahouses and boutique shops.

In spring, the park is festive with cherry blossoms. Come autumn, fiery maples make temple walks especially lovely. Traditional mochi shops and casual street stalls let you snack on yomogi rice cakes or savoury kakinoha-zushi while you explore.

Nara’s gentle pace suits walkers and photographers, families with children, or anyone who wants to reconnect with Japan’s roots. The city is proud of its heritage but feels friendly and distinctly local—a welcoming day trip or overnight stay that puts you deep into the spirit of old Japan.