How to spend your time and how to get around Nara

Adults and kids alike will have a fulfilling trip to experience Nara!

From Nara Hotel, located in the city center, you can enjoy history and nature on foot.
Nara Park, with its vast grounds, offers a relaxing time for families, where you can interact with deer and stroll through various temples and shrines.

Image: Deer in Nara

Nara Hotel is located next to Nara Park.
You can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the park during your free time. With plenty of greenery, it's a recommended spot for Family with young children.

Image: A child feeding deer crackers. *Feeding the animals alone is extremely dangerous. Parents are requested to keep a close eye on their children.
Image: Deer crackers

Deer crackers are sold everywhere around Nara Park.
It is made from rice bran and wheat flour. The paper it is wrapped in is made from 100% pulp and soy ink, so it is safe even if deer eat it.

Image: Baby deer

Nara Park is home to approximately 700 female deer, and the season for the birth of baby deer runs from May to July. The baby deer and their mothers are protected in the "Deer Sanctuary" until July, when they can move around together, and a special event called "Fawn Public Viewing" is held in June.

Venue: Rokuen (within Kasuga Taisha Shrine)
Date of event: Around June

*Free for high school students and younger.
*The date and time of the event are Official page of the Nara Deer Preservation Society Please take a look.
Image: A herd of deer gathers to the sound of a natural horn.

A Nara tradition: attracting deer with the sound of a natural horn.
The sight of the deer gathering in droves for the acorns they're rewarded with is truly impressive! It takes about 15 minutes starting at 9 am, making it a great option for a morning stroll.

Venue: Tobihino, within Kasuga Taisha Shrine (Nara Park)
Dates: Every weekend around July and August

*Participation is free
*The date and time of the event are Official page of the Nara Deer Preservation Society Please take a look.

Image photo: Nara Tokae Festival

For 10 days starting in early August, the Nara Tokae Festival will be held throughout the park. Every night, approximately 20,000 candles will be lit, illuminating historical buildings and other structures. It is a large-scale festival that creates a fantastical atmosphere in the ancient capital of Nara.

Location: Nara Park area
Date of event: Around August
Lighting hours: 19:00 - 21:45

*The event may be canceled due to rain or strong winds.
*For details Official page for "Nara Tokae" Please take a look.

Image: Illuminated Promenade

Image: Illuminated Promenade

Image: Illuminated Promenade

Image: Illuminated Promenade

Numerous historical buildings, including World Heritage sites, will be illuminated. Experience the magical nighttime atmosphere of this ancient city, a stark contrast to its daytime appearance.
Enjoy a nighttime stroll with your family.

Location: Area around Nara Park
Event period: Around July to September
Lighting hours: 19:00 - 22:00

*For details Light-Up Promenade Nara Official Website Please take a look.

Image: A five-story pagoda illuminated at night.

Image: Deer antler cutting
Image: Deer antler cutting
The "deer antler cutting" ceremony, which began in the early Edo period, is a traditional event held to promote coexistence between humans and deer and to protect trees. People called "seko" catch deer, and Shinto priests cut off the antlers and offer them to the gods. You can witness this magnificent sight that colors the autumn in the ancient capital.

Venue: Rokuen Antler Cutting Ground (within Kasuga Taisha Shrine)
Date of event: Around October

*For details, see Nara. Official page of the Deer Protection Association Please take a look.
*Tickets are sold only on the day of the event at the ticket office in front of the Rokuen Park.

Nara National Museum

The museum primarily exhibits cultural artifacts related to Japanese Buddhist art. The Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall itself is a Western-style building from the Meiji era and is designated as an Important Cultural Property. It boasts a collection of over 1,800 items, and the annual Shosoin Exhibition held in the autumn is extremely popular.

Image: Nara National Museum

Image: Two deer on Wakakusa Mountain, bathed in the setting sun.

Wakakusa Mountain

The mountain is 342 meters high, and you can see deer all over the mountain.
This location is popular for its panoramic views of Nara city and is also known as a famous spot for cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage in fall. It's about a 20-minute drive from the city center.

Image: A herd of deer at dusk

Wakakusa Mountain is beautiful and is also famous as a spot to watch the sunset.
The sunset, when deer and people coexist, is a truly moving moment found nowhere else.

Image photo: Kofuku-ji Temple

Kofuku-ji Temple, a World Heritage Site

Originating from Yamashina-dera Temple, built on the grounds of Fujiwara no Kamatari's private residence, the temple boasts impressive buildings that evoke Tenpyo era. There are many sights to see within the grounds, so it's recommended to tour them in order from one end to the other to avoid missing anything. If you plan to visit Todai-ji Temple afterward, it's easier to start from the west side where Kintetsu Nara Station is located.

Image photo: Naramachi

Naramachi

Naramachi is an old townscape that preserves the atmosphere of townhouses from the late Edo period to the Meiji era. It has many famous sights, including a World Heritage site, and is also full of cafes and shops. It's close to the hotel and you can explore it on foot.

Image photo: Exterior view of a mechanical toy shop
Image: Mechanical toy
Image photo: Children playing with mechanical toys.
からくりおもちゃ館

伝統的な町家で、昔ながらのおもちゃに触れて遊ぶことができる体験型の施設です。
復元されたからくりおもちゃは触って遊ぶことができ、毎月1回からくりおもちゃの製作体験講座を開催しています。三世代でも楽しめるならまちの遊びスポットです。入場無料。

【住所】奈良市陰陽町7
【電話】0742-26-5656
【営業時間】9:00~17:00
【定休日】水曜(祝日の場合変更の可能性あり)、12/29~1/3

Image: A demonstration of batik dyeing.

rooftopならまち染工房

奈良の文化として今に伝えられているロウケツ染。はじめての方でもオリジナルの染物にチャレンジできます。自由研究にもおすすめです。

【住所】奈良市東城戸町35 柴田ビル3F
【TEL】0742-55-2250
【営業時間】10:00~18:00
【定休日】水曜・木曜(臨時休業あり)

遊悠工房ZOO&かぎろひ

信楽の土を片手でギュっと握って作る、可愛い陶器のネコちゃんです。※焼成して1ヶ月ほどでご自宅にお届けします(送料込1,000円)

【住所】奈良市毘沙門町29
【TEL】0742-26-4387
【営業時間】11:00~17:00
【定休日】火曜・水曜

Image photo: Nigiri Neko

Image: Persimmon leaf sushi from Hirasou Nara store

平宗 奈良店の柿の葉寿司

創業150余年の老舗。風情ある店内でお食事をお楽しみください。柿の葉寿司は常温で2日持つのでお土産としてもおすすめです。

【ホテルから徒歩で約10分】
【住所】奈良市今御門町30-1
【TEL】0742-22-0866
【営業時間】10:00~21:00
【定休日】月曜(祝日の場合は翌日)
※販売(テイクアウト)は無休

味亭山崎屋

カジュアルに奈良の味を楽しめる和食処。奈良らしい食材を使用した会席料理やお膳をいただけます。

【ホテルから徒歩で約15分】
【住所】奈良市東向南町5
【TEL】0742-27-3715
【営業時間】11:15~21:00(L.O.20:30)
【定休日】月曜(月曜が祝日・催事の場合は翌日)

Image photo: Dishes from Ajitei Yamazakiya

Image photo: Kaiseki cuisine at En

懐石料理 円

ならまちの隠れ家的料理店。奈良の旬の素材を活かした懐石料理をご提供。ランチは1,600円~で気軽にお楽しみいただけます。お子様も歓迎です。

【ホテルから徒歩で約6分】
【住所】奈良市下御門町38 御門ビル2F
【TEL】0742-26-0291
【営業時間】11:30~14:00、17:00~21:00
【定休日】木曜不定休

Phantom Buddha Pudding

The Daibutsu Pudding is renowned for its delicious taste and silky smooth texture. The adorable illustration of the gentle Buddha on the packaging makes it very popular with children.

[Approximately a 10-minute walk from the hotel]
[Store Name] Mahoroba Daibutsu Pudding Store
[Address] 5 Mochidono-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Nara Mochidono Building 1F
[Business Hours] 11:00 - 19:00
[Regular holidays] Irregular holidays

Image photo: Maboroba Daibutsu Pudding

Image photo: Shikamaro-kun Ramune

Shikamaro-kun Ramune

These adorable marble-shaped ramune candies are a little larger than usual and come in four refreshing flavors. They make a perfect souvenir for friends.

[Approximately 11 minutes on foot from the hotel]
[Shop Name] Nara Souvenir Todaiji Mae Kanoya
[Address] 23-1 Kasuga-cho, Nara City
[Business Hours] 10:00 - 17:00
[Regular closing days] None

天極堂の最高級本葛湯「極」

吉野本葛老舗の上質な本葛湯。 極寒の時期にのみ精製する吉野本葛「古稀」と、和三盆糖だけで仕上げた究極の逸品。口の中でなめらかに溶ける葛と、上品な甘さの和三盆糖をお楽しみいただけます。

【ホテルから徒歩で約12分】
【店名】天極堂 奈良本店
【住所】奈良市押上町1-6
【TEL】0742-27-5011
【営業時間】10:00~19:30
(L.O.19:00)
【定休日】火曜(祝日の場合は翌日)

Image photo: Tenkyokudo's finest kudzu starch drink "Kiwami"

Image photo: Satsuma-yaki from Kasugaan

春日庵のさつま焼

手焼きのさつま焼が名物。香ばしい皮に北海道産のあずきが包まれ、上品な甘さが人気の商品です。

【ホテルから徒歩で約8分】
【店名】春日庵
【住所】奈良市中新屋町28
【TEL】0742-22-6483
【営業時間】9:00~18:00
【定休日】不定休(年末年始を除く)

奈良良漬店のきざみ奈良漬壺入り

奈良漬の老舗。着色料、保存料、甘味料などを一切使わず、酒粕だけで漬けているこだわりの味です。

【ホテルから徒歩で約12分】
【店名】森奈良漬店
【住所】奈良市春日野町23
【TEL】0742-26-2063
【営業時間】9:00~18:00
【定休日】無休

Image: Pickled narazuke in a jar from Narazuke Shop

Image photo: Chiyonoya Takemura's Nara Manju

千代の舎 竹村の奈良饅頭

元禄創業の老舗がつくる奈良饅頭。味を守るため支店や卸に出さず、店舗か電話販売でしか手に入らない貴重なお饅頭。鹿の印が白あん、「林」の印はこしあんです。

【ホテルから徒歩で約12分】
【店名】千代の舎 竹村 【住所】奈良市東向南町22
【TEL】0742-22-2325
【営業時間】10:00~17:30
【定休日】水曜

*Event dates and content are subject to change. Please check the latest information on the organizer's website.
*Please note that store menus, products, and business hours may change without prior notice.

Main dining room "Mikasa"

Teppanyaki "Hanagiku"

TEA LOUNGE

We do not accept reservations.

Bar 'The Bar'

For general guests, click here.

JR Hotel Membership Members click here

WESTER members click here