Nara One Day Itinerary: Everything You Need for a Perfect Visit to Nara

If you’re looking for a complete Nara one day itinerary, look no further! This post is your complete guide to one day in Nara. I’ve included top sights, insider tips, and accommodation options with onsens for every budget. I’ve packed this itinerary for a full day and options for the evening, so it works for either an overnight stay or a day trip to Nara.

The magical city of Nara is most famous for the 1,400 wild deer that roam freely through Nara Park and surrounding areas. Being the first permanent capital of Japan and seat of the Emperor, Nara is also bursting with historic sites to explore. The city is home to over 2,000 shrines and temples, and surrounded by lush greenery and breathtaking natural scenery.

One day in Nara might not be enough time to explore everything this beautiful city has to offer, but you will be pleasantly surprised with how much you can see in one day. Nara is a compact and walkable city, so you can quickly and easily get between the main sights.

Nara is an incredible destination that will leave you with memories long after your trip. One of our most memorable experiences from our time in Japan was wandering through Nara Park and interacting with the deer. Nara is certainly worth visiting, even if you only have one day in Nara.

This is a reasonably full Nara one day itinerary. If you’ve only got one day in Nara then you’ll want to make the most of your time here. You can also spread this itinerary out over more days, or pick your favourite spots from this itinerary for a slower-paced day in Nara.

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In this Nara one day itinerary post

One day in Nara: Stay overnight or take a day trip to Nara

Nara can be explored as an overnight stay or a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto. You can easily walk between destinations on this itinerary. Many of the attractions in this itinerary are right next to eachother! You can spend most of your time in Nara exploring, rather than getting between attractions.

While a day trip to Nara is a great option, staying overnight will allow you to experience more of the city. It will also mean you can enjoy the more local atmosphere after the day trippers have left. We found that accommodation was better value in Nara than in neighbouring Kyoto and Osaka, although the bigger cities do have a wider variety of accommodation options.

Nara is a great option for families

Nara is a great destination for families. The deer in Nara Park are particularly special for children to experience. Before we visited, I was a bit unsure about taking our toddler because we had heard reports the deer could be aggressive. That was not our experience at all. You can decide whether to get up close and feed the deer, or stroll through the park and admire the deer from a distance.

Nara is also a great destination for families because it is very walkable and compact. All of the sights in this Nara one day itinerary are within a short walk of each other, making it easy to explore even with the tiniest toddler tourists. We also found the atmosphere of Nara to be laid back and easy to navigate as a family. I’ve included information in this itinerary to help you explore Nara with kids.

Todai-ji Temple and lake in front during our one day in Nara

Where to stay in Nara: Budget, ryokans, and luxury

There are lots of fantastic accommodation options in Nara within easy walking distance of all the main sights. I’ve included some different budget options below as well as options for families.

Budget-friendly accommodation

Check out Nara Ryokan, with family rooms and a private onsen available.
Family Inn Nara also has modern rooms and great options for families.

Mid-range accommodation

Nara Hakushikaso and Onyado Nono Nara Natural Hot Spring are both fantastic mid-range accommodation options. Both provide spacious rooms and onsens for guests to use.

High-end accommodation

JW Marriott Nara is a great choice if you’re looking for a luxurious stay, with large modern rooms. The JW Marriott also has western beds, and cots available on request for no additional charge.
Hotel New Wakasa is a fantastic option if you are looking for a luxurious stay in a more traditional Japanese hotel including an onsen.

Enjoy and respect the deer in Nara

The deer of Nara are beloved symbols of the city’s cultural heritage, seen as sacred and protected as natural monuments. While the deer are generally friendly and used to humans, there are a few important things to keep in mind when visiting the deer in Nara Park:

If you choose to feed the deer, only give them deer crackers. Other foods might be harmful to them. You can buy the deer crackers from local carts and stores.
Approach the deer cautiously and respectfully. Avoid sudden movements or loud noises that may startle them, and don’t let your little ones chase or try to ride them.
While we only experienced friendly deer, be careful around the deer especially if travelling with young children.
Keep a close eye on your belongings, as the deer might investigate your bags or stroller in search of food. Our toddler tried to eat a muesli bar in his pram, and it wasn’t long before deer wandered towards him.
We found that the deer leave you alone once they realise you don’t have food. You can open up your hands to show them you don’t have anything.

Nara one day itinerary: Getting to Nara

You can easily get to Nara from Kyoto or Osaka in less than an hour on the train. I’ve detailed some of the options below. The best option for you will depend on where you are staying in Kyoto and Osaka.

There are two stations that you could arrive at in Nara: Nara Station or Kintetsu-Nara Station. There are fewer trains to Kintetsu-Nara Station, but it is closer to the main attractions than Nara Station. Kintetsu-Nara Station is about a 5-10 minute walk from the main attractions, and Nara Station is a 20-25 minute walk.

There are also private transfers and guided tours from both Osaka and Kyoto, with many combining some sights in Kyoto with a visit to Nara. These can be a great option for those who want the convenience of a driver or for those travelling in a group.

Two bullet trains stopped at the station

Kyoto to Nara

There are two train lines that connect Kyoto Station and Nara: the JR Nara Line and the Kintetsu Kyoto Line.

Kyoto to Nara Station on the JR Nara Line:

This line has a rapid service which takes about 45 minutes from Kyoto Station. There are a few other stops in South Kyoto, making it a great option if you are staying in South Kyoto.
The JR Nara Line also has a local service which runs between Kyoto and Nara Station. This takes about 70 minutes because of all of the extra stops.
Tip: Check the arrival time before taking trains on this route as these vary depending on whether you take the rapid or local service.

Kyoto to Nara on the Kintetsu Line: Take the Kintetsu line from Kyoto Station to Kintetsu-Nara Station. This is not included in the JR Pass, but also takes around 45 minutes. There is an express service that can take just 35 minutes from Kyoto Station. This is a great option if you don’t have a JR Pass, or if you want to be super close to the main attractions as soon as you arrive in Nara.

Osaka to Nara

There are also two train lines connecting Osaka and Nara: the Yamatoji Line and the Kintetsu Nara Line.

Osaka to Nara station on the JR Yamatoji Line: This line has a rapid service which takes about 50 minutes from Osaka Station. The local service takes about 60 minutes, making it only slightly slower. You can use the JR Pass on both of these services.

Osaka to Kintetsu-Nara station on the Kintetsu Nara Line: The Kintetsu Nara Line Limited Express runs between Osaka-Namba Station and Kintetsu-Nara Station. At around 35-40, this a fast and efficient option, particularly if you are staying near Osaka-Namba Station. This option is not included in the JR Pass.

Tokyo to Nara

You can train between Nara and Tokyo with a transfer in Kyoto. Follow the details above to get between Nara and Kyoto. The Shinkansen (bullet train) between Kyoto and Tokyo takes 2 hours 15 minutes. The whole journey between Tokyo and Nara takes about 3.5 hours including transfers.

One day in Nara: Getting around the city

Nara can easily be explored on foot as all the sights are very close together. The walking time between all of the attractions on this itinerary is about 20 minutes. Wear some comfortable shoes: You will be doing a fair bit of walking on this itinerary, particularly wandering through Nara Park.

To minimise walking times, train to Kintetsu-Nara Station (a 5 minute walk from Nara Park) rather than Nara Station (a 20 minute walk from Nara Park).

Nara is reasonably flat and the streets are stroller friendly. Some of the paths in Nara Park are too bumpy for a stroller, but you can still most of Nara Park if your little one is in a stroller.

Walking to Todai-ji temple on our one day in Nara

Nara one day itinerary: One day in Nara at a glance

Detailed Nara one day itinerary: One day in Nara

First stop, coffee

If you’re like me and love a good coffee before you start touristing, there are plenty of great spots in Nara for your caffeine fix. Start your one day in Nara at Cafe Rokumei. They have an impressive range of delicious coffees and pastries in a minimalist-chic setting (open from 9am). Alternatively, Cafe Croco offers great coffee and breakfast in a cosy and relaxed atmosphere (open from 8am).

See the deer at Nara Park

Allow around 2-3 hours depending on if you are having lunch
Open 24 hours
Admission is free
Nara Park Official Website

The first tourist stop on your itinerary is the expansive Nara Park. The park is home to around 1,400 wild deer that roam freely throughout the grounds. The deer are seen as sacred and protected as natural monuments of Japan.

You can feed the deer, but only give them the deer crackers that are sold by local vendors. Other food can be harmful to them. If you’re not keen to get up close to the deer then the park is very spacious and you do not have to get up close.

We were really surprised to see that some deer have learned to bow! Some deer will bow for food or will bow to you when you bow at them.

You can spend hours exploring the expansive park grounds and interacting with the deer. The park grounds are wonderfully varied to walk through. There are green open spaces, leafy tree-covered areas, and mossy garden areas. There are also several Shinto shrines within the grounds.

Tip for seeing the deer at Nara Park: Before we got to Nara, we heard stories that the deer can be aggressive to people around food. We didn’t experience this, but is important to give them space and follow the signs posted around the park. The deer will generally leave you alone if they know you don’t have food. You can open up your hands to show the deer you don’t have food.

Early lunch at Mizuya Chaya in Nara Park

Ramen restaurant with thatched roof inside the Nara park grounds during our one day in Nara

While some people choose to picnic in Nara Park, there are restaurants and cafes within the park grounds as well. We had a delicious udon lunch at Mizuya Chaya. The restaurant setting is beautiful with its thatched roof building and surrounding trees.

There are also several souvenir shops between Nara Park and the South Gate of Todai-ji Temple if you want to pick up some souvenirs before heading to your next stop.

Todai-ji Nandaimon (Great South Gate of Todai-ji Temple)

Allow around 30 minutes
Open 24 hours
Admission is free
Todai-ji Official Website

From Mizuya Chaya, walk back through the park towards Todai-ji Temple. You will first arrive at Todai-ji Nandaimon: the Great South Gate of Todai-ji. The current gate was completed in 1203, and is the largest temple gate entrance in Japan to this day. The scale of the gate is impressive. We had initially thought that we’d already arrived at Todai-ji, not just at the entrance gate.

Walk through the gate and you will see two ornate guardian statues on the inside. If you choose not to pay to go into Todai-ji temple, it is still worth seeing the Great South Gate before you continue on your way.

Todai-ji Temple

Allow 1- 1.5 hours
Open 7.30am – 5.30pm April to October, and 8am – 5pm November to March
Price: 800 Yen for adults, 400 yen for children 6-12, free for children under 6. Admission to the Great Buddha Hall and Todai-ji Museum: 1200 yen for adults, 600 yen for children aged 6- 12, and free for children under 6.
Todai-ji Official Website

Continue through the gate and you will see your next stop: Todai-ji Temple. Todai-ji was originally built in 752 as the head Buddhist temple in Japan. It became so powerful that the capital was moved away from Nara to reduce how influential the temple was over the Japanese government. The current construction is only two-thirds of the original construction. Many people visit Todai-ji to see the large bronze Buddha inside the main hall, at 15 metres high.

Nigatsudo Hall (February Hall)

Allow around 30 minutes
Open 24 hours
Admission is free

From Todai-ji continue up the winding road away from many other tourists. You will be rewarded with a visit to the serene Nigatsudo Hall. Originally built around the 8th century, the current structure was completed in 1669. The hall is named after a ceremony that is held there in the second month of the lunar calendar. Take the steps up to the main hall for views of Nara below.

Tip if travelling with kids: While most of Nara is flat, the road up to Nigatsudo Hall is a bit of a climb. You will also have to take lots of stairs to get into the main hall. While you can visit the Nigatsudo Hall with kids, it’s not as easy to get to as other spots on this itinerary.

Japanese Gardens of Nara: Isuien or Yoshikien Garden

Allow 1-2 hours or more, depending on whether you visit both gardens
Open 9.30am – 4.30pm. Closed Tuesdays. (Yoshikien Garden open 9am – 5pm, 7 days)
Check website for maintenance closures (around September and December)
Price: 1,200 yen for adults, and 300 yen for children (Yoshikien Garden: free)
Isuien Garden Official Website

Two beautiful examples of Japanese zen gardens can be found in Nara: Isuien Garden and Yoshikien Garden. I think that a visit to at least one Japanese garden is essential when visiting Japan.

The Isuien grounds are larger than Yoshikien, but entry to Yoshikien is free. The grounds are both everything you would imagine: perfect lake bridges, lush greenery, beautiful tea houses, and moss-covered paths.

Food and mochi show: Higashimuki Shopping Street

Nara one day itinerary: Visit Higashimuki shopping street

After enjoying the gardens, take a short walk to Higashimuki Shopping Street for some shopping and something to eat. This is a covered street lined with shops selling everything from clothes to produce to souvenirs. The street is named Higashimuki (east-facing) because all the shops were built facing the neighbouring Kofuku-ji temple.

There are also restaurants on Higashimuki Shopping Street and the streets around it. If you’re ready for something else to eat, check out Okonomiyaki Okaru, an Okonomiyaki restaurant where you cook savoury pancakes at your table. Tenkaippin is a good spot for budget-friendly ramen.

At the end of Higashimuki Shopping Street is Nakatanidou – Mochi Show, the famous Japanese confectionery shop that sells mochi and does demonstrations showing you how it is prepared. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to watch from the street as you enjoy the delicious Japanese treat. Demonstrations happen throughout the day based on demand.

Kofuku-ji Temple

Allow around 1 hour
Open 9am – 5pm
Price: 700 yen for adults and 300 yen for primary school children. Addition admission fees for entry to the Eastern Golden Hall
Kofuku-ji Official Website

Next to Higashimuki Shopping Street you will find Kofuku-ji Temple. This beautiful temple and its striking 5-story pagoda are worth visiting if you have time in your Nara one day itinerary. If you are doing a day trip to Nara and are short on time, you can still see the 5-story pagoda from outside the temple complex.

If you’re doing a day trip to Nara and looking to leave before the evening, Nara Station is a 15 minute walk from Kofuku-ji, and Kintetsu-Nara Station is just a 3 minute walk away. Otherwise, continue on to the Naramachi district for your one evening in Nara.

Nara one day itinerary: Evening

Naramachi neighbourhood

Naramachi district in the evening, one day in Nara

If you’re staying the night in Nara, spend the evening in the Naramachi neighbourhood. This historic merchant district is full of picturesque alleyways and well-preserved street fronts. The naramachi district has a more local feel and plenty of shops, traditional restaurants, and fantastic bars. You could easily spend the whole evening here eating and drinking your way through the district.

Awa Naramachi specialises in traditional Japanese meals and is part of a project to protect traditional farming practices in Japan (closed Tuesdays, bookings essential). Talo is another fantastic option if you’re looking for westernised dishes. Head to Bar Fiddich if you are after whisky or cocktails in a cosy atmosphere. I also found the Nara Official Travel Website directory helpful for exploring Naramachi.

Tip if staying longer in Nara: The Naramachi area also has great lunch options and shops if you have more than one day in Nara.

Relax in an onsen after a big day exploring

There’s no better way to end a day exploring in Japan than with a traditional Japanese onsen experience. Many hotels and ryokan have onsens where you can relax in the hot spring baths after clocking up your steps during the day.

Here are some great accommodation options that have onsens for guests to use:

Nara Ryokan (budget)
Nara Hakushikaso (mid range)
Onyado Nono Nara Natural Hot Spring (mid range)
JW Marriott Nara Note: hot tub and indoor pool (luxury)
Hotel New Wakasa (luxury)

Nara one day itinerary: Other things to do in Nara

There are plenty of other things to do in Nara if you find yourself with more time here, or if you’ve visited Nara before and want to see something new.

Visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara Park and the thousands of lanterns leading up to it. While you’re there, visit the neighbouring Manyo Botanical Gardens.
Climb Mount Wakakusa (also known as Mount Mikasa) and enjoy the spectacular views of Nara below.
Visit the Heijo Palace and Historic Park Grounds. The palace was the emperor’s residence when Nara was the capital of Japan.
Visit Naramachi Karakuri Toy Museum, an interactive museum showing toys from different eras.
Take a craft beer and sake tasting tour or visit the Harushika Sake Brewery Store
Enjoy award-winning cocktails at the atmospheric Lamp Bar.

This concludes your Nara one day itinerary. From visiting the sacred deer, exploring historic temples, indulging in Japanese cuisine, and wandering through Japanese gardens. I hope this itinerary has inspired you to visit and make the most of your one day in Nara. The city is a worthwhile destination, even if you can only squeeze in one day in Nara into your Japan itinerary.