Why go to Nara
Beyond the deer: Is Nara worth visiting with kids?
Nara can be easier to navigate than overcrowded Kyoto. The city’s key attractions are closer together and easier to visit on a day trip or overnight stay. Plus, with easy train access from both Kyoto and Osaka, Nara deserves at least a day trip during your Japan vacation.
Day trip guide
Nara day trip from Osaka or Kyoto: Your top 2 priorities with kids
Japan’s first permanent capital is beautiful, compact, approachable, and an easy day trip.
Accessibility
Accessible Nara with a mobility disability in Japan’s hilly former capital
The hilly setting presents challenges, but accessible Nara is very much a possibility.
A Kyoto alternative
Skip Kyoto. 6 reasons to go to Nara instead
Kyoto isn’t right for every trip to Japan. Nara presents a nearby alternative.
Accommodation
Where to stay in Nara with kids
Usually when we talk about where to stay, we’ve got to talk about various parts of town.
Nara’s a lot easier.
Itinerary
3 nights in Nara: A complete itinerary
This itinerary balances sights, workshops, and wider exploration without overwhelming young travelers.
7 things to do
Highlights for our family of four included:
- Crafting matcha bowls and animals at a pottery class
- Feeding the deer in Nara Park
- Marveling at the giant bronze Buddha statue in Todaiji
- Serenity, greenery, and floral color at Isuien Garden
- Onsen soaks, Japanese breakfasts, home-baked bread, and nearby access to attractions from ryokans and hotels
- Finding Pacific Northwest forest vibes around Kasuga Taisha shrine
- Museums elegant and quirky, from the Neiraku Museum to the Catship Museum
Places to stay in Nara
Bakery Hotel Chateau D’or
Japan, 15 Higashimuki Kitamachi, Nara, 630-8214
Quiet pedestrian street lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants. Rooftop terrace with a view of the hills. Included breakfast, all-day cafe, and even local bottled craft beer. Comfy Western-style hotel rooms plus a ground-floor dorm section. All this, and you’re just a short walk away from a 7-Eleven, Kintetsu-Nara Station, bus stops to attractions, Nara Park, and Higashimuki Shopping Street. We loved this stay, especially the comfy beds and house-baked bread.
Daibutsukan Ryokan Nara
Japan, 〒630-8301 Nara, Takabatakecho, 250 旅館 大佛館
Right across the street? Nara Park. A short walk down the road takes you to more attractions, including Sarusawa Pond and the Kōfuku-ji Temple Complex. In front of the ryokan, turn right and continue along Sanjo Dori Street to visit Kasugataisha Shrine and other gardens, museums, and more. Convenient location. Optional Japanese breakfast. On-site onsen. We loved the spacious tatami mat floors, along with the balcony that looked out on Nara Park.