NARA PARK IN JAPAN

Welcome as we discover Nara Park in Japan, walk around with us as we encounter the friendly dears around the park and discover the temples. Coming from Kyoto, we decided to pass by and explore Nara before we head to Osaka. Having heard about the interesting things about Nara Park in Japan, it was indeed an experience with countless sika deer roaming around the park. Not only deer but there other things to do in Nara, which is to visit the shrines, pagodas, temples, and museum on this 240-hectare park. Follow along with us, here we provide the things to do in Nara in a day.

Sarusawa Pond In Nara Park In Japan

THINGS TO DO IN NARA PARK IN JAPAN

  1. Where Is Nara Park
  2. How To Go To Nara Park
  3. Things To Do In Nara Park
    A. Check The Deers
    B. Snapshot The Kagamike Pond
    C.  Pray For Prosperity At The Temple
    D. Visit The Museum
    E.  Gyudon At Sukiya
  4. Final Thoughts

WHERE IS NARA PARK

Nara Park is located in the city of Nara, Japan. It is a small town that is part of the Nara prefecture area with an estimated land size of 500 hectares and around 360,000 inhabitants. The park is around 46 km distance equivalent to 50 minutes train ride from Kyoto while 40 minutes travel if you are coming from Osaka.

HOW TO GO TO NARA PARK

Welcome To Nara Japan
Where Is Nara Park In Japan

Nara Park can both accessible by train from the two (2) known cities in Japan; Kyoto and Osaka.  These near-by cities are the common start point for visitors to the park.

OSAKA
Ride the train at the Osaka Station and alight at the Kintetsu-Nara Station after 45 minutes.

KYOTO
Ride the train at the Kyoto Station by the Nara Line Rapid and alight at the Nara Station after 50 minutes. The one-way train fare is at JP¥720, which the cheapest option in heading to Nara Park.

THINGS TO DO IN NARA PARK IN JAPAN

Deers In Nara Park
Things To Do In Nara Park In Japan
Water Stream Along Nara Park

1. CHECK THE DEERS

Deer In Nara Park In Japan
Deers At The Kofuku-ji Temple
Deers Around The Kofuku-ji Temple

The most popular thing to do in Nara Park is to visit the free-roaming deers. The park is beautiful and spacious with every visitor can see as many deers around. Most of the visitors feed the deers by purchasing rice crackers at the shops for 200 yen per pack. It is a common practice of respect when feeding the deer that person will need to bow in front of the deer. Deers are friendly but sometimes visitors are being mobbed by the number of deers especially if they are teased with a treat and then withheld it. Visitors must be careful and pay respect to these animals.

2. SNAP THE KAGAMIKE POND

Kagamike Pond Nara Park In Japan

Taking a good snapshot at the famous pond in Nara Park-Kamagike gets you a good view of the Tadai-ji temple in the background. The scenic reflection of the water and colorful trees surrounded the pond. Kagamine pond is located on the inner side of the park before reaching the Todai-ji temple. Here you can also see many deers walking around and also temples. Going inside the Todai-ji temple visitor can see the huge statue of Buddha and visit the museum as well. Todai-ji Temple is open 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM with an admission fee of 1,200 yen.

3. PRAY FOR PROSPERITY AT TEMPLE

Temple At Kofukuji Temple
Kofukuji Pagoda In Nara Park Japan

The park has a pagoda name Kofukuji Temple where it is being used as a meditation hall with a Buddha statue inside. The temple is here most of the rituals held for most people prosperity. Here most of the visitors will pay respect and pray to the Buddha.

4. VISIT THE NARA NATIONAL MUSEUM

Nara National Museum

Within Nara Park, there is a huge yellowish building – Nara National Museum. The museum is home to Nara history with several collections of different Buddhas and deities. Nara National Museum is open 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (Tuesday to Sunday) with the admission fee of 2,500 yen (Adult) and 1,200 yen (Student).

5. ENJOY MEAL AT SUKIYA

Gyudon Meal At Sukiya Japan

Our visit to Nara Park in Japan is not complete without going to Sukiya. Sukiya is one of the popular food chains in Japan that offer affordable meals and serve the famous Gyudon. Gyudon is a Japanese dish that consists of a bowl of rice topped with beef and onion. Here we try the Gyudon meal with a side dish like the Miso soup and green salad. The food is appetizing and flavorful with a distinct taste of authentic Japanese cuisine.

Gyudon Sukiya Japan

Gyudon bowl of rice topped with thinly sliced beef and onions simmered with sweet soy sauce.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Nara Park In Japan

It is worth a trip visiting Nara Park in Japan which is made famous for the countless sika deer roaming around the park. Most of the visitors are fond of seeing the deer as they move freely in the park. But children get even more excited by being so close to the deer and following them. Visitors can feed the deer by buying rice crackers located around the park. We then realized that when feeding the deer one must bow in front to show respect. Not only deers, but the visitor can also visit the pagodas and temples where one can pray. If you are in Kyoto or Osaka you can make a day visit by exploring Nara Park which is very accessible by train. Hopefully, we are able to provide some good information on this thing to do in Nara Park.

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the gees travel

A wife and a mother of three toddlers | Previously working as customer service executive in a logistics supply chain | working at home mom. But in spite of this added responsibilities I still find time to travel and explore together with my family.

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