2-Day Nara Itinerary: The Japanese City Where 1,200 Deer Roam Free

The city of Nara is a must on any Japan itinerary. Because it served as the capital of Japan from 710 to 784, Nara is home to the "Seven Great Temples of Nara" that were built during the Nara Period, and the 502-hectare Nara Park, where over 1,200 wild Sika deer have roamed freely for more than a thousand years. So if you love temple and shrine hopping, you're going to love exploring Nara.

Nara is a wonderfully walkable city, meaning you can easily tick off its major attractions in a day or two. In fact, thanks to the city's proximity to Kyoto (40 minutes) and Osaka (one hour), it's a popular day trip destination, but follow this two-day Nara itinerary and you'll have time to explore at a slower pace.

• Best for: Families, culture lovers, and temple and nature fans
• Ideal length of stay: Two days to enjoy the highlights without rushing
• Top experiences: Feeding the deer, Todai-ji's Great Buddha, Kasuga-Taisha, and Mount Wakakusa
• Getting there: 40 minutes from Kyoto, one hour from Osaka by train
• Getting around: Walkable; most sights sit within Nara Park on the city's east side

Your first day is all about easing into Nara Park, starting with its peaceful gardens and one of the Seven Great Temples, before meeting the park's famous deer and finishing with dinner in the historic streets of Naramachi.

You'll start your journey through Nara Park by exploring its two famous gardens. Isuien Garden has two unique sections, one dating back to the Edo Period in the 17th century and the other hailing from the Meiji Era in the early 20th century. Yoshikien Garden is located right next to Isuien Garden and features a pond garden, a moss garden with a tea house, and a flower garden for tea ceremonies.

Spend some time exploring both gardens, which offer picture-perfect landscapes and a nice reprieve from Nara's ultra-popular temples.

Essential information:

• Location: North side of Nara Park, between Todai-ji and Kofuku-ji
• Getting around: About a 15-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, or 25 minutes from JR Nara Station
• Next stop: Kofuku-ji is about a 10–12 minute walk (800m) south

Located a short stroll away is Kofuku-ji Temple, one of Nara's "Seven Great Temples". The temple was originally built in Kyoto in 669 but was moved to Nara in 710 when the city became the capital of Japan. The grounds are free to enter, but you will have to pay if you want to go inside certain attractions.

You'll want to spend some time marvelling at the famous five-storied temple, but you'll also want to explore the other historic buildings that dot the grounds. It's recommended to pay the entrance fees to access the Central Golden Hall, the Eastern Golden Hall (also known as Tokon-do, where you see its large Yakushi Buddha statue), and the National Treasure Museum.

It's also well worth taking in the views of Sarusawa Pond, which are absolutely free. You could easily spend a couple of hours at this temple.

Essential information:

• Location: Western edge of Nara Park, beside Sarusawa Pond
• Getting around: Around a 10-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station.
• Next stop: The deer lawns (Tobihino) and the walk toward Kasuga-Taisha begin a short stroll east into the park

One of the most iconic things to do in Nara Park is to feed the wild Sika deer that call the park home. Please note that you should always be respectful of the local wildlife. They are adorable but they are also wild and can get aggressive when food is involved.

You should also only feed the deer the special shika senbei crackers that are sold on-site. Human food could cause them to get sick. The deer here are very used to begging visitors for crackers. Don't be surprised if the deer bow to you in anticipation of getting a treat – they know how to get what they want.

Essential information:

• Location: Central Nara Park, on the open lawns between Kofuku-ji and Kasuga-Taisha
• Getting around: Deer roam freely throughout; you'll meet them from about a 5-minute walk into the park.
• Next stop: Kasuga-Taisha is roughly a 20-minute walk east through the park.

After you're done getting to know Nara Park's most famous residents, make your way to the nearby Kasuga-Taisha Shrine. This is one of many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nara.

The shrine is famous for the thousands of stone and bronze lanterns that adorn the beautiful red building. The Kasuga-zukuri-style shrine was built in 768 but was rebuilt many times over the years. You're sure to see plenty of deer as you explore the grounds.

Essential information:

• Location: Eastern side of Nara Park, in the Kasugayama forest
• Getting around: About a 20-minute walk from Kofuku-ji, or take a Nara Kotsu bus to the Kasuga Taisha Honden stop.
• Next stop: Naramachi is about a 20–25 minute walk south-west (or a short bus ride)

End the first day of your trip to Nara by exploring the historic Naramachi District, which lies just outside the eastern edge of the park. The streets are lined with traditional tea houses, art galleries, bars, and restaurants.

To get into the local spirit, do a sake tasting at Nihonshu Shika Japanese Sake Bar before heading to dinner at Curry & Cafe Koruri. The flavour-packed curries here are out-of-this-world good.

After that, rest up because you'll have another full day of exploring the top Nara attractions tomorrow.

Essential information:

• Location: Just south of Sarusawa Pond, at the park's south-western edge
• Getting around: Around a 10-minute walk from Kofuku-ji or Kintetsu Nara Station

Day two is all about Nara's best-loved sights. Begin with fresh mochi and an easy hillside hike, stop for lunch surrounded by nature, then visit the Great Buddha at Todai-ji before rounding off your trip with dinner and rooftop drinks.

Start your day off with a walk through Higashimuki Shopping Street. This place is lined with shops and street food vendors. Arrive after 10am and you can check out the famous Nakatanidou mochi shop, where you'll see workers pounding mochi. The fresh mochi here is addictive and will make a delicious snack during your next adventure.

Essential information:

• Location: Covered shopping arcade beside Kintetsu Nara Station, at the park's western edge
• Getting around: Directly outside Kintetsu Nara Station
• Next stop: The base of Mount Wakakusa is roughly a 30–35 minute walk east across the park

When the weather is nice, hiking to the peak of Mount Wakakusa is one of the best things to do in Nara Park. The trail is 2.5 kilometres and will lead you through beautiful forests and grassy hillsides to the top of the mountain. The entire trail should take you roughly 90 minutes to complete.

From the top, you'll be rewarded with beautiful views of Nara, Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and the Yoshino Mountains. This is Nara Park, so you'll see plenty more deer during this hike.

Essential information:

• Location: Grass-covered hill on the eastern edge of Nara Park, behind Todai-ji
• Getting around: About a 35-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, or 10–15 minutes from Todai-ji/Kasuga-Taisha; entry ¥150, open mid-March to mid-December, 9am–5pm.
• Next stop: Mizuya Teahouse sits near the base, between Todai-ji and Kasuga-Taisha, a few minutes' walk down

Now that you've worked up an appetite, make your way to Mizuya Chaya Teahouse, which is located near the base of Mount Wakakusa. This eatery serves up delicious udon noodles surrounded by nature. Don't be surprised if you have a few deer approach you as you eat.

When you're done, it's finally time to check out Todai-ji Temple. Dating back to 752, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is yet another one of Nara's "Seven Great Temples". It's best known as being home to the 15-metre-tall "Great Buddha of Nara," which is located inside one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. But there is a lot more to this temple complex. You can easily spend two to four hours exploring Todai-ji.

Essential information:

• Mizuya Teahouse location: at the base of Mount Wakakusa between Todai-ji and Kasuga-Taisha
• Getting around: about a 10 minute walk north-west from Mizuya Teahouse to Todai-Ji Temple
• Next stop: Novotel Nara is around a 15-minute walk (or a short bus ride) south for dinner at Trattoria Ponte

For your final evening in Nara, head to Trattoria Ponte Nara at Novotel Nara. Inspired by the culinary traditions of Italy and Nara, the restaurant showcases locally sourced ingredients and seasonal produce in a dining room designed around an "upside-down garden" concept. The open kitchen and pizza oven add to the experience, allowing you to watch the chefs at work as your meal is prepared.

Whether you're after a leisurely lunch buffet, a generous dinner buffet, or prefer to explore the à la carte menu, there's something to suit every appetite. Seasonal dishes highlight the flavours of Nara, while Italian favourites provide a familiar touch.

After dinner, make your way to the hotel's Rooftop Terrace for a nightcap. Offering views across Nara and a peaceful atmosphere, it's a lovely spot to reflect on your experiences in the ancient capital, from visiting historic temples and shrines to meeting Nara's famous deer. It's a memorable way to end your two-day Nara itinerary.

• Feed the deer safely: Only offer the shika senbei crackers sold in the park, keep a close eye on young children, and tuck away maps and tickets, as the deer will nibble paper.
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• Check the season for Mount Wakakusa: The hiking trails close from mid-December to mid-March, so plan an alternative if you're visiting in winter.
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• Carry some cash: Smaller tea houses, market stalls, and shrines are cash only, so keep some Japanese yen handy.
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• Wear comfortable shoes: Most sights sit within walking distance across the park, so you'll cover a fair bit of ground each day.

To make this Nara itinerary as easy as possible, base yourself in the heart of the city. Novotel Nara has everything you need for a relaxing family stay. The rooms at this 4-star hotel are spacious and stylish, with comfortable beds, large flat-screen TVs, and Nespresso machines.

Head up to the Rooftop Terrace for drinks with city views, or unwind in the hotel's onsen after a day of exploring. You'll also find a daily breakfast buffet, an Italian trattoria, and a modern gym. Novotel Nara is located right in the city centre near Shin-Omiya Station (an 8-minute walk) and JR Nara Station (20 minutes), with Nara Park a walkable 30 minutes away, making it a prime base for your visit.

Ready to meet Nara's famous deer and explore its ancient temples? Book your stay at Novotel Nara direct through Novotel.com or the ALL Accor App for the best available rates, member rewards, and up to 10% off when you join the free ALL Accor loyalty programme, plus points towards future stays, dining, and experiences worldwide.