Nara Holidays

Step off the train (or out of the car!) in Nara and it’s like stepping into another time. This peaceful city in the Kansai region was Japan’s first permanent capital, and its calm streets and ancient landmarks still echo with the stories of that era.

Nara Park is the heart of it all. Over a thousand deer roam freely here, regarded as sacred messengers of the gods. They wander past visitors with a quiet confidence, mingling with temples and trees as if they’ve always belonged. At the centre of the park is Todai-ji Temple — home to the Great Buddha, one of Japan’s largest bronze statues. The sheer scale of it, housed inside a vast wooden hall, is quietly humbling.

Nearby, Kasuga Taisha Shrine invites exploration along its paths lined with stone lanterns. Come during one of its seasonal lantern festivals, and you’ll see the entire site softly glowing, creating a rare and magical atmosphere. Elsewhere in the city, the streets of Naramachi — Nara’s old merchant quarter — offer a slower pace. Traditional houses, tiny galleries, and cosy cafés make it an ideal spot for a gentle wander.

Kofuku-ji Temple and its five-story pagoda stand as another reminder of Nara’s cultural importance, while gardens like Yoshiki-en offer beautifully composed pockets of calm. These are places made for sitting still, watching the seasons change, and soaking in the quiet elegance of Japanese design.

If you’re interested in local traditions, a tea ceremony in one of Nara’s teahouses is a lovely way to connect with the city’s cultural rhythm — intimate, thoughtful, and far from the usual tourist track.

Just under an hour from Kyoto or Osaka, Nara is easy to reach but feels worlds away. Whether you’re coming for the temples, the deer, or simply a bit of space to breathe, Nara rewards you with stillness and a deeper sense of Japan’s past.