Location List

In September, the lush green, terraced rice fields of Inabuchi village in Asuka are enhanced by thousands of red amaryllis (also called red spider lilies), marking the transition to Autumn. The Ama...

On the approach to Kasugataisha Shrine, this walled garden features around 250 varieties of plants, described in Japan’s oldest collection of poetry, the Manyoshu. A pleasant strolling garden in al...

To help Nara’s deer population co-exist peacefully with each other and with humans, the antlers of the aggressive males have been ritually cut each autumn. Unchanged since the Edo period, this is a...

Every spring, people flock to see this magnificent weeping cherry blossom tree, believed to be around 300 years old. Its blossoms are pale pink, in contrast with a row of hot pink peach blossoms be...

Hydrangea flowers bloom just before the rainy season of mid-June, their watery blues and purples against deep green leaves, enhanced by the soft rain. There are over 1,000 hydrangea shrubs around Y...

In early spring, Tsukigase is one of the best places in Nara to view plum (“ume”) blossoms. The flower is often mentioned in Japanese haiku or renga; it is also said to offer protection against evi...

Cherry blossom season is the main event around Mt Yoshino, with around 30,000 trees of 200 varieties, that bloom all over the mountain from late March to mid-April. Extra buses take visitors up to ...

Renowned for night views over the Nara basin and the lights of Osaka, Mt Ikoma is accessible by cable car from Toriimae Station. In summer, it’s a good location to see the fireworks festivals acros...

From the top of Amakashi-no-Oka hill, you get a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. From early to mid-spring, plum and cherry blossoms are in bloom. The view is especially nice around sunset.

Daimonji Okuribi is a fire festival held on the evening of August 15 to honour the spirits of fallen soldiers and pray for peace. As a memorial service is conducted with a mixture of Buddhist and S...

A relatively recent event first held in 1999, this lantern festival takes place nightly from August 5 to 14 every year, turning World Heritage rich Nara Park into a sea of candlelight. All are enco...

The Wakamiya Onmatsuri takes place annually at Kasugataisha Shrine on December 17. It has been passed down for over 1200 years and the performances associated with it have been designated a Nationa...

Held in the morning at 10am, on various dates throughout December, a French horn player summons the local deer to be fed, with a performance of Beethoven's 6th Symphony Pastoral. The performance la...

The origins are hazy, but the event is spectacular. One theory is that there was a boundary dispute between Kohfukuji Temple and Todaiji Temple in 1760, which got out of hand, resulting in the moun...

The Basara Festival takes of the streets of downtown Nara to celebrate dance. The word basara, roughly translates as expressive and exuberant, and you will see amateur performers with plenty of ene...

Designed on the theme of the Man’yoshu, a vast poetry anthology from the 8th century, this modern museum is thoughtfully designed, with vibrant displays depicting daily life at the time along with ...

Ranging over four buildings with wheelchair access, this museum holds treasures from the Nara period (710 to 784 AD), plus Buddhist and decorative art from around Japan with explanations in English...

Nara’s main art museum has an extensive collection of Japanese art, with a focus on the Edo and Meiji eras. Exhibitions rotate every two to three months and explanations of most pieces are in Engli...

This bold modern design of this museum, the work of the famed architect Kisho Kurokawa, stands out in the midst of a traditional neighbourhood. The museum is dedicated to photographer Irie Taikichi...

This family-friendly spa-park is a good way to relax after hiking the Yamanobe-no-michi or to while away a rainy day. The complex has a range of hot spring baths and swimming pools, saunas and mass...

This large onsen, spa and restaurant complex gets busy on weekends. It also has a hot stone spa, with heated volcanic stones. Open until 1am, it’s a good way to relax after a big day. There is a st...

This amusement park has small rollercoasters, go-carts, miniature golf and indoor games suitable for children age three and up. There are also kids’ shows with popular super heroes and anime charac...

Dating back to 1184, this traditional herbal medicine store is now run by the 24th generation of the same family. Looking around the quaint store, it feels like very little has changed. With the vo...

Set in an attractive old machiya townhouse, this restaurant with private dining rooms specialises in Tofu. English menus are available with detailed explanations about the dishes and suggestions fo...