NaraCity

Sightseeing Guide
From 710 to 784 the capital of Japan, Heijokyo, was located in present day Nara City.
As is shown by the number of extant historical Buddhist images and buildings around
Nara City, Japanese culture flourished here under the reign of successive emperors
and empresses during that era. Several historical sites have been registered on
UNESCO s World Heritage List as Historical Monuments of Ancient Nara .
Undoubtedly Nara is a treasure house of ancient history and culture set in a beautiful
natural environment.

World Heritage Site

odaiji Temple

World Heritage Site

ohfukuji Temple

World Heritage Site

asuga Taisha Shrine

B us Route Map

S ightseeing spots

Kokujieitai

Nara Park
Located in the central part of Nara City, this vast green area,
popularly known as Nara Park, encompasses four world heritage
sites of UNESCO. Their origins date back to at least the 8th
century. In this park, history and nature blend in harmony.
Another charm of this park is deer. Approx. 1200 wild deer roam
around freely and they are so tame that you can make friends
with them!

(The Air Self- Defense Force Base)

Saidaiji eki

ki

Heijo Kyuseki
(Heijo Palace Site) Hokkeji mae

Toshodaiji
Higashiguchi

Why are there so many deer in the park?

World Heritage Site

oshodaiji Temple

Both paths to this shrine are lined with approx.

2000 stone lanterns, and the eaves of the shrine
itself are decorated with around a thousand
hanging bronze lanterns. It is also impressive to
see the vermilion colored shrine buildings with
cypress-bark roof stand in harmony with the
natural environment. For information regarding
the origin of this shrine, please read Why are
there so many deer in the park? in this leaet.
Hours:9:0016:00Homotsuden Hall and The
Garden of Kasuga Taisha Shrine

World Heritage Site

World Heritage Site

akushiji Temple

angoji Temple

Yakushiji
Chushajo

This garden is full of charms; ponds, stepping stones, tea

houses, a watermill, seasonal owers One of the most
impressive scenes is a view of the Nandaimon Gate of Todaiji
Temple and Wakakusayama Hill from the garden. They are
incorporated into the garden as if they were a part of it.

The numbers indicated in the box are the

bus numbers (see above for each route).

Kintetsu Koriyama eki

Chuguji
Higashiguchi

12 JR Nara Saidaiji
14 JR Nara Kokujieitai
Saidaiji
70 Kasuga Taisha Honden
Rokujoyama
97 Kasuga Taisha Honden
Horyuji Temple

Jikoin

Chuguji
Horyuji mae

(Nara.Nishinokyo.Ikaruga.Excursion Line)

B us Stops
10
11

13

JR Nara Sta.

JR Na
ra Sta
.

Kintetsu
Nara Sta.

To Kyoto

Nara (Heijo)
Palace
Suzakumon
Gate

Suzaku Avenue

Toshodaiji
Temple
Yakushiji
Temple

Kasugayama
Primeval
Forest
Todaiji
Temple
Kohfukuji
Temple
Kasuga
Taisha
Gangoji
Shrine
Temple

To Tenri

To Yamatoyagi To Tennoji

1km

JR Line
Kintetsu Line

JR Koriyama Sta.

Kintetsu
Nara Sta.
Bus Stop

1
8
9
13

2 70 97
70 97
1

JR
Nara Sta.
Bus Stop

12 14

1
7
10
11

70 97

12 14
70 97
1

for indicated bus lines, see the map above.

Pond

Horinji Temple

Chuguji Temple

Hokiji Temple

JR YamatoKoizumi Sta.
25
R

toj

iL

ine

Tsutsui Sta.

1,000

Amulet of various kinds; Handkerchief printed with the Shoso-in

pattern; Deer antler goods.key holders, paper-knives, etc.

2,000

T-shirtsprinted with Sumo wrestlers or the Ukiyoe pictures;

Japanese folding fans; fancy goods with a kimono pattern
such as coasters, toiletry goods, pouches, etc.

2,000

Linen goods table center, curtains etc.; Yoshino cedar

handicraftspicture frames etc.; incense and burners; Nara
fans, Nara dolls; Akahada-yaki earthenware goods.

ay

x
nE

sw

es

pr

Horyuji
i Center

S ouvenirs to suit your budget

koriyama I.C

ma

The old map of Nara City

Kintetsu
Nara Sta.

24

Tomiogawa
River

To Kyoto

This sacred forest extends behind the Kasuga

Taisha Shrine. Since 841 when hunting and
logging in this forest were banned, the forest has
been preserved in the primeval condition. This
has made the forest a sanctuary for various
protected species.

Kintetsu
Koriyama Sta.

Horyuji
Temple

For about 70 years from 710, the capital of Japan

was Heijokyo located in present day Nara City.
Heijo Palace was situated at the northern end of
the capital. Covering approx. 1.3 km from east to
west and approx. 1 km from north to south, this
site has been preserved as a special historic spot
of Japan. Both of the Suzakumon Gate
1998
and Daigokuden Hall
2010were restored.
Hours:9:0016:30Last admission 16:00
It is closed on Mondays.

2 City circular bus outbound line

YamatoSaidaiji Sta.

Kintetsu Kashihara Line

Originally founded in 680, this temple prospered

under the patronage of the imperial court in the
8th century. Since that time, the temple was to
tragically lose all of its buildings to re, with the
exception of its east pagoda. Restoration work has
continued since1967, and today, visitors can see
many buildings reconstructed by using traditional
methods and techniques.
Hours:8:3017:00Last admission at 16:30

To Osaka
(Osaka-Namba)

1 City circular bus inbound line

Hokiji mae

9 8

Kujo Sta.

World Heritage Site

asugayama Primeval Forest

B us Line

Ya

eijo Palace Site

Isuien Gaeden9:3016:30

JR

Takabatakecho

Yakushiji
Higashiguchi

Rokujoyama

Nishinokyo Sta.

World Heritage Site

Kasuga Taisha
Honden

This neo-classical building was constructed as the third national

museum in Japan in 1895 in Nara Park. Today this building is
open to the public as Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall. In 1973 a
new museum building was constructed, and is used for special
exhibitions.

de

su
ut

Wariishicho

Amagatsuji Sta.

This temple was originally founded in the 6th

century as the rst Buddhist temple in Japan.
Even today several 6th century-roof-tiles are used
for its Gokurakubo and Zenshitsu halls. These
halls are said to be the architectural remains of
the 8th century dormitory for Buddhist monks.
Hours:9:0017:00Last admission at 16:30

u
ok
aK

Kasuga Taisha
Omote Sndo

Yakushiji

This temple was founded by Chinese Buddhist

priest Jianzhen, Ganjin in Japanese, in 759 as an
institute dedicated to the learning of Buddhist
commandments. Several buildings in this temple
date back to the 8th century. Among them, the main
hall is the structure of the 8th century remaining,
and the lecture hall is a building used at Heijo Palace.
Hours:8:3017:00Last admission at 16:30

a
ig

ae

Nara National Museum9:3017:00

ak

uh

s
rit

sh

Hirahata Sta.

sh

JR Horyuji Sta.

Ni

ih
me

JR

Horyuji Temple
8:0017:00
Feb.22 to Nov.3
8:0016:30
Nov.4 to Feb.21

This temple is famous for including the oldest wooden buildings

in the world. Originally founded in 607, the temple buildings were
reconstructed in the early 8th century after being lost in re. The
ve-story pagoda, the main hall, and some of the buildings have
remained intact since then. In addition, various historical
treasures including Buddhist images are on display at the
temple s museum, Daihozoden.

ka

tsu

u
ub

JR

The deer in Nara Park eat grass, bamboo leaves and buds. But
Shika Senbei (deer crackers) is their favorite food. You can buy
these crackers at several spots in the park. The deer in this
park are so polite that they bow to you when they ask you for
Shika Senbei!
Originally founded in the 7th century, 2010 marks
the 1300 anniversary of the foundation of this
temple. The ve-story pagoda, a symbol of Nara
City, was reconstructed about 500 years ago
1426after it had burned down ve times. A lot
of national treasures and cultural treasures are
exhibited at the temple s museum, Kokuhokan.
Hours:9:0017:00Last admission at 16:45

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id
ka
m oH
nj aib
o
i
j
k
o
ro
e ch ch
i D in
nt n en imu daij n Sh
K
Ki Ke
H
To Ke
tsu

Feed the deer Shika Senbei (deer crackers)!

This temple is famous for the massive Vairocana

statue, which is popularly known as Daibutsu
Great Buddha
. Founded in the 8th century, the
Daibutsuden hall which houses the statue was
burned down twice in res that broke out as a
result of war. The present structure, which was
rebuilt in 1709, was scaled down to two-thirds of
the original size. Nevertheless it is the largest
wooden structures in the world.
Hours:8:0016:30Nov. to Feb.8:0017:00Mar.
7:3017:30Apr. to Sept.7:3017:00Oct.

(N

nm

ce
ffi

Daibutsuden
JR Nara
Kasuga Taisha mae
eki

Toshodaiji

According to legend, when Kasuga Taisha

Shrine was founded as a family shrine for
the Fujiwaras, a dominant aristocrat clan
in the 8th century, they invited a mighty
god from Kashima Shrine (in present day
Ibaraki Prefecture). The god is said to
have come to Nara riding on a white deer.
Since then, deer have been respected
and protected as divine messengers by
local people.

e
ra
Na

f.
re
aP
ar

er
ov

O
nt

The above-mentioned souvenirs can all be purchased at the shops introduced below.

Souvenirs & Gifts

Along the Sanjo, Higashimuki and Mochiidono streets are souvenir shops,
secondhand Kimono shops, antique shops, Nara specialty shops, and others. You
can enjoy shopping to your taste and on your budget.
The Nara National Museum has a museum shop on its basement oor. Visitors
may drop in whether they have an admission ticket or not. Various items including
books, picture cards, and fabrics with traditional patterns are available.
At Kite-Mite Nara Shop near the Kintetsu Nara Station, a wide variety of local
specialties of Nara Prefecture are available.
Beside these two shops, there are many other shops, such as the 100 stores, recycled stores and
souvenir shops located in Sanjo-dori street, Higashimuki, and Mochiidono shopping streets.

Nara Sightseeing MAP

Legend

Nara Prefectural Gov.Office

Nara City Hall

Police Station
Koban (Plice Box)

http://narashikanko.jp/en/index.html
To KYOTO

To KYOTO

Akishinodera Temple

To KYOTO

Yamato-Saidaiji Sta.

1.2km

2 City circular bus outbound line

Nara Y.H.

Konoike Athletic Stadium

0.9km

1.0km

Futaiji Temple

Toll Gate

(Y.H.)Pref.
Seishonen Kaikan Ikueigakuen

Kairyuoji
Temple

0.8km
Ichijodori St.

()

1.3km

0.5km

369
R

Shoso-in
Treasure Repository

Tegaimon
Gate

Nara Ikuei High School

1.0km

Kin
tets
u Ka
shih
ara
Line

Sugawara
Tenmangu Shrine

Nara Pref. Gov. Office

Yoshikien Garden

Kintetsu Kohfukuji Temple

NaraSta.
Burial Mound

0.25km

1.8km
Nara Centennial Hall

369
R

Amagatsuji
Sta.

100

JR

0.5km
Isagawa Jinja
Shrine

JR Nara Sta.

24

0.8

Narakogei-kan
Craft Center

Denkoji Temple

Daibutsuden
Kasuga Taisha mae

Nara National Museum

0.3km

Sarusawa-ike
Pond

0.4km

Deer Enclosure

Naramachi Center

Ukimido Gazebo

Sagi-ike Pond

Daijoin Temple
Garden Cultural Hall

ne

Naramachi Shiryo-kan Museum

Yakushiji

Onjo-Kan Hall

0.8km

i Li

JR

nsa

Ka

Daianji

Naramachi Promotion Center

1.9km

Kitakyobatecho

Tanakacho

nyo
M
J
R

0.3km

Byakugoji
Temple

Osaka Immigration Bureau

(Nara Branch Office)
169

0.4km
NIFS
(Nara International Foundation
Commemorating the Silk Road Exposition)

Telephone

To HORYUJI

NARA CITY HALL TEL.074234-1111

NARA PREFECTURAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE TEL.074222-1101
NARA POLICE STATION TEL.074233-0110
NARA PREFECTURAL HOSPITAL TEL.074246-6001
NARA CITY HOSPITALTEL.074224-1251

1.0km

e
JR

Daianji Temple

To SAKURAI

Nara City
Tourist
Information
Centers

To YAGYU

0.4km

JR Kyobate Sta.

To KASHIHARA

Shin-yakushiji Temple

Nara City Hospital

hor
ob
a L
in

To YAMATOYAGI
KASHIHARAJINGU
ASUKA
To HORYUJI Temple

0.2km

0.5km

Ma

0.4km

Nara University of Education

Yakushiji Higashiguchi

Yakushiji Temple

Wakamiya Jinja Shrine

0.5km

Irie Taikichi Memorial Museum of

Photography Nara City

Fukuchi-in Temple

0.7km

Nishinokyo eki

Naramachi Koshi-no-ie Lattice House

JR

JR

1.0km

iver
oR

0.5km

Nishinokyo Sta.

0.3km

Imanishi-ke Shoin

-Ko

Wriishicho

Jurin-in Temple

ino
yak
Sasa

Shiga Naoyas
Old Residence

(Y

Sah

Nishinokyo eki

am
at
oji
Li

Toshodaiji Higashiguchi

0.4km

0.8km

Ara-ike Pond

ne

Ganko-Ittetsu
Nagaya
(Craftmens work shop)

Toshodaiji

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Gangoji Temple

0.7km

KasugaTaisha
Honden

1.3km

Toshodaiji Temple

The Garden of
Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Five-Story Pagoda

Sugioka Kason Calligraphy Art Museum

0.9km
Historical Materials
Preservation House

km

0.5km

Nara Pref.
New Public Hall

Pond

1.2km

Himurojinja
Kokuritsuhakubutsukan

Tokon-do Hall

Three-Story Pagoda

Toll Gate

Himuro Jinja
Shrine

Kencho mae

Kohfukuji Kokuho-kan
Museum

Sanjodori St.
0.5km

Remains of Heijokyo
Sakyo Sanjo Nibo Palace Garden

0.3km

Wakakusayama
Hill (342m)

Isuien Garden

Pref. Cultural Hall

Nijoojiminami 4chome

Hanna Sugawara

Tamukeyama Hachimangu Shrine

Kasugayama Primeval Forest

Nandaimon Gate

Neiraku Museum

Pref. Museum of Art

(Ito Yokado 5F)

Burial Mound

Kagami-ike
Pond

Kin
tets
u
Nar
a Li
ne

Nara City Museum of Art

NHK

Nara City
Hall

Sangatsu-do Hall

0.8km

Nigatsu-do Hall

Great
Bell

Todaiji Temple

Shin Omiya
Sta.

Pond

Daibutsuden

0.8km

Nara Okuyama
Toll Road

Kaidan-in
Temple Hall

Nara Womens
University

Suzakumon Gate

Kikoji Temple

To OSAKA

Toin-teien Garden

do not walk

Daibutsu-ike
Pond

Heijo Palace Site

1 City circular bus inbound line

To YAGYU

1.0km
Hokkeji
Temple

Daigoku-den Hall

Excavation Site
Exhibition Hall

Heijo Palace
Site Museum

Kokujieitai

Heijo Kyuseki

Sakicho

JR Line
Kintetsu Line

mi
chi
Pat
h

To OSAKA-NAMBA

JR Nara

Nara Park
City Loop

Burial Mound

Hospital
Lavatory
Parking

To KYOTO

Exchange (Bank)
Rent-a-Cycle
Youth Hostel
School

Hannyaji Temple
0.4km

Line JR

Saidaiji Temple

To KYOTO

Bus Stop
Shrine
Post Office
Hotel

Nara City Tourist Information Center (Next to JR Nara Station)

Hours:9:00-21:00

Hours:9:00-21:00

JR Nara Station Hours:9:00-17:00

Kintetsu-Nara Station Hours:9:00-17:00
Sarusawa Information Hours:9:00-17:00 (Closed for the year-end and new-year holidays)

To NARA OKUYAMA Toll Road

To TENRI

Nara City Tourist Information Center (Sanjodori St.)

(Closed for the year-end and new-year holidays) TEL.
074222-3900

TEL.
074227-2223

Left Luggage office available time:9a.m.7p.m.

open every day of a year cost:400 yen/1baggage
Nara Prefecture Tourist Information Center Hours:10:00-17:00

Free Tours
in English

Nara S.G.G.Club TEL..(0742)22-5595 FAX.(0742)22-5595

Nara Student Guide TEL.(0742)26-4753 FAX.(0742)26-1991
Nara YMCA Goodwill GuidesTEL.(0742)45-5920