Nara, Japan’s ancient capital, offers far more than its famous deer and the lively pathways of Nara Park. Once the center of political and cultural life during the Nara period (710 – 794), the city still carries the atmosphere of a place where centuries-old traditions quietly shape daily life. Beyond the most visited landmarks, travelers will find neighborhoods where pottery studios, historic sake breweries, and temple gardens preserve the spirit of old Japan.
For travelers seeking a quieter side of Nara, we have several sightseeing sites that offer a glimpse into the region’s artistic and spiritual heritage, followed by two distinctive hotels that provide a peaceful base near these places.
Must-see sights in Nara
Nara captivates visitors with its extraordinary concentration of cultural landmarks, sacred forests, and beautifully preserved traditional neighborhoods—a combination perfect for first-time and returning travelers.
Here are some of the highlights that make Nara a must-visit destination in Japan.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nara
Many of Nara’s world heritage sites are recognized collectively as the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara,” a UNESCO World Heritage designation granted in 1998. Unlike many listings that recognize a single site, this inscription includes eight distinct cultural properties registered together as one heritage ensemble, reflecting the city’s role as a center of religion, culture, and government during the Nara period.
Todai-ji Temple stands out for its Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), one of the world’s largest wooden structures, and for housing the imposing Great Buddha of Nara. The temple is set by Nara Park, where around 1,300 wild deer roam freely and are protected as a national treasure. Nearby, Kofuku-ji Temple—once the family temple of the influential Fujiwara clan—features impressive pagodas and a museum home to exceptional Buddhist sculptures, such as the famed Ashura statue.
Kasuga Taisha Shrine, with its atmospheric, lantern-lined approach and tranquil grounds, preserves about 3,000 lanterns donated over the centuries, sharing this sacred landscape with the city’s iconic deer. Nara’s rich heritage extends to Gango-ji Temple, one of Japan’s oldest, notable for its ancient roof tiles and a miniature five-story pagoda, a Natural Treasure, dating back over a millennium.
Yakushi-ji Temple is celebrated for the Yakushi Triad, a masterpiece of gilt-bronze Buddhist art, while Toshodai-ji Temple exudes serenity with its classical architecture, reflecting the layout of ancient capital Heijo-kyo. Beyond the temples, Heijo Palace Site Historical Park preserves the remains of the Heijo imperial palace from Nara’s era as Japan’s capital, and the Kasugayama Primeval Forest offers a rare glimpse of an untouched sacred woodland, protected for centuries as part of the sacred grounds of Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
Spiritual sites beyond the landmarks
While Nara is widely known for iconic UNESCO sites, the region also offers a number of lesser-known temples and shrines where visitors can experience traditional religious culture in a more tranquil setting. You can expand your Nara temple tour for another day.
Among them is Himuro Shrine, a shrine connected to ancient ice ponds and ice storehouses (himuro) dating back to the Nara period, when ice was presented to the imperial court. Today it is known for its unusual “ice fortune” or himi-kuji, a paper fortune whose message appears when placed on a block of ice. In summer, visitors can offer shaved ice as part of their prayers before enjoying it afterward as a symbolic sacred treat.
Another peaceful retreat is Jiko‑in, a temple deeply associated with the tea ceremony tradition. Its quiet garden overlooks the Yamato Plain, and guests can savor freshly prepared matcha while seated in the historic shoin (study hall), an Important Cultural Property. Reservations are also available for traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, offering a refined introduction to temple hospitality.
Further to the south, Hasedera Temple is often called the “Temple of Flowers.” The expansive grounds change character with the seasons, but spring and early summer are particularly striking when thousands of peonies and hydrangeas bloom across the temple terraces.
Gardens, museums, and more of nature
Nara’s cultural landscape also has preserved merchant quarters and beautifully maintained gardens. Located within Nara Park, the Nara National Museum holds a huge collection of Buddhist sculpture and religious paintings. Its annual Shosoin Exhibition in autumn draws visitors from across the country, showcasing rare treasures connected to the imperial storehouse of the ancient capital.
Nearby, Isuien Garden presents a classic strolling landscape that blends scenery from two distinct historical periods: the “Front Garden” of the early Edo period (1603-1868) and the “Rear Garden” of the Meiji period (1868-1912). The garden’s layered design incorporates distant views of nearby temple roofs and forested hills, while the adjacent Neiraku Museum of Art displays fine works of Asian ceramics and decorative arts.
For a glimpse into Nara’s merchant past, the historic district of Naramachi preserves traditional townhouses once owned by traders and artisans. Today, its narrow streets are lined with small cafes, craft boutiques, and galleries, creating one of the city’s most atmospheric areas for wandering. Within the district, the Naramachi Karakuri Toy Museum invites visitors to see—and even operate—ingenious mechanical toys that entertained families during the Edo period.
Nara also offers quiet natural settings ideal for slow exploration. The riverside path along the Saho River, the Saho Seseragi no Sato, provides a peaceful walking route lined with cherry trees. In spring, the blossoms form a delicate canopy above the water, creating one of the city’s most pleasant places for a leisurely stroll.
Local, hands-on experiences
One of Nara’s most memorable experiences is Shika Yose, or deer calling, held on the grassy fields of Tobihino Field within the grounds of Kasuga Taisha Shrine. At the sound of a horn, nearly one hundred deer gather across the field before being rewarded with scattered acorns. The event takes place in the morning during select periods of winter, spring, and summer. For a more private experience, weekday sessions can also be arranged through the Nara Deer Preservation Foundation, with proceeds supporting deer conservation efforts.
Visitors can also explore Nara’s cultural heritage through indoor hands-on workshops. At Oshio Masashi Pottery Studio, guests can experience Akahada-yaki, a traditional craft of Nara, and shape their own piece of traditional pottery using clay from Mount Akahada with the help of a skilled instructor. The roughly two-hour session used the hand-building (tebineri) technique to form a piece about the size of a tea bowl, shaped to individual preference. Participants can choose what to make—such as a tea bowl, small plate, or vase—then build the piece layer by layer from the base. Once formed, the rim is refined, the thickness adjusted, then the piece is dried and fired twice and a white glaze is applied. The finished work can be shipped three months later, with both domestic and international delivery available. Shipping costs are charged separately.
Aside from pottery, other hands-on experiences in the area include watching how fresh wagashi (traditional Japanese confections) are made at Yorozu Onkashi Atsuraedokoro Kashi-ya and crafting calligraphy brushes at Akashiya.
Local cuisine and souvenirs
Nara’s cuisine reflects centuries of local tradition. Signature dishes include kakinoha sushi, pressed sushi wrapped in fragrant persimmon leaves, and Miwa somen, delicate hand-stretched noodles with a history of more than 1,200 years. Simple regional staples such as chagayu (tea porridge) are often enjoyed with narazuke, a deeply fermented pickle made by aging vegetables in sake lees.
Sweets and souvenirs are equally distinctive. Freshly pounded yomogi mochi at Nakatanido is a popular stop, while summer brings beautifully crafted shaved ice inspired by the traditions of Himuro Shrine. Visitors can also sample Yoshino kuzu desserts or premium Kotoka strawberries, and bring home regional crafts such as Akahada-yaki ceramics or traditional Nara sumi ink.
Kamenoi Hotel Nara for scenic views of the ancient capital
Set beside one of Japan’s most significant archaeological sites, Kamenoi Hotel Nara offers a tranquil base for exploring the ancient capital. Directly in front of the hotel stretches the vast Heijo Palace Ruins, a World Heritage Site. During the day, the expansive grounds reveal the scale of the former imperial palace, while at night the illuminated landscape creates an entirely different atmosphere.
The hotel provides a peaceful environment where guests can unwind beside centuries of history as it is located away from the busy areas of Nara, but it also offers so much more. Here’s what awaits you.
Guest rooms
Guest rooms are designed to combine comfort with views of Nara’s historic landscape. West-facing rooms overlook the sweeping grounds of the Heijo Palace Ruins and the iconic Suzaku Gate, with Mount Wakakusa visible in the distance. Watching the changing light over these historic landmarks adds a memorable dimension to the stay.
For a more luxurious experience, the hotel offers a Premium Japanese-Western Style Room with Natural Hot Spring View Bath (Non-Smoking) with a natural hot spring bath, where guests can enjoy private hot spring bathing at any time of day. It also includes special amenities like massage chairs, coffee machines, air purifiers, and deodorizing systems.
Five Japanese-Western Style Rooms (non-smoking) also feature 24-hour flowing hot spring baths with views along with essential amenities, including air-purifiers. The regular Japanese-Western style rooms, meanwhile, blend tatami flooring with Western-style beds, allowing guests to relax in a traditional Japanese setting while still enjoying the comfort of modern bedding. All rooms are non-smoking.
Natural hot springs
The hotel’s hot spring baths provide a soothing retreat after a day of sightseeing. The indoor bath is lined with yakisugi (charred cedar), evoking the atmosphere of Nara’s historic streets while filling the space with the warmth of natural wood. Outside, the open-air bath offers a tranquil setting reminiscent of a Japanese garden, where guests can relax while feeling the seasonal breezes. Both hot springs are equipped with sodium-chloride, known for its ability to retain warmth and keep the body comfortable long after bathing—especially welcome during cooler months in Nara.
Guests with tattoos are welcome, as long as tattoos are covered with concealment stickers—a feature still relatively uncommon among Japanese hot spring facilities.
Facilities and viewpoints
A highlight of the property is its View Lounge, an observation space where guests can take in panoramic views of the surrounding landmarks. Windows are labeled to help identify key sites such as the Heijo Palace Ruins, the reconstructed Daigokuden Hall, and Mount Wakakusa. The lounge becomes particularly atmospheric during dusk, when the setting sun casts warm light over the palace ruins and the moon rises in the direction of Todai-ji Temple and Mount Wakakusa.
Within the hotel, guests can also enjoy relaxed leisure time with facilities such as karaoke rooms and massage chairs.
Dining inspired by Nara’s culinary heritage
Dining is another highlight at Kamenoi Hotel Nara. Meals are served at Restaurant Horai, where large windows overlook the garden and create a calm setting for enjoying regional cuisine.
The morning breakfast, which is well-loved and recommended by returning visitors, is presented buffet-style and showcases a wide selection of Nara specialties. Guests can sample local dishes such as chagayu, narazuke pickles, noppe stew, and simmered chicken, along with fresh vegetables and fruit. Other regional highlights include Yamato chicken croquettes with narazuke tartar sauce, potato salad made with eggs from Takemura Poultry Farm, miso soup prepared with local Gotoku miso, and rice grown in Nara Prefecture. Together, the dishes offer a flavorful introduction to the region’s food culture.
Dinner is served kaiseki style, with several seasonal course options highlighting locally sourced ingredients such as Yamato vegetables, Yamato beef, and Miwa somen. Depending on the season, the sashimi course may include the Nara brand sea bream known as “Kaki-dai,” raised on persimmon leaves. The meal concludes with kamameshi rice prepared with Nara-grown Hinohikari rice and traditional kombu and bonito broth. Guests can also enjoy tasting sets of regional sake—fitting for Nara, which is often described as the birthplace of Japanese sake.
Aside from dinner, guests are also treated to a comforting late-night snack in the evening: the “Jigoku Meguri” Yonaki Tantanmen, a signature Japanese ramen offered at Kamenoi Hotels across Japan.
For day visitors, the hotel offers the “Koto Meguri Plan,” a lunch package priced at ¥3,500 that combines a kaiseki-style meal with access to the hot spring bath. Advanced reservation is recommended.
Souvenirs and crafts
The hotel shop provides a curated selection of Nara specialties and unique souvenirs. Classic regional foods such as kakinoha sushi, narazuke pickles, Miwa somen noodles, kuzukiri sweets, and deer-shaped monaka (a Japanese sweet made of azuki bean paste) can be found alongside tastings of burdock root tea.
Guests can also browse locally crafted goods, including deer-themed stationery, postcards, and accessories, in the shop. Nara is Japan’s leading producer of socks, and a variety of colorful designs are also available here. Traditional calligraphy brushes are sold together with adult coloring books inspired by the landscapes and seasons of Nara, offering a creative way to remember the journey long after the trip ends.
How to get there
If you think Kamenoi Hotel Nara is the perfect stay based on your itinerary, you can easily reach it from Yamato-Saidaiji Station on the Kintetsu Line, with a complimentary shuttle bus available by reservation for added convenience.
Wan Wan Paradise Nara Ikoma for travelers with pets
Set amid the lush landscapes between the Yata Hills and Ikoma Mountains, Wan Wan Paradise Nara Ikoma offers a relaxed countryside retreat just outside central Nara. The hotel also provides sweeping views that change with the seasons, from vibrant spring greenery to colorful autumn foliage.
On April 11, 2026, the Kamenoi Hotel Yamato Heguri is scheduled to reopen under the new brand Wan Wan Paradise Nara Ikoma, reflecting its strong focus on welcoming travelers with their dogs. And trust us when we say there’s so much for you and your pets here. Here’s what awaits you.
Guest rooms
All guest rooms at the hotel welcome dogs. Room options include Japanese-Western style rooms, Western-style rooms, and traditional Japanese-style tatami rooms with futon bedding. Eight Western-style rooms feature shower booths, and one of them is barrier free so your pets can roam freely.
Pet-friendly amenities are thoughtfully provided in every room, including a cage, toilet sheets, food bowls, deodorizing spray, waste bags, lint rollers, and wet wipes. This allows guests to travel with minimal luggage while still ensuring their pets’ comfort. Dogs may even sleep beside their owners on the bed or futon if they wear proper diapers. 
Despite accommodating pets, rest assured that rooms are carefully cleaned and deodorized to maintain a fresh and comfortable environment for all guests.
Natural hot springs
After a day of sightseeing, guests can unwind in the hotel’s simple hot spring. The spacious public bath includes a relaxing seated bath with a soft atmospheric setting, while the open-air bath is designed like a tranquil garden, offering a peaceful space for relaxation.
The hot spring is referred to as tanjun onsen, known for its gentle mineral composition that is mild on the skin. Its water temperature maintains a low-temperature range from 25°C to under 34°C, so the bath places minimal strain on the body and promotes deep relaxation for guests of all ages.
While dogs are welcome throughout most areas of the hotel, they are not permitted in the bathing facilities or changing rooms.
Dining with pets
One of the hotel’s most distinctive features is its dog-friendly dining experience. Dogs are welcome inside the restaurant and can sit beside their owners.
Dinner features seasonal kaiseki cuisine prepared by the head chef using ingredients from Nara and the surrounding region. A dedicated dog dinner menu is also available for an additional fee, so you can share mealtime with your pet without bringing separate food.
Breakfast is served buffet-style and highlights regional specialties such as chagayu, Narazuke pickles, and croquettes flavored with locally produced Yamato tea. Guests can also enjoy dishes featuring Nara-branded Yamato Pork grilled with rock salt, along with a variety of other local ingredients.
Relaxed facilities
Beyond its hot springs and dining, the hotel provides several facilities designed for a leisurely stay. Guests can enjoy karaoke rooms for private gatherings with family and friends, as well as a relaxation corner equipped with massage chairs available around the clock.
Dogs are welcome throughout most shared spaces, including the lobby and hallways, as long as they remain on a leash. New spaces facilities, including both indoor and outdoor dog runs, allow pets to play comfortably regardless of the weather.
Local souvenirs
The hotel shop offers a selection of local Nara specialties, including Narazuke pickles, kakinoha sushi, kuzukiri sweets, Yamato tea products, and kaki monaka desserts. Traditional Nara dishcloths and other regional goods are also available. For travelers with pets, the shop additionally carries dog food and pet accessories.
How to get there
Wan Wan Paradise Nara Ikoma is located about a 10-minute walk from Motoyamaguchi Station through the Kintetsu Line. A complimentary shuttle bus, only available via reservation, operates three times daily for convenient access.
For foreign visitors traveling to or from Kyoto, it’s highly recommended to extend your trip a little further to Nara to explore more of the charm of Japan’s historic ancient capitals. Kyoto to Nara by train takes only less than an hour away.
Capture Nara’s spirit with the perfect stay
Frequent travelers can soon discover that Nara offers far more than its well-known sights. It’s a region also renowned for its natural beauty, historic sites, and warm, welcoming atmosphere. Your trip will be all the more enjoyable when you pick the right place to stay for your plan. Kamenoi Hotel Nara and Wan Wan Paradise Nara Ikoma are both good options that truly capture the spirit of Nara and are ideal for different types of travelers, even those with pets.
