Nara Hidden Gems
7 spots
Nara Park — 1,200 Sacred Deer Roaming Free
Nara Park (奈良公園) is a 660-hectare park where over 1,200 wild sika deer roam freely among visitors, temples, and open mea…
Mount Yoshino — 30,000 Cherry Trees in Pilgrimage Mountains
Mount Yoshino (吉野山) is Japan's most famous cherry blossom viewing destination, with 30,000 shirotae cherry trees (white-…
Ukimido Pavilion — Floating Pavilion at Sunset
Ukimido (浮見堂, 'Floating Pavilion') is a hexagonal pavilion built on stilts over Sagi-ike Pond in Nara Park's southern ar…
Wakakusayama Hill — Panoramic Nara Views & Grass Burning
Wakakusayama (若草山, 'Young Grass Mountain') is a 342-meter grassy hill on Nara Park's eastern edge offering panoramic vie…
Isonokami Jingu Shrine — Sacred Swords & Free-Roaming Chickens
Isonokami Jingu (石上神宮) is one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, established in the 4th century as a repository for sacre…
Nara Park Maple Viewing — Autumn Foliage & Deer
Nara Park transforms in autumn (mid-November to early December) when 2,000+ maple, ginkgo, and cherry trees turn vibrant…
Yoshino Mikumari Shrine — Mountain Water Goddess Shrine
Yoshino Mikumari Shrine (吉野水分神社) is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Mikumari-no-Kami (水分神), the deity of water distribution…