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Nara Prefecture

Region · 🇯🇵 Japan
Population 1,319,305
Area 3,692 km²
Time zone Asia/Tokyo
Official website www.pref.nara.jp
Nara Prefecture

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Featured Lists

Kanchi1979 / CC BY-SA 4.0

Nara Prefecture's Absolute Essentials

Nara Prefecture preserves the origins of Japanese civilization, featuring UNESCO World Heritage sites like Todai-ji, home to the world's largest bronze Buddha statue, and Horyu-ji, which contains some of the world’s oldest surviving wooden structures. The region encompasses the former imperial capital at Heijō Palace and the sprawling Nara Park, where over 1,000 wild sika deer roam freely. Beyond the city, Mount Yoshino offers a landscape of thousands of cherry trees and sacred Shinto and Buddhist sites, including the Kinpusen-ji temple and Yoshimizu Shrine.

17 places
Tawashi2006 / CC BY 2.1 jp

Nara Editor's Picks

This curated selection highlights the historical depth and natural diversity of Nara. Explore the UNESCO-listed Mount Yoshino, a central site for Shugendo mountain worship, and the Manyo Botanical Garden, which showcases over 300 plant species featured in ancient Japanese poetry. The list includes specialized institutions like the Yamato Bunkakan and Neiraku Museum, housing significant collections of East Asian art and ceramics, alongside the preserved merchant history of the Naramachi Museum and the 16th-century stone walls of Koriyama Castle.

6 places
1012z / CC BY-SA 4.0

Hidden Gems

Explore the quieter side of Nara through its traditional architecture and unique local customs. This selection features the Koshi-no-Ie Residence, a preserved merchant house, and the Naramachi Mechanical Toy Museum, where visitors can interact with Edo-period replicas. Culinary highlights include handmade wagashi from a century-old confectionery and local okonomiyaki. For unique experiences, visit a specialized owl cafe or attempt to crawl through the pillar hole at Todai-ji Temple, sized specifically to match the Great Buddha’s nostril.

6 places
Nekosuki / CC BY-SA 4.0

Temples and Shrines of Japan

Nara serves as the spiritual heart of Japan, housing many of the country's oldest and most significant religious sites. This collection features several UNESCO World Heritage landmarks, including Todai-ji with its massive bronze Buddha and Horyu-ji, home to some of the world's oldest wooden buildings. The list spans from the grand 8th-century temple complexes of the city center to the remote mountain shrines of Yoshino and Mt. Tamaki, showcasing the distinct architectural styles and traditions of both Buddhism and Shintoism.

12 places
Muramasa / CC BY-SA 2.1 jp

Viewpoints and Nature Escapes

Explore Nara’s diverse landscape, from the central Nara Park and Sarusawa Pond near Kofukuji Temple to the rugged peaks of the Omine Mountains. This collection features Mt. Hakkyogadake, the highest peak in the Kansai region, alongside the scenic Doro-kyo and Kitayama-kyo gorges. Notable natural landmarks include the emerald waters of Mitarai Valley, the historic Momoo-no-taki waterfall, and the unique goldfish tank installation in Yamatokoriyama. The list spans urban parklands, ancient mountain passes, and remote river canyons across the prefecture.

19 places

Nara Prefecture — Map

Nara Prefecture — Map

Climate & when to visit

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Poor
  • 3° (feels like -2°) · extremes -7°–9°
  • -4° at night
  • 7 rainy days
  • 4 sunny days
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in February

Poor
  • 5° (feels like 0°) · extremes -7°–12°
  • -4° at night
  • 8 rainy days
  • 6 sunny days
  • 5 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in March

Poor
  • 9° (feels like 4°) · extremes -6°–15°
  • -1° at night
  • 11 rainy days
  • 9 sunny days
  • 6 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Fair
  • 14° (feels like 11°) · extremes -2°–20°
  • 3° at night
  • 11 rainy days
  • 11 sunny days
  • 6 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in May

Good
  • 19° (feels like 17°) · extremes 3°–23°
  • 9° at night
  • 12 rainy days
  • 10 sunny days
  • 7 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in June

Good
  • 22° · extremes 9°–26°
  • 13° at night
  • 16 rainy days
  • 5 sunny days
  • 5 hours of sunshine per day
  • Comfortable humidity
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in July

Good
  • 26° (feels like 27°) · extremes 15°–29°
  • 18° at night
  • 16 rainy days
  • 5 sunny days
  • 6 hours of sunshine per day
  • Muggy, humid air
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in August

Good
  • 27° (feels like 28°) · extremes 15°–29°
  • 19° at night
  • 16 rainy days
  • 6 sunny days
  • 7 hours of sunshine per day
  • Muggy, humid air
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in September

Good
  • 23° (feels like 24°) · extremes 10°–27°
  • 15° at night
  • 16 rainy days
  • 6 sunny days
  • 5 hours of sunshine per day
  • Humid air
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in October

Good
  • 18° (feels like 16°) · extremes 3°–23°
  • 9° at night
  • 12 rainy days
  • 9 sunny days
  • 5 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in November

Fair
  • 12° (feels like 9°) · extremes -2°–18°
  • 3° at night
  • 9 rainy days
  • 8 sunny days
  • 5 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Calm winds
  • UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in December

Poor
  • 6° (feels like 2°) · extremes -6°–12°
  • -2° at night
  • 8 rainy days
  • 5 sunny days
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 2 · low

Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025

Practical information

Currency
Japanese Yen JPY ¥ · Card payments · Commonly accepted
Emergency numbers
118
Electricity
Type A / Type B
100 V · 60 Hz
Languages
Japanese
Tap water
Safe to drink
Driving side
Left
Calling code
+81
Learn more

Tours & Activities

Riverside Hotel
Taxi · 8 min
Nara Prefecture
2h
Walk · 6 min
Corner Café
45 min
Walk · 18 min
Riverside Hotel

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