Nara

Editor's Choice: Nara Highlights

This selection features significant historical and cultural landmarks across Nara. The Manyo Botanical Garden displays over 300 plant species mentioned in ancient Manyoshu poetry, located beside the Kasuga Taisha shrine. The Koriyama Castle ruins preserve 16th-century stone walls and moats, while the Naramachi Museum documents local urban history and traditional crafts. Art collections are represented by the Neiraku Museum’s ancient ceramics and the Yamato Bunkakan, which houses a diverse range of Asian art within a building designed by architect Isoya Yoshida.

Manyo Botanical Garden, Nara

The Manyo Botanical Garden, also known as the Kasuga Taisha Garden, is a botanical garden located next to the Kasuga Shrine at 160 Kasugano…

Ruins of the Koriyama Castle

Sixteenth-century fortification ruins featuring extensive original stone walls, moats, and reconstructed gates. The site is notable for masonry that incorporates repurposed Buddhist stone carvings and serves as a major location for seasonal cherry blossom viewing.

Naramachi Museum

Visit this quaint museum if looking for information about Nara, its history, and local culture.

Neiraku Museum

Neiraku Museum is an art museum in the city of Nara, central Japan.The museum opened in April 1969.

Yamato Bunkakan

Private art museum housing over 2,000 works of Japanese, Chinese, and Korean art, including paintings, calligraphy, and ceramics. The building, designed by Isoya Yoshida, is integrated into a natural park landscape overlooking a large pond.