One Day Around Nara Park: Exploring Kasuga Taisha, Todai-ji, and Local Shopping Streets

Must-Snap View: Kofukuji’s Five-Story Pagoda Reflected in Sarusawa Pond

Just east of the Sanjo-dori shopping street, Sarusawa Pond is an easy stroll from JR Nara Station’s east exit or from Kintetsu-Nara Station via the Higashimuki arcade. This 332-meter artificial pond dates back to the Nara period. The reflection of Kofukuji’s Five-Story Pagoda and surrounding willow trees on its calm surface creates one of the most iconic photo spots in Nara.

Every year on April 17, the temple holds the Hojoe, releasing carp and goldfish into the pond. During the autumn moon-viewing season, the elegant Uneme Matsuri features beautifully adorned boats gliding across the water.

Kofukuji: A National Treasure Trove of Buddhist Statues

The East Golden Hall and Five-Story Pagoda

Kofukuji Temple is the head temple of the Hosso school of Buddhism, with origins dating back to 669, when it was first established in Kyoto by the wife of Fujiwara no Kamatari. After relocating to Fujiwara-kyo and being renamed Umayasaka-dera, the temple moved once more when the capital shifted to Nara. It was then renamed Kofukuji and flourished under the support of the imperial court and the powerful Fujiwara clan.

A key temple in both the Nara and Heian periods, Kofukuji remains a cultural landmark. Highlights include its iconic National Treasure—the Five-Story Pagoda—along with the Three-Story Pagoda and East Golden Hall. The temple also houses an extraordinary collection of Buddhist statuary, including the celebrated Ashura statue from the Tenpyo era, making it a true treasure trove for those interested in Buddhist art.

The Reconstructed Central Golden Hall

At the heart of Kofukuji stands the Central Golden Hall (Chukondo), which was finally reopened to the public in October 2018 after a 300-year absence. The hall has been destroyed by fire seven times throughout its history, making this reconstruction especially significant.

Inside, the principal object of worship is a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, flanked by statues of the Medicine King and Medicine Superior Bodhisattvas—both designated Important Cultural Properties. Nearby, the South Octagonal Hall (Nan’endo) enshrines the Four Heavenly Kings, each a National Treasure.

Ashura Statue

The National Treasure Hall at Kofukuji recreates the original Nara-period dining hall and showcases a remarkable collection of Buddhist statues designated as National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. Highlights include the Ashura statue—celebrated as one of the finest masterpieces of Nara-period sculpture—alongside the Eight Legions, fierce Nio guardians, and the playfully expressive Demon of Heavenly Light and Demon of Dragon Light.

Beneath the hall, the ruins of the original jikido remain preserved, offering a rare look into the temple’s ancient foundations.

Savor Local Flavors at Kasuga Ninai-jaya Tea House

Operated directly by Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kasuga Ninai-jaya sits along the shrine’s approach path, offering serene views of a seasonal garden right outside its windows. This charming tea house traces its roots back to the Edo period, when it was known for serving sweets and tea to worshippers.

Today, it’s known for its specialty dish—Manyo-gayu, a local rice porridge inspired by the ancient Manyoshu poetry collection. With over 50 seats in the garden area, it’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy a peaceful meal surrounded by blooming flowers year-round.

Manyo-gayu (à la carte with pickles) – 1,200 yen (tax included)

The tea house’s signature dish is the seasonal Manyo-gayu, a delicate white miso rice porridge infused with rich kombu dashi. Each month features a different topping inspired by poems from the Manyoshu, starting in January with seven-herb porridge, followed by seasonal ingredients like soybeans, rapeseed blossoms, cherry blossoms, and yam.

For a taste of Nara’s local flavors in one meal, try the Yamato Meibutsu Zen set, which includes Manyo-gayu, persimmon leaf sushi, and kudzu mochi.

Kasuga Somen (with two persimmon leaf sushi) – 1,250 yen (tax included)

Inspired by a traditional celebratory meal at Kasuga Taisha called Kagi no Outozen, this dish features somen noodles served with umeboshi and mustard—prepared according to ancient customs. The Kasuga Somen is a seasonal favorite, available only in summer, and recreates this elegant and refreshing tradition.

Kasuga Taisha: Built to Protect the Ancient Capital of Heijo-kyo

Founded in 768 to safeguard Heijo-kyo and ensure the well-being of its people, Kasuga Taisha enshrines four deities: Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto, Futsunushi-no-Mikoto, Amenokoyane-no-Mikoto, and Himegami—all of whom can be worshipped within the shrine grounds.

To commemorate the 1300th anniversary of the capital’s founding, the shrine began offering early morning worship experiences to the public. The tranquil atmosphere and beauty of the grounds at dawn create a truly special moment—highly recommended for visitors.

Within the grounds of Kasuga Taisha, you’ll find many smaller shrines, including the Meoto Daikokusha—the only shrine in Japan dedicated to the married deities of Okuninushi-no-Mikoto and his wife.

This unique shrine is known for blessings in business prosperity, marital harmony, and especially matchmaking. Visitors often offer heart-shaped ema (wooden votive plaques) in hopes of finding true love.

According to legend, the deity Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto, enshrined at Kasuga Taisha|, arrived from Kashima in present-day Ibaraki Prefecture riding a white deer. As a result, deer are revered as sacred messengers of the gods and are carefully protected and respected by the shrine.

Many of the shrine’s lucky charms and omikuji (fortune slips) are shaped like deer, with the most beloved being the adorable shika-mikuji—a small deer figurine holding a fortune slip in its mouth. With such a charming good luck token, it feels like good fortune is sure to follow!

Kasuga Taisha Museum: Home to National Treasures

After visiting the main hall of Kasuga Taisha, be sure to stop by the Kasuga Taisha Museum (Kokuhoden), which houses an extraordinary collection of sacred artifacts. The museum preserves 352 National Treasures and 971 Important Cultural Properties.

On the first floor, you’ll find the Taiko Drum Hall, featuring a pair of massive daidaiko drums used during sacred Bugaku performances at the Kasuga Wakamiya Festival—each standing 6.5 meters tall, the largest of their kind in active use in Japan. The second-floor gallery showcases another daidaiko from the Kamakura period, believed to have been donated by Minamoto no Yoritomo, as well as other rare ritual offerings made to the shrine’s deities—items you can only see here.

Another highlight of the Kasuga Taisha Museum is the immersive art space called Shingaki, designed to evoke the sacred spirit of Kasuga. One installation, Kannabi, is a 2-minute 30-second projection that uses a reflective water basin and overhead imagery to recreate the mystical atmosphere of Kasuga’s sacred forest. In the quiet, lush greenery appears, casting a serene and captivating glow.

Another piece, titled Kasuga, projects images of the shrine’s landscape—torii gates, deer along the approach path, and lanterns—onto a multi-layered lattice of iron frames. The shifting visuals create an almost otherworldly experience, as if stepping into the spiritual essence of Kasuga itself.

World Heritage Site Todai-ji: A Monument to Nara’s Buddhist Legacy

Photo: LIVE JAPAN

Built during the Nara period to pray for peace across the land, Todai-ji Temple stands as a grand testament to Japan’s Buddhist heritage. Its most iconic structure is the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), which houses the 15-meter-tall seated statue of Vairocana Buddha—known as the Nara Daibutsu. Housed in the world’s largest wooden building, the statue’s serene presence inspires awe and reverence.

Visitors also love trying the “pillar crawl” beneath one of the hall’s massive columns. It’s said that if you can squeeze through the hole, you’ll be blessed with the same wisdom as the Great Buddha—no easy feat, but an incredibly rewarding one! The temple grounds also feature other notable sites like the Great South Gate and Nigatsudo Hall, offering a walk through time and a deep connection to centuries of Buddhist culture.

Outside Todai-ji Temple, you’ll often spot deer leisurely roaming the grounds. You can buy shika senbei (deer crackers) from local vendors for 200 yen per pack.

Once the deer catch sight of the treats in your hand, expect to be quickly surrounded! At that point, there’s no use resisting—just hand over the snacks and enjoy the fun of feeding Nara’s famous friendly residents.

Yoshikien: A Tranquil Japanese Garden Hidden Beside Todai-ji

Photo: LIVE JAPAN

If you’re looking to escape the crowds and quietly enjoy a garden view, Yoshikien—tucked beside Todai-ji—is the perfect retreat.

This traditional Japanese garden artfully combines three styles: a pond garden, dry landscape (kare-sansui), and a tea garden. While it may appear modest on a map, wandering through its layered scenery reveals a rich and varied landscape.

Each season brings a new charm—fresh greenery in spring, lush foliage in summer, fiery maples in autumn, and the subtle beauty of frost-kissed stones in winter. Relaxing on the wooden veranda of the garden’s tatami room while watching the light and shadows shift across the garden offers a quiet, meditative moment.

With few visitors and a calm atmosphere, Yoshikien is an ideal place to rest and reflect after exploring Todai-ji.

Nara National Museum: A Showcase of Japan’s Buddhist Art Heritage

Photo: LIVE JAPAN

Located within Nara Park, the Nara National Museum was founded in the Meiji era and is dedicated to preserving and exhibiting Buddhist art. It’s an ideal place to immerse yourself in the spiritual and artistic legacy of Japanese religious culture. The museum consists of two buildings: a Western-style historic wing and a sleek modern gallery. Its collections feature Buddhist statues, scriptures, and paintings sourced from ancient temples and shrines across Japan.

One of its most iconic events is the annual autumn Shosoin Exhibition, a limited-time display of treasures from the Shosoin repository—artifacts once used by emperors during the Nara period. These rare items reflect the influence of Silk Road culture and the fusion of Eastern and Western aesthetics. Even those unfamiliar with Buddhist art will be moved by the craftsmanship and history embedded in each piece—well worth taking the time to explore.

End Your Nara Trip on a Sweet Note Near Kintetsu-Nara Station

After your stroll through Nara Park, take some time to explore the area around Kintetsu-Nara Station before heading home. This lively neighborhood is full of shops selling deer-themed trinkets, lucky charms from local shrines, and traditional Japanese sweets.

Be sure to try kakinoha-zushi, a local specialty featuring sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves. It’s easy to find at station kiosks, nearby supermarkets, or souvenir shops—and perfect as a snack on the train or back at your hotel.

Don’t miss shopping spots like “GOTO-CHI” and “Time’s Place Nara” right by the station, where you’ll find stylish goods and Nara-exclusive items—an ideal last stop for souvenirs and cute gifts.

Bonus Tip: Stay the Night—Recommended Hotels Around Nara

While it’s possible to see the main sights of Nara Park in a day, spending a night here allows you to experience the area’s ancient charm at a more relaxed pace.

We’ve selected a few hotels near JR Nara Station and Kintetsu-Nara Station that offer a touch of traditional Japanese atmosphere—perfect for immersing yourself in the spirit of Nara from morning to night.

Whether it’s the quiet majesty of World Heritage temples, the lush greenery of the park, or the soothing moments shared with Nara’s gentle deer, the area around Nara Park offers a travel pace unlike Kyoto’s bustling charm. Here, you won’t find crowded streets or flashy commercial zones—instead, ancient temples blend seamlessly with nature, and local snacks await in laid-back shopping streets.

From Kintetsu-Nara Station, follow a route through Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha, Yoshikien Garden, and the Nara National Museum, then finish your stroll by browsing for souvenirs or relaxing with a dessert near the station. This day trip beautifully weaves together history, nature, and local life.

If you’ve already explored the lively elegance of Kyoto, consider setting aside a day to immerse yourself in Nara’s peaceful atmosphere. You might just find your own personal moment of Japan—whether it’s in a quiet gaze shared with a deer or among the timeless ruins of the Asuka era.

To wrap things up, we’ve also gathered a few easy one-day tours in Nara, Osaka, and Kyoto—perfect for those looking for a laid-back Kansai experience!

Written by:

Kiko Matsuda, Keiko Kimura, Risa Tsushi, and a team of female writers familiar with Kansai. We love eating, drinking and traveling! We share fun information based on our experiences.