Nara

Nara, in Nara, is a place that about 370,000 people call home.

It’s located about 17 miles (27 kilometers) from Osaka and about 35 miles (56 kilometers) from Kobe.

Escape the rat race for a while and enjoy the cool shade in public parks such as Nara Park or Isui-en Garden. Read a book or newspaper, admire the flora and fauna or simply take a seat on a bench at these popular parks in Nara.

In addition to city parks, the local area also has a few larger nature reserves which offer unique surrounds and local trees, plants and birds. Go for a long walk in Yoshino-Kumano National Park and appreciate your escape from the paved streets.

If you love to shop, head to the stores and stalls at the Nara Family. It is a busy place full of clothes and accessory stores and grocery shops.

Learn something new in Nara by spending some time at the Nara National Museum. Admire the building and grounds, browse the various exhibits, then ask around to discover some of the more eclectic museums in the area.

Get close to the most important men and women of yesteryear within the halls and grounds of Nara’s beautifully preserved palace. Call into stately Heijo Palace, where the crème de la crème of Nara society once entertained their guests.

A place of worship, one of the more popular of the many heritage sites in this city, is the Todaiji Temple. Visit this heritage building to discover its past and then take your time to admire the architecture.

After you’ve explored all the major points on the Nara tourist trail, why not visit some of these lesser known gems. No mater how many attractions you’ve managed to cram into your schedule, no tour of this city would be complete without a visit to the Kofuku-ji, the Kasuga Shrine, the Gango-ji and the Hokke-ji.