Nara Park

奈良公園

A Sacred Landscape

of History and Living Tradition

Spanning the historic heart of Nara City, Nara Park is one of Japan's most celebrated public parks, where nature, history, and religious heritage come together. Covering a vast area, the park is home to more than 1,000 freely roaming deer, which have long been regarded as sacred messengers of the gods in the tradition of Kasuga Taisha Shrine.

The park also encompasses many of Nara's most important historic landmarks, including Todai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, all within easy walking distance. Together, these sites create one of Japan's most significant cultural landscapes and form part of the UNESCO World Heritage property Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.

Throughout the seasons, visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms, fresh greenery, brilliant autumn foliage, and expansive open lawns while exploring the historic heart of Japan's ancient capital.

For visitors, Nara Park offers an ideal introduction to the history, culture, and natural beauty that define Nara.

People walking and taking photos of deer in front of a historic, ornate building on a grassy lawn with trees and hills in the background.
A dirt path lined with trees leading to traditional Japanese buildings with wooden and tile roofs, surrounded by lush greenery.
A young deer standing on a dirt ground with tree roots, in a forested area near an old brick wall and trees with green leaves.
A wild deer standing in a forested area with large trees and traditional Japanese stone lanterns
A deer standing on moss-covered stone steps surrounded by stone lanterns in a lush forest.
Two people walking down a stone pathway lined with trees, approaching a traditional Japanese building with a tiled roof, partially obscured by greenery.
A traditional Japanese shrine entrance with a red torii gate, stone lanterns on each side, surrounded by trees in a wooded area.
Traditional Japanese shrine building surrounded by tall trees and mossy ground.
Interior view of a traditional Japanese shrine with wooden steps leading to a sacred space, adorned with hanging lanterns and decorative drapes. Greenery visible in the background.
Two young deer touching noses on a rocky ground with green grass in the background.
A deer standing in a traditional Japanese courtyard with wooden gates, white walls, and a building with a tiled roof in the background.
A stone-paved street flanked by traditional Japanese walls, with trees and houses in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
See Tours
See Destinations