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Free Time in Nara
Nara:
Free time in Nara? Take a look at the suggested activities below to add even more to your tour experience. Please note that these recommendations are separate from your included EF tour activities. Opening times, availability and fees for these free time activities may vary depending on the time of year and are subject to change. Please check listed websites for details.
Museums:
50 Noborioji-cho, Nara 630-8213; Kintetsu Nara Line to Kintetsu-Nara Station. Open Tuesday–Sunday 9:30 am–5 pm. Closed Monday.
Nara National Museum is one of Japan’s leading institutions for Buddhist art, housing an exceptional collection of statues, scrolls, ceremonial objects, and temple treasures primarily from the Nara and Heian periods. Seasonal exhibitions often showcase rare artifacts borrowed from nearby temples. Entrance fee applies; special exhibitions may require an additional ticket.
14-1 Nishi-Terabayashi-cho, Nara 630-8332; walk from Kintetsu-Nara Station. Open daily 10 am–5 pm.
Located in a restored traditional merchant house, the Naramachi Museum offers insight into everyday life in historic Nara. Exhibits include folk crafts, calligraphy, and rotating displays highlighting local culture and craftsmanship. A quiet, intimate stop ideal for understanding the city beyond its major temples. Small entrance fee applies.
Only in Nara:
Nara Park, Nara 630-8212; accessible from JR or Kintetsu Nara Stations. Open daily; park grounds open 24 hours.
Nara Park is famous for its freely roaming deer, considered sacred messengers of the gods in Shinto belief. Visitors can purchase special deer crackers (shika senbei) to feed them, often prompting polite bows from the animals. The expansive park also connects many of Nara’s most important temples and shrines, making it both a cultural and natural highlight. Free admission to park grounds.
Tōdai-ji Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall)
406-1 Zoshicho, Nara 630-8587; walk from Nara Park. Open daily 8 am–5 pm (hours vary seasonally).
Home to the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world, Tōdai-ji is an unforgettable landmark of ancient Japan. The immense wooden hall is among the largest wooden structures ever built and symbolizes Nara’s importance as Japan’s first permanent capital. Entrance fee applies.
Fun Activities:
Naramachi, Nara 630-8332; walk from Nara Park or Kintetsu-Nara Station.
Naramachi is a beautifully preserved neighborhood of narrow streets, wooden townhouses, small shops, and cafés. Once home to merchants, the area now blends history with modern creativity, offering traditional sweets, handcrafted souvenirs, and relaxed tea houses. Free to explore; shop prices vary.
74 Suimoncho, Nara 630-8208; near Tōdai-ji. Open daily 9 am–5 pm
Isuien Garden is a serene Japanese landscape garden that uses “borrowed scenery,” incorporating distant mountains and temple roofs into its design. Divided into two sections from different historical periods, it offers a peaceful retreat from the busier temple areas. Entrance fee applies; includes access to the Neiraku Museum of Art.
Foods to Try:
Kakinoha-zushi
A regional specialty unique to Nara, kakinoha-zushi consists of pressed sushi – usually salmon or mackerel – wrapped in persimmon leaves. The leaves preserve the fish and add subtle fragrance, reflecting traditional food preservation methods.
Miwa Somen
Thin wheat noodles originating near Nara, miwa somen are typically served cold with a light dipping sauce in summer or in warm broth during cooler months. Known for their delicate texture and simplicity, they are a refined local favorite.
Yomogi Mochi
Made with mugwort leaves, yomogi mochi has a naturally green color and a subtly herbal flavor. Often filled with sweet red bean paste, it is commonly sold near temples and enjoyed as a traditional snack.
Shopping:
Nara Higashimuki Shopping Street
Higashimuki-dori, Nara 630-8215; directly outside Kintetsu-Nara Station. Open daily; individual shop hours vary.
This lively covered arcade is Nara’s main shopping street, lined with souvenir shops, local snack vendors, casual restaurants, and small boutiques. It’s a convenient place to pick up gifts, try regional treats, or enjoy a relaxed stroll after sightseeing.
Mochiidono-cho, Nara 630-8222; short walk from Higashimuki Street.
Mochiidono Arcade offers a quieter, more local shopping experience with traditional craft shops, stationery stores, and cafés. It provides a glimpse into everyday life in Nara while still catering to visitors looking for unique, locally made items.
Temples and Shrines:
160 Kasugano-cho, Nara 630-8212; located within Nara Park. Open daily 6:30 am–5 pm.
Kasuga Taisha is renowned for its hundreds of bronze and stone lanterns, which line the paths and are lit during special festivals. Founded in 768 CE, the shrine is deeply connected to the Fujiwara clan and Shinto traditions. Entrance to outer grounds is free; inner area requires a fee.
48 Noborioji-cho, Nara 630-8213; near Nara Park. Open daily 9 am–5 pm.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kōfuku-ji features the iconic five-story pagoda, one of Japan’s tallest. The temple complex played a central role in Nara’s political and religious history and includes a museum housing important Buddhist sculptures. Grounds are free; museum entrance fee applies.