Is Nara busy on weekends?

Nara Park offers breathtaking views and great snapshot moments with deer throughout the year. Attractions tend to be busy seven days a week, but regardless of when you visit, you can expect fewer crowds than Kyoto and a more leisurely sightseeing experience.



People Also Ask

The two best times to visit Nara are October/November (fall) and March/April/May (spring). Nara has a temperate climate, so you can visit at any time of year. Summers (June/July/August) in Nara tend to be hot and humid. Winters (December/January/February) in Nara can be cold.

MORE DETAILS

One day is sufficient to see most of the sights within Nara. You can do this itinerary starting and finishing in Kyoto or Osaka if you wish, but you might find it more relaxing to stay one night in Nara.

MORE DETAILS

Most people visit Nara as a day trip, and do so from Kyoto. In fact, it's a bit easier and faster to visit Nara from Osaka, so if you are planning on also spending a night or more in Osaka, you should keep that in mind. Kyoto to Nara takes about 45 minutes. Osaka to Nara takes about 30 minutes.

MORE DETAILS

The JR Nara line takes 45 minutes by express train or 70 minutes if you catch a local train from Kyoto Station. It's covered by the JR Pass but the price is 690 yen if you don't have one. This is the best way to get from Kyoto to Nara if you have the Japan Rail Pass.

MORE DETAILS

Wake up early If it's a popular attraction, get there as soon as it opens. If it doesn't have an opening time, go even earlier. Many tour buses don't arrive until 10-11am to sites, giving you the perfect window to get in before the masses.

MORE DETAILS

Nara, once known as Heijo-kyo, was the first capital of Japan (710-794). It's home to 3 of Japan's World Heritage Sites and many impressive shrines, temples and ruins.

MORE DETAILS

Winter (December to February) In January, it gets even colder, with an average temperature of 6? in Osaka, 4.6? in Kyoto, and 3.9? in Nara.

MORE DETAILS

Nara National Museum is also located in the park. Staying overnight gives you extra time to see Nara by night, and explore some of the dinner options available. You can try some of Nara's specialities, such as somen noodles (a string-thin flour noodle), or bitter persimmon leaf sushi, kaki no ha zushi.

MORE DETAILS

Kyoto is generally a safe city, and most areas are safe to visit at night. However, as with any large city, it's always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and to take precautions to ensure your safety.

MORE DETAILS

Kyoto is more relaxing. Tokyo is about 30% more expensive than Kyoto for travelers. If you prefer big cities, modern technology, nightlife and a huge selection of restaurants, Tokyo is for you. If you're after temples, shrines, garden, geisha and hiking, Kyoto is for you.

MORE DETAILS

Saturdays and Sundays are generally days off and there are also many public holidays, but some workers in service industries and real estate have their days off during the week and spend the weekend working.

MORE DETAILS

The one way trip takes 45 minutes, costs 720 yen and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass. For the same fare, the trip could also be made by twice-hourly local trains in 75 minutes. Twice-hourly limited express trains take about 35 minutes and cost 1280 yen for the one way trip from Kyoto Station to Kintetsu Nara Station.

MORE DETAILS

Buses & Bus Tours Nara Kotsu operates the prefecture's extensive bus network, making it possible to travel to many of the more remote areas not served by rail. They also run many tourist-friendly bus routes linking the key attractions in Nara City, and in other popular areas like Asuka.

MORE DETAILS