NaraCity

Sightseeing Guide
S ightseeing spots B us Route Map e nt
O ffi
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ka
n
Kokujieitai nm u tsu
Nara Park er ub
ov
Saidaiji eki
(The Air Self- Defense Force Base)
f. G ak
Located in the central part of Nara City, this vast green area, re s uh

ki aP rit n
popularly known as Nara Park, encompasses four world heritage e ar
sh
i u de
ra (N a id
o ok su
From 710 to 784 the capital of Japan, Heijokyo, was located in present day Nara City. sites of UNESCO. Their origins date back to at least the 8th Na ae ig ka aK ut
Heijo Kyuseki m oH i nj aib o
century. In this park, history and nature blend in harmony. (Heijo Palace Site) Hokkeji mae tsu o
e ch ch
j
ro i D in
k
As is shown by the number of extant historical Buddhist images and buildings around nt n en imu daij n Sh
Ki Ke

Another charm of this park is deer. Approx. 1200 wild deer roam K H
Nara City, Japanese culture flourished here under the reign of successive emperors To Ke
around freely and they are so tame that you can make friends
and empresses during that era. Several historical sites have been registered on with them!
Toshodaiji Daibutsuden
UNESCO s World Heritage List as Historical Monuments of Ancient Nara . Why are there so many deer in the park? Higashiguchi JR Nara
eki Kasuga Taisha mae

Undoubtedly Nara is a treasure house of ancient history and culture set in a beautiful According to legend, when Kasuga Taisha Toshodaiji JR
Kasuga Taisha Kasuga Taisha
natural environment. Shrine was founded as a family shrine for Omote Sndo Honden
the Fujiwaras, a dominant aristocrat clan

in the 8th century, they invited a mighty Wariishicho

T K K
World Heritage Site World Heritage Site World Heritage Site Yakushiji
god from Kashima Shrine (in present day
Yakushiji 1 Takabatakecho
odaiji Temple ohfukuji Temple asuga Taisha Shrine Ibaraki Prefecture). The god is said to Higashiguchi
have come to Nara riding on a white deer.
2
Since then, deer have been respected Rokujoyama

and protected as divine messengers by Yakushiji
local people. Chushajo

Feed the deer Shika Senbei (deer crackers)!

B us Line
The numbers indicated in the box are the
The deer in Nara Park eat grass, bamboo leaves and buds. But bus numbers (see above for each route).
Shika Senbei (deer crackers) is their favorite food. You can buy Kintetsu Koriyama eki
1 City circular bus inbound line
these crackers at several spots in the park. The deer in this
Hokiji mae 2 City circular bus outbound line
park are so polite that they bow to you when they ask you for N
Shika Senbei! 12 JR Nara Saidaiji
This temple is famous for the massive Vairocana Originally founded in the 7th century, 2010 marks Both paths to this shrine are lined with approx. Nara National Museum9:3017:00 Chuguji 14 JR Nara Kokujieitai
statue, which is popularly known as Daibutsu the 1300 anniversary of the foundation of this 2000 stone lanterns, and the eaves of the shrine Higashiguchi Jikoin Saidaiji
This neo-classical building was constructed as the third national
Great Buddha . Founded in the 8th century, the temple. The ve-story pagoda, a symbol of Nara itself are decorated with around a thousand
70 Kasuga Taisha Honden
Daibutsuden hall which houses the statue was City, was reconstructed about 500 years ago hanging bronze lanterns. It is also impressive to museum in Japan in 1895 in Nara Park. Today this building is Rokujoyama
burned down twice in res that broke out as a 1426after it had burned down ve times. A lot see the vermilion colored shrine buildings with open to the public as Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall. In 1973 a Chuguji
new museum building was constructed, and is used for special 97 Kasuga Taisha Honden
result of war. The present structure, which was of national treasures and cultural treasures are cypress-bark roof stand in harmony with the Horyuji mae Horyuji Temple
rebuilt in 1709, was scaled down to two-thirds of exhibited at the temple s museum, Kokuhokan. natural environment. For information regarding exhibitions. (Nara.Nishinokyo.Ikaruga.Excursion Line)

the original size. Nevertheless it is the largest Hours:9:0017:00Last admission at 16:45 the origin of this shrine, please read Why are
wooden structures in the world. there so many deer in the park? in this leaet. Isuien Gaeden9:3016:30

T
Hours:8:0016:30Nov. to Feb.8:0017:00Mar. World Heritage Site Hours:9:0016:00Homotsuden Hall and The This garden is full of charms; ponds, stepping stones, tea
7:3017:30Apr. to Sept.7:3017:00Oct.
oshodaiji Temple Garden of Kasuga Taisha Shrine houses, a watermill, seasonal owers One of the most B us Stops
impressive scenes is a view of the Nandaimon Gate of Todaiji

Y
World Heritage Site Temple and Wakakusayama Hill from the garden. They are 10
11

G
World Heritage Site incorporated into the garden as if they were a part of it. 13
akushiji Temple 1 1
angoji Temple 7

Yamato-
9 8 Kintetsu
Saidaiji Sta. Nara Sta.
N
JR Na
ra Sta
JR Nara Sta. .
Amagatsuji Sta. Kintetsu
Nara Sta.
Nishinokyo Sta. 1 2 70 97 1 2 70 97
Kintetsu JR
This temple was founded by Chinese Buddhist Kujo Sta. 8 70 97 7 12 14
priest Jianzhen, Ganjin in Japanese, in 759 as an Nara Sta. Nara Sta.
Bus Stop 9 1
Bus Stop 10 70 97
institute dedicated to the learning of Buddhist Kintetsu JR Koriyama Sta.
commandments. Several buildings in this temple Originally founded in 680, this temple prospered Koriyama Sta. 13 12 14 11 1
Tomiogawa 24
This temple was originally founded in the 6th date back to the 8th century. Among them, the main under the patronage of the imperial court in the River
R

for indicated bus lines, see the map above.

century as the rst Buddhist temple in Japan. hall is the structure of the 8th century remaining, 8th century. Since that time, the temple was to
Pond
Even today several 6th century-roof-tiles are used and the lecture hall is a building used at Heijo Palace. tragically lose all of its buildings to re, with the
Hours:8:3017:00Last admission at 16:30 exception of its east pagoda. Restoration work has
for its Gokurakubo and Zenshitsu halls. These
S ouvenirs to suit your budget

Kintetsu Kashihara Line

halls are said to be the architectural remains of continued since1967, and today, visitors can see

H
World Heritage Site Horinji Temple
the 8th century dormitory for Buddhist monks. many buildings reconstructed by using traditional
Hokiji Temple Amulet of various kinds; Handkerchief printed with the Shoso-in
Hours:9:0017:00Last admission at 16:30 eijo Palace Site methods and techniques. JR Yamato-
Koizumi Sta.
Tsutsui Sta.
1,000 pattern; Deer antler goods.key holders, paper-knives, etc.
Hours:8:3017:00Last admission at 16:30 Chuguji Temple 25
R

K
World Heritage Site

ine
Horyuji T-shirtsprinted with Sumo wrestlers or the Ukiyoe pictures;

iL
Temple Japanese folding fans; fancy goods with a kimono pattern

toj
asugayama Primeval Forest koriyama I.C 2,000

ma

The old map of Nara City such as coasters, toiletry goods, pouches, etc.

Ya
ay
sw

JR
es Hirahata Sta.
Kasugayama xpr
To Kyoto To Kyoto nE Linen goods table center, curtains etc.; Yoshino cedar
Primeval Horyuji iha
To Osaka
Forest i me 2,000 handicraftspicture frames etc.; incense and burners; Nara
(Osaka-Namba)
Nara (Heijo)
i Center Ni
sh
Palace i JR Horyuji Sta. fans, Nara dolls; Akahada-yaki earthenware goods.
Todaiji
Temple JR
The above-mentioned souvenirs can all be purchased at the shops introduced below.
Suzakumon Kohfukuji
Gate Temple
Kasuga Horyuji Temple Souvenirs & Gifts
Gangoji Taisha 8:0017:00
Feb.22 to Nov.3
8:0016:30
Nov.4 to Feb.21
Along the Sanjo, Higashimuki and Mochiidono streets are souvenir shops,
For about 70 years from 710, the capital of Japan Toshodaiji Temple Shrine
Temple secondhand Kimono shops, antique shops, Nara specialty shops, and others. You
Suzaku Avenue

was Heijokyo located in present day Nara City. can enjoy shopping to your taste and on your budget.
Yakushiji This temple is famous for including the oldest wooden buildings
Heijo Palace was situated at the northern end of Temple
the capital. Covering approx. 1.3 km from east to To Tenri in the world. Originally founded in 607, the temple buildings were The Nara National Museum has a museum shop on its basement oor. Visitors
This sacred forest extends behind the Kasuga west and approx. 1 km from north to south, this N reconstructed in the early 8th century after being lost in re. The may drop in whether they have an admission ticket or not. Various items including
Taisha Shrine. Since 841 when hunting and site has been preserved as a special historic spot ve-story pagoda, the main hall, and some of the buildings have books, picture cards, and fabrics with traditional patterns are available.
logging in this forest were banned, the forest has of Japan. Both of the Suzakumon Gate 1998 remained intact since then. In addition, various historical At Kite-Mite Nara Shop near the Kintetsu Nara Station, a wide variety of local
0 1km
been preserved in the primeval condition. This and Daigokuden Hall 2010were restored. treasures including Buddhist images are on display at the specialties of Nara Prefecture are available.
To Yamatoyagi To Tennoji
has made the forest a sanctuary for various Hours:9:0016:30Last admission 16:00 JR Line temple s museum, Daihozoden. Beside these two shops, there are many other shops, such as the 100 stores, recycled stores and
protected species. It is closed on Mondays. Kintetsu Line souvenir shops located in Sanjo-dori street, Higashimuki, and Mochiidono shopping streets.
 Nara Sightseeing MAP Legend
Nara Prefectural Gov.Office
Nara City Hall
Police Station
Koban (Plice Box)
Bus Stop
Shrine
Post Office
Hotel
Exchange (Bank)
Rent-a-Cycle
Youth Hostel
School
Hospital
Lavatory
Parking
Nara Park
City Loop
JR Line
Kintetsu Line
http://narashikanko.jp/en/index.html
1 City circular bus inbound line
To KYOTO To KYOTO To KYOTO To KYOTO To YAGYU
Akishinodera Temple
Hannyaji Temple 2 City circular bus outbound line

0.4km

Line JR
To KYOTO

Burial Mound

Nara Y.H.
N

JR Nara
Konoike Athletic Stadium 0.9km

1.0km Toll Gate
To OSAKA-NAMBA Yamato-Saidaiji Sta. Sakicho Heijo Kyuseki Kokujieitai Futaiji Temple


1.0km

1.2km
Kairyuoji (Y.H.)Pref.
Hokkeji Temple Seishonen Kaikan Ikueigakuen Shoso-in do not walk
Heijo Palace Temple () 0.8km Treasure Repository
Saidaiji Temple Site Museum Daigoku-den Hall
Ichijodori St. 369 Tegaimon Nara Okuyama
Excavation Site R
Exhibition Hall 0.5km 1.3km Gate Toll Road
Daibutsu-ike
Nara Ikuei High School Pond

Kaidan-in Pond

Heijo Palace Site Temple Hall Daibutsuden Nigatsu-do Hall

Toin-teien Garden
Great

0.8km Bell Sangatsu-do Hall
1.0km Todaiji Temple
Line

Nara Womens 0.8km Tamukeyama Hachimangu Shrine

University Kasugayama Primeval Forest
ara

Suzakumon Gate Kagami-ike

Shin Omiya
NHK
shih

Pond

Kin
tets Sta.
u Ka

u
Nar Nandaimon Gate Wakakusayama
Sugawara a Li Pref. Museum of Art Neiraku Museum
tets

ne
Hill (342m)
Tenmangu Shrine
Kin

Pref. Cultural Hall Isuien Garden

Nara City
Hall Nara Pref. Gov. Office
Kikoji Temple Nara City Museum of Art Toll Gate
Yoshikien Garden Himuro Jinja
(Ito Yokado 5F) Shrine
Kintetsu Kohfukuji Temple 369 Kencho mae


NaraSta.
R

To OSAKA
Nijoojiminami 4chome Nara Pref.
Hanna Sugawara 4 Himurojinja
Remains of Heijokyo Kohfukuji Kokuho-kan Kokuritsuhakubutsukan New Public Hall

0.3km Sakyo Sanjo Nibo Palace Garden Burial Mound Museum
Pond


0.25km Daibutsuden The Garden of
Nara National Museum KasugaTaisha
Tokon-do Hall Kasuga Taisha mae Kasuga Taisha Shrine
1.8km Three-Story Pagoda Honden

Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Nara Centennial Hall Five-Story Pagoda
Amagatsuji 100 Sanjodori St.

Sta. 0.5km 0.5km Sarusawa-ike 0.3km 0.4km Deer Enclosure

JR Nara Sta. Isagawa Jinja Pond

Burial Mound 24 JR Shrine
0.8km
R
Narakogei-kan Naramachi Center Ukimido Gazebo
1.2km Craft Center

h
Ara-ike Pond

Pat
Denkoji Temple Wakamiya Jinja Shrine

chi

0.5km

Gangoji Temple

mi

-Ko

ino

Sagi-ike Pond Shiga Naoyas yak

Sugioka Kason Calligraphy Art Museum Sasa
0.8 km Daijoin Temple

0.9km
Garden Cultural Hall Old Residence
Historical Materials

Preservation House Wriishicho

0.3km 0.5km
Toshodaiji Temple 1.3km
Jurin-in Temple Imanishi-ke Shoin
0.7km Naramachi Shiryo-kan Museum Irie Taikichi Memorial Museum of 0.2km
)

Fukuchi-in Temple Photography Nara City

ne

To YAGYU
Onjo-Kan Hall Shin-yakushiji Temple
Li

Naramachi Koshi-no-ie Lattice House

0.4km
oji

0.7km
at

Toshodaiji
am

Naramachi Promotion Center

Toshodaiji Higashiguchi 0.8km 0.5km

1
(Y

Ganko-Ittetsu 0.4km

1.0km
ne
iver

Nagaya Nara University of Education

i Li

oR

(Craftmens work shop)

JR
nsa

2 Kitakyobatecho Tanakacho Nara City Hospital

Sah

0.5km
0.3km
Ka

JR
Ma
JR

Nishinokyo Sta. Daianji nyo

J
R M a 0.4km
Yakushiji 1.0km 1.9km hor
ob
Nishinokyo eki a L Byakugoji

in e
Nishinokyo eki Yakushiji Higashiguchi Temple
Osaka Immigration Bureau

JR Kyobate Sta. (Nara Branch Office) 0.4km
Yakushiji Temple JR
Daianji Temple 169 NIFS
R (Nara International Foundation
Commemorating the Silk Road Exposition) To NARA OKUYAMA Toll Road

To YAMATOYAGI
KASHIHARAJINGU
ASUKA To HORYUJI Temple To KASHIHARA To HORYUJI To SAKURAI To TENRI

NARA CITY HALL TEL.074234-1111 Nara City Tourist Information Center (Sanjodori St.) Nara City Tourist Information Center (Next to JR Nara Station)
Nara City Hours:9:00-21:00 Hours:9:00-21:00 TEL.
074227-2223 Nara S.G.G.Club TEL..(0742)22-5595 FAX.(0742)22-5595
NARA PREFECTURAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE TEL.074222-1101
Telephone Tourist (Closed for the year-end and new-year holidays) TEL.
074222-3900 Left Luggage office available time:9a.m.7p.m. Free Tours
NARA POLICE STATION TEL.074233-0110 JR Nara Station Hours:9:00-17:00 open every day of a year cost:400 yen/1baggage
Nara Student Guide TEL.(0742)26-4753 FAX.(0742)26-1991
Information in English
NARA PREFECTURAL HOSPITAL TEL.074246-6001 Kintetsu-Nara Station Hours:9:00-17:00 Nara Prefecture Tourist Information Center Hours:10:00-17:00 Nara YMCA Goodwill GuidesTEL.(0742)45-5920
NARA CITY HOSPITALTEL.074224-1251
Centers Sarusawa Information Hours:9:00-17:00 (Closed for the year-end and new-year holidays)