What this area is like
Around 1,300 deer roam the park. Todai-ji’s Great Buddha Hall is one of the world’s largest wooden buildings, Kasuga Taisha has thousands of lanterns, and Kofuku-ji has a five-storey pagoda.
Deer can bite or butt when they see food: feed only deer crackers and show empty hands when you finish.
Choose your next step
Places to see in this area
Todai-ji Temple
Home of the Great Buddha of Nara, seated in one of the largest wooden halls in the world.
- Access
- About 20 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nara Station, or take the city loop bus to Todaiji Daibutsuden / Kasuga Taisha-mae and walk about 5 minutes.
- Hours
- Great Buddha Hall: April–October 7:30–17:30; November–March 8:00–17:00. Last entry 30 minutes before closing.
- Fee
- Great Buddha Hall: adults ¥800, elementary ¥400. Other halls charge separately. Cash only.
- Address
- 406-1 Zoshi-cho, Nara
Deer gather along the approach. Buy deer crackers only when you are ready to hand them out, and keep paper maps out of reach.
Kasuga Taisha Shrine
A World Heritage shrine reached through forest lined with around 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns.
- Access
- About 11–15 minutes by bus from JR or Kintetsu Nara Station.
- Hours
- March–October 6:30–17:30; November–February 7:00–17:00. Hours vary by building and can change for rituals.
- Fee
- Grounds free. Entry to the inner area is charged (9:00–16:00).
- Address
- 160 Kasugano-cho, Nara
Wisteria blooms across the grounds from late April to early May.
Kofuku-ji Temple
A temple whose five-storied pagoda is a symbol of Nara. Its museum holds the famous three-faced Ashura statue.
- Access
- About 5 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nara Station, or about 15 minutes from JR Nara Station.
- Hours
- 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:45). Open every day.
- Fee
- National Treasure Museum adults ¥900. Three-hall ticket (museum, Eastern and Central Golden Halls) ¥1,600. Grounds free. Cash only.
- Address
- 48 Noborioji-cho, Nara
The five-storied pagoda is under major repair for several years and is covered in scaffolding.
How to plan your time here
- Start at Kofuku-ji near the station, walk east through the park to Todai-ji, then continue to Kasuga Taisha. The walk takes a relaxed half day.
- Nara is about 35–45 minutes from Kyoto or Osaka, so it works as a day trip. Arrive early: Todai-ji gets busy with school groups by mid-morning.
Information checked 26 October 2026. Plans are JapaLens editorial suggestions, not on-site reviews. Hours and fees can change; check the official page before you go.