7 Reasons Why Nara, Japan is Your New Happy Place
There is no question that Japan is one of the most popular travel destinations of the world. If it’s on your list, I’ll guess your destinations within the country: Tokyo and Kyoto, right? And that’s understandable! Both are wonderful cities.
But did you know that a forty five minute train ride can get to you to the happiest place on Earth? No, not Disneyland… I’m talking about Nara. Let’s get into why you should put this on your list of must-visit’s.
- The Adorable Sika Deer Running Around
This list would feel lacking if we didn’t include them, and something would be amiss if they weren’t at the top. Sika deer are a specific animal that is all over Nara, specifically in Nara Park… Honestly, you can’t miss them
Regal among forestry and ancient temples, the deer don’t have trouble calling history their home. They trot over old graves like it’s nothing, and the sight is both arresting and hilarious.
Not only are there plenty to view, but most of these deer are so used to the volume of people visiting the park to visit Todai-ji (which we’ll discuss later in the list) that most of them will literally walk besides you and…
2. The Deer Will Let You Pet/And Feed Them
Think we’re joking? Go ahead. Look up the hundreds of videos on Youtube and Instagram of people saying hi to these animals.
While these deer would like to eat anything in your pockets, please refrain from feeding them your leftovers. Don’t worry, though: you’ll get your chance to give them a treat. Due to their popularity, many business owners in the park offer special crackers to feed the deer.
There are a couple that will bolt away from you if you don’t first provide one of these crunchy treats… But a snack for a pet?
Perfect trade off.
3. The Massive Todai-Ji Temple
Want the culture that Japan’s bigger cities boast about? Nara’s got you covered.
Todai-ji Temple (translated to “Eastern Great Temple”) houses the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue. Known as “Daibutsu” (Great Buddha), he sits at a towering forty nine feet and ninety two feet across!
While he is extraordinary on his own, you may have to marvel at some of the other regal statues in the temple. These include Agyo and Ungyo (Buddha’s celestial guardians) and the Four Heavenly Kings (gods of Buddhism), who all date back 1300 years.
Although the temple gets plenty of visitors, it is quite peaceful inside as everyone marvels in silence.
4. And If That Isn’t Enough History For You…
Check out the Kasuga Taisha (Grand Shrine) in Nara Park. This Shinto site is by far Nara’s most celebrated, and was built during the Nara period as the protective shrine for Japan’s most powerful family clan, the Fujiwara…
But if you think I put this place on the list only for a history lesson, you’d be wrong.
The shrine is famous for its hundreds of stone and bronze lanterns that are found every corner of the place. All of these lanterns have been donated by worshippers, and against the backdrop of Nara Park’s lush green forestry and wandering deer through the near ancient stone lanterns… It’s nothing short of stunning.
If you really want your breath taken away, go to the Lantern Festivals there during early February and mid August. During this time, the lanterns are lit especially and only during these events.
Trust me: Rapunzel’s lantern scene has got nothing on this.
5. The Quaint and Quirky Animal Cafes
Want more cute furry critters in Nara? Think special animal cafes are only for the bigger cities like Kyoto and Tokyo?
Nope; turns out, they’re all over Japan. Since many Japanese homes don’t allow pets, animal lovers go to animal cafes for their fluff fix. Check out Wata Wata Owl Cafe where you can pet and sip tea with — you guessed it — owls.
The staff are very friendly, and provide information on the birds to the best of their language abilities. If an owl isn’t feeling like interacting with inferior humans, a “please do not pet” sign will be put out to ensure there’s 1. A bit of privacy, and 2. No scratches or bites. I had the pleasure of speaking to the owner, who knows quite a bit of English. He’s enthusiastic about his cafe, and clearly loved his birds like they were his children.
Got a bit of ornithophobia (fear of birds)? Understandable. You can also check out the Cat Cafe Nekoan if you’re a fan of the “traditional” kind of animal cafe.
6. The Mouthwatering Food
Have we talked about the food yet? We haven’t. Like any region or city of Japan, Nara’s got its own street cred when it comes to food specialties.
It’s said to be the birthplace of somen: a noodle that is hand pulled, boiled, then topped with seasonal produce. My personal favorite Nara specialty is persimmon leaf sushi: salted mackerel sushi wrapped in the leaves. The leaves add a nice earthy taste… But don’t get me wrong: you’re still getting your sushi goodness with the fresh fish. This and a cold somen served with hot soy dipping sauce is nothing short of divine.
And remember Kasuga Shrine I talked about earlier? For its own New Year Festival on December 17th, there is a tradition of eating noppe soup. While different regions have their own versions of a New Year stew, Nara noppe is unique in that its made with taro to thicken the soup. Crowned with boiled horseradish, garlic, fried bean curd and burdock root, it’s sure to warm you up!
7. Heaven on Earth: Tsukihitei
If you’re gonna go to Nara for the historic, beautiful nature, you oughta do it right.
Tsukihitei is a traditional ryokan, which is sort of like a Japanese bed and breakfast. Located in Kasuga Primeval Forest, it’s about a five minute walk outside the eastern boundary of Nara Park.
From your suite, you can hear the sound of a babbling river, birds chirping and deer stumbling. The food — both seasonal and phenomenal — is served Kaiseki style: a multi course meal considered an art form. While most ryokan have a public bathhouse for its guests, Tsukihitei offers its own private version. There are two bath houses, but you won’t have to worry about waiting in line as there are only three rooms in the ryokan.
While the rooms are a bit on the luxurious price side and the location is a bit of a walk from main tourism spots, it is literally situated in an UNESCO World Heritage Forest. With nothing but nature and trees as ancient as Nara’s history standing outside… Really. What more can you ask for?
