Stroll Around the Ancient Capital of Nara
Nara is an ancient capital with a history of over 1,300 years, and is home to the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara,"
a World Heritage Site. Located halfway up Mount Wakakusa, our hotel allows you to experience Nara's history and nature up close, allowing you to fully enjoy the charms of Nara.
Mount Wakakusa
Mount Wakakusa is also known as Mount Mikasa because it is made up of three mountains stacked on MIKASA.
Every year on the fourth Saturday of January, the mountain is burned,
and the spectacular sight of the night sky lighting up the fire festival that marks the New Year in the ancient capital of Nara.
| Address | 728-10 Kawakamicho, Nara City, 630-8202 |
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| TEL | 0742-22-0375 (Nara Park Office) |
Free Night Tour Exclusively for guests staying overnight!
Only guests staying at the hotel can participate in the Wakakusayama night tour, which departs by bus from the hotel.
Enjoy the charms of Nara that are different from daytime, such as the night view, stargazing, and observing nocturnal flora and fauna.
(Weekdays only / Cancelled in bad weather such as rain or snow)
Recommended Spots for Exploring Nara
We introduce some great walking spots where nature and culture intertwine.
Just walking will relax your mind and allow you to discover the depths of Nara.
Nara Park
The symbol of Nara Park, the deer, has long been protected as a sacred deer for Kasuga Taisha Shrine and is designated as a national natural monument. There are nearly 1,200 deer in the park. Every year, on Sundays and national holidays in October, events such as “antler cutting” and “deer gathering” are held in the deer park during winter when food is scarce.
| Address | Kasuganocho, Nara City, 630-8212 |
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| TEL | 0742-22-0375 (Nara Park Office) |
Naramachi
From Kintetsu Nara Station, walk through Higashimuki Shopping Arcade to reach Naramachi, a district lined with lattice-framed townhouses. Traditional craft shops and Japanese goods are lined up, and you can experience the lifestyles of townspeople and craft culture at the Naramachi Museum and Nara Craft Museum.
Cultural Assets and Historic Sites of Nara
This place has a long history, and even today there are many temples and shrines, and excellent cultural assets have been passed down.
Walking through the ancient capital of Nara will transport you to the romance of the past, evoking the splendor of its elegant history.
Designated as a National Treasure and Historic Site
Todaiji Temple
This temple, representative of the Nara period and known for its Great Buddha, features the Great Buddha Hall—one of the largest wooden structures in the world. In 743 (Tenpyo 15), Emperor Shomu issued an imperial decree to build the Statue of Rushana Buddha, and the temple was constructed with the full power of the nation to enshrine it. The statue was completed in 752 (Tenpyo Shoho 4). The Buddhist service known as "Omizutori", held at Nigatsudo Hall, has continued without interruption since that year.
| Address | 406-1 Zoshicho, Nara City 630-8587 |
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| TEL | 0742-22-5511 |
Kohfukuji Temple
Kohfukuji Temple is known as the head temple of the Hosso sect of Buddhism. Its halls and pagodas were built by emperors, empresses, and members of the Fujiwara clan, and the temple reached the height of its prosperity from the Nara to the Heian period. The famous statue of Ashura can be viewed at the National Treasure Hall.
| Address | 48 Noboriojicho, Nara City 630-8213 |
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| TEL | 0742-22-7755 |
Kasugataisha Shrine
It was founded in 768 (the second year of the Jingo Keiun era) in the hope of bringing prosperity to the country and happiness to its people. The grounds are surrounded by dense trees and feature a gorgeous vermilion-lacquered main hall and other shrine buildings, many of which are designated as national treasures or important cultural properties. However, please note that the shrine may not be open to the public due to festivals and other events.
| Address | 160 Kasugano-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture 630-8212 |
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| TEL | 0742-22-7788 |
Gangoji Temple
Its predecessor was Hokoji Temple (also known as Asuka-dera), founded by Soga no Umako at the end of the 6th century. When the capital moved to Heijo, the temple was relocated to its current site and renamed Gangoji Temple. Gokurakubo was originally part of the monks’ quarters at Gangoji and was remodeled into the Gokurakudo Hall (National Treasure) and Zen Room (National Treasure) during the Kamakura period.
| Address | 11 Nakaincho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture 630-8392 |
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| TEL | 0742-23-1377 |
Yakushiji Temple
Approximately 1,300 years ago, during the Hakuho period, Emperor Tenmu founded the temple in Fujiwara-kyo, praying for the recovery of his empress (later Empress Jito) from illness. After the capital was relocated to Heijo-kyo, the temple was moved to its current site in 718 (Yoro 2). Its unique layout—with the main hall, lecture hall, and two three-story pagodas, the East and West Pagodas—at its center is known as the Yakushiji-style temple layout.
| Address | 457 Nishinokyocho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture 630-8563 |
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| TEL | 0742-33-6001 |
Toshodaiji Temple
It was built by the Tang Dynasty monk Ganjin, who, in response to an invitation from Emperor Shomu, arrived in Japan after a difficult journey across the ocean. After Ganjin's death, the main hall and east pagoda were built, and the entire temple complex was completed in the early Heian period. At that time, the name was changed from "Tang Lit Shotei" to "Toshodaiji Temple."
| Address | 13-46 Gojocho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture 630-8032 |
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| TEL | 0742-33-7900 |
Special Historic Site and Special Natural Monument
Heijo Palace Site
In 710 (Wado 3), the capital was moved to Nara, and Heijo Palace, located at the city’s center, housed the Emperor’s residence and the Imperial Household Agency. As you walk through the vast green grounds leading to Suzakumon Gate, you can fully appreciate the grand scale of Heijo Palace and enjoy its magnificent views.
| Address | Sakicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture 630-8003 |
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Kasugayama Primeval Forest
Logging on Mount Kasuga has been prohibited for over 1,000 years, as the mountain is considered sacred to Kasuga Taisha Shrine. As a result, it has become a primeval evergreen broadleaf forest, primarily composed of oak and castanopsis trees. Well-maintained walking trails allow visitors to enjoy forest bathing, birdwatching, and hiking.
| Address | Kasugayama, Kasugano-cho, Nara City |
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| TEL | 0742-22-0375 (Nara Park Office) |
