Day Trip to Nara Japan: Less Crowded Alternatives

When I took a day trip to Nara from Kyoto I didn’t intentionally try to avoid the crowded places. I actually had most of the crowded, popular places on my list of things to do.

But as I explored Nara, I found that I didn’t enjoy the crowded places as much as I hoped.

In fact, I spent more time in the less-crowded places and was glad to have done so.

I mean, not many people say they want to feed the deer at Noborioji Park. Nara Park is all anyone ever recommends, so I mistakenly thought that the deer were only in Nara Park. Not so.

I found Nara to be far more than what I saw on social media.

My suggestion? Visit with an open mind and don’t stick so rigidly to your plans. You may find, like I did, that the less-crowded alternatives are far more enjoyable than the über popular places.

So what are they? Let’s get into all the crowded vs. less crowded places I saw in Nara!

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Why Make Nara a Day Trip?

The top sights in Nara can easily be seen in a day.

Sure, you can stay overnight if you wish, but I’ve found it helps to cut down on the packing and unpacking by staying put in one place.

So, if you’re already staying in Kyoto or Osaka, make Nara a day trip.

It’s an easy 35-minute train ride from either city.

A young deer stands on a forest floor with tall trees in the background, looking slightly to the side in natural daylight. — Deer in Kasugataisha Shrine

A person with long hair and a brown backpack walks along a stone path surrounded by autumn trees and traditional Japanese lanterns near a red temple building. — Kasugataisha Shrine

How Much Time Is Needed in Nara?

How long to spend in Nara:

I’d recommend spending at least 7.5 hours in Nara.

During my day trip, I arrived in Nara (from Kyoto) at 9:30 a.m. and left about 6:30 p.m., spending about 9 hours in Nara.

I wanted to give myself a lot of time and not feel rushed.

However, I would have been fine leaving at 5 p.m.

Stacked sake barrels with Japanese writing and illustrations, including two deer and green foliage, at a Shinto shrine. The barrels are tightly packed and partly shaded. — Kasugataisha Shrine

Stop 1: Feed the Bowing Deer at Nara Park vs Noborioji Park

Crowded: Nara Park
Less Crowded Alternative: Noborioji Park

After my train arrived at Nara Station, I did not have to walk far before encountering Nara’s world-famous bowing deer.

I set out toward Nara Park, but ended up stopping at the closer Noborioji Park, because there were SO many deer already here!

There were also venders here selling deer crackers, and, well, why keep walking if you’re already seeing what you came to see?

Later on in the day, we happened to walk through Nara Park, which was far more crowded with tour groups. So we were glad we stopped at Noborioji Park instead.

A brown deer stands in the foreground looking at the camera, with two people sitting on a bench and a building with Japanese signs in the background. Autumn leaves are scattered on the ground. — Deer near Nara Park

A woman walks in a park holding a bag, followed by three deer. Trees and a few people are visible in the background under a cloudy sky. — Deer in Noborioji Park

What Are the Deer Like?

They’re friendly. These deer are so friendly with humans, it was a little strange as I’m more accustomed to deer in the wild skittering away when they see a human. Instead, the deer in Nara will come right up to you — even right in your face!

They bow. The videos you see online are true. The deer in Nara really do bow as they’ve learned, through years of interactions, that this is a reliable way to receive the deer crackers. It’s said that deer crackers were first made in the early Edo period, which began in 1603 (Source).

They are assertive. When it comes to getting those deer crackers from you, the deer can be persistent. They would follow us around until we showed them our empty hands.

They’re revered and protected. The deer in Nara have been revered as sacred Shinto messengers of the gods for over 1,300 years. They’ve never been hunted, so they’ve maintained a peaceful relationship with humans for generations.

Did you know? When you buy deer crackers and feed them to the deer, you’re funding their continued protection and well-being. A portion of the profits from deer crackers goes back to taking care of the deer and their environment (Source).

A person in a green sweater takes a selfie with a deer in a park. Other deer are lying and standing near a muddy area in the background. — Deer in Noborioji Park

A woman crouches and smiles, flashing peace signs beside two resting deer in an outdoor enclosure, with trees and a wooden building in the background. — Deer in Noborioji Park

How to Feed the Deer in Nara

Feed deer with shika-senbei (deer crackers) only! Other foods are hazardous to the deer.
Don’t keep the deer waiting. Give them the shika-senbei (deer crackers).
Be mindful of other deer around you.
Watch out for your belongings.
Little kids should be accompanied by an adult when feeding the deer.
When you don’t have any deer crackers left, show the deer by raising both hands in the air.

*Rules taken from a sign in Nara. See photo below.

A colorful sign gives safety rules for feeding deer, with Japanese, English, and Chinese text, and illustrations of people interacting with deer, showing dos and donts for visitors. — Sign about how to feed deer in Nara

A hand holds up two round brown cookies wrapped with a white and brown label, with blurry trees and a pathway in the background. — Deer crackers in Nara

Street Food Treats to Try

After feeding crackers to the deer, why not also feed yourself?

In both parks where the deer (and tourists) are plentiful, you’ll find street and food venders.

In Nara Park, there was a food stall selling dango, a traditional Japanese sweet which is round, soft, and chewy.

In Noborioji Park, a vender was selling matcha soft-serve ice cream, and who can pass that up?

A hand holds a skewer with two grilled dango covered in sauce on a crumpled paper wrapper. A bench and scattered leaves are visible in the background. — Dango (Nara Park)

A hand holds a green matcha soft serve ice cream in a cone, with trees and a park visible in the background. — Matcha soft-serve ice cream (Noborioji Park)

Stop 2: Tour Isuien Garden vs Yoshikien Garden

Crowded: Isuien Garden
Less Crowded Alternative: Yoshikien Garden

While in Nara, Japan, be sure not to miss Yoshikien Garden, a classical Japanese garden that is completely free.

I originally set out to visit Isuien Garden in Nara, but I stumbled upon Yoshikien Garden right next door. Yoshikien was free, so we walked in and were completely in awe.

Yoshikien Garden is named after the Yoshikigawa River, which runs beside the garden, and was built on temple grounds. The grounds cover approximately 8,900 square meters.

Which to choose?

Isuien Garden is pricier. We didn’t even go to Isuien Garden at all because we felt it was much too pricey at 1200 yen, which was more than the cost to visit Himeji Castle (at the time).

Isuien Garden is comparable to Yoshikien in beauty. I was content after our visit to Yoshikien Garden, which was beautiful and full of fall foliage.

However, Isuien has it draws.

Isuien has many water features. Since it’s also near the Yoshikigawa River, Isuien has several ponds, streams, and islands.

Isuien has sweeping viewpoints and amenities. Amid the beauty of this strolling garden there are tea houses, where you can have matcha and sweets, and a famous art museum.

Do you need to see more than one garden? It’s up to you! If time allows, I say go for it.

a girl turned away looking at a view of the trees in Yoshikien Garden — Yoshikien Garden, Nara

Quick Facts about Visiting Yoshikien Garden

Cost: Free entry
Hours: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entry at 4:30 p.m.)
Annual closure: From February 24 to the end of February
Best Guided Tour: Yoshikien and Isuien Gardens Tour with Tea Tasting

a small stone temple statue in the garden — Yoshikien Garden, Nara

a lantern in front of the pond garden in Yoshikien Garden — Pond garden, Yoshikien Garden, Nara

view of the Pond Garden from the gazebo — Pond garden, Yoshikien Garden, Nara

Lunch Stop: Udon

Crowded: Mentouan and Kamaiki
Less Crowded Alternative: Yoshino Hon Kudzu Tengyokudo Nara

Mentouan and Kamaiki are udon restaurants in Nara that are so popular you may be waiting longer than an hour to be seated.

They’ve become famous due to their inventive modern twists to udon, and Mentouan in particular has gone viral in recent years. Mentouan serves udon noodles inside a fried tofu pouch that, when opened, releases the noodles into the broth. Clever.

However, if you don’t want to wait around for an hour or more to have lunch, consider a less popular but just as tasty alternative.

Yoshino Hon Kudzu Tengyokudo Nara is just around the corner from Yoshikien Garden and in front of the most beautiful ginkgo trees.

We ate here and were seated right away, right by the window and treated to such beautiful views of the ginkgo and maple trees outside.

The restaurant is also really interesting as they sell traditional sets of udon noodles, sesame tofu, and kudzu mochi.

I tried several food items for the first time here and thought it was a cultural experience.

Location: 1-6 Oshiagecho, Nara, 630-8273, Japan
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays

a bowl of udon noodles on a table next to a window with a view of a beautiful ginkgo tree outside — Yoshino Hon Kudzu Tengyokudo Nara

two trees next to each other, one with yellow ginkgo leaves and one with red maple leaves — Ginkgo trees outside the restaurant

Stop 3: Visit Kasugataisha Shrine vs Todaiji

Crowded: Todaiji
Less Crowded Alternative: Kasugataisha Shrine

Todaiji is famous because it houses one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world.

I walked through Todaiji’s temple grounds quite quickly because I didn’t know at the time that the big draw was inside the temple, not outside.

And outside, well, there were tons of people and lots of tour groups. So I didn’t stay long at all.

Instead, I headed toward a different temple, drawn in by the forested entry path.

It was Kasugataisha Shrine, whose atmosphere and beauty made me linger there for hours.

This temple was established in the 700s, and it features 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns
that line its forested pathways and hang from its corridors. It’s gorgeous. I can’t recommend it enough.

If you only have time for one temple while in Nara, Japan, make it this one!

A person with long hair and a brown backpack stands in front of moss-covered stone lanterns surrounded by trees at a historic Japanese site. — Kasugataisha Shrine

A deer stands among stone lanterns at a traditional Japanese shrine, with trees and a white wall in the background. The scene is serene and bathed in warm sunlight. — Kasugataisha Shrine

A deer grazes on moss-covered ground between ancient stone pillars, with a white wall and trees in the background. — Kasugataisha Shrine

Stone lanterns covered in moss stand among trees in a peaceful, shaded forest setting. The ground is covered with dry leaves, and sunlight filters through the dense foliage above. — Kasugataisha Shrine

A person with a brown backpack stands in front of a brightly lit vending machine among stone lanterns and trees, selecting a drink. — Vending machine in Kasugataisha Shrine

A person stands near a traditional Japanese building under vibrant autumn trees with orange and yellow leaves, surrounded by lanterns and vending machines. — Kasugataisha Shrine

What I Missed in Nara: Mochi-Pounding Display

Crowded: Nakatanidou, the famous mochi pounding display
Less Crowded Alternative: Buying mochi at Higashimuki Shopping Street

I missed the mochi pounding display, which was on my list of things to do in Nara.

Why? Well, it only happens at certain times of the day and we didn’t want to wait around for it. Instead, we wanted to head right for the deer and start exploring Nara.

Quicker alternative: Even if you miss the mochi-pounding display, try and buy some mochi from the Higashimuki Shopping Street. This is what we did and there was lots of mochi to be found, too. So we at least didn’t miss out on tasting it.

Map

How to Get to Nara from Kyoto

It’s quite easy to reach Nara from Kyoto or Osaka if you are heading there on a day trip, like I did.

Take the Kintetsu Limited Express from Kyoto or Osaka Station to Kintetsu-Nara Station.

Duration: About 35 minutes

You must get TWO tickets for each person when riding the Kintetsu Limited Express train — a limited express ticket and basic fare ticket.

Option 1 (Easier):

Book both ticket types in advance via Klook! This package deal also allows you to choose your seats.

*Note that you’ll need a ticket for each direction (to and from).

Option 2:

Book your limited express ticket online: You can book your limited express ticket in advance on the official website, and you will also be able to pick your seats. After purchasing, print out your tickets to have on hand during your trip. You’ll be able to make changes to your ticket (such as the departure time) up to three times. You can also screenshot or save your tickets on your phone.
Pay the basic fare ticket at the station: You can easily pay the basic fare by tapping your IC card when you enter the station.

Learn more about taking the the Kintetsu Limited Express train to be fully prepared for your trip.

Coming from Osaka? If you are coming from Osaka, consider joining a group tour to Nara and Uji.

Where to Stay in Nara

If you do decide to stay overnight in Nara, here are some hotel options in Nara:

Where to Stay in Kyoto for a Day Trip to Nara

I decided to make my visit to Nara a day trip during my stay in Kyoto.

There are a lot of options of where to stay in Kyoto, and in the end I’m glad I chose not to stay in the super touristy areas.

Where I stayed: I stayed at the ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto, which is in a quiet neighborhood, by a major subway station — Nijojo-mae Station — and right across the street from the beautiful Nijo Castle. The hotel is in the process of being renovated, and we were fortunate to be put in one of the newly remodeled rooms (you can request one, too).

Free shuttle service: ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto offers a free shuttle bus service to Kyoto Station. We used it almost every morning for day trips.

This is the most current shuttle bus schedule that matched the one I saw during my visit in November 2024. It may be different today, so call the hotel if the shuttle doesn’t appear. Some of the staff at this hotel also speak English.

Nearby restaurants: During our stay in Kyoto, we did three day trips including the one to Nara, and because of this we often returned late. It was so nice to have a go-to ramen restaurant for dinner (Ramen Fukuchian – Nijō-jō Castle) and to be staying in such a quiet, safe neighborhood. It’s a fond memory of heading into the warm ramen shop every night, leaving the rain outside, and slurping the best noodles we had in Japan.

view from the Ana Crowne Plaza Kyoto hotel which shows the adjacent Nijo Castle lit up at night — View from the ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto hotel

a bowl of ramen on a table inside a ramen shop in Kyoto — Ramen Fukuchian

What to Pack for Your Trip to Japan

Comfortable and convenient footwear

You’ll likely walk a lot while visiting Japan, so a good pair of walking shoes is a must. However, one additional recommendation is make sure your sneakers are slip-in.

Why wear slip-in sneakers?

Many traditional places in Japan require guests to remove shoes before entering. Shoes with a lot of laces are hard to get off. But slip-ins? A breeze.

Slip-in sneakers — I wore this pair of slip-in sneakers from Skechers my entire trip to Japan, and it was so convenient! I didn’t even have to sit down to take off my shoes, like everyone else did. My shoes just slipped right off. I also felt comfortable in these shoes despite walking 20,000 steps every single day.
Ankle socks — Be sure to wear ankle-covering socks with your shoes so you don’t get blisters with all that walking. I wore these Hanes ankle socks every day of my trip to Japan and didn’t get a single blister.

Favorite travel essentials

I really recommend these compression packing cubes. They’re very thick and durable and allow you to pack more than you expect.
I also love this travel backpack that opens like a suitcase, fits almost as much as a carry-on, and has tons of pockets as well as a strap to attach to your luggage handle. It makes traveling so much easier and more organized.
I bring this AirFly receiver for AirPods with me on long-haul flights, so I can connect to the plane’s video screen with my own AirPods.
I no longer hop on a flight without wearing my Sockwell compression socks because they really do help relieve/prevent leg cramps from sitting so long in one place. I have the lotus pattern, but there are other patterns to choose from, such as this cat pattern or this flower pattern. See all sock patterns in the Sockwell storefront.