Posted on by bifta_uk

The City of Nara

The city of Nara is in Central Japan and is about 480km west of Tokyo, about 30km from Osaka and 150km from Nagoya.

There is lots to see and do in Nara whether you are a lone traveller or part of a group or family. For details see my posts on Nara City of Temples, Naramachi , Horyu-ji Temples – Nara and a Night Out in Nara.

Nara is easily accessible by car and is connected to motorways that link to Nagoya and Osaka.

Nara also has two mainline railway stations, the Nara JR station serves Nagoya and Japan and this is the station you will use if you are travelling on a Japan rail pass. The other mainline station serves the Kintetsu line and connects to local services in Mie.

There is an excellent Tourist information centre in the Café Etranger right in the centre of Nara, close to Naramachi.

I can recommend the Onyado Nono hotel for real Japanese experience that won’t break the bank.

There are lots fabulous restaurants in Nara, you can about my experiences in A Night out in Nara.

One Reply to “The City of Nara”

  1. Hi Ian

    I really enjoyed your blog. Having just returned from Japan myself last week, reading it brought back so many great memories, especially of Nara.

    Japan is a wonderful country, you might remember it is the second time we have been. Even so I am considering a third trip in 2021 during the sakura season.

    Some of the highlights of our trip were:
    Amanohashidate – a very beautiful area in Northern Kyoto. I would definitely recommend you visit here (if you haven’t been) and take the chair lift (scary experience but worth it) up to the viewing area. Here you will be met with a wonderful view which will literally take your breath away. We along with others also turned our back, bent over and took in the view between our legs upside down. Viewed this way Amonohashidate seems to lead to heaven.

    Five lakes area – we spent a day at Lake Kawaguchiko, which also has breath taking views. While here we climbed 400 steps to see the Chureito Padoga, where we saw amazing views of Mount Fiji.

    Sumo wrestling – if you have never been to a tournament I suggest you go – its such an experience and the atmosphere is amazing!

    So many other wonderful experiences three weeks just wasn’t long enough. Thank you for all your tips, especially those around food and where to eat, they really helped during both trips 🙂

    Catch up with you soon.

    A

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