Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Nara?

Q: Is one day enough time in Nara?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the cultural city of Nara, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to tour the famous sights and museums, take a hike, take advantage of the local nightlife, and go shopping. So, you'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside one to two days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Nara?

Not sure how much time you'll need in Nara, Japan? Most people spend one to two days in Nara during their visit. After all, the cultural city will let you tour the famous sights and museums, take a hike, take advantage of the local nightlife, and go shopping.

Nara is a beautiful city that is filled with temples and shrines. It's smaller than you might expect, and there are a large number of green spaces, parks, and gardens. The city has a long-running history, which is best explored through the many temples.

Do you have one or two days to visit Nara? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Nara?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the cultural city of Nara, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to tour the famous sights and museums, take a hike, take advantage of the local nightlife, and go shopping. So, you'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside one to two days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

How to spend a day in Nara

Don't miss Nara Park during your trip to Nara, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The town offers a serene and relaxed atmosphere at night. There are plenty of bars around town that are known for their friendly bartenders and you'll find many of the bars in Naramachi, which is the old town area.

Nara is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. Many of the sights are within walking distance of each other, so many visitors enjoy exploring on foot.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Nara?

Two days or a full weekend in Nara is often considered the right amount of time to spend here, as many tourists take around one to two days for their trip in the area. A 2-day trip would usually give you enough time to check out the museums and landmarks, the hiking, the nightlife, and the many shops. Further down, you'll find our recommendations to kick off your adventure.

Ukimido Pavilion, Nara, Japan (©NARA TOURISM FEDERATION/©JNTO)

How to spend 2 days in Nara

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Nara will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Nara, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. The city is filled with history. There are many ancient temples such as Tōdai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Yakushi-ji Temple, and Tōshōdai-ji Temple. You can also visit the Nara National Museum as well as the many parks and gardens.

A few tour suggestions include:

Half-Day Private Guided Tour : Nara Imperial Palace ($95)
1 Day Walking Tour in Nara Palace Deer and Inkstick ($167)

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. The cuisine is simple and traditional with its roots in the history of the area. Many residents start their morning with a simple rice porridge. The area is also known for its persimmon leaf sushi and miwa somen (a thin, chewy noodle).

A few tour suggestions include:

Nara : Sake Tasting and Hopping Experience ($93)
Full Day Nara E bike Tour and Osaka History Food Tour ($189)

The public transit in Nara is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. There are city buses that will take you through town and to the many tourist spots.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Nara, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.