Most people usually just take a day trip to Nara, but I recommend staying overnight in this charming little city. Yes, Nara’s attractions are all within walking distance and it’s definitely more than possible to cover them all in a day, but if you’ve got more than a day to spare, then why not? This way, you don’t have to rush getting from one attraction to another and you can take your sweet time strolling around Nara Park, take the view in and feed the deers while you’re at it.
Speaking of the Nara deers–where do I even begin? Just a few minutes after exiting Nara station, we were already greeted by a number of them. So here’s a tip for future Nara tourists, make sure you don’t have food or drinks and even paper in your hands or in your open bag. These deers are always eager to eat, even if it takes a little butt-poking or sleeve-pulling. Not that they’re violent or anything (at least in my experience). My sister and I bought crackers to feed the deers the next day and they were pretty gentle. I guess we got the well-behaved ones.
As you can see in the photos below, Nara, like most of Japan’s more famous cities, is a beauty to behold during sakura season. The blush-colored trees match the greens and browns perfectly. Compared to Kyoto and Osaka, we saw the most sakura blooms here. (Probably because we got to Kyoto too late already) So without further ado, here’s my Nara photo diary. I even included the restaurant we ate at that served the yummiest udon (It’s located somewhere along Higashimuki Shopping Street where all the shops and restaurants are.) plus that moment I tasted my first ever sakura soft cream. Enjoy!
Wish we could have stayed longer when I visited Nara this summer. An hour or 2 wasn’t enough to play with them :)
Candice| http://candiceamoranto.com
Yes!!! That would’ve been awesome!
Is that the cherry blossom flavor ice-cream????!!!! 😍😍😍😍
Yes!!!
Hello Camille! Love the photos and your Japan travel diary!
Where did you stay in Nara? Or what hotels in Nara would you recommend?
Best regards,
Jean Yu
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Thanks Jean! We stayed in a ryokan called Shiki-tei. Here’s my post about it: https://itscamilleco.com/2015/07/travel-diary-my-ryokan-experience/
Hi, what month was this? Great shots btw.
Thanks Myca! Start of April :)
Camille, I loved each and evey pic of this post. You look beautiful and Nara looks awesome. I am headint o Nara next month. I hope to catch up some Autumn colors. What places in Nara do you recommend.
All these! :) They’re all super close to each other too
OMG Japan! OMG Cherry Blossoms! OMG! Lots of my classmates have been there and I feel very inspired that it will be my turn one day! I’ve been telling myself that when (not if!) I become a lawyer, I will spend my salary earnings for this trip! hahaha Thank you for always inspiring me, Ms. Camille! :-) I love the photos!
Love,
Ericka Garcia
That’s the spirit! WHEN you become a lawyer, this trip will surely be a nice reward :)
So beautiful! Nara is definitely a place I’d love to visit one day <3
The Quirky Queer
A quick trip to Nara will do :)
Such a lovely place! It looks magical with all the sakura in bloom. By the way, I just noticed (in one of the pictures) that the deers were not in good shape (the furs were shedding). I just hope that they are also taken cared of.
I noticed that too. They seem to be fed well though
Hi, I would just like to know when did you travel to Japan. Planning on going there (Kansai region) 1st week of April. Worried if we can see Cherry Blossoms by then. Thanks.
The schedule changes every year but we went 2nd week of April. 1st week should be just right! :)
Wow, those blossoms are gorgeous! I visited Nara a few years ago and loved it, but it looks even more stunning with all those blossoms! I definitely need to go back to Japan in spring one time!
Japan during Cherry Blossom season is like no other!
Stunning photos.
Looks like a fun day
Love your jacket too
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Thanks Zarrah!
Fell in love with the photos!<3
Thanks Miel!
Amazing place <3 thanks for sharing :)
http://www.stepfromsteph.blogspot.com
My pleasure!
this seems like such a fun experience
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It really is :)
The place looks stunning! I particularly like the close-up low-angle photo of you where sakura petals are falling down. So pretty!
Thank you Dilek :)
Nature at its best. It look so magical and serene Cams. I love that photo of you feeding the deer and also that one where petals where falling all around you. It looks like a scene from a Disney flick! ;)
http://annescribblesanddoodles.blogspot.com/
Thanks Anne! I totally underestimated Nara. Turned out to be fun!