Self-guided Sightseeing Tour #12 in Nara, Japan

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Tour Facts

Number of sights 12 sights
Distance 7.5 km
Ascend 441 m
Descend 207 m

Experience Nara in Japan in a whole new way with our self-guided sightseeing tour. This site not only offers you practical information and insider tips, but also a rich variety of activities and sights you shouldn't miss. Whether you love art and culture, want to explore historical sites or simply want to experience the vibrant atmosphere of a lively city - you'll find everything you need for your personal adventure here.

Activities in NaraIndividual Sights in Nara

Sight 1: Shomyoji

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Shomyoji is a temple of the Nishiyama sect of the Jodo sect located in the town of Iriike, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan. The name of the mountain is Mt. Hinowa.

Wikipedia: 称名寺 (奈良市) (JA)

342 meters / 4 minutes

Sight 2: やくよけ観音寺 慈眼寺(jiganji)

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Jigenji Temple is a Buddhist temple of the Nishiyama Jodo sect located in Kitakoji, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan. The name of the mountain is Daihizan, and the main temple is the Bodhisattva of Saint Kanseon. It is said that the Kannon-do Hall was founded at the request of Emperor Shomu. It is known as "Yakuyoke Kannon". The 21st temple of the southern capital of the West Country. In addition, persimmon trees, which are more than 400 years old and are designated as natural monuments by Nara City, grow in the precincts.

Wikipedia: 慈眼寺 (奈良市) (JA)

991 meters / 12 minutes

Sight 3: 祇園社八阪神社

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Yasaka Shrine is a shrine located in Oshiage Town, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan. It is also called Oshiage-cho Gion-sha, and the plaque of the worship hall is written "Gion-sha".

Wikipedia: 八阪神社 (奈良市) (JA)

689 meters / 8 minutes

Sight 4: Nara Prefectural Museum of Art

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Nara Prefectural Museum of Art opened in Nara, Japan in 1973. The collection numbers some 4,100 items and special exhibitions are also held.

Wikipedia: Nara Prefectural Museum of Art (EN)

526 meters / 6 minutes

Sight 5: Isuien Garden

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Isuien Garden Kimon Berlin (Gribeco) / CC BY-SA 4.0

Isui-en is a Japanese garden located in Nara, the old capital of Japan near Kyōto. It has been preserved since its creation in the Meiji era, and is the only walking garden in Nara. It is divided into two sections, which were originally two separate gardens, and each features a pagoda.

Wikipedia: Isui-en (EN)

107 meters / 1 minutes

Sight 6: 寧楽美術館

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Neiraku Museum is an art museum in the city of Nara, central Japan.

Wikipedia: Neiraku Museum (EN)

211 meters / 3 minutes

Sight 7: Irie Taikichi's old residence

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Yasuyoshi Irie is a historical site and cultural facility located in Suimon Town, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan. The former residence of photographer Yasuyoshi Irie. The photographer's detached darkroom, the study where the work was conceived, and the garden where the Manyo plant was grown are open to the public. The words "Taikichi Irie" on the nameplate are due to the volatilization of the boss Haeun.

Wikipedia: 入江泰吉旧居 (JA)

474 meters / 6 minutes

Sight 8: Tōdai-ji

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Tōdai-ji is a Buddhist temple complex that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples, located in the city of Nara, Japan. Though it was originally founded in the year 738 CE, Tōdai-ji was not opened until the year 752 CE. The construction of the temple was an attempt to imitate Chinese temples from the much-admired Tang dynasty. The temple has undergone several reconstructions since then, with the most significant reconstruction taking place in 1709. Its Great Buddha Hall houses the world's largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana, known in Japanese as Daibutsu (大仏). The temple also serves as the Japanese headquarters of the Kegon school of Buddhism. The temple is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara", together with seven other sites including temples, shrines and places in the city of Nara.

Wikipedia: Tōdai-ji (EN), Website, Website

568 meters / 7 minutes

Sight 9: 手向山八幡宮

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Tamukeyama Hachiman Shrine is a Shinto shrine near Tōdai-ji, Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan. It is a Hachiman shrine, dedicated to the kami Hachiman. It was established in 749. Kami enshrined here include Emperor Ojin, Emperor Nintoku, Empress Jingū and Emperor Chūai in addition to Hachiman.

Wikipedia: Tamukeyama Hachimangū (EN)

1711 meters / 21 minutes

Sight 10: Nara Park

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Nara Park is a public park located in the city of Nara, Japan, at the foot of Mount Wakakusa. Established in 1880, it is one of the oldest parks in Japan. Administratively, the park is under the control of Nara Prefecture. The park is one of the "Places of Scenic Beauty" designated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). Over 1,200 wild sika deer freely roaming around in the park are also under designation of MEXT, classified as natural treasure. While the official size of the park is about 502 hectares, the area including the grounds of Tōdai-ji, Kōfuku-ji, Kasuga Grand Shrine and Nara National Museum, which are either on the edge or surrounded by Nara Park, is as large as 660 hectares.

Wikipedia: Nara Park (EN), Website

1814 meters / 22 minutes

Sight 11: 鶯塚古墳

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鶯塚古墳

Uguizuka Kofun is an ancient burial mound located in Kasugano, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan. The shape is an anterior-posterior mound. It has been designated as a national historic site.

Wikipedia: 鶯塚古墳 (JA)

35 meters / 0 minutes

Sight 12: Mt. Wakakusa

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Mt. Wakakusa PlusMinus / CC BY 2.5

Mount Wakakusa , also known as Mount Mikasa, is a 342-metre-high (1,122 ft) hill located to the east of Nara Park in the city of Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan. The mountain's name literally means "young grass". The mountain is closed from December 12th to March 17th and cannot be accessed.

Wikipedia: Mount Wakakusa (EN)

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Disclaimer Please be aware of your surroundings and do not enter private property. We are not liable for any damages that occur during the tours.

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