Nara has a rich history, and today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination known for its well-preserved historic sites and traditional culture.
From 710 to 794, Nara served as the capital of Japan – a period when Buddhism flourished and many of the city’s most famous temples and palaces were built. The Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji, for example, houses one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world.
Getting there
You can easily reach Nara from Kyoto or Osaka by train. From Kyoto Station, take the JR Nara Line to JR Nara Station (approx. 45 minutes.) From Osaka Station, take the JR Yamatoji Line to JR Nara Station (approx. 50 minutes). Both options are fully wheelchair-accessible.
For details about public transportation accessibility in Japan, click here.
Accessibility
Rolling around Nara was a pleasure! Smooth, accessible, not as crowded as many other places, and the city buses are all wheelchair-accessible with a ramp at the second door.
Some temples in Nara may not be entirely barrier-free, but you can spend a day enjoying many activities and sites without running into any accessibility obstacles.
Nara Deer
The deer in Nara are considered sacred messengers of the Shinto gods and are protected as national treasures in Japan. Buy some shika senbei for 200¥ (special crackers that are the only food you’re allowed to feed the deer), and they will bow to you in hopes of being rewarded with a bite. Some can be aggressive, but most are sweet and very stinky.
Nara Park
Nara Park is a beautiful public park and home to several important historical sites, including Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Shrine, and Kofukuji Temple. It’s a lovely place to experience nature, history, and culture in one location. The park has paved paths and wheelchair-accessible restrooms.
Todaiji Temple
Todaiji Temple is a famous Buddhist temple known for housing the Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden), the largest wooden building in the world. Daibutsuden houses a colossal bronze statue of Buddha and is accessible to wheelchair users. To buy tickets, you’ll have to send someone up the stairs to the ticket office first, and only then they’ll open the electric gate leading to the trampled entrance. The entrance fee is 400¥; there is no disability discount.
The temple complex also has many other important cultural and religious artifacts. It’s a must-visit if you’re in Nara!
Nara delicacies
Nara boasts several culinary specialties, and we got to taste several:
Yomogi mochi: Mochi (sticky rice cake) flavored with yomogi (Japanese mugwort), often filled with sweet red bean paste. The most famous Yomogi Mochi shop in Nara is Nakatanidou. Rolling (walking) from Nara station on Sanjo Dori, you’ll immediately recognize this shop by crowds of tourists awaiting the next mochi-pounding demonstration (usually between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.).
Try the mochi; it’s truly amazing!
Kakinoha-Zushi: (sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves). You’ll encounter many shops selling this specialty of Nara prefecture. If you want to have a light lunch, the “Kakinohasushi Hompo Tanaka” shop has a tiny restaurant in the back where you can enjoy homemade Kakinoha-Zushi and traditional Japanese tea (those are the only items on the menu). The restaurant is step-free, and the sushi is delicious.
Nara is also known for producing high-quality sake, with several regional breweries.
