Nara Vacations, Japan

Nara is an ancient capital city in the Kansai region of Japan. Overshadowed by its more famous neighbor Kyoto, Nara is omitted from many a time-pressed tourist's itinerary. However, as Japan's capital during the Nara Period (710-784), Nara is still home to many important scenic and historical sites and today preserves its main sights much more attractively than Kyoto within the large Nara Park. The center of a plain dense with history, the city also makes a good hub for exploring the vicinity.

Most of Nara's sights, including temples, shrines and famously mercenary deer, are concentrated in Nara Park, a wide, pleasant space of greenery. According to legend, the god of the Kasuga Taisha came riding a white deer in the old days, so people have been protecting the deer as envoys of the god.

More information on Nara Travel at Wikitravel.org

Things To Do and See in Nara

Todaiji Temple, Nara
Attraction type: Religious site

Nara Park, Nara
Attraction type: Park

Toshodaiji Temple, Nara
Attraction type: Religious site

Kofukuji Temple, Nara
Attraction type: Religious site

Horyuji Temple, Nara
Attraction type: Architectural building; Religious site