Nara is a delight by any estimation. No matter how tight your schedule, this town should be squeezed into your itinerary if at all possible. The first capital of Japan, it is a wealth of cultural sights and peaceful temples. One can easily spend a day strolling around the serene Nara park and taking in the important sights dotted throughout. The town of Nara and its ancient temples has, like Kyoto, been declared a UNESCO World Heritage sight.

Nara Koen:

This is the huge park in eastern Nara that houses many of the famous Nara temples, not to mention thousands of tame deer which stroll about hoping for biscuits. The Todai-ji contains the famous hall of the giant Buddha, and is a must-see for any visitor. Other important sights in the park include the Kofuku-ji temple with its towering pagodas and Kasuga Taisha shrine. A trip up the hill to Nigatsu-do offers a fabulous view, and those with enough time can also visit the Nara National Museum and the Isui gardens. If you are lucky enough to be in Nara Park in the evening of a full moon, a trip to the moon viewing gazebo is mandatory. Set in the middle of a pond, the effect is spectacular.

Nara Machi:

This area is best known for its pleasant ambiance. There are many traditional homes and shops in this historical district and it's a nice place to have lunch or tea. A walk through Nara Machi is very much like taking a trip back through time to an older, quieter Japan. The Gango-ji Temple is located here, as well as several beautifully preserved homes that you can enter. The Koshi-no-ie and the Orient Kan are two such homes. If all of Nara's exploring has tired you out, the Hanzono shin-onsen natural hot spring bath is the perfect place to unwind.

Near Nara:

Two UNESCO sights can be found on the outskirts of Nara: Yakushi-ji and Toshodai-ji. Fortunately, these temples are within walking distance of one another. If you have the opportunity to explore more of Nara , you can visit some of the other more isolated and peaceful temples and shrines that are scattered throughout the area, such as Horyu-ji, Enjo-ji or Hase dera. All of these temples receive less visitors than those found within Nara town, due to their more remote locations.

In Nara prefecture, the towns of Asuka and Sakurai have nearby Kofun burial mounds which are worth seeing. These pre historical mounds are shrouded in mystery and have raised more questions about the origin of the Japanese. Both burial mound areas are found in picturesque rural areas. Besides investigating the famous tombs, the rice paddies and traditional houses compete for your attention.

About an hour west of Nara city is Iga-Ueno, the famous ninja town. Anyone with even a passing interest in ninja's will want to visit this town and see some exciting ninja displays. Highlights include the Ninja Yashiki House, postal workers dressed as ninjas, and the pleasant Ueno castle.