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AsiaJapanNara

Nara-shi

Nara, Japan · Asia

About Nara-shi

Nara-shi works well as a base: 10 minutes from Kizugawa, 25km from Osaka Castle.

Nara-shi is a city located in Nara, Japan. With a population of 367,353, it is an important destination in Asia.

On a road trip, Nara-shi sits in Japan, where you drive on the left. It's in the Asia/Tokyo time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Nara-shi to your route.

About Nara-shi

Nara (奈良市, Nara-shi; Japanese pronunciation: [naꜜ.ɾa, na.ɾaꜜ.ɕi] ) is the capital city of Nara Prefecture, Japan. As of 2022, Nara has an estimated population of 367,353 according to World Population Review, making it the largest city in Nara Prefecture and sixth-largest in the Kansai region of Honshu. Nara is a core

Read more city located in the northern part of Nara Prefecture bordering the Kyoto Prefecture. Nara was the capital of Japan during the Nara period from 710 to 784 as the seat of the Emperor before the capital was moved to Nagaoka-kyō, except for the years 740 to 745, when the capital was placed in Kuni-kyō, Naniwa-kyō and Shigaraki Palace. Nara is home to eight major historic temples, shrines, and heritage sites, specifically Tōdai-ji, Saidai-ji, Kōfuku-ji, Kasuga Shrine, Gangō-ji, Yakushi-ji, Tōshōdai-ji, and the Heijō Palace, together with Kasugayama Primeval Forest, collectively form the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Nara-shi

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Nara-shi?

Nara-shi offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Nara-shi?

Plan your road trip to Nara-shi with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Nara-shi as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Nara-shi located?

Nara-shi is located in Nara, Japan, Asia. The coordinates are 34.6850 latitude, 135.8048 longitude.

What is the population of Nara-shi?

Nara-shi has a population of approximately 367,353 people, making it a city in Japan.

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Quick Information

Population
367,353
Continent
Asia
Country
Japan
Region
Nara
Timezone
Asia/Tokyo
Coordinates
34.6850, 135.8048

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Japan

Police
110
Ambulance
119
Fire
119
Driving side
left

Japan Helpline (24h English assistance): 0570-000-911. An International Driving Permit (1949 convention) is required to drive.

Full driving guide for Japan

Tags

AsiaJapanNaraCity

Worth the detour from Nara-shi

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

landmark

Nara Deer Park

A vast public park home to over a thousand free-roaming sacred deer that bow for crackers from delighted visitors.

3 km · about 5 min drive

landmark

Todai-ji Temple

Home to the world's largest bronze Buddha statue, housed within one of the largest wooden buildings ever constructed.

3 km · about 5 min drive

castle

Osaka Castle

A Japanese castle that played a major role in the unification of Japan during the 16th century, set among sprawling urban parklands.

25 km · about 30 min drive

landmark

Dotonbori

Osaka's dazzling neon-lit entertainment and street food district along the Dotonbori canal, famed for its giant animated signs.

28 km · about 30 min drive

restaurant

Jiyuken

An Osaka institution open since 1910, serving meishi curry with the rice already mixed through the sauce and a raw egg on top, to be stirred in with Worcestershire sauce.

28 km · about 30 min drive

landmark

Fushimi Inari Shrine (Fushimi Inari-taisha)

An iconic Shinto shrine famous for its thousands of vermillion torii gates that wind through the forested slopes of Mount Inari.

32 km · about 35 min drive

landmark

Universal Studios Japan

Osaka's blockbuster theme park featuring world-class rides, the Wizarding World, and Super Nintendo World.

34 km · about 40 min drive

restaurant

Honke Daiichi Asahi

A Kyoto ramen shop by the station serving soy-based pork-bone broth with stacked chashu and heaps of leek since 1947. Queues form outside from breakfast onwards, alongside its long-time rival next door.

34 km · about 40 min drive

Driving roads near Nara-shi

  • 36 kmMount YoshinoJapan's most famous cherry blossom viewing spot with over 30,000 trees covering an entire mountainside in waves of pink each spring.
  • 37 kmPhilosopher's PathA peaceful stone-paved canal path lined with hundreds of cherry trees, connecting major temples in Kyoto's eastern hills.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Nara-shi.

Kizugawa

🇯🇵 Japan

7 km awayPop. 77,907

Sugai

🇯🇵 Japan

8 km awayPop. 36,198

Yamatokōriyama

🇯🇵 Japan

9 km awayPop. 83,285

Higashiando

🇯🇵 Japan

9 km awayPop. 7,225

Ikoma

🇯🇵 Japan

10 km awayPop. 120,741

Hōryūji

🇯🇵 Japan

10 km awayPop. 27,587

Yūzaki

🇯🇵 Japan

11 km awayPop. 8,167

Tenri

🇯🇵 Japan

12 km awayPop. 71,052

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence