Discover the best travel guides, tips, and experiences for Nara
Trattoria Ponte Nara at Novotel Nara serves a winter buffet built around Nara-grown vegetables, Baaku-buta pork, and Uemura Farm milk from December 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027.
Hoshinoya Asuka, the tenth Hoshinoya property, will open on July 22, 2027 in Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture, the site of Japan's first palace capital, under the concept of a hillside brimming with "ki." A teaser video and a special website page are now available.
Hoshinoya Nara Prison, a luxury hotel created by reviving the Important Cultural Property Former Nara Prison, has been chosen as the only accommodation in Japan on National Geographic's first "Best of the World 2026" list of 20 Best New Hotels.
The traditional Japanese restaurant Hyakurakuso in Nara will open its garden of about 10,000 tsubo free of admission on November 11 and 15, 2026, with autumn set meals on sale from October 20 and a talk show with artist Kenji Yanobe on November 10.
On November 11, 2026, JW Marriott Hotel Nara will hold its annual Christmas tree lighting in the lobby, with a "Samarkand Blue" theme inspired by Nara's sister city in Uzbekistan, alongside a charity program that sends Christmas gifts to children at child welfare facilities in Nara Prefecture.
Following a report by the Council for Cultural Affairs on October 16, 2026, the main building of Nara Hotel, which opened in 1909, is set to be designated an Important Cultural Property (Building).
Through November 15, 2026, Nara Hotel is serving a Halloween-limited afternoon tea in its Main Dining Room "Mikasa," pairing gothic-themed savories with sweets made from pumpkin, sweet potato, and chestnut.
Shisui, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Nara is selling limited-time stay plans that include admission to the 78th Annual Exhibition of Shōsō-in Treasures at Nara National Museum, available October 23 to November 10, 2026.
The Kyoto-born bagel specialty shop RABBIT BAGELS opens its Nara store on October 9, its Kokura Station store on October 22, and its Shinsaibashi Daimaru store on October 29, 2026.
The Miffy zakka Festa (2026 New Version) will be held in Nara Prefecture for the first time at Kintetsu Department Store Nara from October 7 to 13, 2026. Over 800 Miffy goods, event-exclusive items and an apple tree photo spot are among the attractions, and admission is free.
Nichijo Seisakusho has launched a CAMPFIRE crowdfunding campaign to open YOHAKU SALON, a reservation-only satoyama afternoon tea salon in a renovated old farmhouse in Yamazoe Village, Nara Prefecture, built around local wakocha and seasonal ingredients.
KONO JUNKI of JO1, official ambassador for Kashihara City's "Manyo Hanabi supported by Anker" fireworks show on November 22, 2026, will deliver a special live performance as part of a newly finalized two-part schedule, with general ticket sales opening September 19.
Around 1,000 dahlias in roughly 120 varieties, some 110,000 cosmos, and kochia will color Umami Hills Park in Nara from October 3 to 12, 2026, with food stalls and local specialty sales from the four towns of Kitakatsuragi District running alongside the flowers.
To mark the September 2, 2026 reopening of its newly renewed West Wing, Nara Hotel has launched a special page rounding up limited-time stay and dining offers, including a teppanyaki dinner-included stay plan, lunch and dinner at its main dining room, and a Japanese-style wedding ceremony plan.
On September 9, 2026 — the museum's own "Chameleon Day," inspired by the way a chameleon's curled tail resembles the numeral 9 — Nara Ikimono Museum in Nara City opens the "Chameleon Observation Camp" exhibition, running through September 30. Visitors can see four chameleon species, including Oustalet's chameleon, whose total length can reach nearly 70 cm, the longest in the chameleon family.
Ubusuna no Sato TOMIMOTO, a renovated kominka hotel in Nara's Ikaruga–Horyuji area and the birthplace of ceramic artist and first Living National Treasure Tomimoto Kenkichi, marks the World Heritage registration of the Asuka-Fujiwara Imperial Capitals with a special kaiseki plan themed on ancient Yamato history, available from September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027.
Flying Stag, the lounge bar at JW Marriott Nara, is offering a "Halloween Autumn Afternoon Tea" built around black, purple, and orange ingredients such as bamboo charcoal, black rice, purple sweet potato, and pumpkin, available September 1 to October 31, 2026.
Novotel Nara is serving a Japanese-Western afternoon tea featuring wagashi from Nara's Nara Shoraku, autumn flavors like persimmon and Shine Muscat, and Nara-inspired savories, available at Social Lounge from September 1 to October 31, 2026.
Starting August 17, 2026, Asatoretamago BASE, the campsite at KURAGARI Village on Mt. Ikoma, is delivering fluffy shaved ice straight to campers' sites, letting guests enjoy the treat by the campfire at an elevation of about 390 meters.
TAIMATSU's cultural experience brand FUJI JAPAN has opened a new location in Nara, inviting visitors to choose their own blade and handle and craft an original knife by hand, inside the same building as knife specialty shop MUSASHI JAPAN Nara.
Hunters, a crane game specialty store, is opening its first Nara Prefecture location in Yamatokoriyama City on August 8, featuring around 350 machines, a 3.6-meter twin Monster Catcher, and a free kids' play area.
Kashihara City in Nara Prefecture, home to the freshly UNESCO-listed Asuka-Fujiwara sites, will hold the "Manyo Hanabi supported by Anker" fireworks show on November 22, 2026, as the evening finale of its 70th-anniversary "KASHIHARA SKY PALETTE" event, with JO1's KONO JUNKI serving as official ambassador.
KURAGARI Village's "Egg Café," about 30 minutes from Osaka with views over Mount Ikoma and Kuragari Pass, is rolling out a summer-only menu from July 18 through October 31, 2026. The lineup includes fluffy omurice and tamago-kake gohan sets made with same-day eggs, plus shaved ice, seasonal sodas, and draft beer.
Zojirushi Mahobin's third onigiri specialty shop, Zojirushi Ginpaku Onigiri Kintetsu Nara, opens July 22, 2026, on B1 of Kintetsu Department Store Nara, serving onigiri and bento made with rice from its Enbu-daki rice cooker, including bento featuring dashimaki tamago from renowned shop Tamagomaru in a location-exclusive collaboration.
Just 30 minutes from central Osaka, a small natural stream at KURAGARI Village in the Kuragari Pass area of Mt. Ikoma offers a refreshing spot where children can wade in cool water, discover river creatures, and enjoy the serene landscape of historic terraced rice fields.
The Nara Prefectural Museum of Art and the Nara Prefectural Man'yo Cultural Museum are collaborating for the first time on a joint exhibition exploring the themes of "capital city" and "travel" through their combined collections.
Sumikkogurashi has been named the official support character for the special exhibition "Nanto Butsuga," a joint project with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, held at the Nara National Museum from July 18 to September 13, 2026. Collaboration merchandise featuring the characters alongside Buddhist masterpieces will be sold at the venue.
Kintetsu Department Store Nara is holding a shaved ice fair from June 24 to 30, 2026, featuring three brands from regions associated with the Toyotomi clan — Aichi, Nara, and Osaka — with 21 varieties rotating daily. Reservations are required and available via the Kintetsu online shop.
Starting July 1, 2026, Kuranoma — a hidden, reservation-only restaurant inside a 140-year-old Nara townhouse — unveils a fully renewed kaiseki course and a new lunch-only option, both centered entirely on eel.
Starting June 1, 2026, JW Marriott Hotel Nara has opened its popular cultural experience programs — sake brewing, tea ceremony, wagashi-making, Nara brush crafting, and hand-drip coffee — to all hotel guests, not just those booked on dedicated package plans.
A four-piece collection of Tochigi leather accessories inspired by the Hinotori Limited Express goes on sale at Kintetsu GOTO-CHI stores and online from June 18, 2026, featuring handcrafted business card cases, IC card cases, pass cases, and a multifunctional keychain in a refined black and red design.
The Nukataenchi Ajisai Garden on Mt. Ikoma, located on the border of Higashi-Osaka City and Ikoma City, Nara, is expected to reach peak bloom from late June to early July. Colorful hydrangeas line a winding 1.5 km trail through the mountains.
Starting June 6, 2026 — known in Japan as "Frog Day" — Nara Ikimono Museum in Nara City is hosting a rainy season limited exhibition called "Frog Shrine." Visitors walk through a blue torii gate adorned with hydrangeas to meet the frogs that call this special shrine home.
Silk Road Dining at JW Marriott Hotel Nara is staging a two-day-only Asian buffet on June 6 and 13, 2026, followed by a summer-limited Asian Prix-Fixe Course Menu launching July 1.
A limited-time "Muscat Afternoon Tea" featuring fresh muscat grapes and seasonal ingredients comes to the Flying Stag Lounge & Bar at JW Marriott Hotel Nara from July 1 to August 31, 2026.
Hotel Nikko Nara is offering a special accommodation plan that includes admission tickets to the Nanto Buddhist Paintings exhibition, a joint project between the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Nara National Museum, held at Nara National Museum from July 18 to September 13, 2026.
Umamiike Hill Park in Nara will host the "Nigiwai Marche in Umamiike Hanashobu" on June 6–7, 2026, featuring around 30,000 iris flowers across 100 varieties alongside a lively outdoor market.
From May 18, 2026, Horiuchi Fruit Garden is introducing a new collaboration parfait menu made with Umenoyado Sake Brewery's rich fruit liqueur. Three flavors — mango, strawberry, and peach — will be available at four locations across Nara and Osaka.
Novotel Nara's 8F Rooftop Terrace hosts a limited-time summer beer garden from June 1 to October 31, 2026, with charcoal-grilled Baaku pork, international-inspired sides, and free-flow plans starting from ¥7,000.
About 40 vendors offering handmade goods and artisan foods will gather at the Nara Convention Center's Tenpyo Gallery on April 25, 2026, for the third edition of the Yorokobu Teshigoto-ichi handcraft market.
GOSE SENTO HOTEL in Nara's Gose-machi has launched two special stay plans timed to the peak azalea bloom at Mt. Katsuragi — one with a shuttle transfer and one by electric bicycle — both departing at 7 AM to beat the rush.
Starting March 31, Yakitori Land in Yamatokoriyama, Nara is offering a weekday-only all-you-can-eat plan featuring over 60 menu items for 120 minutes at 3,300 yen per adult.
The Shika-Saru-Kitsune Building (Shikanosarukitsune Building) in Nara celebrates its 5th anniversary with a spring event featuring seven deer-themed experiences, including the iconic "shikayose" deer gathering, a guided walking tour, workshops, and limited-edition sweets.
Starting March 2026, the Michelin one-star gastronomy auberge VILLA COMMUNICO in Nara is offering an afternoon tea experience in its lounge with sweeping views of Mt. Wakakusa.
Around 310,000 tulips in approximately 100 varieties and some 550,000 nemophila blooms will color Umami Hills Park in Nara this spring, with food stalls, local specialty sales, guided tours, and character photo sessions planned throughout the event.
The 8th-floor Rooftop Terrace bar at Novotel Nara will offer a limited-time "Cherry Blossom Evening High Tea" from April 1 to May 31, 2026, featuring Nara's local ingredients, sakura-infused dishes, and free-flow drinks including rosé sparkling wine or champagne.
A practical day-by-day Nara itinerary covering Todai-ji, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha, Naramachi, and Mount Wakakusa. Includes walking routes, admission prices, and how to get to Nara from Kyoto and Osaka.
Nara Hotel's West Wing is set to reopen on September 2, 2026, following a large-scale renovation. General reservations open from April 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
A practical guide to Nara covering Nara Park and its famous deer, Todai-ji's Great Buddha, Kasuga-taisha's lantern-lined paths, the old merchant streets of Naramachi, and local mochi shops -- with access from Osaka and Kyoto, admission prices, and tips for interacting with the deer.
Starting March 1, 2026, Saryo Zeze in Nara offers a year-round afternoon tea series themed around the Eastern philosophy of yin-yang and the five elements, with seasonal menus rotating through wood, fire, metal, water, and earth.
Wonder Steak Yamatokoriyama is offering a special drink promotion from February 20-28, 2026. Highballs, lemon sours, and wine sours are priced at just 100 yen (before tax), while the soft drink bar is half price.
To celebrate 3,000 participants in the sushi chef job experience activity, Kandu Dainichi visitors can now enjoy a 200 yen discount at Kappazushi restaurants across the Kansai region through April 5, 2026.
A railway festival combined with a sweet potato event will be held at Heijokyo Historical Park in Nara, featuring various food booths, kids' activities, and railway-related experiences for all ages.
The world's most famous penguin Pingu collaborates with eco-friendly lifestyle brand KNT365. Exclusive products including bags and book covers available at select Tsutaya bookstores from February 6 to March 1, 2026.
Restaurant Lounge Sentaki at Nara Royal Hotel is offering a special Strawberry Afternoon Tea until March 15, featuring the rich and sweet Kotoka strawberries from Nara Prefecture, with a delightful mix of Japanese and Western desserts.
From February 21 to April 12, 2026, the historic Heijo Palace in Nara hosts Heijokyo Hiina Festival, celebrating the origins of Japan's traditional Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival) with a grand 51-day event featuring hina doll displays, traditional ceremonies, and illuminated night experiences.
Novotel Nara presents a limited-time accommodation package for couples and friends, featuring special craft cocktails made with Nara's brand strawberries, premium chocolates from Gateau des Bois, and late checkout until noon.
The Nara Prefectural Library and Information Center is hosting an exhibition featuring 69 original illustrations from beloved picture book creator Shinobu Saito's "Acchyan A ga Tsuku" series, including a special talk and signing event.
Kintetsu Retailing introduces a chocolate collection featuring Nara's premium Kotoka strawberries, Unshu mandarins, and Yamato Kabuse tea. Four varieties launch January 20th at station shops and online.
Uoman Shoten, a traditional kamaboko shop with 120 years of history, has launched a limited Valentine's Day gift set of their popular Truffle Chocolate-Style Satsumaage for online orders. Available in red and blue box options, each features four unique varieties.
Novotel Nara is offering an exclusive accommodation plan featuring a traditional tea ceremony at Hokkeji Temple on February 15, 2026, combining cultural immersion with modern hotel comfort.
Rellionte Co., Ltd.'s craft chip brand "Yamato Karari," launched in spring 2025, has surpassed 20,000 boxes in cumulative sales. The snacks use Nara-grown produce and are now available at 25 stores across the prefecture.
Discover two delicious varieties of Kansai-exclusive potato chips, both featuring the regional "dashi soy sauce" flavor but with completely different taste profiles!
The historic Nara Prison, a significant cultural property, will be transformed into a unique museum operated by Hoshino Resorts, opening to the public in spring 2026.
A special collaboration event between NIPPONIA HOTEL Nara Naramachi and Nara Toyozawa Brewery will be held on October 5, 2025, celebrating UNESCO recognition of traditional sake brewing techniques.
When traveling, you want to include things in your itinerary that you can only see or experience during that specific time. This time, we introduce the state of Japan in October, events, and recommended spots for those who are interested. *Please note that the event schedules introduced may change. Check the official website of the […]
When traveling, you want to include things in your itinerary that you can only see or experience during that specific time. This time, we will introduce the conditions, events, and recommended spots in Japan in September for those who are interested. *Please note that the dates of the events introduced may change. Please check the […]