Nara with Kids: A Family-Friendly Guide
Last Updated on December 15, 2025 by Kay
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Nara, Japan’s first capital, is unsurprisingly rich with history and tradition. Its proximity to Kyoto and Osaka makes it easily doable as a day trip. And best of all, you and your kids will be able to see tons of deer up close!
My family is a huge fan of Nara, especially my daughter, since she loves animals, and it’s easy for us to visit as a day trip from our house. In fact, my daughter has been going to Nara ever since she was two years old! If you want to see beautiful and historic temples and shrines, as well as delight your kids with deer, then this is a must-visit destination.
In this article, I’ll share how you and your kids can have a fun trip to Nara from Kyoto or Osaka and catch all the important spots. I’ve been meaning to write about Nara for a while, especially since I live in Osaka, so I’m very excited to share my experiences visiting Nara with my family.
Table of Contents
Important Tips to Know Before Visiting Nara with Kids
Before you go, make sure to read these tips from a mom who has been there with her kiddo more times than she can count.
Be Careful Around the Deer
As you may know, Nara has many deer (particularly in Nara Park), and they are considered to be messengers of the gods and sacred.
Keep in mind, though, that although the deer are cute and will readily approach you, they are wild animals and can be aggressive, especially in areas where there are lots of tourists.
I had a young deer nip at my waist (it didn’t hurt, but it did surprise me), and I saw one kick an elementary school-aged boy. He was thankfully fine, but you can never be too cautious. I’m not sure what happened beforehand, though, and if the boy provoked the deer because they have never been violent with my daughter.
Only Feed the Deer Special Crackers
Do not feed the deer in Nara anything other than deer crackers (called shika senbei in Japanese)! You can buy them for 200 yen (cash) at shops and stalls throughout Nara Park.
Also, note that if you buy a senbei (rice cracker) for the deer, they might swarm you. My daughter saw this happen to my husband when she was five years old, but children forget.
A year later, she begged me to let her get the deer crackers. I obliged, and history repeated itself.
If you have deer coming after you, clap your hands and say, “Oshimai.” Sometimes they will go away after that. (But honestly, when deer surround us, I just walk away from with my daughter and tell her to calm down and not run, and we’ve been fine every time.)
In general, though, the deer are gentle. Just make sure your children are careful around them and try not to pet the fawn, as the mother might become aggressive. Also, avoid approaching male deer with antlers in autumn as it’s mating season, and they can be more aggressive during this time.
In order to protect the deer, please take your trash home with you and do not litter. Try not to eat while walking, either, because they may want your food.
And as I told my daughter (repeatedly) on our most recent trip to Nara, don’t try to lure them with false promises of food when you run out of crackers. (When my daughter was six, she legitimately thought she could bring a deer home with her, and then she could ride it to school.)
Bow to the Deer
After all those warnings, I might have scared you off, but I always feel like it’s better to be prepared for the worst! As I mentioned before, I’ve been to Nara multiple times with my daughter, and she has never been attacked by deer.
One of the best (and most special) things about the deer in Nara is that they will bow back to you if you bow to them! Sometimes they will even bow if they see you passing by because they want a cracker.
My daughter absolutely loves bowing to the deer in Nara
Note that the fawns are still kiddos and learning, so they’re less likely to bow than adult deer.
Think Carefully About Strollers
And on a completely different topic, in terms of strollers, Nara is relatively stroller-friendly, but several temples and shrines have stairs, and some don’t allow you to leave your stroller at the bottom.
So keep this in mind when deciding whether or not to bring a stroller. (You may want to read my article on strollers in Japan.)
Be Aware of Poop, Poop Everywhere
Back to the deer, there is poop everywhere once you’re in Nara Park. Tell your kid to be cautious because their shoes might end up covered with doodoo if they don’t watch out. Expect stroller wheels to be covered with poop, too.
(When my daughter was four, she saw a deer taking a huge dump outside of Todai-ji Temple, and it made her day because young kids, especially in Japan, love toilet humor.)
Be Mindful of Bathroom Breaks
Bathrooms can sometimes be hard to find in Nara. I recommend looking inside attractions (which I’ll share below), as well as the Nara Bus Terminal Tourist Information Center. The bus terminal has some cute photo spots, too, and informational pamphlets.
Pack Snacks
I suggest packing an onigiri or sandwich, as well as some drinks, because it can be hard to find a convenience store or a vending machine once you’re off the main road.
But of course, be very careful not to eat around any deer!
You’ll find some restaurants here and there, but whether they’re available or kid-friendly might be another story. When my daughter was younger (toddler-age), it was just easier for us to pack our own food.
Personally, I recommend eating at the 7-Eleven in the Nara Prefectural Office because it has tables and chairs.
Bring Cash
Nara is one of the few major cities in Japan where most shops don’t accept credit cards or digital payments. I suggest having at least 10,000 yen in cash (preferably in 1000 yen bills and coins) to cover temple and shrine entrance costs, deer crackers, or any other expenses.
Visit on a Weekday
Unsurprisingly, weekdays in Nara are far less crowded than weekends.
Avoid Summer
I visited Nara once in June, and my daughter almost passed out from heatstroke. So I absolutely do not recommend visiting Nara from June to September unless it’s a rare 20-degree day. (The sun here can be very brutal, I visited once when it was 13 degrees out but super sunny, and I was sweating!)
However, if you do find yourself in Nara on a hot day, treat the kiddos to some kakigori shaved ice. We love the fancy kakigori topped with seasonal fruit at Horiuchi Kajitsuen.
How to Get to Nara from Osaka and Kyoto
Nara is located about an hour away from Osaka by train.
If you’re staying in Osaka, the easiest way to get to Nara Station is to take the Osaka Loop Line bound for Nara, which changes into the Yamatoji Line (green). Make sure to take the train that goes straight to Nara (rather than transferring) because you’re usually guaranteed a seat if you’re boarding from Osaka Station, and the last thing you want to have to do is stand with your kiddos for an hour-long journey.
You can also take the Midosuji Line from Osaka Station (bound for Kansai Airport) and switch to the Kintetsu-Nara Line at Tsuruhashi Station. This is about 50 yen cheaper, but it’s crowded.
Similarly, Nara is a little less than an hour away from Kyoto. If you’re staying near Kyoto Station, the best way to get to Nara Station is to take the Nara Line from Kyoto Station.
When is the Best Time to Visit Nara with Kids
This is a tough question! Although spring in Nara is beautiful due to all of the cherry blossoms, it’s very crowded. Autumn is also stunning and not that crowded at the beginning of December, but it’s also mating season, so the deer can be aggressive.
Personally, I found mid-May was perfect for my family. There was lots of greenery, the weather was pleasant, and it was not crowded.
The Best Sights to Visit in Nara with Kids
Nara is easily doable as a day trip, and you can even finish everything in half a day, depending on what time you arrive in the city and what you want to do. It’s completely up to you and your family! Of course, as with anywhere, the earlier you get to Nara, the fewer people there will be.
In this section, I’ll be focusing on Nara Park, which is massive and probably where you’re going to spend most of your time. I don’t think people realize how much there is in Nara Park, as my cousin sadly found out on a tour when all he thought it offered were deer.
You can easily get there by bus or walking. Personally, I like walking, and my daughter has had no problem getting to these spots on foot from Nara Station. (And she’s not used to walking; we have a car, and my husband carries her when he’s around.)
You’ll also get to see lots of cute shops along the way!
Okay, now that I’m finally done with all of my preamble, here are the top sights to see in Nara when visiting with kids. I’ll introduce them in the order you’ll find them while walking from Nara Station.
Sarusawa Ike Pond
If you arrive on foot from Nara Station, I first recommend going to Sarusawa Pond. It’s peaceful, has a lovely view of Kofuku-ji Temple and its pagoda, and my daughter likes to look for fish in its waters.
Cost: Free
Nanen-do
My daughter has always been a fan of temples and shrines, and Nanen-do is no exception. We always bring enough coins so we can give an offering and pray.
There are a lot of stairs on the way up if you go to Sarusawa Pond first, so if you have a stroller, I recommend skipping it and heading straight to Nanen-do from Sanjo-dori Street.
Cost: Free
Kofuku-ji Temple
This temple consists of several halls and a five-storied pagoda. You can pay a fee to go inside the hall, but I don’t think it’s necessary.
The pagoda is a landmark in Nara, similar to Kyoto’s Yasaka Pagoda, that was built in 730.
Cost: Free if you don’t go inside the Kofukuji National Treasure Hall
Yoshikien Garden
This is a small but beautiful Japanese garden where admission is completely free! My daughter likes playing “following the leader” (cue the Peter Pan song) here, where she decides where to go, and we follow her.
There’s a tea house here which you can go inside if there’s no event.
You can also cut through this garden to get to Todai-ji!
Cost: Free
Next to the Yoshikien Garden, there’s a small restaurant called Sanshu-tei. I absolutely love their nyuumen, a type of warm soumen that is famous in Nara, and you can have a beautiful view of Isuien Garden without having to pay the 1200 yen fee.
The only problem is that they don’t have kids’ meal sets, and due to the low tables and seating, it’s hard for young children to eat here. I ended up having to feed my six-year-old because they don’t have children’s cutlery, and I was worried she would knock something over and onto the tatami. So I suggest only bringing children who are elementary-age and up.
Todai-ji
Next to its deer, Nara is probably most famously known for Todai-ji. You cannot go to Nara without visiting Todai-ji. (My cousin did, and my Japanese husband was horrified.)
The path that leads to Todai-ji has lots of deer (and tourists). But once you reach the entrance, I implore you to pay the fee to go inside the main hall.
(Note that you cannot leave your stroller at the base of the hall, but you can carry it up the steps and bring it inside the temple.)
This temple dates back to the 8th century and is unbelievably impressive, especially since it houses the largest bronze Daibutsu (Buddha Vairocana) statue in the world. The inside is small, but despite that, my daughter has been there many times, and she’s always awe-struck and becomes very quiet as she looks around. (And this is saying something, my kid is a chatterbox!)
Cost: For Todaiji’s main hall, it costs 800 yen for visitors ages 13 and up, 400 yen for elementary school students, and free for kids six and under.
If you have time, try to venture to Daibutsu Ike, a quiet pond with less aggressive deer roaming about and stunning foliage.
My daughter and I also really love heading east of Todai-ji to see Tamukeyama Hachimangu. The area is much quieter since not many people venture out here. You’ll also see lots of more chilled-out deer here, relaxing away.
For 200 yen, you can write a wish on a paper ema, which my daughter always wanted to do.
There’s an udon restaurant here as well, called Todaiji Emado Chaya, where you can have a meal with a view of the surrounding temples.
Less than a five-minute walk away, there’s Todai-ji Nigatsu-do (February Hall), which offers a lovely view of Nara city and is completely free to enter.
There’s a rest area here too, where you can watch videos about Nara, look at art, and enjoy free tea (just make sure to wash your cup when you’re done!).
Mount Wakakusa (Wakakusayama)
This is optional, and I say this because it’s quite the trek. Expect to spend at least 25 minutes going up and then another 25 minutes going down.
However, it’s absolutely worth it. The view from here is stunning, and once you get to the third peak past the top gate (an additional ten minutes or so), the deer aren’t nearly as aggressive as the ones you’ll see at the first peak, as they’re usually just chilling and eating the surrounding grass.
Make sure you go up through the South Gate rather than the North Gate because the walk is much easier.
Here is what the map for Mount Wakakusa looks like:
My daughter first visited Mount Wakakusa when she was two years old, but we drove up and parked at a nearby parking lot that was only five minutes away on foot with no stairs, so it was super easy. My daughter was so curious about the deer but still a little fearful, so she kept her distance.
She first hiked Wakakusayama when she was six years old. We mistakenly went up through the North Gate, which was winding with a lot of stairs.
I was worried about my daughter, but surprisingly, she outpaced me and made it to the first peak with my brother minutes before me! While she was walking up, some kind international tourists encouraged her, saying, “You can do it!”
When she reached the first peak with my brother, she still had some deer crackers in her hand (which she had bought near Todai-ji), and she was swarmed by deer so unexpectedly that she tossed them all and ran away screaming.
And then she felt sad because she had wanted to save some for a fawn we encountered on our way up to the third peak. So next time, I think I’ll bring a plastic bag and keep those crackers in my bag.
Here’s what the view from Mount Wakakusa’s first peak looks like:
And here’s the view from Mount Wakakusa’s second peak:
And the view from Mount Wakakusa’s third peak:
If you’re thirsty once you get to the third peak, you can go to the aforementioned parking lot to get something to drink. There are no other vending machines on Mount Wakakusa. There are toilets at the parking lot, too.
On your way down, take the North Gate path if you took the South going up (or vice versa).
Also, be aware that there have been bear sightings in this area, so be cautious.
Cost: 150 yen for visitors ages 13 and up, and 80 yen for those ages three and up.
Kasuga Taisha
This is a world-heritage site and one of the most beautiful shrines I have ever been to. It’s located in a primeval forest and feels so magical with the moss-covered ancient trees that make me feel like I’m in a Ghibli movie, and dozens of lanterns.
Fun fact: one tree here is over 1000 years old!
There’s also a room here in the inner paid section (absolutely worth the cost) where you can see all the lanterns lit up, which is stunning.
My daughter especially loves the deer ema because she can draw in the deer’s face on one side of the wooden plaque and write her wish on the other.
These ema cost 1000 yen each (cash only), though, so it is pricey.
Cost: 700 yen to enter the inner sanctuary for adults, 300 yen for visitors in elementary school and junior high school
Ukimido Pavilion
Ukimido is a lovely pavilion that’s perched on Sagi Pond, and you can sit inside as well for a nice little rest while looking at the surrounding scenery.
Cost: Free
Other Places to Visit in Nara with Kids
There is a lot more to Nara than just Nara Park. It is an absolutely stunning prefecture with a lot of nature and history, so if you want to explore temples and shrines that aren’t as crowded as Kyoto, then I recommend visiting the following.
Mount Yoshino
I went hiking here with my family during cherry blossom season, and it was something I will never forget. Despite having lived in Japan for over a decade when I visited, I had never seen so many cherry blossom trees before, and the view of all the bobs of pink was absolutely magical.
To find out more, read about my experience hiking Mount Yoshino with my daughter.
Where to Stay in Nara with Kids
Although I don’t think it’s necessary to stay overnight in Nara, our family did once and had a wonderful experience. We spent the night at a ryokan called Mikasa, and our room had its own private open-air bath, which we could enjoy as a family.
It also came with children’s amenities for our then-two-year-old, including the cutest yukata ever.
The food was also amazing — I mean, look at this fancy spread my daughter got when she was a toddler!
Note that you do need to take a hotel shuttle bus from Nara Station to get here, but it’s worth it to get out of the central part of the city.
Although we haven’t been here (yet), I’m considering staying at Ryokan Asukasou in the future.
This modern ryokan offers a beautiful view of Nara Park (although note that Kofukuji’s Five-Story Pagoda is under renovation), and breakfast is included. You can rent a private bath for the family for free as well.