Lonely PlanetOct 511 Best Things to Do in Nara, JapanNara is a historic and picturesque Japanese city where sacred deer still roam the narrow streets. Here are seven reasons to visit Nara.burns in January during festival12 things in this storyNara ParkParkhome to around 1300 wild deerTōdai-ji TempleSighthouses the colossal Daibutsu (Great Buddha)Otaimatsu ritualFestivalmonks perform ritual at Nigatsudo HallMt WakakusaSightburns in January during festivalHōryū-jiPlace of worshipcontains Japan's oldest wooden structureskakinoha-zushiRestaurantbite-sized rice topped with fish, wrapped in leavesNaramachiPlace of worshipformer merchant district with preserved townhousesIsui-en GardenGardenJapanese garden with borrowed sceneryYoshiki-en GardenGardencompact garden with three styles around a pondsakeRestaurantbrewing techniques first developed in JapanKasuga TaishaSightShinto shrine founded in the 8th centuryNara National MuseumMuseumcollection of Buddhist sculptures and artRead the full piece at Lonely Planet →