Autumn in Nara is the best. The weather cools down during the day, you get healthy doses of cute fashion, and special fruits like persimmons are found in abundance. Fall is one of my favorite seasons and it’s the best time to travel if you love to photograph nature and the changing colors of the trees. While everyone raves about Kyoto and how awesome it is, (okay, it’s pretty awesome) Nara isn’t as crowded and the underrated hidden gem.
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Klook.comThe weather is perfect
During the day the temperature can hit anywhere between 75-80F or 23-26C. The shade from the trees provides cool relief and a nice resting spot. It’s warm enough to enjoy it and not freeze during the day. At night, the temperature gets cooler which is perfect for Japanese barbecue and Yebisu Beer.
The deer aren’t so smelly
Since the humid summer heat isn’t there to make the deer and their poop smell extra fresh, it’s a perfect time to hang out at Todaiji temple with the deer. You can feed them deer crackers and have them send a message to the Gods for you. Just be careful to hide your paper maps. I had a buck try to eat mine.
Yoshikien and Isuien Japanese Gardens are amazing
Coming from Chicago, I love the changing of the seasons when the leaves become a burning amber or deep purple color. The Japanese love nature and really respect it. The Isuien Garden is amazingly beautiful and a wonderful place to see the uniqueness of a Japanese garden. It costs about 600 yen to enter but it’s totally worth it. Next door to Isuien is the Yoshiken garden free to all foreign tourists. Photo sesh? I think yes!
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How to get to the gardens from Todaiji temple: Exit left out of Todaiji and walk around toward the back. When you get to the path’s intersection, turn right. Follow the bend down until you see a small side street. If you walk past the お茶処ときわrestaurant, you’ve gone too far. You should see the Neiraku Art Museum on your left. If you’re handy with a cellphone, type in 〒630-8208 Nara-ken, Nara-shi, Suimonchō, 74 依水園 and it’ll take you right there!
Kofukuji Temple
This is a traditional Buddhist temple with stunning pagodas. The architecture of mainland reflects deeper and more earthly tones. It’s a lovely and stark contrast to the Autumn leaves.
How to get there: From Nara Station, make a left onto the main road Sanjo Dori. Walk down the road for about 12 minutes and follow the signs. Make a left into the grounds. Or if you’re tech savvy, use this address: Kōfuku-ji, 48 Noboriojicho, Nara, Nara Prefecture.
Shin Yakushiji Temple
Off the beaten path is this little temple. It’s a bit of a long walk to se it, but totally worth it. Inside are twelve Japanese generals that protect the Buddha and candles are lit for blessings. It was originally built as a getaway for an emperor suffering from an eye ailment. It’s a great resting place after a long day and the peaceful grounds help rejuvenate you.
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How to get there: It’s a bit of a walk from the Kasuga Shinto Shrine. Walk through the woods until you find the main road and turn right ( follow the signs). You’ll pass a restaurant on your left and go until you see the next road. Make a left and turn left at the next intersection. If you keep walking, you’ll see the shrine on your right. If you get lost, check out this address: 〒630-8301 奈良県奈良市 高畑町1352.
Hospitality
If you walk around you’ll never know what you’ll see or who you’ll meet. After visiting Shin Yakushiji temple, I heard taiko drums. Taking off after the sounds, we came across an Autumn festival at the Kagami Shrine and were able to spin the wheel to win prizes and try sake. The people there were so nice and welcoming!
How to get there: When walking out of the temple make a right. You should see a small shrine hidden by trees. There aren’t festivities going on all the time, but I guarentee you’ll find them in the fall!
Where is your favorite place to visit in the Autumn? Any recommendations?
Hi Gina,
You have shared some nice pointers. I will be visiting Japan in Nov. What places would you suggest me to go near Kyoto/Tokyo. My purpose is purely photographing autumn foliage.
PS: i checked few other posts as well. Hope you get a nice date soon (if not already) 😉
Cheers
Hi Ankur, and thanks for stopping by my blog! I’m glad you found my post helpful. In Kyoto, anywhere you go will be beautiful especially the Kinkakuji Temple, Ryonaji Temple, Fushimi Inari, and Kiyomizudera. If you want places that are less crowded with tourists, I would recommend going to Arashiyama (amazing bamboo forest) or visiting the Kurama Temple in the northern mountains of Kyoto. As for Tokyo, there’s not much foliage (as it’s a large city) but I think the Zojo-ji Temple by the Tokyo Tower would be amazing and Mount Fuji is never a bad bet either. Good luck with your photographs and I’d love to see them when you take them! Leave me a link to your pictures! P.s. I met my Korean boyfriend in Japan. 😉
Loved it! We’ll be there by the end of summer – not the best, but well.. Hopefully they won’t smell too bad. 🙂
I love Nara! I think we were there in Autumn as well and can agree it was pretty good! Great post, extremely helpful for travellers with the added maps!! xx