Driving Through Nara, An Ancient Town of Japan

Day 4: Shinkansen Bullet train ride - Hello Nara - NARA: AN INTRODUCTION - Horyuji Temple - Jikoin zen temple

Nara: An Introduction

After alighting at the Takanohara station (for Nara), we found cosmos’s car waiting for us outside. The gates were flung open and I was seated comfortably in my window seat. All the attention made me feel special. The royal treatment had already begun giving me a glimpse into what was to follow in the three days that I was slated to spend in the town.

Outside the Takanohara station, near Nara

Once the capital of Japan, called Heijokyo, the town of Nara is one of the oldest town of Japan. Renowned for being the birthplace of Buddhism and boasting of 8 UNESCO world heritage sites set in a peaceful environ, the town gives ample reason to attract any visitor today.

Welcome to the town: The official mascot of Nara

As the engine started humming, the beauty of Nara began unfolding before my eyes. Little cafes and restaurants lined the sides of the well laid out streets going up and down, the row houses and buildings, not more than 4 to 5 storey’s tall, peeped out through them. 

Driving through the streets of Nara

Each bit of it had a characteristic laidback air around it, each layer of it looked neat and quiet... the town’s joy and pride in hanging back in time was clear and stark. 

A house in Nara

I remember cosmos asking me a question as we drove, Are you feeling the difference between Nara and Tokyo? But I don’t remember answering it then. Perhaps I still needed some time... to frame my answers, perhaps I was busy... soaking it all in, perhaps... I was simply in awe.

Or, perhaps... I was just holding my verdict, before I saw more of this historical town of Japan touted as being only second after Kyoto in antiquities. The various historical shrines giving a glimpse into the past, the perfectly manicured gardens or the friendly deers that speak the language of humanity – there was a lot to do and see in the three days of Nara.

With such a unique combination of culture, traditions and natural beauty all packed in one place, Nara easily is one of the best kept secrets of Japan that is hard to be missed! And luckily for me, with such wonderful company for keeps, all I was doing was excitedly looking forward to all of it!

How To Reach Nara from Tokyo in Japan

Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen - 2 hrs. 20 min.At Kyoto, we caught a local train for Takanohara (10 minutes away from Nara Station) station - Around 45 min. Takanohara is well equipped with commercial facilities and spacious parking lots, so it’s easy to pick up visitors coming from Kyoto.

Previous Posts from the Japan Trip -

1. Planning for Japan: Visa, Flight Bookings, Hotel Reservations, etc.

2. Sunrise pictures from the flight to Japan

3. Entire Day 1 of Japan (includes Review of Hotel Villa Fontaine Roppongi, Tokyo, Expedia Japan Office Meet: An Afternoon to Remember)

4. Entire Day 2 of Japan (includes SensoJi temple: Asakusa - Tokyo, Nakamise Dori Shopping Arcade in Tokyo, Sumida River Cruise, Tokyo, A Stroll in the Hibiya Gardens, Imperial Palace and East Gardens, The Tokyo Tower, Japan)

5. Entire Day 3 of Japan (includes Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo, ISKCON Temple, Funabori in Tokyo, Epson Aquarium, Shinagawa in Tokyo

6. Riding the Shinkansen: My ticket to Kyoto

7. Hello Nara (Planning and Welcome)