TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Japan attracted 36.87 million visitors in 2024, with Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka ranking as the most visited destinations. Tokyo led the list as the top city for international tourists, even surpassing Thailand as a favored travel destination last year.
While these major cities remain popular, Japan offers many other places worth exploring. For travelers looking to venture beyond the usual tourist hotspots, the city of Nara stands out. According to Travel + Leisure Asia, a recent study by Bounce, a global luggage storage network, identified Nara as one of the country’s most underrated destinations.
Bounce conducted the study by collecting information from travel websites such as The Invisible Tourist and Japan Travel Pros. They analyzed the percentage of hidden attractions in each city and examined online platforms like Tripadvisor to see which places received the most 'excellent' reviews. After reviewing the data, Nara emerged as the city with the highest number of hidden gems in Japan.
Attractions of Nara City
Nara City, the capital of Nara Prefecture, has a population of about 367,000 people. It is located roughly 20 miles (32.18 kilometers) east of Osaka and 28 miles (45 kilometers) southeast of Kyoto. The city is well connected by train and bus, making it a convenient destination for a day trip.
One of Nara’s most famous attractions is Nara Park, home to approximately 1,400 wild deer. According to legend, a Japanese thunder god once arrived in the area riding a white deer. The descendants of that mythical deer still roam the park today. For over a thousand years, these deer have been regarded as messengers of the gods and are now protected as a designated Natural Monument.
Although the deer are accustomed to people, they remain wild animals. Visitors are encouraged to feed them only with designated food available for purchase inside the park. Littering is also discouraged, as several deer died in 2019 after ingesting plastic bags and other trash.
Susmita Baral, a senior editor at Travel + Leisure, advises visitors to be cautious when carrying snacks. Based on her experience, the deer may approach anyone holding a bag of food. “You will see some deer with shaved antlers, and they may try to nudge you for food. It’s safe, but remember that they are wild animals,” she explained.
Nara is also home to some of Japan’s most important historical and cultural sites. Among them is Todai-ji, a Buddhist temple that houses the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue. The nearby Yoshino Mountain area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing in the spring.
Another highlight is Yakushi-ji, one of Japan’s oldest and most significant temples, which dates back to the late 7th century. On the outskirts of the city lies the Kasugayama Primeval Forest, where visitors can find Kasuga Taisha, Nara’s most iconic Shinto shrine. Known for its striking vermilion gates and elegant hanging lanterns, the shrine offers a unique glimpse into Japan’s spiritual heritage.
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