Nara Park Photography Guide

When To Go To Nara Park?

Best time to visit Nara Park

When autumn foliage is at its greatest, in late November, is the best time to visit Nara Park, especially for photographers. The leaves start to dry out by the beginning of December. The precise date may vary annually depending on the weather.
The weather in late November is usually sunny and mild, making it the perfect time to explore the park’s natural and cultural features. With the leaves at its most brilliant, it’s the ideal time to see the park’s brilliant colors. Whether taking in the views or taking pictures of the famous deer against the backdrop of fall colors, visiting Nara Park at this time of year guarantees an unforgettable experience.
Although late November offers the best fall foliage, Nara Park is an enjoyable location to visit all year round. Nara Park reveals its own distinct appeal with every passing season.

How To Get To Nara Park?

Best ways to get to Nara Park

It takes around 30 to 60 minutes to go by train from Kyoto and Osaka to Nara Park, which is conveniently located. Since Kintetsu-Nara Station is closer to the park’s entrance than Nara Station, it is important that you catch the right train there. It just takes a leisurely stroll from Kintetsu-Nara Station to get to the park. Accessing Nara Park is made easy with smooth train connections and well-defined directions, making this captivating location accessible to anyone.
Take the Kintetsu Limited Express from Kyoto which needs 35min or Kintetsu Limited Express or Kintetsu-Nara Line from Osaka-Namba Station which needs around 45min.
If you prefer to come by car, there is a parking lot at Kasuga Taisha Shrine Museum, parking lot at Kofuku-ji Kokuhokan, the Naranoboriojijidosha Parking Lot for 1000 yen a day or many smaller car parks in the city of Nara before the Nara Parks start.

Where To Stay At Nara Park?

Best stays in Nara

Take off on a peaceful and exploratory adventure with our selection of the top accommodations in Nara Park. We’ll present you with tips on the best places to stay for a memorable experience at Nara’s famous park. Don’t search too long for a hotel in Nara to stay at, but book early because most of the accommodations fill up quickly.

How To Get The Best Shots With Deers?

Prepare Right For Deer Photography

Take some time to prepare for the best deer photos at the best photo spots at Nara Park. Purchase some deer cookies when you enter Nara; a pack of ten currently costs 200 yen. You will find sales booths on the larger paths. Typically, the cookie sales begin between 8 and 9 a.m. If you plan to spend the night in Nara, buy the deer cookies the day before and use them the following morning before anybody else can buy them. The deer near the stands know exactly what you bought, so be sure to hide the cookies first before you use them.
With these goodies in hand, you can easily entice the deer into the perfect locations for photos, guaranteeing breathtaking images against the lovely backdrop of the park. While capturing the deer’s inherent charm and beauty, pay attention to their behavior and keep a respectful distance.

Where To Find The Best Photo Spots?

Best Photo Locations in Nara

Explore Nara Park’s captivating beauty by perusing our detailed photography guide to the best photo spots at Nara Park. Our knowledgeable guides will take you through the most beautiful locations to capture priceless moments amidst the natural and cultural beauties of Nara Park, from historic temples to tranquil gardens to the park’s well-known deer-filled landscapes.

Sagiike pond at autumn

Best photo location in Nara

Tucked away in the serenity of Nara Park is one of its most intriguing treasures: the elegant Ukimido pavilion at the Sagiike Pond. A photographer’s paradise, this area is calm and surrounded by vibrant fall leaves. As the season progresses, the neighboring maples and willows reflect the quiet waters of the pond, bursting into a rainbow of reds, yellows, and oranges. The Ukimido pavilion is the ideal focal point against this natural canvas because of its graceful architecture and meditative atmosphere. Autumn is a popular time for photographers to visit this location because of the scene’s ethereal beauty and peacefulness. This makes Sagiike Pond one of the best photo spots in Nara. 

Every viewpoint offers a beautiful composition just begging to be captured, whether it’s the pavilion framed by autumn leaves or the pond’s surface reflecting a symphony of hues. A visit to Sagiike Pond and the Ukimido Pavilion in Nara Park offers a once-in-a-lifetime photographic opportunity for anyone looking to capture the spirit of autumn’s fleeting beauty. Here, architecture and nature blend together to create a landscape of unmatched majesty. With some luck, you might also see some fog lying above the lake in the morning. Make sure to position yourself on the west side of the pond for sunrise. When the sun rises above the hills in the east, the leaves will turn golden.

Nara Park Ukimido at Autumn – Canon EOS R5 with RF15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM | 26mm | f10.0 | 1/80s | ISO320

Nara Park Ukimido at Autumn – Canon EOS R5 with RF15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM | 29mm | f8.0 | 1/200s | ISO320

Edosan

Golden autumn location

The mesmerizing beauty of maple trees surrounds Edosan, a calm guesthouse that embodies the charm of Nara Park during the fall. One of Nara Park’s greatest photo locations provides photographers with a lovely backdrop in which to produce breathtaking images. A dense cover of maple trees envelops the guesthouse, making it a wonderful setting for any kind of photo. A narrow path meanders through the grove, providing a visually appealing leading line that improves shot composition and adds depth to the photos. By placing a friendly deer along the walkway by baiting it with cookies, you can enhance your photographic experience and get endearing and unforgettable images.

Nara Park at Autumn – Canon EOS R5 with RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM | 172mm | f5.6 | 1/125s | ISO1600

Nara Park at Autumn – Canon EOS R5 with RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM | 104mm | f2.8 | 1/1250s | ISO400

Kasuga-Taisha

Best photo spot in Nara

In addition to being a site of great spiritual value, Kasuga-Taisha Shrine in Nara, Japan, and its surroundings belong to the best photo locations in Nara for photographers who want to capture Nara’s deer within Japanese culture and the country’s breathtaking scenery. While the temple itself is magnificent, there are numerous beautiful locations nearby that you can reach without entering the shrine grounds. 

The vantage point above the red torii gates is one of the most famous places to take pictures close to the shrine. From this vantage point, photographers can get expansive views of the shrine’s magnificence against Nara’s surroundings. To put it simply, Kasuga-Taisha Shrine and the surrounding area provide a wide variety of interesting photo locations that capture the ageless charm of Nara’s natural and cultural environments. Every location offers a different chance to capture the beauty of this well-known location. This photography guide will highlight some of the best photo spots around Kasuga-Taisha Shrine and Nara Park.

Nara Park Kasuga-Taisha Stairs with deers – Canon EOS R5 with RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM | 200mm | f2.8 | 1/200s | ISO800

Nara Kasuga-Taisha Shrine with People – Canon EOS R5 with RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM | 163mm | f2.8 | 1/160s | ISO400

Second Torii

On the way to Kasuga Taisha Shrine

The second torii gate of Kasuga-Taisha Shrine in Nara, Japan, is a mesmerizing landmark that attracts both pilgrims and photographers. The enchanting sight of Sika deer gracefully roaming the grounds greets visitors as they approach this majestic structure, adding a touch of wildlife charm to the scene. 

Nestled near the second torii gate is a giant Ginko tree, whose radiant foliage bathes the surroundings in a golden glow, particularly striking against the backdrop of dusk or dawn. As the daylight fades and the darkness envelops the shrine grounds, the tree’s leaves illuminate with a warm yellow hue, casting an ethereal ambiance that captivates the senses. Photographers often flock to this spot as the deer roam freely beneath the canopy, creating a scene straight out of a fairytale.

The second torii gate of Kasuga-Taisha Shrine is not only a place of spiritual significance but also a stunning photography location that showcases the harmonious coexistence of nature and culture in Nara. With the Sika deer adding a touch of charm and the giant Ginko tree casting its luminous glow, this spot offers photographers a wealth of opportunities to capture the timeless beauty and tranquility of this iconic destination. 

Nara Park Second Torii – Canon EOS R5 with RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM | 124mm | f5.6 | 1/60s | ISO800

Nara Park Second Torii View from Kasuga-Taisha – Canon EOS R5 with RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM | 200mm | f2.8 | 1/320s | ISO800

Mizuya Chaya

Best photo location in Nara

Mizuya Chaya Restaurant stands as one of the most iconic and Instagram-worthy photo spots in Nara, Japan. Situated amidst the serene beauty of Nara Park, this charming restaurant offers visitors a picturesque setting to capture unforgettable moments. What sets Mizuya Chaya apart is not only its traditional Japanese architecture and serene ambiance but also the enchanting presence of Sika deer that roam freely in the surrounding area.

Photographers travel to Mizuya Chaya to capture the magical interactions between the deer and visitors, creating heartwarming and captivating images that tell a story of harmony between humans and wildlife. Whether it’s a curious deer peeking around a corner or gracefully posing against the backdrop of the restaurant’s traditional architecture, every moment offers a unique opportunity for photographers to capture the essence of Nara Park. With the restaurant’s close proximity to The Deer Park Inn Hotel, accessing this iconic photo spot is both convenient and effortless, making it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Nara.

Don’t forget to bring your deer cookies with you!

Mizuya Chaya Restaurant – Canon EOS R5 with RF24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM | 43mm | f2.8 | 1/400s | ISO640

Mizuya Chaya Restaurant – Canon EOS R5 with RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM | 70mm | f2.8 | 1/250s | ISO320

Chakutou-den Shrine

Belongs to Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Chakutou-Den Shrine is located in Nara, Japan, on the holy grounds of Kasuga-Taisha Shrine. It makes a beautiful background for photographers. This shrine provides a great framing for your photos, especially if you spot some deer on the path. That’s why Chakutou-Den Shrine counts as one of the best photo locations in Nara.
If you come here in the early morning, you will have this spot to yourself.

Nara Park Chakutou-Den Shrine – Canon EOS R5 with RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM | 100mm | f2.8 | 1/500s | ISO800

Nara Park Deer behind Chakutou-Den Shrine – Canon EOS R5 with RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM | 200mm | f2.8 | 1/400s | ISO320

Wakamiya Shrine

Belongs to Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Wakamiya Shrine is a part of the Kasuga-Taisha Shrine complex in Nara, Japan. It has a beautiful walk that attracts photographers. Starting behind Kasuga-Taisha Shrine, the path to Wakamiya Shrine offers a stunning tunnel view, framed by towering trees and and the hundreds of stone laterns (ishi tōrō). The beautiful scenery is made even better by the fact that Sika deer roam freely in the area, adding a bit of wildlife charm to photos.

Wakamiya Shrine Pathway – Canon EOS R5 with RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM | 104mm | f2.8 | 1/80s | ISO800

Wakamiya Shrine – Canon EOS R5 with RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM | 172mm | f2.8 | 1/250s | ISO800

Todai-ji Kagami-Ike Pond

Best photo spot at Nara Park

Nara’s Todai-Ji Kagami-Ike Pond, with its beautiful scenery and views of Todai-ji temple, is a popular spot for photographers. Because it is close to Todai-ji’s temple, this beautiful spot is easy to get to without a temple grounds ticket. The calm water in the pond creates a beautiful mirror-like surface that reflects the area’s beauty and the grandeur of Todai-ji temple. Warm, golden light fills the scene as the sun goes down in the afternoon, warm, golden light fills the scene and gives the pond a majestic look. Take pictures of Kagami-Ike Pond and the Todai-ji temple while there. It’s not very busy, but it’s still worth it. Whether the bright colors of fall leaves frame the scene or the setting sun softly lights it, it doesn’t matter. Each time is a unique chance to capture the spirit of Nara’s natural beauty.

Todai-Ji Kagami-Ike Pond – Canon EOS R5 with RF24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM | 24mm | f8.0 | 1/100s | ISO400

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