Nara

Advantages: You can see pretty much everything you want to see in a day
Disadvantages: There is no real nightlife, but then again that's not what you go to Nara for.

Nara is the capital of Nara-ken (or prefecture) and came to fame as the first permanent capital of Japan. Established in 710 it was known as Nara-heijokyo for only eighty years when power moved to Kyoto. Today the city mainly exists as the Kansai region's second most popular tourist attraction as it contains a various World Heritage Sites, National Treasures and Important Cultural Assets. On our trip we chose to take a whole day in order to see as ...
...the Kintetsu line to Kintetsu Nara Station which took approximately 45 minutes and cost 610 Yen. (Sometimes this will involve a change, but on our trip this was not necessary - more direct trains take 35 minutes, but cost 1,100 Yen). It is also possible to get to Nara via JR train, but are not as regular. TOURIST INFORMATION This is located between the JR station and Kintetsu station, and might be useful in picking up more comprehensive maps than ... Read review

Advantages: Location
Disadvantages: Slightly higher air ticket costs

...Kansai is the name for the Western region of Japan encompassing the cities of Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kobe and the surrounding countryside. For the first-time Japan-bound traveller, the journey is more than likely to involve flying in to Tokyo's Narita airport and then using Tokyo as a base to see the rest of the country. However, for those determined to really get a feel for aprticular country, this is probably not the way to do it. A more practical idea would be to fly into the Kansai International Airport and then base yourself in Kyoto. Another reviewer has made an excellent summary of what should be seen in this beautiful city but, to do it justice, at least 4-5 days could be spent here taking in the various sights, sampling the food and learning about the traditions that still remain from when Kyoto was the capital city hundreds... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: weird, not you everyday stuff
Disadvantages: expensive, foreigner unfriendly and smelly

...I have to say that in general I was very disappointed with Japan. I met my wife while she was living there for two years in the second biggest city, Osaka. Though nearby Kyoto and Nara are kind of nice for a day trip to see some nice country side; once you've seen one temple/zen garden/carnival.....you have really seen enough. In the city itself, it is definitely not clean and beautiful. Taxi drivers wee in the street, the drains stink to high heaven and they don't believe in the need for deodorants (seriously). Going out is expensive, though there are a few young-type bars that you can go to and get a beer for about two and a half quid and that's about the cheapest. Food is also really expensive though there is a chain called Caprichosa (can't remember the spelling) that sell great bowels of pasta for a reasonable price. If you... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: breathtaking views and sights
Disadvantages: very expensive and racist attitudes

.... The scenery is also stunning, Kyoto and Nara being amongst my favourite places. Kyoto is full of zen gardens, temples, wonderfully ornate bridges over stunning garden rivers, etc. Nara has the most peaceful deer park where the almost domestic animals will come and eat out of your hand. If you plan to make the journey to one of these smaller, scenic areas then try and go on a day where there is a festival as this is a sight well worth seeing. Ellaborate costumes abound with drums and dancing and it is not like anything else you will ever see. Generally, the food is excellent if you find out before hand what it is and avoid the more stranger food. Kobe beef is the most tender meat that I have ever tasted and although it is an absoloutly stupidly high price you should try it - you won't regret it! The main drawback is the price of everything... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful