Nara Early Morning Tour: Temples, Deer & Lanterns from Kyoto

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What’s the experience like?

I never thought I’d feel so awake at sunrise, but stepping off the train in Nara with the air still cool and a little damp was something else. Our guide—Yuki, who had this gentle way of explaining things—waved us over like we were old friends. The streets were mostly empty except for a few locals on bikes and sleepy shopkeepers rolling up shutters. We started at Kofuku-ji Temple, where the five-story pagoda looked kind of mysterious in the soft morning light. I tried to take a photo but honestly, it didn’t do it justice. Sometimes you just have to stand there and let your brain remember it instead.

By the time we got to Nara Park, the famous deer were already wandering around, nosing at people for snacks. Feeding them is hilarious—they actually bow (or maybe they’re just really good at getting crackers out of tourists). One nibbled my sleeve and Yuki laughed, saying it’s good luck if they pick you. I still had crumbs on my hands when we headed toward Todaiji Temple. Walking through that giant wooden gate felt like stepping into another world; inside, the Great Buddha sits so quietly that everyone whispers without thinking about it. There was this faint smell of incense mixed with old wood—hard to describe but somehow calming.

Kasuga Grand Shrine was my favorite part, though I didn’t expect it. Thousands of stone lanterns lined the path under tall cedar trees, moss growing thick on every surface. A local woman passed by and nodded politely—she had a little bell tied to her bag that jingled softly as she walked away. It all felt peaceful in a way I can’t quite explain; maybe because there weren’t crowds yet or maybe just because mornings in Nara are different from anywhere else I’ve been.