Cycling in Nara—A 14 km World Heritage Site Circuit

Kasuga Taisha

Kasuga Taisha opens early, meaning you can miss the crowds and take in the serene beauty of the shrine in relative privacy. This Shinto shrine is famous for its scarlet wooden structure and the hanging lanterns lining the corridors. Starting at 9 a.m., priests light the hanging lanterns inside Fujinami-no-ya Hall, creating a surreal atmosphere inside the dark space.
You can find the Docomo bikes in the bike parking area of Kasuga Taisha. There are English instructions on the website to get you started, and you can even register beforehand. Grab one and let’s go!

The hanging lanterns

This is a fortune.

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

4.5

1778 Reviews

Nara Pref. Narashi Kasuganochou 160

0742227788

[Mar.-Oct.]6:30-17:30[Nov.-F…

View All

Go here

・Riding Time: 13 minutes　
・Distance: 2 km

Todaiji

Todaiji is an impressive temple that’s home to the world’s largest wooden structure. Fittingly, the massive wooden compound houses one of the largest Buddha statues in the world, the Vairocana Buddha (often simply referred to as the temple’s Daibutsu). Walking around the imposing figure is a staggering experience, but don’t linger too long. You’ll need the time later in the day.
You can have breakfast at the nearby Ten.Ten.Cafe, where the waffles and coffee come highly recommended. Try a seat on the patio if the weather’s nice. After a quick sit down, it’s time to hit the road.

One of the largest Buddha statues in the world, the Vairocana Buddha.

・Riding Time: 8 minutes　
・Distance: 1.2 km

Five-story pagoda

Kohfukuji is a temple you don’t necessarily have to enter, at least not right away. The view of its five-story pagoda from the opposite shore of the nearby Sarusawa Pond is breathtaking. The pagoda reflects off the surface of the water, flanked by trees and set against the sky, making it arguably the best picture of the temple. It’s definitely not to be missed. Inside the temple you’ll find plenty of Nara’s famous deer that will likely try to snuggle up to you for a snack, so be wary any food you have with you.
The temple’s statue of Ashura, the Buddhist god of war, is designated as a National Treasure, and it’s open to the public during special visitation periods. Be sure to check the website before planning your cycling trip so you can glimpse this treasure for yourself.
Our next destination is only a short ride away to keep the blood pumping.

Nara’s famous deer

Kohfukuji Temple

4.0

1332 Reviews

Nara Pref. Narashi Noboriojichou 48

0742227755

9:00-17:00 (entry until 16:4…

View All

Go here

・Riding Time: 5 minutes　
・Distance: 700 meters

The oldest Buddhist temple in Japan, Gangoji.

Japan's oldest temple Gangoji originated in Hokoji (Asukadera), and at one point took up the majority of Nara city. But over the course of its 1,300-year history, it’s been condensed to only the Gokuraku-do Hall and the Zen Room. On the verdant temple grounds there are countless Jizo bodhisattva statues and stone buddhas placed in neat rows, some peeking through moss fields and others keeping the company of flowers. While it is a smaller temple, it does not lack an atmosphere. You might find yourself wandering through its paths and forgetting about the time.

There are countless Jizo.

Gango-ji Temple

4.0

260 Reviews

Nara Pref. Narashi Chuinchou 11

0742231377

9:00-17:00 (However, entry t…

View All

Go here

・Riding Time: 3 minutes　
・Distance: 500 meters

The Naramachi area is brimming with places to see, and you could spend hours upon hours investigating all the sights little by little. But there are still lots of World Heritage Sites to visit on our outing today. We recommended that you pick up lunch somewhere nearby and then get back on your bike to continue your tour of Nara. With the time you save today, you can return for a more thorough look through later.

Suzaku Gate

Heijo-kyo was built as the imperial seat and capital of Japan about 1,300 years ago in present-day Nara. With this city as its center of government and culture, the Ritsuryō Codes law system was put into place. For the next 74 years, from 710 to 784 CE, Nara was the official capital of Japan, and this period of history became known as the Nara period.
Several of the Heijo Palace buildings have been restored on the former grounds, and the towering Suzaku Gate is also a World Heritage Site. Witness the reconstructed glory of the Nara Period.

平城宮跡

奈良県奈良市佐紀町

0742306753

View All

・Riding Time: 17 minutes　
・Distance: 3 km

Toshodaiji

Inside the temple grounds of Toshodaiji you can find the Kodo Lecture Hall, which was transplanted from Heijo Palace, along with the azekura wooden storehouses and other buildings that retain their original stylings from the Nara period. There are also several buddha statues from the Tempyo period, which are designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties.
The Kondo (Golden Hall) houses a Thousand-Armed Kannon statue that’s listed as a National Treasure. The ancient figure of the goddess of mercy is a must-see, and it’s just one example of the impressive historical relics Toshodaiji holds.

Auditorium

4.5

639 Reviews

Nara Nara-shi Gojocho 13-46

0742337900

View All

Go here

KAMENOI HOTEL NARA

3-9-1 Nijocho Nara

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

・Riding Time: 8 minutes　
・Distance: 1.4 km

Yakushiji

Yakushiji is the last stop on our speed tour of World Heritage Sites in Nara. Its stately East and West Pagodas are symbols of the temple’s symmetrical design, and while the East Pagoda will be under renovations until April 2020, the Main Hall and West Pagoda are still looking their best.
Last entrance to the temple is at 4:30 p.m., and it closes at 5 p.m. So you’ll want to make the rounds pretty quickly.
There aren’t that many Cycle Ports around this area, so it’s probably best to ride over to Nara Station or Naramachi to return your bike. But once that’s done, the evening is all yours.

West Pagodas

Book here : Japan Travel Ticket Booking Site

Yakushiji Temple

4.0

497 Reviews

Nara Pref. Narashi Nishinokyouchou 457

0742336001

8:30-17:00 (Reception until …

View All

Go here