Nara

Nara is synonymous with spirituality, as it is home to some of the best known temples in Japan, the Todai-ji being the most notable of them all. The city is deeply entrenched in history, as it was the country’s first permanent capital and seems to have been stuck in a time warp of sorts. With as many as eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, travellers throng to Nara to look for peace and immerse themselves in Japan’s rich culture. The bronze Daibutsu (Great Buddha) inside the revered Todai ji temple is a stunning example of the artistic prowess of the Japanese, and is one of the major reasons behind Nara’s popularity. The verdant surroundings of this place, dotted with the friendliest of deer, create a charming and downright dreamy ambience. Stroll through the many parks of the city and turn into a romantic poet. With a tiny population and the humblest of locals, Nara is an escape like no other.

Given its small size, it is possible to explore the whole of Nara in a day, and you could take a train along the JR Line from Kyoto early in the morning, and be done with your trip by late evening. The journey should last you some 45 minutes, and if you have a Japan Rail Pass, your costs will be covered by it. A normal ticket usually costs around 700 Yen.