This cherry blossom season, Nara healed me. 🌸

#cherryblossom25
I left Osaka early in the morning, and it only took about 40 minutes to reach Nara. I started at the Saho River to see the cherry blossoms, and by around 2 PM, I headed to Nara Park. You don’t need to arrive too early – an afternoon is enough, and I managed to catch the sunset just in time. Here's the itinerary:

Transportation: You can take the Kintetsu or JR lines from Osaka or Kyoto to Nara.

Itinerary:
Upon arrival at Nara Park, start by visiting the large lawn near the entrance to interact with the deer. You can buy deer crackers (though they might be sold out at the entrance, I got mine at a shop near Kasuga Taisha, where they had a better stock). The deer will interact with you, but be careful and follow the instructions to avoid agitating them.
Then, head towards Kasuga Taisha. Walk along the approach to the shrine, where stone lanterns line the path, showcasing the shrine’s history. Along the way, you’ll meet deer that will politely nod their heads and ask for food. After a 10-minute uphill walk, you’ll reach the shrine.
After exploring Kasuga Taisha, walk down towards Kasuga-yama Primeval Forest, a less crowded area with lots of deer. This is where I took the serene forest-style photos with deer under the cherry blossoms. It was around 4 PM by then.
If you have time, you can head to Mount Wakakusa, but it closes at 5 PM. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the lawn to the base of the mountain. Near the entrance, there are more cherry trees and deer, perfect for photos. After a break, head to Mount Wakakusa for the panoramic views from the three observation platforms. If you’re short on time, you can just visit the first one.
At the summit of Mount Wakakusa, enjoy the stunning sunset view. Once it starts getting dark, walk down using a different trail, which offers great scenery. It takes about 30-40 minutes to walk back down.
Ticket Information:

Kasuga Taisha: Entrance to the outer areas is free, but you need a ticket for access to specific areas.
Mount Wakakusa: ¥150 for adults, ¥80 for children.
#cherryblossom25

Post by Fly with Jess | Apr 27, 2025