Nara travel guide
Best Selfie & Photo Spots in Nara
The best place to photograph the Nara deer is the open lawns of Nara Park between the entrance and Todai-ji, especially early morning before crowds. Buy shika senbei crackers (¥200) to encourage a bow, shoot from a low angle with temple roofs behind, and never feed them anything else.
Photographing Nara
Nara photographs in soft greens and vermilion: bowing deer, mossy lanterns and a pagoda over the rooftops. Early morning gives you empty paths and gentle light through the trees.
The best photo & selfie spots in Nara
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Nara Park deer
A deer bowing with temple roofs behind — the signature shot.
Best time to shoot: 7–9am, before crowds
Pro tip: Hold a cracker just out of frame and wait for the bow
Coordinates: 34.6850, 135.8430
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Kasuga Taisha lantern path
Thousands of moss-covered stone lanterns lining the approach.
Best time to shoot: Morning, mist if you’re lucky
Pro tip: Shoot down the row for a vanishing point of lanterns
Coordinates: 34.6814, 135.8484
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Todai-ji Daibutsuden
One of the world’s largest wooden buildings.
Best time to shoot: Opening time, 8am
Pro tip: Use the huge wooden pillars for scale at the entrance
Coordinates: 34.6890, 135.8398
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Kofuku-ji five-story pagoda
Nara’s skyline icon reflected in Sarusawa Pond.
Best time to shoot: Dusk, lit up
Pro tip: The pond’s south bank frames pagoda plus reflection
Coordinates: 34.6831, 135.8307
Also in kansai
best selfie spots in Nara — FAQs
Where can I take photos with the Nara deer?
The best place to photograph the Nara deer is the open lawns of Nara Park between the entrance and Todai-ji, especially early morning before crowds. Buy shika senbei crackers (¥200) to encourage a bow, shoot from a low angle with temple roofs behind, and never feed them anything else.
Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.