Nara travel guide
Best Time to Visit Nara: Month-by-Month Guide
April and November are the best months to visit Nara — April brings cherry blossom across the park and November brings brilliant autumn maples around the temples. May and October offer clear skies and comfortable temperatures with slightly fewer crowds.
When is the best time to visit Nara?
Nara is a year-round city, but it peaks twice: late March to April for cherry blossom with the deer, and November for fiery autumn maples around the temples. Summer is hot and humid; winter is cold and quiet.
Nara month by month
Cold and crisp; very few crowds
Cold; plum blossom begins
Warming up; early blossom late month
Cherry blossom and deer in the park
Fresh green, ideal temperatures
Rainy season, lush and mossy
Hot and humid
Peak heat; quieter temples
Heat easing; some typhoon risk
Clear skies, autumn colour begins
Peak autumn foliage — spectacular
Cold, bright and calm
Dates to watch
Nara Park’s deer are wild animals — they bow for shika senbei crackers, but keep all other food packed away and supervise children during the autumn rut and spring fawning season.
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best time to visit Nara — FAQs
What is the best month to visit Nara?
April and November are the best months to visit Nara — April brings cherry blossom across the park and November brings brilliant autumn maples around the temples. May and October offer clear skies and comfortable temperatures with slightly fewer crowds.
Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.