Kyoto & Nara: Temples, traditions, and timeless Japan

Ancient temples, wandering deer, and streets that seem to whisper history. To visit Kyoto and Nara feels like stepping into the soul of Japan. Centuries-old traditions unfold at an unhurried pace, lantern-lit paths lead to sacred shrines and nature and spirituality exist in quiet harmony.

If Tokyo is Japan in motion, Kyoto and Nara are Japan at rest. These ancient capitals invite you to slow down, look closer, and step into a world shaped by ritual, artistry, and belief. From vermilion torii gates and Zen temples to sacred deer and wooden halls on a monumental scale, they offer an intimate encounter with Japan’s cultural heart.

Kyoto: The soul of traditional Japan

Kyoto, which boasts no fewer than 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is often described as the soul of Japan. Nowhere is that more evident than at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Famous for its thousands of vivid orange torii gates, the shrine’s pathways wind their way up the forested slopes of Mount Inari. Walking beneath the gates feels almost meditative, each step drawing you deeper into a landscape shaped by centuries of devotion. The repetition of color, light, and shadow creates one of Japan’s most iconic and atmospheric experiences.

From here, travel by train to Sanjusangendo, a temple unlike any other in Kyoto. Inside its long wooden hall stand 1,001 life-sized statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, each gilded in gold and subtly unique. The sheer scale of the display is breathtaking, but it’s the quiet stillness of the space that leaves the strongest impression.

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Have a taste of some of Japan’s unique flavors at the Nishiki Market.

The mood shifts as you head to Nishiki Market, affectionately known as “Kyoto’s kitchen.” This narrow, lively arcade has been feeding the city for centuries and remains a feast for the senses. Stalls brim with pickles, sweets, seafood, and local specialties, alongside shops selling knives, ceramics, and handcrafted goods. Wandering the market offers a delicious glimpse into everyday Kyoto, where culinary tradition is taken seriously, and joyfully.

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Step back in time at Nijo Castle.

After lunch nearby, step into Japan’s feudal past at Nijo Castle, once the residence of the Tokugawa shoguns. The castle’s elegant interiors are adorned with richly painted sliding doors, while its famous “nightingale floors” chirp softly beneath your feet, designed to warn of intruders.

The day winds down at Nanzenji Zen Temple, nestled in Kyoto’s eastern hills. Spacious grounds, stone pathways, and temple halls create a serene atmosphere that feels worlds away from the city. Whether you pause beneath the massive wooden gate or wander toward the aqueduct that cuts through the complex, Nanzenji offers a fitting conclusion to the day. It’s quiet, contemplative, and deeply rooted in Zen philosophy.

Nara: Where history roams free

Just under an hour from Kyoto, Nara feels like stepping even further back in time. As Japan’s first permanent capital, it holds some of the country’s oldest and most significant cultural treasures, all set within a surprisingly compact and walkable city.

Begin at Isui-en Garden, a beautifully composed landscape that blends ponds, stone bridges, and borrowed scenery from nearby Mount Wakakusayama. Designed to incorporate the surrounding hills into its views, the garden reflects the Japanese philosophy of harmony between nature and design. It’s a peaceful introduction to Nara’s refined aesthetic.

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The traditional architecture of Todai-ji Temple will leave you in awe!

Next, visit Todai-ji Temple, home to the colossal Great Buddha and the world’s largest wooden building. The scale is impossible to ignore. As you step inside the vast hall, the bronze Buddha dominates the space, serene and monumental at once.

From there, stroll through Nara Park, where the city’s famously free-roaming deer wander among temple grounds and shaded lawns. Considered sacred messengers in Shinto belief, the deer add a gentle, almost playful charm to the area. You can even feed them crackers!

Continue on to Kasuga Taisha, the city’s most sacred Shinto shrine. Its approach is lined with hundreds of stone lanterns, while thousands more hang from the shrine’s buildings, glowing softly during festivals. Set within a primeval forest, Kasuga Taisha feels deeply spiritual, reinforcing Nara’s close connection to nature and ritual.

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Fair warning – these local residents of Nara might ask you for some snacks!

End the day in Naramachi, a former merchant district filled with preserved townhouses, small cafés, and boutique shops. It’s the perfect place to wander, shop, or simply enjoy the slower rhythm of life, offering a glimpse into how tradition continues to shape everyday Japan.