Nara
City in Japan
Nara is a city in Japan with a population of about 350,000. It is located 370 km from Tokyo and is known for its collection of UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as Tōdai-ji and the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.
What to see
The city features several sites designated as Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara. These include the Tōdai-ji temple, the Kōfuku-ji temple complex, the remains of Heijō Palace, and the Yakushi-ji temple. The Nara National Museum houses various artifacts.
When to go
Temperatures are highest from June to August, reaching daily highs of 26 °C to 32 °C. These months also experience the most precipitation, with up to 18 rainy days in July and September. Winters are cold, with daily lows near 0 °C from December to February. Spring and autumn provide milder conditions, with temperatures ranging from 12 °C in March to 28 °C in September.
Getting there
Travelers arriving by air can use Osaka Itami International Airport, which is situated 35 km from the city. Nara is located 370 km from Tokyo.
Top sights in Nara
Weather by month
The warmest month is August, with an average high of 32 °C. The wettest is June, with about 197 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 8 | 9 | 13 | 18 | 23 | 26 | 30 | 32 | 28 | 21 | 16 | 11 |
| Average low, °C | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 13 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 13 | 7 | 2 |
| Rainfall, mm | 50 | 66 | 110 | 110 | 153 | 197 | 173 | 112 | 173 | 122 | 76 | 47 |
| Rainy days | 7 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 12 | 8 | 7 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Nara (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.