Many people recommend visiting Japan in spring for the cherry blossoms and pleasant pre-summer weather, but if they'd ever visited Nara in autumn, they'd tell you it's equally impressive. Bright and colorful, it is the season of cosmos flowers and golden leaves, unique harvest festivals, and scenic hikes.
The leaves don't usually begin changing color until mid-October, but in the meantime here are our top recommendations to help you plan for an amazing autumn.
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Top 15 Things to Do in Nara This Autumn
1. Instagram some deer
- Nara Park
- The deer that roam Nara Park are photo-worthy at any time of the year, but the autumn colors offer an extra-special backdrop for your deer snaps. Nature & The Outdoors Nara Park
2. See some lion dancing
- Kadofusa Jinja Shrine Lion Dancing
- The colorful climax to the Kadofusa Shrine's harvest festival. Cultural Events Soni Highland
3. Relax at a ryokan
- Tsukihitei
- A stay in a traditional Japanese inn is a must for any Japan vacation. Nara has a range of wonderful options with grounds and gardens that are simply stunning in autumn. Read our ryokan guide to find out more. Ryokan Nara Park
4. Explore the outdoors
- Odaigahara Plateau
- No season is more suited for hiking than autumn; and if you've only got time for one hike, make it Odaigahara! Nature & The Outdoors Odaigahara Plateau
5. Check out the autumn leaves in Yoshino
- Mt. Takagi Observatory
- Yoshino may be one of Japan's most famous cherry blossom spots, but it is well worth a visit in autumn too . The views around the lookout on Mt. Takagi are stunning. Nature & The Outdoors Yoshino
6. Stroll Nara's most beautiful garden
- Isuien Garden
- Simply stunning; autumn is without doubt the best time to visit Isuien. Nearby Yoshikien is also worth a visit. Nature & The Outdoors Nara Park
7. Unwind in a hot spring
- Yumori Onsen (Hotel Suginoyu)
- Nothing warms you up better than a relaxing soak in a hot spring on a chilly late-autumn day. Master the art of onsen with our hot spring guide. Onsen & Public Baths Kawakami
8. Picnic amongst the pampas grass at Soni Highland
- Soni Highland
- The golden pampas grass makes this off-the-beaten-path destination a huge hit in autumn. Learn all about the area here. Nature & The Outdoors Soni Highland
9. Experience a colorful twilight festival
- Uneme Festival
- Beginning with a costume procession from JR Nara Station, the Umeme Festival climaxes with a dragon boat display on Sarusawa Pond. Cultural Events Nara Park
10. Visit the terraced rice fields of Asuka
- Cluster-Amaryllis Festival
- Red, gold and green, these picturesque rice terraces make for a pleasant autumn stroll, especially during the Cluster-Amaryllis Festival. Nature Events Asuka
11. Discover the mysterious grounds of Ohnoji
- Ohnoji Temple
- The grounds of most Nara temples are famous for their autumn colors, but none have the amazing rock-carving that can be seen at Ohnoji. After visiting Ohnoji, explore the rest of the Murouji area. History & Culture Murouji Temple
12. Watch a game of Kemari
- Autumn Kemari Festival
- Part football, part hacky-sack, the priests of Tanzan Jinja play in colorful, oversized gowns as part of the shrine's autumn festival. Cultural Events Sakurai
13. Cycle through fields of cosmos flowers
- Former Site of Fujiwarakyo Capital
- Easily reached by bike from Kashihara Jingu, the fields at the site of the Fujiwara Palace fill with cosmos flowers come September. History & Culture Asuka
14. Taste the best seasonal cuisine
- Ryori Ryokan Ogawa
- Almost too ornate to eat, seasonal kaiseki cuisine is a taste sensation. Try some of the best at this Michelin-starred restaurant. Ryokan Yamato Koriyama
15. Take a trip to Hase
- Hasedera Temple
- An easy day-trip from Nara, Hase is home to Hasedera Temple, one of Nara's most scenic autumn spots. History & Culture Hase
