[2024 Nara Attraction] Travel Guide for Mount Wakakusa (Updated Nov)
No.4 of Best Things to Do in Nara
Mountains
Address:
Mount Wakakusa, Zoshicho, Nara, 630-8211, Japan
Opening times:
Opens at 9:00-17:00Open
Recommended sightseeing time:
1-1.5 hours
Phone:
+81-742-220375
At the top of Mt Wakakusa, you will be able to see all of Nara at your feet. Many deer roam by, but the feeling is much more freer than the ones you might encounter in Nara Park. We drove up there and paid a small charge of 520 yen for access. On a fine day you can see the surrounding mountains. Very enjoyable visit.
#GiveThanks
ICEICEE
City walk with deer in Nara, with route.
Feeding deer in Nara is a must-do in your life!
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🚶🏻♂️Route: Take the Kintetsu Nara Line from Osaka to Kintetsu Nara Station (40 min) - Buy a Nara deer fridge magnet at B1 of the station - Lunch: Ganko Tonkatsu - Todai-ji Temple - Nara National Museum - Nara Park - Kasuga-taisha Shrine - Mizutani Chaya - Mount Wakakusa - Take a bus back to Kintetsu Nara Station - Nakado Yomogi Mochi, Daibutsu Pudding - Return to Osaka
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📎Tips: ✔️Choose female deer without antlers for photos and feeding. Male deer are very aggressive and may charge and bite you.
✔️Deer crackers are JPY 200 for 10 pieces. There are no deer crackers for sale on Mount Wakakusa, so it is recommended to buy them in advance. Keep them well, as deer crackers smell good and deer will swarm and snatch them away.
✔️Deer go home at 6 pm. You can actually finish visiting Nara in half a day. After lunch, take a leisurely walk and take photos, and return to Osaka for dinner.
✔️Kasuga-taisha Shrine and Mount Wakakusa are more photogenic and are very close to each other. If you don't want to walk too much, you can also take a bus directly to the vicinity of Kasuga-taisha Shrine.
✔️If you want to travel like a special forces soldier, you can visit Uji in the morning and Nara in the afternoon. As long as you have enough energy, you will have enough time.
✔️Mount Wakakusa is open from 9:00 to 17:00, and the ticket is JPY 150. It is highly recommended to visit, as the photos are really beautiful. (You can enter the mountain from March 21 to June 15 and from September 10 to November 25 every year.)
✔️There are many specialty foods on the shopping street at the exit of Kintetsu Nara Station, including persimmon leaf sushi, Nakado Yomogi Mochi, Daibutsu Pudding, and Ganko Tonkatsu.
_TI***1k
Ancient capital, Nara, take a photo of a lifetime at Wakakusa Mountain!
During the National Day holiday, I decided to avoid the crowds in Kyoto and take a 4-day in-depth tour of Nara. Perhaps because Typhoon No. 17 landed in Kanto, the weather in Kansai was also affected, and the rain in Nara was intermittent.
Before coming, I planted grass on the dusk sunset of Wakakusa Mountain. I didn't expect that Wakakusa Mountain and the ancient city of Nara under the mountain in the rain were more charming. At 5 o'clock in the evening, I took a taxi directly from the Purple Green Hotel to Wakakusa Mountain. The deer who had been in business for a day would come to check if there were any deer cakes. It should be noted that the grass is very slippery after the rain, and the slope of Wakakusa Mountain is a bit steep.
After a lot of shooting, I walked down the mountain along the trail. On the way, I passed Todaiji Temple and Kashiwa Garden. The other road is down the mountain along the highway, passing the Nara National Museum. It is recommended to take the first road, and Nara at night seems to return to the ancient Heijo-kyo.
Culinary Treks
Is the sunset at Nara's Wakakusa Mountain worth seeing?
🌟Highlights:
If you check the sunset time for the day and arrive at the mountain at around that time, the sunset is worth seeing.
Wakakusa Mountain is located between Todai-ji and Kasuga-taisha, and is part of Nara Park. The mountain slopes are covered in lush green grass, and deer can be seen leisurely strolling around. From the top of the mountain, you can overlook the buildings in the distance, and the scenery is quite nice.
⏳Recommended duration:
If you set off at 2pm, you can visit Todai-ji until around 4pm (the mountain closes at 4:30pm), then start climbing the mountain. You can take photos while climbing, and it takes about 40 minutes, which is just about right.
The mountain is not high and it's not difficult to climb, but the key is that the temperature in Nara in the afternoon is around 35 degrees, and the sun is scorching, making people sweat.
Of course, many people don't climb the mountain at all, and just wait quietly on the stone steps at the south entrance of the mountain, which is also a good choice.
📝Tips:
There are vending machines at the foot of the mountain where you can buy water and drinks. There are no supplies on the mountain. If the sun is scorching and you run out of water, you probably won't be able to stay for long. There is nowhere to shelter from the sun at the top of the mountain, so you'll have to tough it out. (We ran out of water and left before the sunset)
Admission: JPY 150 per person
ASPEN NORRIS
If you only visit Nara once, you must visit Mount Wakakusa to see the deer.
【Location】
Located in the eastern part of Nara City, in the central part of Honshu Island, Japan, it is adjacent to famous attractions such as Todai-ji and Kasuga-taisha. As one of the most conspicuous landmarks in the area, it can be easily found from any direction entering Nara.
【Attraction Introduction】
- **Four Seasons**: In spring, pink cherry blossoms bloom all over the mountain; in summer, it is a vibrant green ocean; in autumn, the entire mountain is dyed golden; in winter, although it is slightly desolate, it has a unique flavor.
- **Mountain Climbing Experience**: Slowly ascend along the winding path, and you can enjoy the scenery of Nara from different angles along the way. There is an observation deck on the top of the mountain, which is one of the best places to watch the night view.
- **Special Activities**: "Wakakusa-yaki" (the fourth Saturday of January every year) is a traditional festival not to be missed. On this evening, the entire hillside will be ignited into a spectacular sea of fire, which is extremely shocking.
【Transportation Strategy】
It is very convenient to go to Nara from Kyoto or Osaka. After arriving at Nara Station by JR Line, you can choose to walk for about 30 minutes or take a bus to Kasuga-taisha to reach the foot of the mountain. For self-driving tourists, you can directly navigate to the parking lot and start your hiking journey.
【Accommodation Recommendation】
- **Nara Park Hotel**: This four-star hotel is located in the beautiful Nara Park and provides comfortable accommodation and thoughtful service. It is a short walk from here to Mount Wakakusa.
- **Traditional Japanese Inn**: If you want to experience Japanese culture more deeply, try staying in a Japanese inn with a history of hundreds of years. These places usually provide tatami rooms and hot spring facilities, allowing you to relax completely.
【Nearby Attractions】
- **Todai-ji**: One of the largest wooden buildings in the world, with a huge Buddha statue inside, it is worth seeing.
- **Kasuga-taisha**: Listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO, it is famous for its history of more than a thousand years and well-preserved primitive forests.
- **Nara National Museum**: It collects a large number of precious artworks and cultural relics, which is very suitable for friends who are interested in ancient Chinese art to visit and learn.
Ward Ella 95
Nara Travel Guide | Visit Nara and enjoy the sunset on Mount Wakakusa.
|Visit Nara and enjoy the sunset on Mount Wakakusa. After arriving in Nara, I highly recommend heading straight to Mount Wakakusa! On the way to Mount Wakakusa, you will encounter many deer, and at dusk, you will have the opportunity to see the beautiful sunset! 🌅 This is a beautiful view that Nara Park cannot match 😍, it is extremely comforting, as if you are in the world of animation~
🚆: Take the [Kintetsu Nara Line] from Kyoto Station to Nara Station (about 50 minutes)
🚍: After getting off the bus, follow the sign of [Kasuga Taisha] to exit the station, go straight to the bus stop on the roadside, and take the bus directly to the entrance of Kasuga Taisha. (Just follow the crowd to go up~ There are clear signs along the way, very easy to understand! Don't worry~ There are many deer on the road, you can take pictures as much as you like! 📷)
📍Kasuga Taisha: You will pass Kasuga Taisha on the way to Mount Wakakusa. If you are interested, you might as well go in and visit! There are also many deer there, and I bought a cute Giikawa there! )
🎟️: Mount Wakakusa ticket 150 yen/adult (closed at 17:00, no time limit for downhill)
🦌🍪: Deer biscuits 200 yen/bag (there is a small shop selling on the left side of the last staircase on the mountain)
‼️ It's too hot and tired to climb Mount Wakakusa at four o'clock! And the sun is extremely strong, the best time is to start climbing after five o'clock! Unlike me, I started waiting at four o'clock, it's really unnecessary! It's unbearably hot😭 (If the weather is suitable, climbing will be very easy, the journey is not long, and you can reach the top quickly!) After five o'clock, the scenery becomes more charming! When the sunset is shining, you will feel that the previous hour of sun exposure is worth it! 😍 I wish everyone a good time and can take beautiful photos~💖
Elijah Perez
If you only have half a day to visit Nara to see the sunset and deer
Extreme half-day Nara deer-watching itinerary
Nara is most famous for its deer. Since we are not very interested in religious buildings, we decisively decided to spend only half a day experiencing feeding the deer on the mountain at sunset.
Nara is a half-day stopover for us while moving from Kyoto to Osaka. Dragging huge suitcases makes it inconvenient to climb the mountain, and we need to conserve energy to continue catching the train;
2. The sunset is more beautiful when the weather is good, but Wakakusa Mountain requires a ticket to enter, and entry stops after 5 PM.
3. It takes about half an hour from Nara Station to Wakakusa Mountain. Taking a taxi makes it easier to go up the mountain, but it is hard to get a taxi down the mountain, so you can only walk.
Our goal is to save as much energy as possible and efficiently feed the deer + watch the sunset.
KAYLIE LAWSON
Nara One Day Trip: Unwind with a Sunset at Wakakusayama Hill
A must-visit spot if you have the chance to travel to Nara is Wakakusayama Hill. It's a city that's not too far from Osaka, and of course, when you think of Nara, you think of deer. But in this trip, besides feeding the deer, I want everyone to experience watching the sunset at Wakakusayama Hill, which is just behind Nara Park. The entrance fee is 150 yen, and the view is absolutely stunning. The weather was quite nice when we went; even though it was sunny, the breeze was quite chilly. It felt like a picnic where people came to relax and feed the deer. The deer would come out and ask for food, which was quite funny. We waited quite a while for the sunset, but it was worth the wait. The view was incredibly beautiful, and the vibe was great. Watching the sunset while watching the deer was so healing. I highly recommend it to anyone who visits; the view is truly beautiful. It's a perfect way to end a day of traveling, just sitting and chilling with a beautiful view. It's like recharging your own battery. I hope this can be a helpful tip for friends who visit Nara. Don't forget to stop by if you have time 😊
_TI***cx
Nara | Take this CITYWALK guide
🚶
As one of the must-visit cities in Kansai for travelers❗️
Nara is definitely the ideal choice for many
Here you can not only experience traditional Japanese culture
But also encounter herds of deer🦌 and a plethora of delicious food😋
Escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and embrace a different kind of tranquility
😭
The charm of Nara cannot be explored in just one day❗️
Here are several route options for everyone♾️
🏙 One-day trip
Suitable for friends visiting Nara for the first time❗️
You can check off the main highlights in one day
❶Todai-ji→ ❷Nara Park→❸Kasuga-taisha→ ❹Wakakusa-yama
🏙
For those who like ancient architecture, you must visit
✅Nara's 5 must-visit millennium-old temples
🔹Horyu-ji🔹Todai-ji🔹Yakushi-ji
🔹Kofuku-ji🔹Toshodai-ji
Here you can pursue the legendary history of the Tang Dynasty♥️
♥️DAY1
❶Todai-ji→ ❷Nara Park→❸Kasuga-taisha→ ❹Wakakusa-yama
Plus❺Kofuku-ji→❻Nara National Museum
♥️DAY2
❶Yakushi-ji→❷Toshodai-ji
♥️DAY3
❶Horyu-ji→✅Uji
🚄 Transportation
▪If you're departing from Osaka like me
🉑You can take the 'Kintetsu Nara Line' which takes about 40 minutes
▪DAY1 itinerary is walkable
▪DAY2 itinerary can also be reached by the Kintetsu Nara Line
✅ Food Recommendations
1⃣ Kikusuiro Eel Rice
2⃣ Yoshino Honkuzu Kurokawa Honke Todai-ji Store
3⃣ Shizuka Nara Park Store
4⃣ Seafood Revolving Sankyu Gose South IC Store
5⃣ Tea Porridge Tea Ron Tsukihoshi
🛏️
You might consider staying a night in Nara
This way you can😌 better arrange your📅 itinerary
EZEKIEL FRANK
Detailed guide to Nara Wakakusayama | Come and watch the beautiful sunset
Nara Wakakusayama ticket🎫: 150JPY
Recommended visit: 1 hour to 1.5 hours before sunset
Operating hours: 9am-5pm
⭕Travel tips❗❗❗❗
☞After leaving Nara Station, navigate directly to the south gate of Wakakusayama. You will pass Nara Park on the way, you can visit it, but don't stay too long❗❗❗Otherwise, you will miss the sunset, which is not good❗❗❗
☞You can buy deer biscuits in advance at the foot of the mountain or in the park. When feeding the deer🦌, take them out one by one. Some deer are quite fierce❗❗
☞You must definitely go down the mountain before it gets dark❗❗❗Otherwise, it will be a bit scary when it gets dark. There are no lights on the way down the mountain, and it's not easy to get a taxi❗❗❗
⭕Route suggestions❗❗❗
☞After entering, you can choose to climb the mountain from the north or south climbing path. If you are not physically strong, you can play halfway up the mountain, where there are also 🦌, so you don't have to climb to the top. The scenery halfway up the mountain is also very beautiful.
☞The north climbing path has a gentle slope, but the route is longer, and you can reach the first level in about half an hour.
☞The south climbing path is a staircase, the route is slightly shorter, but climbing the stairs is more tiring, but you can reach the first level faster than the north climbing path.
(ps: Actually, it's very beautiful when you reach the first level, you don't necessarily have to go to the third level)
CHARLEY CURTIS
I went to Kyoto from the morning and went to Nara. I wanted to go to Wakasayama and play all the way. As a result, I played in Wakayama for a long time, and I didnt go anywhere else.
Sending luggage at Nara Station, you can take the ring line at the door. You can brush the watermelon card, get off at the Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and walk over. Many deers have been seen along the way.
Woshanshan tickets 150 yen, children 80, very very cheap, if you accept 100 in the country are considered kind. Just entering the scenic spot, the child said to go to the toilet, the aunt smiled and opened the door to let us go out, and told us that we would come in with the ticket stub and let us in, very friendly and nice.
Just entering the Caoshan Mountain is a big grass slope, you can sit here to enjoy the scenery, but unfortunately the wind was very strong that day. Moreover, my mobile phone slipped down the slope, and everyone on the slope was watching it, too embarrassing.
Going up is a triple eye, a double eye and the highest (the wind is also the biggest) triple. Every heavy sight is good, very open, and there is a burial mound in Sanmu. The deer will appear randomly, and there are a bunch of three eyes. You can buy the deer Xianbei at the door in advance.
It is said that the deer of the Caoshan Mountain will not collide with people, it seems to be true. In addition to individual, it is still a bit fierce to be wary of those who have horns or have had horns.
Down the mountain road, there are cherry trees along the way, if you catch the cherry blossoms, it should be more beautiful. If it is not because of the wind, it is really good, go to Nara and brush.
Karon Tomato.
First of all, to clarify a little ~ online said that Nara deer is as savage and terrible as the bandits, I... said that the above remarks are very correct [shy R]
they are savage wild scorpion, do not give If you eat, you nod your head and threaten... If you dont, you will scream... tear... collision! !
# This word I always thought was to describe the excitement of going to Nara, now I know, is the degree of frightening to Nara hahahahahahaha
as long as you have "Deer Fairy" in your hand, they will immediately Start up and attack, whether you are hiding in a bag or holding it in your hand... You will definitely be besieged hahahahahahahahaha, the scene is really terrible.
Then... How do you pick a cute little gray ash in a group of gray wolves?
First of all... The position of the deer is very important... The deer on the mountain is quite simple. There is no chicken thief under the mountain. The deer under the mountain has become a clever wild donkey. Many of them are selling the deer. Waiting in front of the stall, watching your deer Xianbei arrive, immediately surrounded by a group, simply do not give you any breathing opportunity.
On the other hand, if the little deer on the grassy hills is free and sloppy, give a piece of deer Xianbei to walk with your ass for a long time~ super cute and super cute, and if there are not many tourists in Caoshan, it is easier to produce ~~ you can watch the sunset and see Nara Panoramic view of the night view ~ total superb ~ ~
recommended deer location: Wakayama
shooting time: after 3 pm
Seventeenn.
Wakayama Mountain is located in the eastern part of Nara, about 350 meters high. The observation deck on the mountainside or the top of the mountain overlooks the city of Nara.
Along the steps, slowly walk up the mountain, sometimes into the woods, and sometimes walk through the grass, while walking back and looking down the hill, the ancient city of Nara is gradually appearing in front of you. In fact, the two viewing platforms here, one in the middle of the mountain, around a circle about less than an hour, while the other is on the top of the mountain, it takes about 3 hours to go back and forth. It is beautiful to overlook the city here.
There is no shady Wakayama Mountain. It is too hot in the sunny days, so there are not a few deer in the mountains. Even if you see it, it is far away from the tourists, and the courage is very small.
Tips:
Arrival: 10 to 15 minutes walk from Todaiji and Kasuga Taisha to the foot of Wakasayama
opening hours: 9