Nara is Japan's first permanent capital, a compact city of ancient temples, free-roaming deer, and UNESCO World Heritage treasures. Founded as the imperial seat in 710 CE, Nara preserves some of Asia's oldest wooden structures and a living tradition of Shinto and Buddhist heritage that shaped Japanese civilization.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Remove shoes when entering ryokan rooms, private homes, and many traditional restaurants — look for the entry step (genkan) and a row of slippers as your cue
Bow when greeting — a slight head bow (15 degrees) is appropriate for tourists; deeper bows are used in formal contexts
Use both hands when accepting a business card, gift, or change from a cashier — single-handed exchanges are considered rude
Eating or drinking while walking in public is considered poor manners in traditional areas like Naramachi and near the temples
Do not touch the deer unless they approach you — feeding with anything other than licensed shika senbei crackers is prohibited by law
Photography inside most temple halls is prohibited — look for posted signs (camera icon with a red cross) and comply
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Do carry a small amount of cash — many traditional restaurants and temple shops are cash-only
- Do carry a small towel (tenugui) — many public restrooms in temple areas lack hand dryers or paper
- Do greet staff with 'sumimasen' (excuse me / hello) when entering a shop or needing assistance
- Do use the quiet carriage on Kintetsu limited express trains — mobile phone conversations are prohibited
- Do eat all food served to you in a ryokan kaiseki meal — leaving dishes untouched is considered disrespectful to the chef's craft
Don't
- Do not feed the deer anything other than licensed shika senbei — human food can harm or kill them and feeding other food is a ¥30,000 ($195) fine
- Do not photograph people without permission — especially in traditional ryokan settings or during festivals where geiko and maiko may be present
- Do not speak loudly on public transport — train and bus etiquette requires quiet
- Do not walk and eat simultaneously in traditional areas — consume food at vendor stalls or designated eating areas
- Do not enter tatami rooms without removing shoes at the genkan (entry step)
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
こんにちは (Konnichiwa)
Hello / Good afternoon
ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu)
Thank you (formal)
すみません (Sumimasen)
Excuse me / Sorry
いくらですか (Ikura desu ka)
How much is this?
英語を話せますか (Eigo wo hanasemasu ka)
Do you speak English?
トイレはどこですか (Toire wa doko desu ka)
Where is the toilet?
これをください (Kore wo kudasai)
I'll take this one, please
写真を撮ってもいいですか (Shashin wo totte mo ii desu ka)
May I take a photo?
鹿に触れないでください (Shika ni furenaide kudasai)
Please don't touch the deer (useful to warn others)
菜食主義者です (Saishoku shugisha desu)
I am vegetarian
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Nara.
Items:
- Religion
- Shinto
- Description
- Japan's indigenous spiritual practice is woven into daily Nara life. Kasuga Grand Shrine is one of the most important Shinto sites in Japan, founded in 768 CE as the tutelary shrine of the Fujiwara clan. Torii gates mark the transition from secular to sacred space — visitors should slow, bow slightly, and pass through the centre. Omamori (protective charms) and ema (wooden wishing plaques) can be purchased at shrine offices and are perfectly appropriate for non-believers.
- Religion
- Buddhism
- Description
- Buddhism was introduced to Japan through Nara in the 6th century, and the city's temples — Todai-ji, Horyu-ji, Yakushi-ji, and Kofuku-ji — represent the earliest flowering of Japanese Buddhist art and architecture. The Great Buddha (Daibutsu) at Todai-ji is the centrepiece of the Kegon school. Visitors may light incense (senko) at temple halls — bundles cost ¥100–¥300 ($0.65–$2) at temple entry gates.