Beautiful Fall Foliage Spots in Nara City

During our three-day stay in Nara at the end of November, we spent much of our time wandering around on foot, soaking in the tranquil atmosphere. The weather was pleasant, but due to prolonged warm weather, the fall colors were delayed. At the time of our visit, the color progress was just 50-60%. Still, we found plenty of picturesque spots and were pleased with what we saw. Below are some of our favorite places in Nara City to appreciate the seasonal foliage.

Ukimido Pavilion

Ukimido Pavilion is a serene and picturesque spot in Nara Park. In autumn, the reflections of the pavilion and the surrounding foliage shimmer beautifully on the pond’s surface, creating a photogenic scene.

We discovered this spot during a complimentary early morning walking tour arranged by our hotel, the Setre Naramachi (Booking.com | Agoda.com). Ukimido was the first stop on the tour, and several photographers had already gathered there, waiting to capture the sunrise views with the soft light casting a warm glow over the scene.

Although Mount Wakakusa doesn’t feature a high concentration of maple or gingko trees, we found it to be one of the most pleasant places in Nara. The open fields invite locals and visitors to relax, play, and admire the subtle autumn hues scattered around the landscape. The hillside pampas grass and panoramic views over Nara City further added to the scenery.

We walked from Nara Park to the north gate of Mount Wakakusa and paid 140 yen to enter. We did not hike all the way to the top as we were getting exhausted after our red eye flight. However, we enjoyed the calming scenery a lot as simply being there made us feel so carefree and cheerful.

Isuien Garden is one of the most beautiful traditional Japanese gardens in Nara. The carefully arranged landscapes provide excellent opportunities for photography, especially during autumn. You can stroll along winding paths, cross small stone bridges, and enjoy the soothing views of seasonal foliage.

As I mentioned in my post about Konchi-in Temple in Kyoto, every element in a Japanese garden is intentionally placed to represent nature in a controlled and harmonious environment. Besides, these gardens are designed to be viewed with each viewpoint framed beautifully. That’s why I consider Isuien Garden one of the best places in Nara for fall foliage photography.

Yoshikien Garden is right next to Isuien Garden and is free to enter while Isuien admissions are on the expensive side. Isuien Garden was not crowded at all when we visit and Yoshikien was even more quiet. Although the central pond here may not be as striking as Isuien’s, the garden has other charming areas, including a lovely moss garden.

Nara Park

Nara Park itself is vast, and certain sections showcase vibrant fall colors. The area along the stream near Todai-ji Gate, for example, is lined with maple trees turning brilliant shades of red and orange. Visitors tend to concentrate along the stream to take photos so you may find this spot more crowded than other places above.

I highly recommend spending at least one night in Nara. There’s much more to see than just the free roaming deers. The early morning and evening hours are so peaceful, letting Nara’s gentle pace and beauty come alive.  Keep in mind that in the fall, daylight hours are shorter. When we were there, it started to get dark quickly from 4 pm.

If you stay overnight in Nara or can reach Nara early in the morning, you can consider this walking route: Ukimido Pavilion → Todai-ji → Isuien Garden and Yoshikien Garden → Mount Wakakusa. If time permits, Kasuga Taisha Shrine is also worth visiting for its atmospheric setting in the forest.

Our three days in Nara flew by and although it was not our first time visiting this beautiful city, we still felt sad when it came time to leave. We hope to return in the fall again to explore other parts of Nara Prefecture.