Nara Prefecture

Nara Prefecture is in central Japan, south of Kyoto. In the capital Nara, wild deer roam Nara Park. Within the park, Tōdai-ji Temple is home to the 15m Daibutsu bronze Buddha. To the southwest, the 7th-century Hōryū-ji Temple complex is built around a towering wooden pagoda. In spring, the slopes of Mt. Yoshino are covered with thousands of blooming cherry trees. There are trails and waterfalls in the Mitarai Valley.