Hotels in Nara, Japan

Nara is a historic city in Japan's Kansai region, just south of Kyoto, with a temperate climate that brings hot, humid summers and cold winters. Spring (March to May) is your best bet for cherry blossoms in Nara Park, where you can feed the famous bowing deer, while autumn (October to November) lights up the grounds of Todai-ji temple, home to a massive bronze Buddha dating back to 752. Winter's chill makes exploring the narrow lanes of Naramachi-a district of preserved 18th-century merchant houses-peaceful and crowd-free, but summer's heat is perfect for hiking Mount Wakakusa for panoramic views of the city.