Nara in Japan was just named the city with the most hidden gems

In 2024, Japan welcomed 36.87 million visitors. Many people visit Japan and spend time in Tokyo or Kyoto. This is not a bad thing, but the country offers so much more to those who explore off the beaten tourist track.

A recent study conducted by Bounce—a luggage storage network with drop-off locations across the globe—sought to pinpoint where Japan’s most overlooked destinations are. After creating a list Japan’s largest cities, the network used information from travel websites like The Invisible Tourist or Japan Travel Pros in order to calculate the percentage of hidden jewel attractions within each city. It then used Tripadvisor Find out where the most “excellent” reviews are by using reviews and other digital tools.

Nara, the Japanese city that has the most hidden treasures was found after a thorough analysis of all the data.

Nara City, the capital of Nara Prefecture, is home to just over 367,000 residents and is only 20 miles east of Osaka. It is also 28 miles south of Kyoto. The city is easily accessible by both trains and buses. It’s a great option for a short day trip.

Nara Park, the charming city’s most famous feature, is home to more than 1,400 wild deer. They roam freely and bow down for treats. Legend has it that during ancient times, the Japanese god of thunder came to Nara on a white deer, and the descendants of that deer now populate the town’s park—they’ve been cherished as “messengers of the gods” for more than 1,000 years and are now protected “Natural Monuments.”

Keep in mind, however, that despite Nara being a popular photo spot (and an adorable one at that), the deer remain wild animals, and should be treated as such. You can only feed them the deer crackers you purchase. Be mindful of your trash. In 2019, nine deer died After eating plastic wrappers and bags that were not properly disposed.

Deer are also smart and they know when cookies are being served. “I found that deer will sometimes attack you if you are holding bags of cookies,” Susmita BaralSenior editor at Travel + Leisure said. “You’ll see some with shaved off antlers—they’re the ones likely to headbutt you for a treat. You can go in, but be aware that these animals are wild.

Nara has over 499 attractions, so there’s plenty to see and do. Nara has some of the best attractions in Japan. the most stunning temples in Japan The Buddhist temple has beautiful gardens, shrines and other attractions. The Buddhist temple Yakushi-ji is considered to be one of the most important and oldest temples in Japan, and dates back to the late 7th century. You can find the Kasugayama Primeval Forest on the edge of the town. Kasuga TaishaNara’s most celebrated Shinto Shrine, famous for its stunning cypress frame, and gorgeous hanging lanterns.

Nara followed in the study Kyoto, Kanazawa, and Takamatsu—all of which are conveniently connected to Tokyo via the Shinkansen, aka Japan’s bullet train system.

Check out the list below for all destinations. bounce.com.