Nara Park
Nara, Japan
Mount Wakakusa, Nara
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Photo: Naokijp, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- ¥150; children from 3 ¥80
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Hours
- Roughly 9:00–17:00
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 1 h 30 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Season
- Mid-March to mid-December
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Height
- 342 metres, a 30–40 minute climb
- At the top
- A view of Nara and deer
- Getting there
- 10 minutes on foot from Todai-ji or Kasuga Taisha
Key facts
342 mheight of the hill
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en.wikipedia'Young grass'the meaning of the name Wakakusa
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en.wikipediaMikasa-yamathe hill's other name
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en.wikipedia30–40 minutesclimb from the gate at the foot
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travel guides¥150adult entry
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narashikanko.or.jpYamayakia fire festival on the fourth Saturday of January
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en.wikipediaClosed in winterroughly mid-December to mid-March
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en.wikipediaDeergraze on the slopes and summit
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travel guidesWhat is Mount Wakakusa?
Mount Wakakusa, the 'young grass mountain', is a hill 342 metres high on the eastern edge of Nara Park, just behind Todai-ji temple and Kasuga Taisha shrine. Unlike the wooded hills around it, its slopes are covered in grass, so nothing blocks the view from the top. It's also called Mount Mikasa.
The summit gives the best panorama of Nara: the roof of the Great Buddha Hall, pagodas, the park and the whole Yamato basin to the mountains on the horizon. As in the park, deer graze at the top.
Entry, hours and the climb
According to the Nara City Tourism Association, entry is ¥150 for adults and ¥80 for children aged three and over; the gates open 9:00 to 17:00, from the third Saturday of March to the second Sunday of December. You pay at the gate at the foot.
The climb from the gate to the summit takes 30–40 minutes. The slope rises in three humps: the first level already has a good view, and the summit the widest. You can also reach the top by car on a toll mountain road from the other side.
What to see
- The view of Nara from the summit.
- Todai-ji's roof — its size is clearest from above.
- Deer on the grassy slopes.
- The first level — a view after just 10 minutes' climb.
- Sunset over the Yamato basin.
- Yamayaki — the burning slope in January.
How to get to Mount Wakakusa
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Nara Park is about 25 min away on foot.
- Kasuga Taisha is about 23 min away on foot.
More tips
- From Todai-ji — about 10 minutes on foot north-east, past Nigatsu-do hall.
- From Kasuga Taisha — about 10 minutes on foot north.
- From Kintetsu-Nara — about 30 minutes on foot through the park.
- Bus — to the stop by Todai-ji, then on foot.
- By car — the Nara Okuyama toll road to the summit.
Mount Wakakusa or Nigatsu-do
| Mount Wakakusayou are here | The widest, from the summit | ¥150 | 30–40 minutes | March–December |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigatsu-do | From the temple veranda | Free | A few minutes | All year |
How long do you need?
Allow 1.5 hours to climb, rest at the top and come down. The hill fits well at the end of a day after Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha: the gate at the foot is between them.
The best time is towards sunset, when the light is soft and the city below begins to light up. Just remember the gates close at 17:00 — in late autumn, sunset is around that time.
On the fourth Saturday of January comes the Yamayaki festival: in the evening, after fireworks, all the dry grass on the slope is set alight, and the burning hill can be seen from all over Nara. The trail is closed then; it's best watched from the park, for example by Kofuku-ji's pagoda.
Is Mount Wakakusa worth the climb?
Yes, if you want to see Nara from above: it's the best panorama of the city, and the deer at the top are a bonus.
The YesGo take: the climb is short but steep, and hard in the heat. If you're short of energy or time, the veranda of Nigatsu-do at Todai-ji has a good view too — free and with no climb. And the trail is closed in winter, so plan the hill only between spring and autumn.
Before you go: checklist
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You are ready for the visit
Eastern Nara in a day
Todai-ji's Great Buddha in the morning, the lanterns of Kasuga Taisha at midday, and the view from Mount Wakakusa towards evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Todai-ji1 h 30 min · ¥800
- 20 min walk from the previous stopKasuga Taisha1 h · outer area free; corridors ¥700
- 21 min walk from the previous stopMount Wakakusayou are here1 h 30 min · ¥150
3 places · about 4 h 41 min with walks · 41 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
How to do it right
- The trail is closed in winter.
- Entry is ¥150.
- The gates close at 17:00.
- For a view without a climb: Nigatsu-do.
- On the way: Todai-ji.
Questions
How much does it cost to climb Mount Wakakusa?
¥150 for adults, ¥80 for children from age 3.
When is the trail open?
Roughly mid-March to mid-December, 9:00–17:00.
How long is the climb to the summit?
30–40 minutes from the gate at the foot.
How high is the hill?
342 metres.
What can you see from the top?
All of Nara, Todai-ji and the Yamato basin.
How do I get there?
10 minutes on foot from Todai-ji or Kasuga Taisha.
What is Yamayaki?
A festival on the fourth Saturday of January when the dry grass on the slope is burned.
Are there deer?
Yes, they graze on the slopes and summit.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia: Mount Wakakusa — height, name, winter closure, Yamayaki
- Nara City Tourism Association (narashikanko.or.jp) — price, hours, season (via search 09.11.2026)
- Travel guides — climb time, deer, summit road (unofficial)
- Wikidata Q2428328 — coordinates
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