Nara was born in what is now part of Kanuma city, Tochigi Prefecture to a farming family.

He attended military preparatory schools as a youth, and graduated from the 11th class of the Imperial Japanese Army Academy in 1889 as a second lieutenant in the artillery.

Nara was promoted to lieutenant general in 1918, and attended the Versailles Peace Treaty Conference as part of the Japanese delegation.

At the request of the genrō Yamagata Aritomo, Nara supervised the Crown prince’s education in military affairs through both lectures and active experience.

In 1933, he was elevated to the title of baron (danshaku) under the kazoku peerage system, retiring from his military career soon afterwards.