Where will you stay and what will you see in Nara?
Look near Kintetsu-Nara to walk to the park and shrine, or near JR Nara for a Horyuji return trip. Give Asuka a separate day, matching local buses and return services first.
Great Buddha Hall, shrine, temple or tomb?
Start in Nara Park for a close view of the Great Buddha or a lantern-lined shrine approach. Horyuji's old wooden buildings and Ishibutai's huge stone chamber lie outside Nara City, requiring separate rail or bus journeys.
Itineraries by trip length
Your station and base depend on whether you want park and shrine walks or a day at Horyuji or Asuka. Open an itinerary below for daily sightseeing, return routes and included costs. Airport journeys and final departure fares are extra.
2 days / 1 night
Stay near Kintetsu-Nara for separate park and shrine walks, or near JR Nara for Horyuji on day one. Shorten day-two sightseeing around departure time.
3 days / 2 nights
Visit Nara Park on day one, then choose Horyuji or Asuka's tomb for day two. A short Naramachi walk is an option on the last day.
4 days / 3 nights
Give the Great Buddha Hall and museum one day and the shrine another. Visit Horyuji or Asuka on day three, then return to the same Nara accommodation.
5 days / 4 nights
Compare four nights in Nara with separate Horyuji and Asuka return trips (A), or two nights in Nara followed by two in Kashihara (B). The Kashihara plan does not return to Nara City after Asuka.
Where to stay
Near Kintetsu-Nara Station
Nara City · 奈良市 (Nara Prefecture · 奈良県)
Stay here to walk to Nara Park and Kasugataisha. JR Nara is a separate station; a Horyuji visit requires an additional journey to the JR station.
Near JR Nara Station
Consider this area for Horyuji by JR or JR travel to another city. Todai-ji requires a city bus or a separate walking route.
Approach to Todai-jiTourist office's exit-specific accessOfficial temple access
Near Kashiharajingu-mae Station
Compare moving accommodation here if you want to explore Asuka with less train travel back to Nara City. Check luggage storage, check-in times and the route from the station to your new accommodation first.
Before travelling or booking
Which station for Horyuji?
Kintetsu-Nara and JR Nara are different stations. Travel from JR Nara to Horyuji, then walk about 20 minutes from the north exit to the south gate. This excludes temple visits, meals and the walk back to Horyuji Station; check your return train first.
Official JR journey searchTourist office's exit-specific access
Check Asuka buses and trains separately
Take a bus stopping at Ishibutai from Kashiharajingu-mae east-exit stand 2 and return to the same station. Adult bus fares are JPY 440 one way or JPY 880 return; the relevant loop bus day pass is JPY 750 and excludes Kintetsu trains. The timetable used for weekday examples is valid 1 September 2026–31 March 2027, with a separate table for Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Check the actual Nara train-to-bus connections for your date.
Current Nara Kotsu guidanceOfficial village timetable, 1 September 2026–31 March 2027
Departure-day walk from Kashihara
Kashihara Jingu is about 10 minutes from Kashiharajingu-mae's central exit, separate from the Asuka buses' east exit. This itinerary proposes only a return approach walk from the official access guidance. General grounds, special visits and the treasure hall are not included or counted as free. Ask the shrine separately about extra-visit fees and access on your date.
Separate city walks from trips outside Nara
For the Great Buddha Hall, shrine and old streets, focus on Nara Park and Naramachi. Add Horyuji in Ikaruga for more wooden architecture, or Ishibutai in Asuka for a huge stone tomb. Both lie outside Nara City and require travel time separate from city walks.
Nara Park: Great Buddha Hall and shrine worship
See the Great Buddha up close and walk a lantern-lined shrine approach. From Kintetsu-Nara, Todai-ji is about 20 minutes towards Noborioji; Kasugataisha is about 25 minutes away. Allow extra time within the grounds and for admission queues. For a day each plus museum displays, see the three-night plan.
Approach to Todai-jiOfficial Kasugataisha worship and exit-specific accessOfficial Kasugataisha lanterns and red shrine buildings
Naramachi · ならまち
Walk south from Kintetsu-Nara to explore old merchant houses, small shops and cafés. For lanes plus Gangoji (Gokurakubo), use the temple at 11 Nakaincho as your destination. Street walks and paid temple admission are separate; on departure day, leave time to return to the station.
Nara Prefecture tourism: Naramachi streets and walking accessOfficial temple access
Horyuji: JR return trip to Ikaruga
Visit Horyuji for its five-storey pagoda, main hall and Buddhist art. Take a Yamatoji Line train from JR Nara stopping at Horyuji, then walk about 20 minutes from the north exit to the south gate. Allow time for the western precinct, Daihozoin and eastern precinct, plus the return to the station.
Tourist office's exit-specific accessOfficial Horyuji combined ticket, cash payment and admission cutoffOfficial Nara Prefecture Horyuji main hall, pagoda and Buddhist art
Asuka: stone tomb, then back to Kashihara
Visit Asuka to see Ishibutai's exposed stone chamber. Take Kintetsu to Kashiharajingu-mae, then a bus from the east exit. A Nara-based itinerary connects the return bus with a Nara train; after moving to Kashihara, return to the same Kashihara accommodation instead.
Kintetsu routes and interchange stationsOfficial Asuka sightseeing bus segment fares and day passNational park: Ishibutai's exposed stone chamber
Nara Prefecture tourism: Naramachi streets and walking accessTourist office's exit-specific accessNational park: revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walkOfficial Kasugataisha lanterns and red shrine buildingsOfficial Nara Prefecture Horyuji main hall, pagoda and Buddhist artNational park: Ishibutai's exposed stone chamber
Check which station you start from
| Journey | Main travel stages | Official access and date-specific search |
|---|---|---|
| Kintetsu-Nara → Todai-ji | About 20 minutes' walk towards Noborioji → temple grounds → Great Buddha Hall admission | Todai-ji access and bus-stop guidance |
| JR Nara → Horyuji | Yamatoji Line to Horyuji → north exit → about 20 minutes' walk to the south gate | Horyuji Station exit-specific access |
| Nara station area → Gangoji (Gokurakubo) | 11 Nakaincho; about 15 minutes from Kintetsu-Nara or 20 minutes from JR Nara on foot | Official temple access |
| Kashiharajingu-mae → Ishibutai | East-exit bus → Ishibutai stop → tomb visit → return to the same station | Asuka bus fares and operating guidance |
Approach to Todai-jiTourist office's exit-specific accessOfficial temple accessOfficial Asuka sightseeing bus segment fares and day pass
Explore further
For Horyuji: JR
Look up return trains between JR Nara and Horyuji for your date. These are different from services starting at Kintetsu-Nara.
For Asuka: Kintetsu and bus
Use Kintetsu from Nara to Kashiharajingu-mae, then Nara Kotsu buses from the east exit to Ishibutai. Check railway and bus fares and return services separately.
Meals in Nara City
Use for meal options on park or Naramachi days. For Horyuji or Asuka, plan meals in that day's area and check return transport.
Nara Prefecture tourism: Naramachi streets and walking access
What can you eat in Nara?
Kakinoha-zushi: sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves
Kakinoha-zushi · 柿の葉寿司 is pressed sushi made by wrapping salted mackerel and vinegared rice in persimmon leaves. It is a Nara regional food with traditions in Gojo and Yoshino, also sold as a gift. Compare each shop's fish varieties, pack contents and prices.
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: kakinoha-zushi ingredients and regional traditions
Chagayu: porridge made with roasted tea
Chagayu · 茶粥 is rice porridge cooked with hojicha, a roasted tea. Nara's version is loose and watery. Look for it on menus for a different meal from sushi, checking availability and accompaniments with each restaurant.
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Nara tea porridge ingredients and serving
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: kakinoha-zushi ingredients and regional traditionsMinistry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Nara tea porridge ingredients and serving
Separate admission from rail and bus costs
These are adult costs for selected facilities and segments. They are not a full budget including accommodation, meals and airport travel, and not every facility belongs in the same itinerary.
Ordinary tickets are available without a pass
Horyuji's JR return journey is outside Kintetsu pass coverage. The Asuka bus day pass and Kintetsu railway pass are different products. Compare the Kintetsu five-day pass against ordinary tickets for your actual rail segments, dates and eligibility, distinguishing it from the five-day Plus pass that includes Asuka buses.
Official Kintetsu five-day pass fares, railway coverage and limited-express exclusionsOfficial Kintetsu pass eligibility, passport and digital ticketsOfficial Asuka sightseeing bus segment fares and day pass
| Option | Confirmed cost | Included and excluded |
|---|---|---|
| Great Buddha Hall only / hall and museum | JPY 800 / combined ticket JPY 1,200 | Other halls, transport, accommodation and meals extra |
| Horyuji combined ticket | Adult JPY 2,000; cash | Western precinct, Daihozoin and eastern precinct; return JR extra |
| Kashiharajingu-mae east exit–Ishibutai bus | JPY 440 one way, JPY 880 return / relevant day pass JPY 750 | Replacing these return fares with the relevant day pass saves JPY 130. Railway and tomb admission extra |
| Kintetsu five-day pass | Adult JPY 4,900; five consecutive days | Eligible Kintetsu and Iga Railway travel; JR, Asuka buses on the standard pass, limited-express tickets, admission and accommodation extra |
Official Todai-ji visitor guidanceOfficial Horyuji combined ticket, cash payment and admission cutoffOfficial Asuka sightseeing bus segment fares and day passOfficial Kintetsu five-day pass fares, railway coverage and limited-express exclusionsOfficial Kintetsu pass eligibility, passport and digital tickets
Check where Nara cameras are located first
The Nara camera list includes scenery in other cities and towns as well as the city temple area. Check location and original update time to choose a view near your destination. The list alone does not establish views inside Todai-ji, Kasugataisha, Horyuji, Gangoji or Ishibutai.
Frequently asked questions
Can I treat JR Nara and Kintetsu-Nara as the same starting station?
They are different stations. Horyuji travel starts at JR Nara for Horyuji Station; park walks start at Kintetsu-Nara. Choose accommodation with your railway and actual starting station in mind.
Can I walk from Nara Park to Horyuji and Asuka?
Use railways and buses for these trips. Horyuji uses JR Nara–Horyuji followed by a walk; Ishibutai uses Kintetsu to Kashiharajingu-mae, then a bus. To visit both, see itinerary A: four nights in Nara with return trips on separate days.
Tourist office's exit-specific accessOfficial Asuka sightseeing bus segment fares and day pass
Official sources and check dates
- Approach to Todai-ji ·
- Ishibutai access ·
- Official Todai-ji visitor guidance ·
- English access guidance ·
- Tourist office's exit-specific access ·
- Official temple access ·
- Official JR journey search ·
- Current Nara Kotsu guidance ·
- Official village timetable, 1 September 2026–31 March 2027 ·
- Shrine exit and hours guidance ·
- Kintetsu ·
- Nara Kotsu ·
- National park: revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walk ·
- Kintetsu routes and interchange stations ·
- Approach to Todai-ji ·
- Tourist office's exit-specific access ·
- Official Kasugataisha worship and exit-specific access ·
- Official Asuka sightseeing bus segment fares and day pass ·
- Official Horyuji combined ticket, cash payment and admission cutoff ·
- Nara Prefecture tourism: Naramachi streets and walking access ·
- Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: kakinoha-zushi ingredients and regional traditions ·
- Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Nara tea porridge ingredients and serving ·
- Official Kasugataisha lanterns and red shrine buildings ·
- Official Nara Prefecture Horyuji main hall, pagoda and Buddhist art ·
- National park: Ishibutai's exposed stone chamber ·