Visit Asuka from Nara or move to Kashihara?
To see both Horyuji's wooden buildings and Asuka's tomb, choose itinerary A: four nights in Nara with separate day trips. To see the hall, museum and shrine, then stay near Asuka, choose B: two nights in Nara and two in Kashihara. A returns to Nara after Asuka; B returns to Kashihara accommodation. Shorten final-day sightseeing around departure from each base.
Choose an itinerary for 5 days / 4 nights
Separate days for Nara Park, Horyuji and Asuka
Stay four nights in Nara, giving the Great Buddha Hall, shrine, Horyuji's wooden buildings and Asuka's tomb a day each. Choose near JR Nara for the Horyuji return trip or near Kintetsu-Nara for park walks and trains to Asuka. Either base requires travelling to the other railway station on some days.
Separate days for Nara Park, Horyuji and Asuka →5 days / 4 nights BNara Park and exhibitions, then move towards Asuka
See the Great Buddha Hall, museum and shrine, then move closer to Asuka. Stay two nights near Kintetsu-Nara Station and two near Kashiharajingu-mae Station. This plan excludes Horyuji and does not return to Nara after Asuka.
Nara Park and exhibitions, then move towards Asuka →Separate days for Nara Park, Horyuji and Asuka
Stay four nights in Nara, giving the Great Buddha Hall, shrine, Horyuji's wooden buildings and Asuka's tomb a day each. Choose near JR Nara for the Horyuji return trip or near Kintetsu-Nara for park walks and trains to Asuka. Either base requires travelling to the other railway station on some days.
Day 1: Todai-ji Great Buddha Hall
Start at your chosen Nara station. Travel to this local station and airport return journeys are excluded.
- Your chosen Nara station → Approach to Todai-ji
From Kintetsu-Nara, walk towards Noborioji for about 20 minutes. From JR Nara, take a bus stopping at Todaiji Daibutsuden–Kasugataisha-mae, then walk about five minutes to Todai-ji. Check stands, fares and both bus directions for your date in official guidance. These times cover the temple approach; allow extra time through the grounds to the hall desk and for queues.
- Great Buddha Hall admission after approaching Todai-ji → Great Buddha Hall visit
Individual adult Great Buddha Hall admission is JPY 800, payable in cash. Hours are 7:30 am–5:30 pm from April to October and 8 am–5 pm from November to March. The museum and other halls are excluded from this ticket.
- Great Buddha Hall → Your starting station and booked accommodation
After a meal near the park, go to your booked accommodation near the starting station. For a bus back to JR Nara, check times and fares for your date in official guidance.
Choose whether your accommodation is near JR Nara or Kintetsu-Nara first. Check JR-side city bus stands, fares and return services separately from walking routes.
Day 2: JR return trip to Horyuji
- JR Nara Station → Horyuji south gate
Take the Yamatoji Line from JR Nara to Horyuji, then walk about 20 minutes from the north exit to the south gate.
Tourist office's exit-specific accessOfficial JR journey searchStation platform guidance
- Horyuji south gate → Horyuji visiting areas
The western precinct, Daihozoin and eastern precinct combined ticket is JPY 2,000 for adults, payable in cash. Hours are 8 am–5 pm from 22 February to 3 November and 8 am–4:30 pm from 4 November to 21 February. Admission ends 30 minutes before closing; late arrival may limit access to some facilities. Allow extra time beyond the south gate for the grounds and visits.
Official Nara Prefecture Horyuji fees and seasonal hoursOfficial Horyuji combined ticket, cash payment and admission cutoff
- Horyuji visiting areas → Your starting station and the same accommodation
After lunch, return towards Nara from the same station. For accommodation near Kintetsu-Nara, allow extra time from JR Nara to your hotel. Check the actual return train and fare in official JR journey search and follow current platform signs.
Tourist office's exit-specific accessOfficial JR journey searchStation platform guidance
For a Kintetsu-Nara base, add travel time to and from JR Nara. Check Horyuji's admission cutoff and your chosen JR return train before visiting.
Day 3: Kintetsu and Asuka buses
- Kintetsu-Nara Station → Kashiharajingu-mae Station
Travel from Kintetsu-Nara via Yamato-Saidaiji to Kashiharajingu-mae Station.
- Kashiharajingu-mae Station east-exit stand 2 → Ishibutai bus stop
At Kashiharajingu-mae Station's east-exit stand 2, take an Asuka Station-bound bus stopping at Ishibutai. Check both directions in the weekday timetable or the timetable for Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays for your date. From Nara City, allow time from the train arrival to the bus stand.
Official village timetable, 1 September 2026–31 March 2027Current Nara Kotsu guidance
- Ishibutai bus stop → Ishibutai Tumulus
Walk about three minutes from the Ishibutai stop to the tomb. Individual adult admission is JPY 500; hours are 9 am–5 pm, with last entry at 4:45 pm. Explore the tomb and have lunch nearby.
National park: revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walkAsuka tourism association: current Ishibutai fees and hours
- Ishibutai Tumulus → Your starting station and the same accommodation
After lunch, return on a Kashiharajingu-mae-bound bus, then take a Nara-bound train to your accommodation. A JR Nara base requires further travel from Kintetsu-Nara to your hotel.
Current Nara Kotsu guidanceOfficial village timetable, 1 September 2026–31 March 2027Kintetsu routes and interchange stations
Allow time from the return bus arrival at Kashiharajingu-mae to your Nara-bound train. The roughly three-minute stop-to-tomb walk does not include a railway interchange.
Day 4: Kasugataisha
- Accommodation near your chosen Nara station → Approach to Kasugataisha
Walk about 25 minutes from Kintetsu-Nara, or use a Honden-bound bus from JR Nara. The 25 minutes is the shrine approach; follow signs to the general worship area, allowing extra time within the grounds and for queues.
- Kasugataisha general worship area → Kasugataisha worship areas
Visit the free general worship area. Adding a main-sanctuary special visit costs JPY 700 and uses 9 am–4 pm hours. Choose it only after checking ritual suspension dates and times.
- Kasugataisha worship areas → Your starting station and the same accommodation
After a meal and a break nearby, return to accommodation near your starting station. Basic costs cover general worship; city buses and special visits are extra.
English access guidanceJapanese opening and suspension guidance
The Kintetsu-side walk and JR-side Honden bus are different routes. For a special visit, check ritual suspensions and the additional fee.
Day 5: Naramachi walk, then departure
Take a short street walk if there is time before departure. For an early train, omit the walk and go straight to the station.
- Accommodation near your chosen Nara station → Naramachi streets
Use Gangoji (Gokurakubo), 11 Nakaincho, as a reference for a walk through nearby Naramachi. Official walks of about 20 minutes from JR Nara or 15 minutes from Kintetsu-Nara describe temple access, not a full street walk. Temple interiors are excluded from basic costs.
Official temple accessNara City tourism association hours and fees
- Naramachi streets → Return towards your departure station
Head from your walk endpoint to the departure station. Finish with enough time to walk back and board your train.
Allow time from your walk endpoint to the departure station.
Included: Great Buddha Hall JPY 800 + Horyuji JPY 2,000 + Ishibutai JPY 500 + Kashiharajingu-mae east exit–Ishibutai bus JPY 440 each way, JPY 880 return (replace with JPY 750 relevant route day pass if chosen) + Kasugataisha general worship JPY 0
Additional costs: The following costs are excluded: JR, Kintetsu railway, city buses, Kasugataisha special visit, treasure museum, botanical garden, Gangoji interiors, accommodation, meals and final departure.
Adult admission and Asuka return buses total JPY 4,180, or JPY 4,050 with the relevant bus day pass. All railway travel, city buses, special visits, accommodation, meals and final departure are excluded. JR Nara and Kintetsu-Nara are different stations; choose travel to suit your hotel location and check date-specific times and fares separately.
Official Todai-ji visitor guidanceOfficial Nara Prefecture Horyuji fees and seasonal hoursNational park: revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walkCurrent Nara Kotsu guidanceJapanese opening and suspension guidanceOfficial Horyuji combined ticket, cash payment and admission cutoff
Nara Park and exhibitions, then move towards Asuka
See the Great Buddha Hall, museum and shrine, then move closer to Asuka. Stay two nights near Kintetsu-Nara Station and two near Kashiharajingu-mae Station. This plan excludes Horyuji and does not return to Nara after Asuka.
Day 1: Nara exhibitions
Start at Kintetsu-Nara Station. Travel to this local station and airport return journeys are excluded.
- Kintetsu-Nara Station → Approach to Todai-ji
Walk towards Noborioji for about 20 minutes to Todai-ji. This covers the temple approach; allow extra time through the grounds to the hall desk and for queues.
- Great Buddha Hall ticket desk → Great Buddha Hall and optional museum
Use the JPY 1,200 Great Buddha Hall and museum combined ticket. Museum hours are 9:30 am–5:30 pm from April to October (last entry 5 pm), and 9:30 am–5 pm from November to March (last entry 4:30 pm). These differ from the hall's hours; check notices for your date.
Official Todai-ji visitor guidanceOfficial Todai-ji visitor guidance
- Great Buddha Hall and optional museum → Your booked accommodation near Kintetsu-Nara Station
After a meal near the park, go to your booked accommodation near Kintetsu-Nara Station.
Check the hall's and museum's actual hours separately. For a late arrival leaving insufficient time for both, choose one.
Day 2: shrine worship
- Kintetsu-Nara Station → Approach to Kasugataisha
Walk about 25 minutes from Kintetsu-Nara Station to Kasugataisha. Add the JPY 700 special visit only when not suspended for rituals. The 25 minutes covers the shrine approach; follow signs to the general worship area and allow extra time for the grounds and queues.
English access guidanceJapanese opening and suspension guidance
- Kasugataisha general worship area → Your starting station and the same accommodation
After general worship and a meal nearby, return to the same accommodation for your second night. The treasure museum and botanical garden cost extra.
Official Kintetsu-Nara-to-shrine access is about 25 minutes. Allow separately for the grounds, worship, meals and return to your accommodation.
Day 3: move accommodation to Kashihara
- Kintetsu-Nara Station → Yamato-Saidaiji Station
Check out, take your bags and travel from Kintetsu-Nara to Yamato-Saidaiji. Use official journey search for your date to choose the Kashiharajingu-mae connection and fare together.
- Yamato-Saidaiji Station → Kashiharajingu-mae Station
Change onto the Kashihara Line route to Kashiharajingu-mae and get off there. Follow current platform and stop information, then go to your new accommodation. Check its station route, luggage storage and check-in times against your booking.
Move from Nara to Kashihara today. Look up the train connection and fare, timing arrival around your new accommodation's check-in. Have a meal and a rest near the station afterwards.
Day 4: Asuka's stone tomb
- Kashiharajingu-mae Station → Ishibutai bus stop
At Kashiharajingu-mae Station's east-exit stand 2, take an Asuka Station-bound bus stopping at Ishibutai. Check both directions in the weekday timetable or the timetable for Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays for your date. Allow time from your Kashihara accommodation to the east-exit stand.
Current Nara Kotsu guidanceOfficial village timetable, 1 September 2026–31 March 2027
- Ishibutai bus stop → Ishibutai Tumulus
Walk about three minutes from the Ishibutai stop to the tomb. Individual adult admission is JPY 500; hours are 9 am–5 pm, with last entry at 4:45 pm. Explore the tomb and have lunch nearby.
National park: revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walkAsuka tourism association: current Ishibutai fees and hours
- Ishibutai Tumulus → Your starting station and the same accommodation
After the tomb, return from the Ishibutai stop on a Kashiharajingu-mae-bound bus. Check your return service first, then go from the station to the same Kashihara accommodation. You do not take a Nara-bound train today.
Current Nara Kotsu guidanceOfficial village timetable, 1 September 2026–31 March 2027Current national park guidanceAsuka tourism association: current Ishibutai fees and hoursNational park: revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walkKintetsu routes and interchange stations
After the return bus, go back to your Kashihara accommodation rather than taking a Nara-bound train. Choose the weekday timetable or the timetable for Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays for your date and check the route to your hotel.
Day 5: Kashihara Jingu approach and final departure
- Accommodation near Kashiharajingu-mae Station → Shrine approach
Walk about 10 minutes from Kashiharajingu-mae Station's central exit towards the shrine. This differs from the Asuka buses' east exit. The official roughly 10-minute figure is station-to-shrine guidance, not a guaranteed time to a particular worship point.
- Shrine approach path → Return towards your departure station
Head from your walk endpoint to the departure station. Finish with enough time to walk back and board your train.
October–November opening guidance is 6:30 am–5:30 pm, subject to ritual exceptions. Today proposes only a return walk along the approach. General grounds access, special visits and the treasure hall are not included or counted as free. To add a grounds visit, ask the shrine about fees and access that day. Omit the walk before an early departure.
Included: Great Buddha Hall and museum combined ticket JPY 1,200 + Ishibutai JPY 500 + Asuka return bus JPY 880 (replace with JPY 750 day pass if chosen)
Additional costs: The following costs are excluded: Railways, city buses, accommodation, meals and final departure; Kasugataisha special visit; extra shrine grounds, special visit and treasure-hall access.
Adult costs total JPY 2,580: Great Buddha Hall and museum combined ticket JPY 1,200 + Ishibutai JPY 500 + Asuka return bus JPY 880. Replacing those buses with the relevant JPY 750 day pass makes JPY 2,450 for the same scope. Kasugataisha special visits JPY 700, railways, city buses, accommodation, meals and final departure are extra. The final-day shrine suggestion covers only the return approach walk; extra grounds, special visits and treasure-hall costs are excluded. Day three changes accommodation, so choose departure around actual train connections. Keep the final-day walk short enough for your departure train.
Official Todai-ji visitor guidanceNational park: revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walkCurrent Nara Kotsu guidance
Frequently asked questions
Does the Kashihara plan return to Nara after Asuka?
Itinerary B stays two nights in Nara followed by two in Kashihara. Get off the return bus at Kashiharajingu-mae and go to the same Kashihara accommodation. Itinerary A stays four nights in Nara and connects the bus with a Nara-bound train. Buses use the east exit. Check Nara return trains or the route to your hotel for the date and your actual booking separately.
Official Asuka sightseeing bus segment fares and day passKintetsu routes and interchange stations
Does a Kintetsu five-day pass include JR to Horyuji on a Nara and Iga trip?
JR Nara–Horyuji is excluded. The adult JPY 4,900 pass covers all Kintetsu lines and Iga Railway for five consecutive days. Asuka buses, limited-express tickets, admission and accommodation are extra. Choose actual Nara and Iga dates and rail segments before comparing ordinary tickets. Combining both full five-day Nara and Mie itineraries exceeds one pass's validity.
Official Kintetsu five-day pass fares, railway coverage and limited-express exclusionsOfficial Kintetsu pass eligibility, passport and digital tickets
Official sources and check dates
- Approach to Todai-ji ·
- Official Todai-ji visitor guidance ·
- Japanese opening and suspension guidance ·
- English access guidance ·
- Tourist office's exit-specific access ·
- Official temple access ·
- Nara City tourism association hours and fees ·
- Current national park guidance ·
- Official JR journey search ·
- Station platform guidance ·
- Current Nara Kotsu guidance ·
- Official village timetable, 1 September 2026–31 March 2027 ·
- Shrine exit and hours guidance ·
- Kintetsu ·
- Asuka tourism association: current Ishibutai fees and hours ·
- National park: revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walk ·
- Official Nara Prefecture Horyuji fees and seasonal hours ·
- Kintetsu routes and interchange stations ·
- Official Todai-ji visitor guidance ·
- Official Asuka sightseeing bus segment fares and day pass ·
- Official Horyuji combined ticket, cash payment and admission cutoff ·