Visit Asuka for the day or move your hotel to Kashihara?
To see both Horyuji Temple’s wooden buildings and Asuka’s burial mounds, consider Course A: four nights in Nara with a separate day trip to each area. Course B pairs the Great Buddha Hall, museum and shrine with two nights in Nara and two in Kashihara, closer to Asuka. After Asuka, Course A returns to Nara, while Course B returns to your Kashihara hotel. Shorten the final day’s sightseeing to fit your departure from either base.
Choose a 5 days, 4 nights itinerary
Separate Nara Park, Horyuji and Asuka days
Stay four Nara nights for separate hall/shrine, Horyuji wooden architecture and Asuka tomb visits. Choose JR Nara for Horyuji returns or Kintetsu Nara for park walks/Asuka trains. Either choice requires travel to the other railway station on some days.
Separate Nara Park, Horyuji and Asuka days →5 days, 4 nights BNara Park/exhibits, then move accommodation towards Asuka
See hall/art and shrine, then move closer to Asuka. Stay two nights near Kintetsu Nara and two near Kashiharajingumae. No Horyuji visit or Nara return after Asuka.
Nara Park/exhibits, then move accommodation towards Asuka →Separate Nara Park, Horyuji and Asuka days
Stay four Nara nights for separate hall/shrine, Horyuji wooden architecture and Asuka tomb visits. Choose JR Nara for Horyuji returns or Kintetsu Nara for park walks/Asuka trains. Either choice requires travel to the other railway station on some days.
Day 1: Todai-ji Great Buddha Hall
Start at your chosen Nara station. Travel there and airport returns are excluded.
- Chosen Nara station → Todai-ji approach
From Kintetsu Nara, walk approximately twenty minutes towards Noborioji. From JR Nara, take a bus stopping at Todaiji Daibutsuden/Kasuga Taisha-mae, then walk approximately five minutes to Todai-ji. Check actual-date bays/fares/returns officially. These estimate temple access only; allow internal walks to hall reception and waits separately.
- Todai-ji approach, then hall reception → Great Buddha Hall visit
Individual adult hall admission costs ¥800, payable in cash. Hours 07:30–17:30 April–October; 08:00–17:00 November–March. Art museum and other halls are excluded.
- Great Buddha Hall → Departure station and booked accommodation
Eat near the park and go to booked accommodation near your departure station. For JR Nara returns, check actual-date bus times/fares officially.
Choose JR Nara versus Kintetsu Nara accommodation first. JR-side city-bus bays/fares/returns require checks separate from walking routes.
Day 2: Horyuji return by JR
- JR Nara Station → Horyuji Nandaimon Gate
Take the Yamatoji Line from JR Nara to Horyuji, then walk approximately twenty minutes from the north exit to Nandaimon.
Tourist information access by exitOfficial JR searchPlatform guidance
- Horyuji Nandaimon Gate → Horyuji visiting areas
Adult combined admission to Saiin Garan, Daihozoin and Toin Garan costs ¥2,000, payable in cash. Hours 08:00–17:00 on 22 February–3 November; 08:00–16:30 on 4 November–21 February. Reception ends thirty minutes before closing; late arrivals may miss some facilities. Allow grounds walking/visits after Nandaimon separately.
Official prefectural Horyuji fees and seasonal hoursOfficial Horyuji combined tickets, cash and reception cutoff
- Horyuji visiting areas → Departure station and same accommodation
After lunch, take a Nara-bound train from the same station. Kintetsu Nara accommodation requires additional JR Nara-to-property travel. Check actual-date returns/fares officially and follow on-site platform signs.
Tourist information access by exitOfficial JR searchPlatform guidance
If staying near Kintetsu Nara, allow travel from JR Nara back to your accommodation after the return train. Check Horyuji’s admission deadline and choose your JR return before visiting.
Day 3: Kintetsu and Asuka buses
- Kintetsu Nara Station → Kashiharajingumae Station
Travel from Kintetsu Nara via Yamato-Saidaiji to Kashiharajingumae.
- Kashiharajingumae east-exit bay 2 → Ishibutai bus stop
Take an Asuka Station-bound bus stopping at Ishibutai from east-exit bay 2. Check outward/return services in the weekday or weekend/public-holiday timetable for your date. From Nara city, also allow train-arrival-to-bus-bay time.
Official village timetable for 2026-09-01–2027-03-31Current Nara Kotsu guidance
- Ishibutai bus stop → Ishibutai Tumulus
Walk approximately three minutes from Ishibutai stop to the tomb. Individual adult admission is ¥500; hours 09:00–17:00, last admission 16:45. Visit and have lunch nearby.
National park 2026 Ishibutai fees and walking guidanceAsuka tourism association current Ishibutai fees/hours
- Ishibutai Tumulus → Departure station and same accommodation
After lunch, return by bus to Kashiharajingumae, then take Nara trains back to accommodation. JR-side accommodation needs further travel from Kintetsu Nara.
Current Nara Kotsu guidanceOfficial village timetable for 2026-09-01–2027-03-31Kintetsu lines and transfer stations
Allow a Nara-bound train transfer after the Asuka bus reaches Kashiharajingumae. The three-minute stop-to-tomb walk does not include rail transfer time.
Day 4: Kasugataisha Shrine
- Accommodation near your chosen Nara station → Kasugataisha Shrine approach
Walk approximately twenty-five minutes from Kintetsu Nara or use a JR Nara Honden bus. The estimate is shrine access only; follow grounds signs to ordinary worship and allow internal walks/waits separately.
- Kasuga ordinary worship area → Kasuga worship areas
Use free ordinary worship. Main-sanctuary special worship adds ¥700, with 09:00–16:00 hours. Choose after checking ceremony suspension dates/times.
- Kasuga worship areas → Departure station and same accommodation
Eat/rest nearby and return to accommodation near your original station. Basic costs cover ordinary worship; city buses and special worship are extra.
Kintetsu-side walks and JR-side Honden buses are different routes. For special worship, check ceremony suspension and separate admission.
Day 5: Naramachi walk before departure
Take a short street walk if time permits. For early departures, omit it and go directly to the station.
- Accommodation near your chosen Nara station → Naramachi streets
Walk Naramachi around Gangoji (Gokurakubo) at 11 Nakanoin-cho. Official walks of approximately twenty minutes from JR Nara/fifteen from Kintetsu Nara describe Gangoji access, not the whole street walk. Interior temple admission is excluded from basic costs.
Official temple accessNara tourism association hours and fees
- Naramachi streets → Return towards the departure station
Go from your walk endpoint to the departure station. Finish walking with time to reach the station and board.
Allow endpoint-to-departure-station travel time.
Included: Great Buddha Hall ¥800 + Horyuji ¥2,000 + Ishibutai ¥500 + Kashiharajingumae east–Ishibutai buses ¥440 each way/¥880 return (replaced by ¥750 for the relevant day pass) + ordinary Kasuga worship ¥0
Extra costs: JR/Kintetsu rail, city buses, Kasuga special worship/National Treasure Hall/botanical garden, Gangoji interior, accommodation, meals and final departures
Adult admission/Asuka return buses total ¥4,180, or ¥4,050 with the relevant day pass. All rail, city buses, special worship, accommodation, meals and final departure excluded. JR Nara and Kintetsu Nara are separate; choose travel by property location and check actual-date times/fares separately.
Official Todai-ji visitor informationOfficial prefectural Horyuji fees and seasonal hoursNational park 2026 Ishibutai fees and walking guidanceCurrent Nara Kotsu guidanceJapanese operating/suspension datesOfficial Horyuji combined tickets, cash and reception cutoff
Nara Park/exhibits, then move accommodation towards Asuka
See hall/art and shrine, then move closer to Asuka. Stay two nights near Kintetsu Nara and two near Kashiharajingumae. No Horyuji visit or Nara return after Asuka.
Day 1: Nara exhibits
Start at Kintetsu Nara Station. Travel to this station and airport returns are excluded.
- Kintetsu Nara Station → Todai-ji approach
Walk approximately twenty minutes towards Noborioji to Todai-ji. This estimates temple access only; allow internal walks to hall reception and waits separately.
- Great Buddha Hall reception → Hall and chosen art museum
Use the ¥1,200 hall/art combined ticket. Museum hours 09:30–17:30 April–October, last admission 17:00; 09:30–17:00 November–March, last admission 16:30. These differ from hall hours; check visit-date notices.
Official Todai-ji visitor informationOfficial Todai-ji visitor information
- Hall and chosen art museum → Booked accommodation near Kintetsu Nara
Eat near the park, then go to booked Kintetsu Nara accommodation.
Check hall/museum hours separately. Choose one if late arrival prevents seeing both.
Day 2: shrine worship
- Kintetsu Nara Station → Kasugataisha Shrine approach
Walk approximately twenty-five minutes from Kintetsu Nara to Kasugataisha Shrine. Add ¥700 special worship only outside ceremony suspensions. The estimate is shrine access only; follow signs to ordinary worship and allow grounds walks/waits separately.
- Kasuga ordinary worship area → Departure station and same accommodation
After ordinary worship, eat nearby and return for the second night at the same property. National Treasure Hall/botanical garden cost extra.
Kintetsu Nara-to-shrine access is approximately twenty-five minutes. Grounds walks, worship, meals and accommodation return are extra.
Day 3: move accommodation to Kashihara
- Kintetsu Nara Station → Yamato-Saidaiji Station
Check out with luggage and travel from Kintetsu Nara to Yamato-Saidaiji. Choose actual-date Kashiharajingumae connections/fares in the official route search.
- Yamato-Saidaiji Station → Kashiharajingumae Station
Transfer onto the Kashihara Line route towards Kashiharajingumae. Check platforms/stops that day, then go to new accommodation. Match station access, luggage storage and check-in with your booking.
An accommodation move from Nara to Kashihara. Search train transfers/fares and travel to fit new check-in. Eat/rest near the station afterwards.
Day 4: Asuka tomb
- Kashiharajingumae Station → Ishibutai bus stop
Take an Asuka Station-bound bus stopping at Ishibutai from Kashiharajingumae east-exit bay 2. Choose weekday/weekend/public-holiday return timetables for your date. Allow accommodation-to-bay travel.
Current Nara Kotsu guidanceOfficial village timetable for 2026-09-01–2027-03-31
- Ishibutai bus stop → Ishibutai Tumulus
Walk approximately three minutes from Ishibutai stop to the tomb. Individual adult admission is ¥500; hours 09:00–17:00, last admission 16:45. Visit and have lunch nearby.
National park 2026 Ishibutai fees and walking guidanceAsuka tourism association current Ishibutai fees/hours
- Ishibutai Tumulus → Departure station and same accommodation
After visiting, take a Kashiharajingumae bus from Ishibutai. Check returns first and go from station to the same Kashihara accommodation. No Nara train that day.
Current Nara Kotsu guidanceOfficial village timetable for 2026-09-01–2027-03-31Current national park guidanceAsuka tourism association current Ishibutai fees/hoursNational park 2026 Ishibutai fees and walking guidanceKintetsu lines and transfer stations
Return from the bus to Kashihara accommodation without taking a Nara train. Choose the correct weekday/weekend/public-holiday timetable and check accommodation access.
Day 5: Kashihara Jingu and final departure
- Kashiharajingumae area accommodation → Shrine approach
Walk approximately ten minutes from the station's central exit to Kashihara Jingu, distinct from Asuka buses' east exit. Official ten-minute guidance is station-to-shrine access, not a confirmed time to a particular worship point.
- Approach path → Return towards the departure station
Go from your walk endpoint to the departure station. Finish walking with time to reach the station and board.
Listed October–November gate hours 06:30–17:30, subject to ceremony exceptions. Only an approach return walk is proposed. Grounds, special worship and Treasure Hall visits are neither included nor counted free. For extra grounds visits, confirm costs and same-day scope with the shrine. Omit this walk for early departures.
Included: Hall/art combined ticket ¥1,200 + Ishibutai ¥500 + Asuka return buses ¥880 (replaced by ¥750 with the relevant day pass)
Extra costs: Rail, city buses, accommodation, meals, final departure, Kasuga special worship and extra Kashihara grounds/special worship/Treasure Hall visits
Adult hall/art combined ticket ¥1,200 + Ishibutai ¥500 + Asuka return buses ¥880 total ¥2,580. Replacing buses with the relevant ¥750 day pass makes the same scope ¥2,450. Kasuga special worship ¥700, rail, city buses, accommodation, meals and final departure extra. The final shrine day proposes approach walks only; extra grounds/special worship/Treasure Hall costs are excluded. Day 3 moves accommodation; depart to fit actual-date rail connections. Keep final-day walks short enough for departure trains.
Official Todai-ji visitor informationNational park 2026 Ishibutai fees and walking guidanceCurrent Nara Kotsu guidance
Frequently asked questions
Does the route with a Kashihara hotel return to Nara after Asuka?
Course B has two nights in Nara followed by two in Kashihara. Take the return bus to Kashiharajingumae Station, then go back to the same Kashihara hotel. Course A stays in Nara for all four nights, so you also need to connect with a train to Nara after the bus. Buses use the station’s east exit. Check the Nara train connection and the route to your booked hotel for your travel date.
Official Asuka sightseeing bus section fares and day passKintetsu lines and transfer stations
Can I use the Kintetsu five-day pass for the JR return trip to Horyuji when visiting Nara and Iga?
The JR journey between Nara and Horyuji stations is excluded. The adult ¥4,900 five-day pass covers all Kintetsu lines and Iga Railway for five consecutive days. Asuka buses, limited express tickets, admission and accommodation are also separate. Choose your Nara and Iga dates and actual rail journeys before comparing the pass with ordinary tickets. Combining both five-day Nara and Mie itineraries exceeds one pass’s validity.
Official Kintetsu five-day pass prices/rail coverage/limited express exclusionsOfficial Kintetsu pass eligibility, passports and digital tickets
Official sources and check dates
- Todai-ji approach ·
- Official Todai-ji visitor information ·
- Japanese operating/suspension dates ·
- English access guidance ·
- Tourist information access by exit ·
- Official temple access ·
- Nara tourism association hours and fees ·
- Current national park guidance ·
- Official JR search ·
- Platform guidance ·
- Current Nara Kotsu guidance ·
- Official village timetable for 2026-09-01–2027-03-31 ·
- Shrine exit and hour guidance ·
- Kintetsu ·
- Asuka tourism association current Ishibutai fees/hours ·
- National park 2026 Ishibutai fees and walking guidance ·
- Official prefectural Horyuji fees and seasonal hours ·
- Kintetsu lines and transfer stations ·
- Official Todai-ji visitor information ·
- Official Asuka sightseeing bus section fares and day pass ·
- Official Horyuji combined tickets, cash and reception cutoff ·