Where should I stay, and what should I see in Nara?
Look near Kintetsu-Nara if you want to walk to Nara Park and its shrine, or near JR Nara for a return rail trip to Horyuji. Give Asuka a separate day after matching local buses with your return journey.
Would you like to see the Great Buddha, a shrine, temples or a tomb?
Start at Nara Park for a close look at the Great Buddha or a lantern-lined shrine approach. Horyuji’s old wooden buildings and Ishibutai’s enormous stone chamber lie outside Nara City, requiring separate rail or bus trips.
Itineraries by trip length
Your departure station and accommodation depend on whether you walk between the Great Buddha Hall and shrine, or devote a day to Horyuji or Asuka. Open a course below for daily visiting and return arrangements and included costs. Airport transfers and final departure fares are separate.
2 days / 1 night
Base yourself near Kintetsu-Nara for separate walking days at the park and shrine, or stay near JR Nara and visit Horyuji on day one. Shorten day-two sightseeing to fit your departure time.
3 days / 2 nights
Visit Nara Park on day one, then choose Horyuji or the Asuka tomb on day two. You can add a short Naramachi walk on departure day.
4 days / 3 nights
Give the Great Buddha Hall and museum, and shrine worship, separate days. Visit Horyuji or Asuka on day three, returning to the same Nara accommodation.
5 days / 4 nights
Compare four nights in Nara with separate return trips to Horyuji and Asuka against two nights in Nara followed by two in Kashihara. Course A stays four nights in Nara; course B splits them between Nara and Kashihara. After moving to Kashihara, you return there after Asuka rather than travelling back to Nara City.
Accommodation bases
Around Kintetsu-Nara Station
Nara City · 奈良市 (Nara Prefecture · 奈良県)
Stay here to walk to Nara Park and Kasuga Taisha. JR Nara is a different station; allow separate travel there on Horyuji day.
Around JR Nara Station
Consider this base for JR day trips to Horyuji or onward JR trains. Reach Todaiji by city bus or a separate walking route.
Todaiji accessTourist information: access by station exitTemple: official access information
Around Kashiharajingu-mae Station
Compare moving here to reduce train travel back to Nara City on your Asuka day. First check luggage storage, check-in and access between the station and your hotel.
Before travel and booking
Which station should I use for Horyuji?
Kintetsu-Nara and JR Nara are different stations. Travel from JR Nara to Horyuji station, then walk about 20 minutes from the north exit to the South Gate. This estimate excludes temple visits, meals and the walk back to the station, so check your return train first.
JR official searchTourist information: access by station exit
Check Asuka buses and trains separately
Take a bus stopping at Ishibutai from stand 2 at Kashiharajingu-mae east exit, then return to the same station. Adult fares are 440 yen each way or 880 yen return; the applicable loop-bus day pass is 750 yen and excludes Kintetsu trains. The weekday example uses the September 1, 2026–March 31, 2027 timetable. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays have a separate timetable. Check your actual train and bus connections from Nara for your travel date.
Nara Kotsu: current informationVillage: official timetable for September 1, 2026–March 31, 2027
Walking scope on departure day from Kashihara
Kashihara Jingu is about ten minutes from Kashiharajingu-mae central exit, which differs from the east exit used for Asuka buses. This itinerary proposes only walking the approach and returning, using the official access guide. It includes neither ordinary grounds access, special worship nor the Treasure Hall, and does not count these as free. Ask the shrine about costs and access for any additional visit.
Separate Nara City walks from trips outside the city
Focus on Nara Park and Naramachi for the Great Buddha Hall, shrine and old streets. Add Horyuji in Ikaruga for more historic wooden architecture, or Ishibutai in Asuka for its large stone chamber. Both lie outside Nara City, so allow separate travel time beyond your city walks.
Nara Park: the Great Buddha Hall and shrine worship
See the Great Buddha up close and walk the lantern-lined shrine approach. From Kintetsu-Nara, Todaiji is about 20 minutes on foot towards Noborioji, while Kasuga Taisha is about 25 minutes away. Allow extra time to move through the grounds and queue at reception. See a three-night course if you want to give each place a day and visit the museum too.
Todaiji accessKasuga Taisha: worship and access by station exitOfficial Kasuga lanterns and red buildings
Naramachi · ならまち
Walk south from Kintetsu-Nara to explore old merchant houses, small shops and cafés. For a street walk followed by Gangoji (Gokurakubo), head to the temple at 11 Chuincho. Street exploration and paid temple admission are separate; leave time to return to your station on departure day.
Nara Prefecture tourism: Naramachi and walking accessTemple: official access information
Horyuji: a return JR trip to Ikaruga
Visit Horyuji for its five-storey pagoda, Main Hall and Buddhist art. From JR Nara, take a Yamatoji Line service stopping at Horyuji, then walk about 20 minutes from the north exit to the South Gate. Allow time to visit Saiin Garan, Daihozoin and Toin Garan, and walk back to the station.
Tourist information: access by station exitHoryuji: combined ticket, cash payment and reception closing timeNara Prefecture: Horyuji’s Main Hall, five-storey pagoda and Buddhist art
Asuka: visit the tomb and return to Kashihara
Visit Asuka to see Ishibutai’s exposed stone chamber. Take Kintetsu to Kashiharajingu-mae, then a bus from the east exit. Courses staying in Nara connect the return bus with a Nara-bound train; courses that move accommodation to Kashihara return to the same Kashihara hotel.
Kintetsu: lines and transfer stationsAsuka sightseeing loop bus: fares and day passNational park: Ishibutai’s exposed stone chamber
Nara Prefecture tourism: Naramachi and walking accessTourist information: access by station exitNational park: revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walking accessOfficial Kasuga lanterns and red buildingsNara Prefecture: Horyuji’s Main Hall, five-storey pagoda and Buddhist artNational park: Ishibutai’s exposed stone chamber
Check your departure station
| Section | Main travel sequence | Official access and travel-date searches |
|---|---|---|
| Kintetsu-Nara → Todaiji | Walk about 20 minutes towards Noborioji, then continue through the grounds to Great Buddha Hall reception. | Todaiji access and bus stops |
| JR Nara → Horyuji | Take the Yamatoji Line to Horyuji station, then leave by the north exit and walk about 20 minutes to the South Gate. | Horyuji station: access by exit |
| Nara station area → Gangoji (Gokurakubo) | Walk to the temple at 11 Chuincho, about 15 minutes from Kintetsu-Nara or 20 minutes from JR Nara. | Temple: official access information |
| Kashiharajingu-mae → Ishibutai | Take a bus from the east exit to Ishibutai stop, visit the tomb, then return to the same station. | Asuka bus fares and services |
Todaiji accessTourist information: access by station exitTemple: official access informationAsuka sightseeing loop bus: fares and day pass
Explore further
For Horyuji: JR
Look up outward and return trains between JR Nara and Horyuji stations for your travel date. These differ from trains departing Kintetsu-Nara.
For Asuka: Kintetsu and bus
Take Kintetsu from Nara to Kashiharajingu-mae, then a Nara Kotsu bus from the east exit to Ishibutai. Check rail and bus fares and return services separately.
Where to eat in Nara City
Use this to find meal options for Nara Park and Naramachi days. On Horyuji and Asuka days, plan meals where you are visiting and check your return transport.
What should I eat in Nara?
Kakinoha-zushi: sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves
Kakinoha-zushi · 柿の葉寿司 wraps salted mackerel and sushi rice in persimmon leaves before pressing them together. This Nara speciality has a tradition in Gojo and Yoshino and is also sold as a gift. Compare each shop’s fish, selection and prices.
Ministry of Agriculture: Nara kakinoha-zushi ingredients and traditional areas
Chagayu: rice porridge made with hojicha
Chagayu · 茶粥 is rice porridge cooked with hojicha, a roasted tea. Nara’s version is loose and watery. Look for it if you want a meal different from sushi, checking availability and accompaniments with the restaurant.
Ministry of Agriculture: Nara chagayu ingredients and serving style
Ministry of Agriculture: Nara kakinoha-zushi ingredients and traditional areasMinistry of Agriculture: Nara chagayu ingredients and serving style
Compare admission and transport costs separately
These are adult costs for selected facilities and transport sections. They are not total trip budgets including accommodation, meals and airport transfers, and not every facility is added to every course.
You can travel with ordinary tickets without a pass
The return trip to Horyuji uses JR, outside Kintetsu pass coverage. The Asuka bus day pass and Kintetsu rail pass are different products. Compare the Kintetsu five-day pass with ordinary tickets for your actual rail sections, valid dates and eligibility. Distinguish it from the five-day plus pass, which includes Asuka buses.
Kintetsu five-day pass: fares, rail coverage and limited express exclusionsKintetsu pass: eligibility, passport and digital ticketsAsuka sightseeing loop bus: fares and day pass
| Option | Confirmed cost | What is included and excluded |
|---|---|---|
| Great Buddha Hall only / hall and museum | 800 yen / combined ticket 1,200 yen | Other halls, transport, accommodation and meals are separate |
| Horyuji combined ticket | Adults 2,000 yen; cash payment | Saiin Garan, Daihozoin and Toin Garan; return JR fares are separate |
| Kashiharajingu-mae east side ↔ Ishibutai bus | 440 yen each way; 880 yen return / applicable day pass 750 yen | Using the applicable day pass for this return journey costs 130 yen less. Rail fares and tomb admission are separate. |
| Kintetsu five-day pass | Adults 4,900 yen; five consecutive days | Covers Kintetsu and Iga Railway. JR, Asuka buses with the standard pass, limited express tickets, facilities and accommodation are separate. |
Todaiji: official visiting informationHoryuji: combined ticket, cash payment and reception closing timeAsuka sightseeing loop bus: fares and day passKintetsu five-day pass: fares, rail coverage and limited express exclusionsKintetsu pass: eligibility, passport and digital tickets
Check where Nara Prefecture cameras are located
The Nara Prefecture camera list includes scenery from other cities and towns as well as city temples. Check filming locations and the original update time to find a view near your destination. The list alone does not establish that you can see inside Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, Horyuji, Gangoji or Ishibutai.
Frequently asked questions
Can I treat JR Nara and Kintetsu-Nara as the same departure station?
They are different stations. Travel to Horyuji from JR Nara; the Nara Park walking itinerary starts at Kintetsu-Nara. Choose accommodation with both your railway and actual departure station in mind.
Can I walk from Nara Park to Horyuji and Asuka?
Use rail and buses for these trips. Reach Horyuji from JR Nara via Horyuji station, then walk to the temple. For Ishibutai Tumulus, take Kintetsu to Kashiharajingu-mae, then a bus. To visit both, see course A: four nights in Nara with separate return trips on different days.
Tourist information: access by station exitAsuka sightseeing loop bus: fares and day pass
Official sources and check dates
- Todaiji access ·
- Ishibutai access ·
- Todaiji: official visiting information ·
- English access ·
- Tourist information: access by station exit ·
- Temple: official access information ·
- JR official search ·
- Nara Kotsu: current information ·
- Village: official timetable for September 1, 2026–March 31, 2027 ·
- Shrine: station exits and hours ·
- Kintetsu ·
- Nara Kotsu ·
- National park: revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walking access ·
- Kintetsu: lines and transfer stations ·
- Todaiji access ·
- Tourist information: access by station exit ·
- Kasuga Taisha: worship and access by station exit ·
- Asuka sightseeing loop bus: fares and day pass ·
- Horyuji: combined ticket, cash payment and reception closing time ·
- Nara Prefecture tourism: Naramachi and walking access ·
- Ministry of Agriculture: Nara kakinoha-zushi ingredients and traditional areas ·
- Ministry of Agriculture: Nara chagayu ingredients and serving style ·
- Official Kasuga lanterns and red buildings ·
- Nara Prefecture: Horyuji’s Main Hall, five-storey pagoda and Buddhist art ·
- National park: Ishibutai’s exposed stone chamber ·