Should I take an Asuka day trip or move accommodation to Kashihara?
For both Horyuji’s wooden architecture and Asuka’s tomb, see course A: four nights in Nara with separate day trips. To stay near Asuka after the hall, museum and shrine, see course B: two nights in Nara and two in Kashihara. Course A returns to Nara after Asuka; course B returns to your Kashihara accommodation. Shorten last-day sightseeing to suit departures from each base.
Choose a 5 days / 4 nights itinerary
A day each for Nara Park, Horyuji and Asuka
Stay four nights in Nara, giving the hall and shrine, Horyuji’s wooden architecture and Asuka’s tomb separate days. Choose JR Nara for return trips to Horyuji or Kintetsu-Nara for park walks and Asuka trains. Either base requires travel to the other railway station on some days.
A day each for Nara Park, Horyuji and Asuka →5 days / 4 nights BNara Park and exhibitions, then move towards Asuka
Visit the hall, museum and shrine, then move closer to Asuka. Stay two nights near Kintetsu-Nara and two near Kashiharajingu-mae. This course omits Horyuji and returns to Kashihara after Asuka.
Nara Park and exhibitions, then move towards Asuka →A day each for Nara Park, Horyuji and Asuka
Stay four nights in Nara, giving the hall and shrine, Horyuji’s wooden architecture and Asuka’s tomb separate days. Choose JR Nara for return trips to Horyuji or Kintetsu-Nara for park walks and Asuka trains. Either base requires travel to the other railway station on some days.
Day 1: Todaiji Great Buddha Hall
This course starts at your chosen Nara station. Travel to the starting station and return airport transfers are excluded.
- Your chosen Nara station → Todaiji access
From Kintetsu-Nara, walk about 20 minutes towards Noborioji to Todaiji. From JR Nara, take a bus stopping at Todaiji-Daibutsuden/Kasuga-Taisha-mae, then walk about five minutes. Check travel-date stands, fares and returns. These estimates reach Todaiji; allow extra time to reach hall reception through the grounds and queue.
- Todaiji access, then Great Buddha Hall reception → Great Buddha Hall visit
Individual adult hall admission is 800 yen cash. Hours are 07:30–17:30 April–October or 08:00–17:00 November–March. Museum/other halls are excluded.
- Great Buddha Hall → Return to the starting station and booked hotel
Eat near the park, then return to your hotel near the starting station. For a return to JR Nara, check bus times and fares for your date using official information.
Choose JR Nara or Kintetsu-Nara accommodation first. Check JR-side bus stands, fares and returns separately from walking routes.
Day 2: a return JR trip to Horyuji
- JR Nara Station → Horyuji South Gate
Take Yamatoji Line from JR Nara to Horyuji, then walk about 20 minutes from north exit to South Gate.
Tourist information: access by station exitJR official searchStation platform information
- Horyuji South Gate → Horyuji viewing areas
The adult combined ticket for Saiin Garan, Daihozoin and Toin Garan costs 2,000 yen, payable in cash. Hours are 08:00–17:00 February 22–November 3, or 08:00–16:30 November 4–February 21. Reception closes 30 minutes before closing; some buildings may be unavailable if you arrive late. Allow extra time beyond the South Gate for walking and visiting.
Nara Prefecture: Horyuji fees and seasonal hoursHoryuji: combined ticket, cash payment and reception closing time
- Horyuji viewing areas → Return to the same station and hotel
After lunch, return from the same station towards Nara. For a Kintetsu-Nara hotel, allow onward access from JR Nara too. Check JR return trains and fares for your date and follow local platform signs.
Tourist information: access by station exitJR official searchStation platform information
Add travel to/from JR Nara for a Kintetsu-Nara hotel. Check Horyuji reception cutoff and your JR return before visiting.
Day 3: Kintetsu and Asuka buses
- Kintetsu-Nara Station → Kashiharajingu-mae Station
Travel from Kintetsu-Nara via Yamato-Saidaiji to Kashiharajingu-mae.
- Kashiharajingu-mae east exit stand 2 → Ishibutai stop
Take an Asuka Station-bound service stopping at Ishibutai from stand 2 at the east exit. Choose return buses from the weekday or weekend and public-holiday timetable for your date. If arriving from Nara City, allow time between your train arrival and the bus stand.
Village: official timetable for September 1, 2026–March 31, 2027Nara Kotsu: current information
- Ishibutai stop → Ishibutai Tomb
Walk about three minutes from Ishibutai stop. Adult individual admission is 500 yen; hours are 09:00–17:00, last admission 16:45. View the tomb and eat nearby.
National park: revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walking accessAsuka Tourism Association: current Ishibutai fees and hours
- Ishibutai Tomb → Return to the same station and hotel
After lunch, return by Kashiharajingu-mae bus and Nara train to your hotel. JR-side hotels need onward access from Kintetsu-Nara.
Nara Kotsu: current informationVillage: official timetable for September 1, 2026–March 31, 2027Kintetsu: lines and transfer stations
Allow transfer time from the return bus at Kashiharajingu-mae to your Nara train. The three-minute stop–tomb walk does not include rail transfers.
Day 4: Kasuga Taisha
- Hotel near your chosen Nara station → Kasuga Taisha access
Walk about 25 minutes from Kintetsu-Nara or take a bus from JR Nara to Kasuga-Taisha-Honden. The walking estimate reaches the shrine; follow grounds signs to ordinary worship and allow extra time to walk through the grounds and queue.
- Kasuga Taisha ordinary worship point → Kasuga worship area
Visit the free ordinary worship point. Special worship adds 700 yen and is available 09:00–16:00, subject to ritual suspensions. Check dates and times before choosing it.
- Kasuga worship area → Return to the same station and hotel
Have a meal or rest nearby, then return to your hotel near the starting station. Basic costs cover ordinary worship; city buses and special worship are extra.
Kintetsu-side walks differ from JR-side Honden buses. Check ritual suspension and additional fee for special worship.
Day 5: Naramachi walks, then depart
Take a short street walk if departure time permits; omit it and go straight to the station for an early departure.
- Hotel near your chosen Nara station → Naramachi streets
Use Gangoji (Gokurakubo) at 11 Chuincho as a reference for nearby Naramachi streets. Official walking estimates of 20 minutes from JR Nara or 15 minutes from Kintetsu-Nara reach the temple; they do not cover a full street walk. Admission to the temple is outside basic costs.
Temple: official access informationNara City Tourism Association: hours and fees
- Naramachi streets → Return towards your departure station
Leave your walk endpoint for the departure station, allowing walking and boarding time.
Allow time from your walk endpoint to the departure station.
Included: Great Buddha Hall: 800 yen; Horyuji: 2,000 yen; Ishibutai: 500 yen; Kashiharajingu-mae east–Ishibutai buses: 440 yen × 2 = 880 yen, or eligible day pass 750 yen; ordinary Kasuga worship: 0 yen.
Extra costs: JR and Kintetsu rail, city buses, Kasuga special worship, National Treasure Hall, botanical garden, Gangoji admission, hotels, food and final onward travel.
Adult admission and Asuka buses total 4,180 yen, or 4,050 yen with the eligible day pass. All trains, city buses, special worship, hotels, food and final departure are excluded. JR Nara and Kintetsu-Nara are different stations; match transport to your hotel and check travel-date times and fares separately.
Todaiji: official visiting informationNara Prefecture: Horyuji fees and seasonal hoursNational park: revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walking accessNara Kotsu: current informationJapanese hours and suspension datesHoryuji: combined ticket, cash payment and reception closing time
Nara Park and exhibitions, then move towards Asuka
Visit the hall, museum and shrine, then move closer to Asuka. Stay two nights near Kintetsu-Nara and two near Kashiharajingu-mae. This course omits Horyuji and returns to Kashihara after Asuka.
Day 1: Nara exhibitions
This course starts at Kintetsu-Nara. Travel to the starting station and return airport transfers are excluded.
- Kintetsu-Nara Station → Todaiji access
Walk about 20 minutes towards Noborioji to Todaiji, then allow extra time to reach hall reception through the grounds and queue.
- Great Buddha Hall reception → Great Buddha Hall and optional museum
Use the 1,200-yen hall and museum ticket. Museum hours are 09:30–17:30 April–October, last admission 17:00, or 09:30–17:00 November–March, last admission 16:30. They differ from hall hours; check your date’s notices.
Todaiji: official visiting informationTodaiji: official visiting information
- Great Buddha Hall and optional museum → Booked hotel near Kintetsu-Nara
Eat near the park, then return to your booked hotel near Kintetsu-Nara.
Check hall and museum hours separately; choose one if late arrival leaves insufficient time for both.
Day 2: shrine worship
- Kintetsu-Nara Station → Kasuga Taisha access
Walk about 25 minutes from Kintetsu-Nara to Kasuga Taisha. Add 700-yen special worship only outside ritual suspensions. The estimate reaches the shrine; allow extra time to reach the ordinary worship point through the grounds and queue.
- Kasuga Taisha ordinary worship point → Return to the same station and hotel
After ordinary worship, eat nearby and return to the same hotel for your second night. The National Treasure Hall and botanical garden cost extra.
Station–shrine access is about 25 minutes. Allow grounds walks, worship, meals and hotel return separately.
Day 3: move your hotel to Kashihara
- Kintetsu-Nara Station → Yamato-Saidaiji Station
Check out with your luggage and travel from Kintetsu-Nara to Yamato-Saidaiji. Search your date’s Kashiharajingu-mae transfer and fare officially.
- Yamato-Saidaiji Station → Kashiharajingu-mae Station
Transfer to the Kashihara Line route towards Kashiharajingu-mae and alight there. Check same-day platforms/stops before continuing to your new hotel. Match station access, luggage storage and check-in to your booking.
Today you move from Nara to Kashihara. Check train transfers and fares and plan around your new hotel’s check-in time. Have a meal or rest near the station afterwards.
Day 4: Asuka tomb
- Kashiharajingu-mae Station → Ishibutai stop
Take an Asuka-bound bus stopping at Ishibutai from Kashiharajingu-mae east-exit stand 2. Choose return buses from the weekday or weekend and public-holiday timetable for your date. Allow time to reach the stand from your hotel.
Nara Kotsu: current informationVillage: official timetable for September 1, 2026–March 31, 2027
- Ishibutai stop → Ishibutai Tomb
Walk about three minutes from Ishibutai stop. Adult individual admission is 500 yen; hours are 09:00–17:00, last admission 16:45. View the tomb and eat nearby.
National park: revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walking accessAsuka Tourism Association: current Ishibutai fees and hours
- Ishibutai Tomb → Return to the same station and hotel
After viewing, take a Kashiharajingu-mae bus from Ishibutai. Choose your date’s return first, then walk to the same Kashihara hotel. Do not take a Nara train today.
Nara Kotsu: current informationVillage: official timetable for September 1, 2026–March 31, 2027National park: current informationAsuka Tourism Association: current Ishibutai fees and hoursNational park: revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walking accessKintetsu: lines and transfer stations
After the bus, return to your Kashihara hotel. This day does not require a Nara-bound train. Use the weekday or weekend and public-holiday timetable as appropriate and check the route to your hotel.
Day 5: Kashihara Jingu approach, then final departure
- Hotel near Kashiharajingu-mae → Shrine approach
Walk about ten minutes from the central exit to the shrine, distinct from the Asuka bus east exit. The official estimate reaches the shrine, not a specific worship point.
- Approach path → Return towards your departure station
Leave your walk endpoint for the departure station, allowing walking and boarding time.
October–November opening guidance gives 06:30–17:30, subject to ritual exceptions. This day suggests only approach-path walks. Grounds, special worship and Treasure Hall are neither included nor counted as free. For additional visits, ask the shrine about fees and same-day access. Omit walks for early departure.
Included: Hall/museum combined ticket: 1,200 yen; Ishibutai: 500 yen; Asuka buses: 880 yen return, or 750-yen day pass instead.
Extra costs: Trains, city buses, hotels, food, final departure, Kasuga special worship and additional Kashihara shrine grounds, special worship and Treasure Hall visits.
The hall and museum ticket at 1,200 yen, Ishibutai admission at 500 yen and Asuka buses at 880 yen total 2,580 yen per adult. Replacing return singles with the eligible 750-yen day pass gives 2,450 yen. Kasuga special worship costs another 700 yen. Trains, city buses, accommodation, meals and final departure are extra. The final-day shrine visit covers the approach walk only; grounds, special worship and Treasure Hall costs are excluded. Day 3 is a hotel move; coordinate your date’s trains. Keep final-day walks short for departure.
Todaiji: official visiting informationNational park: revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walking accessNara Kotsu: current information
Frequently asked questions
After moving to Kashihara, do I still return to Nara after Asuka?
Course B stays two nights in Nara followed by two in Kashihara. After the return bus to Kashiharajingu-mae, go to the same Kashihara accommodation. Course A stays four nights in Nara and connects the bus with a Nara-bound train. Buses use the east exit; check return rail journeys and the route to your booked hotel for your travel date.
Asuka sightseeing loop bus: fares and day passKintetsu: lines and transfer stations
Can the Kintetsu five-day pass cover a JR return trip to Horyuji when visiting Nara and Iga?
The JR Nara–Horyuji journey is excluded. The adult 4,900-yen pass covers all Kintetsu lines and Iga Railway for five consecutive days. Asuka buses, limited express tickets, admission and accommodation are separate. Choose your Nara and Iga dates and rail sections, then compare ordinary tickets. Joining both full five-day Nara and Mie itineraries exceeds one pass’s validity.
Kintetsu five-day pass: fares, rail coverage and limited express exclusionsKintetsu pass: eligibility, passport and digital tickets
Official sources and check dates
- Todaiji access ·
- Todaiji: official visiting information ·
- Japanese hours and suspension dates ·
- English access ·
- Tourist information: access by station exit ·
- Temple: official access information ·
- Nara City Tourism Association: hours and fees ·
- National park: current information ·
- JR official search ·
- Station platform information ·
- Nara Kotsu: current information ·
- Village: official timetable for September 1, 2026–March 31, 2027 ·
- Shrine: station exits and hours ·
- Kintetsu ·
- Asuka Tourism Association: current Ishibutai fees and hours ·
- National park: revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walking access ·
- Nara Prefecture: Horyuji fees and seasonal hours ·
- Kintetsu: lines and transfer stations ·
- Todaiji: official visiting information ·
- Asuka sightseeing loop bus: fares and day pass ·
- Horyuji: combined ticket, cash payment and reception closing time ·