Where should you stay, and what should you see in Nara?
Look near Kintetsu-Nara for walks to Nara Park and the shrine, or near JR Nara for return train trips to Horyuji. Give Asuka a separate day after matching local buses and return connections.
Would you like to see the Great Buddha Hall, a shrine, temples or a tomb?
Start in Nara Park to see the Great Buddha up close or walk a lantern-lined shrine approach. Horyuji’s ancient wooden buildings and Ishibutai Tomb’s massive stone chamber are outside Nara city and require separate train or bus journeys.
Itineraries by trip length
Your starting station and hotel base depend on whether you walk to the Great Buddha Hall and shrine or spend a day at Horyuji or Asuka. Select a route below for each day’s sightseeing and return sequence, and included costs. Airport transfers and onward fares are extra.
1 night, 2 days
Stay near Kintetsu-Nara and walk to the park and shrine on separate days, or stay near JR Nara and visit Horyuji on day 1. Shorten day 2 sightseeing to suit your departure.
2 nights, 3 days
See Nara Park on day 1, then choose Horyuji or Asuka’s ancient tomb for day 2. You can add a short Naramachi walk on your final day.
3 nights, 4 days
Give the Great Buddha Hall and museum one day, and shrine worship another. Visit Horyuji or Asuka on day 3, returning to the same Nara hotel.
4 nights, 5 days
Compare 4 nights in Nara with return visits to Horyuji and Asuka against 2 nights in Nara followed by 2 in Kashihara. Route A uses 4 Nara nights; route B uses 2 in Nara and 2 in Kashihara. If you move to Kashihara, you do not return to Nara city after visiting Asuka.
Where to stay
Around Kintetsu Nara Station
Nara City · 奈良市 (Nara Prefecture · 奈良県)
Stay here for walks to Nara Park and Kasuga Taisha. JR Nara is a separate station, so allow a separate journey there on the Horyuji day.
Around JR Nara Station
Look here for JR trips to Horyuji or onward rail travel. Todaiji requires a city bus or a separate walking route.
Todaiji approachTourist information centre access routes by exitTemple’s official access information
Around Kashiharajingu-mae Station
Compare moving here to reduce train journeys back to Nara City after Asuka. Check the new property’s luggage storage, check-in hours and station access first.
Before travelling or booking
Which station should I use for Horyuji?
Kintetsu-Nara and JR Nara are different stations. Take a train 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, so check your return train in advance.
JR official journey plannerTourist information centre access routes by exit
Check Asuka buses and trains separately
Take a bus stopping at Ishibutai from stand 2 on the east side of Kashiharajingu-mae and return to the same station. Adult fares are JPY 440 each way, JPY 880 return; the eligible loop-bus day pass is JPY 750 and excludes Kintetsu trains. The example weekday timetable applies from 2026-09-01 to 2027-03-31, with a separate weekend/public holiday timetable. Check the actual connection between trains from Nara and buses for your travel date.
Nara Kotsu current informationVillage’s official 2026-09-01–2027-03-31 timetable
Walk before departure from Kashihara
Kashihara Jingu is about 10 minutes from Kashiharajingu-mae’s central exit, separate from the east exit used for Asuka buses. This itinerary suggests only a return walk along the officially described shrine approach. Visits to the ordinary grounds, special worship and Treasure Hall are not included or counted as free. Ask the shrine separately about charges and the day’s access for any additional visit.
Separate city walks from visits outside Nara
Base your itinerary around Nara Park and Naramachi for the Great Buddha Hall, shrine and old streets. Add Horyuji in Ikaruga for more ancient wooden architecture, or Ishibutai in Asuka for its massive stone tomb. Both are outside Nara city, so allow travel time separately from city walks.
Nara Park: Great Buddha Hall and shrine worship
See the Great Buddha up close and walk the lantern-lined shrine approach. Todaiji is about 20 minutes along Noborioji from Kintetsu-Nara; Kasuga Taisha is about 25 minutes away. Walking within the grounds and admission queues take extra time. Consider a 3-night route if you want a day for each and a museum visit.
Todaiji approachKasuga Taisha official worship and access by exitKasuga Taisha’s official 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 both the lanes and Gangoji (Gokurakubo), use the temple at 11 Chuincho as your destination. Street walks and paid temple admission are separate. Leave time to return to the station on departure day.
Nara Prefecture tourism: Naramachi neighbourhood and walking accessTemple’s official access information
Horyuji: a return JR journey to Ikaruga
Visit Horyuji for its five-storey pagoda, Kondo hall and Buddhist artworks. From JR Nara, take a Yamatoji Line service that stops at Horyuji, then walk about 20 minutes from the north exit to the South Gate. Allow time for the Western Precinct, Great Treasure Gallery and Eastern Precinct, and the walk back to the station.
Tourist information centre access routes by exitHoryuji official joint ticket, cash payment and admission deadlineNara Prefecture’s official Horyuji Kondo, five-storey pagoda and Buddhist art information
Asuka: visit the tomb, then return to Kashihara
Visit Asuka to see Ishibutai Tomb’s exposed stone chamber. Take Kintetsu trains to Kashiharajingu-mae, then a bus from the east exit. Routes based in Nara require a Nara-bound train after the return bus; routes that move to Kashihara return to the same Kashihara hotel.
Kintetsu lines and interchange stationsAsuka sightseeing bus official section fares and day passExposed stone chamber of Ishibutai Tomb in the national park
Nara Prefecture tourism: Naramachi neighbourhood and walking accessTourist information centre access routes by exitNational park’s revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walking accessKasuga Taisha’s official lanterns and red shrine buildingsNara Prefecture’s official Horyuji Kondo, five-storey pagoda and Buddhist art informationExposed stone chamber of Ishibutai Tomb in the national park
Check which station you start from
| Section | Main travel sequence | Official access and travel-date checks |
|---|---|---|
| Kintetsu-Nara → Todaiji | Walk about 20 minutes along Noborioji → walk within the grounds → Great Buddha Hall admission desk | Todaiji approach and bus-stop information |
| JR Nara → Horyuji | Yamatoji Line to Horyuji Station → north exit → about 20 minutes on foot to the South Gate | Horyuji Station access by exit |
| Nara station area → Gangoji (Gokurakubo) | 11 Chuincho; about 15 minutes on foot from Kintetsu-Nara or 20 minutes from JR Nara | Temple’s official access information |
| Kashiharajingu-mae → Ishibutai | Bus from east exit → Ishibutai stop → tomb visit → return to the same station | Asuka bus fares and services |
Todaiji approachTourist information centre access routes by exitTemple’s official access informationAsuka sightseeing bus official section fares and day pass
Related guides
For Horyuji: JR trains
Check return trains between JR Nara and Horyuji for your date. These differ from trains departing Kintetsu-Nara.
For Asuka: Kintetsu trains and buses
Use Kintetsu between Nara and Kashiharajingu-mae, then Nara Kotsu buses from the station’s east side 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 or Naramachi days. On Horyuji and Asuka days, plan meals in the area you are visiting and check return transport.
Nara Prefecture tourism: Naramachi neighbourhood and walking access
Which local foods could you try in Nara?
Kakinoha-zushi: sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves
Kakinoha-zushi · 柿の葉寿司 is pressed sushi made with salted mackerel and sushi rice wrapped in persimmon leaves. This Nara speciality has traditions in Gojo and Yoshino and is also sold as a gift. Check each shop’s fish varieties, assortments and prices.
Chagayu: rice porridge made with hojicha
Chagayu · 茶粥 is rice porridge cooked with roasted hojicha tea. Nara’s version tends to be loose and watery. Look for it on menus if you want a meal different from sushi; availability and accompaniments vary by restaurant.
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Nara chagayu ingredients and serving customs
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Nara kakinoha-zushi ingredients and traditional areasMinistry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Nara chagayu ingredients and serving customs
Separate admission from train and bus costs
These are adult costs for selected facilities and transport sections. They are not total trip budgets including accommodation, meals and airport transfers, and you do not add every facility to every route.
You can also travel with ordinary tickets
The return journey to Horyuji uses JR, outside the Kintetsu pass’s coverage. The Asuka bus day pass and Kintetsu rail pass are also separate products. Compare the Kintetsu 5-day pass with ordinary tickets for your actual rail journeys, validity dates and eligibility, and distinguish it from the 5-day Plus pass that includes Asuka buses.
Kintetsu 5-day pass official prices, rail coverage and limited express exclusionsKintetsu pass official eligibility, passport and digital ticket requirementsAsuka sightseeing bus official section fares and day pass
| Option | Verified cost | Included and excluded |
|---|---|---|
| Great Buddha Hall only / hall and museum | JPY 800 / joint ticket JPY 1,200 | Other halls, transport, accommodation and meals cost extra. |
| Horyuji joint ticket | Adults JPY 2,000, cash only | The ticket includes the Western Precinct, Great Treasure Gallery and Eastern Precinct. Return JR fares cost extra. |
| Bus: east side of Kashiharajingu-mae ↔ Ishibutai | JPY 440 each way, JPY 880 return / eligible day pass JPY 750 | Replacing the eligible route’s return fares with its day pass costs JPY 130 less. Trains and tomb admission are extra. |
| Kintetsu 5-day pass | Adults JPY 4,900 for 5 consecutive days | The pass covers Kintetsu and Iga Railway. JR trains, Asuka buses with the standard pass, limited express tickets, admission and accommodation cost extra. |
Todaiji official visitor informationHoryuji official joint ticket, cash payment and admission deadlineAsuka sightseeing bus official section fares and day passKintetsu 5-day pass official prices, rail coverage and limited express exclusionsKintetsu pass official eligibility, passport and digital ticket requirements
Check where Nara Prefecture’s cameras are located
The Nara camera list covers views in other cities and towns as well as city temples. Check each camera’s location and original update time to find a view near your destination. The list alone does not establish views inside Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, Horyuji, Gangoji or Ishibutai.
Frequently asked questions
Can I treat JR Nara and Kintetsu-Nara as the same starting station?
They are different stations. For Horyuji, travel from JR Nara to Horyuji Station; the Nara Park walking itinerary starts at Kintetsu-Nara. Choose your hotel with both the railway and actual departure station in mind.
Todaiji approachTourist information centre access routes by exit
Can I continue on foot from Nara Park to Horyuji and Asuka?
Use trains and buses to reach these areas from Nara Park. For Horyuji, take a train from JR Nara to Horyuji Station, then walk. For Ishibutai Tomb, take Kintetsu trains to Kashiharajingu-mae, then a bus. If you want both, consider the 4-night Nara itinerary, route A, with a separate return visit on each day.
Tourist information centre access routes by exitAsuka sightseeing bus official section fares and day pass
Official sources and confirmation dates
- Todaiji approach ·
- Ishibutai access ·
- Todaiji official visitor information ·
- Access information in English ·
- Tourist information centre access routes by exit ·
- Temple’s official access information ·
- JR official journey planner ·
- Nara Kotsu current information ·
- Village’s official 2026-09-01–2027-03-31 timetable ·
- Shrine exit and hours information ·
- Kintetsu ·
- Nara Kotsu ·
- National park’s revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walking access ·
- Kintetsu lines and interchange stations ·
- Todaiji approach ·
- Tourist information centre access routes by exit ·
- Kasuga Taisha official worship and access by exit ·
- Asuka sightseeing bus official section fares and day pass ·
- Horyuji official joint ticket, cash payment and admission deadline ·
- Nara Prefecture tourism: Naramachi neighbourhood and walking access ·
- Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Nara kakinoha-zushi ingredients and traditional areas ·
- Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Nara chagayu ingredients and serving customs ·
- Kasuga Taisha’s official lanterns and red shrine buildings ·
- Nara Prefecture’s official Horyuji Kondo, five-storey pagoda and Buddhist art information ·
- Exposed stone chamber of Ishibutai Tomb in the national park ·