Visit Asuka from Nara or move your base to Kashihara?
For both Horyuji’s wooden architecture and Asuka’s tomb, consider route A with 4 Nara nights and a separate day for each. Route B gives you 2 Nara nights followed by 2 Kashihara nights after the hall, museum and shrine. Route A returns to Nara after Asuka; route B returns to the Kashihara hotel. Shorten final-day sightseeing to suit your departure from either base.
Choose a 4 nights, 5 days itinerary
A day each for Nara Park, Horyuji and Asuka
Stay four nights in Nara for separate Great Buddha, shrine, Horyuji architecture and Asuka tomb days. Choose JR Nara for Horyuji access or Kintetsu Nara for park walks and Asuka trains. Either base involves travelling to the other railway station on some days.
A day each for Nara Park, Horyuji and Asuka →4 nights, 5 days BNara Park and exhibitions, then move closer to Asuka
Visit the Great Buddha Hall, museum and shrine, then move closer to Asuka. Spend 2 nights near Kintetsu-Nara and 2 near Kashiharajingu-mae. This route does not visit Horyuji or return to Nara after sightseeing in Asuka.
Nara Park and exhibitions, then move closer to Asuka →A day each for Nara Park, Horyuji and Asuka
Stay four nights in Nara for separate Great Buddha, shrine, Horyuji architecture and Asuka tomb days. Choose JR Nara for Horyuji access or Kintetsu Nara for park walks and Asuka trains. Either base involves travelling to the other railway station on some days.
Day one: Todaiji Great Buddha Hall
Start at your chosen Nara station. Transport to the starting station and airport transfers are excluded.
- Chosen Nara station → Todaiji approach
From Kintetsu Nara, walk towards Noborioji for about 20 minutes. From JR Nara, take a bus stopping at Todaiji Daibutsuden/Kasuga Taisha-mae and walk about five minutes. Check boarding points, fares and return bus times officially for your date. These estimates describe temple access; add grounds walking and hall reception queues.
- Todaiji approach, then Great Buddha Hall reception → Great Buddha Hall visit
Individual adult hall admission is JPY 800 cash. Hours are 07:30–17:30 in April–October and 08:00–17:00 in November–March. The museum and other halls are excluded from this ticket.
- Great Buddha Hall → Starting station and booked accommodation
Have a meal near the park and go to your booked accommodation near the starting station. For a JR Nara return, check bus times and fares for your date officially.
First decide whether accommodation is near JR or Kintetsu Nara. JR-side city bus boarding points, fares and return services need separate checks from the walking route.
Day two: JR Horyuji return trip
- JR Nara Station → Horyuji South Gate
Take the Yamatoji Line from JR Nara to Horyuji and walk about 20 minutes from the north exit to the South Gate.
Tourist information centre access routes by exitJR official journey plannerStation platform information
- Horyuji South Gate → Horyuji visiting areas
Adult joint admission to the Western Precinct, Great Treasure Gallery and Eastern Precinct costs JPY 2,000 cash. Hours are 08:00–17:00 from 22 February to 3 November and 08:00–16:30 from 4 November to 21 February. Reception ends 30 minutes before closing; late arrivals may miss some facilities. Allow extra grounds walking and visiting time beyond the South Gate.
Nara Prefecture’s official Horyuji fees and seasonal hoursHoryuji official joint ticket, cash payment and admission deadline
- Horyuji visiting areas → Starting station and the same accommodation
After lunch, return towards Nara from the same station. Kintetsu-side accommodation requires additional time from JR Nara to your property. Check return trains and fares in JR’s official search and follow local platform signs.
Tourist information centre access routes by exitJR official journey plannerStation platform information
For Kintetsu Nara accommodation, add journeys to and from JR Nara. Check Horyuji reception deadlines and your return train before visiting.
Day three: Kintetsu and Asuka buses
- Kintetsu Nara Station → Kashiharajingu-mae Station
Take Kintetsu trains from Kintetsu-Nara to Kashiharajingu-mae via Yamato-Saidaiji.
- Kashiharajingu-mae east-exit stand 2 → Ishibutai bus stop
From east-exit stand 2, take an Asuka Station-bound bus stopping at Ishibutai. Check return services in the weekday or weekend/public-holiday timetable for your date. From Nara City, allow time after the train to reach the bus stand too.
Village’s official 2026-09-01–2027-03-31 timetableNara Kotsu current information
- Ishibutai bus stop → Ishibutai Tomb
Walk about 3 minutes from Ishibutai bus stop to the tomb. Individual adult admission is JPY 500. It opens from 09:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:45. Visit the tomb, then have lunch nearby.
National park’s revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walking accessAsuka Tourism Association’s current Ishibutai fees and hours
- Ishibutai Tomb → Starting station and the same accommodation
After lunch, take the bus back to Kashiharajingu-mae and a train towards Nara to return to your hotel. If you are staying near JR Nara, allow for the journey from Kintetsu-Nara to your hotel as well.
Nara Kotsu current informationVillage’s official 2026-09-01–2027-03-31 timetableKintetsu lines and interchange stations
Allow time to change to a Nara-bound train after your bus from Asuka reaches Kashiharajingu-mae. The 3-minute walk from the bus stop to the tomb does not include this rail connection.
Day 4 · Kasuga Taisha
- Your hotel near the Nara station you have chosen → Kasuga Taisha approach
Walk about 25 minutes from Kintetsu-Nara, or take a Honden-bound bus from JR Nara. The walking estimate is for reaching the shrine. Follow signs within the grounds to the ordinary worship area, and allow extra time for walking within the grounds and queues.
- Kasuga Taisha ordinary worship area → Kasuga Taisha worship area
Visit the free ordinary worship area. Special worship at the main sanctuary costs an additional JPY 700 and is available from 09:00 to 16:00. Check ritual suspension dates and times before choosing it.
- Kasuga Taisha worship area → Starting station and the same accommodation
Have a meal and a rest nearby, then return to your hotel near your starting station. The base cost covers ordinary worship; city buses and special worship are extra.
Access information in EnglishOperations and suspension dates in Japanese
The walk from Kintetsu-Nara and the Honden-bound bus from JR Nara are different routes. Check ritual suspensions and the additional fee if you add special worship.
Day 5 · Walk around Naramachi before departure
Take a short street walk if time allows. For an early departure, skip it and go directly to the station.
- Your hotel near the Nara station you have chosen → Naramachi streets
Explore Naramachi around Gangoji (Gokurakubo) at 11 Chuincho. Official walking estimates of about 20 minutes from JR Nara and 15 from Kintetsu Nara describe temple access, not a whole neighbourhood walk. Temple interiors are excluded from the basic cost.
Temple’s official access informationNara City Tourism Association hours and fees
- Naramachi streets → Return towards the departure station
Go from your walking endpoint to the departure station. Finish with enough time for station access and boarding.
Allow time from your walking endpoint to the departure station.
Included: The total includes JPY 800 for the Great Buddha Hall, JPY 2,000 for Horyuji, JPY 500 for Ishibutai Tomb, free ordinary worship at Kasuga Taisha (JPY 0) and buses between the east side of Kashiharajingu-mae and Ishibutai at JPY 440 each way, JPY 880 return. Replace the return bus fares with JPY 750 if choosing the eligible route day pass.
Extra costs: The total excludes JR and Kintetsu trains, city buses, Kasuga Taisha special worship, the Treasure Hall, botanical garden, Gangoji admission, accommodation, meals and onward transport.
Admission and the return Asuka bus journey total JPY 4,180 per adult, or JPY 4,050 with the eligible bus day pass. All trains, city buses, special worship, accommodation, meals and your onward journey are excluded. JR Nara and Kintetsu-Nara are different stations: choose transport for your hotel location and check times and fares for your travel date.
Todaiji official visitor informationNara Prefecture’s official Horyuji fees and seasonal hoursNational park’s revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walking accessNara Kotsu current informationOperations and suspension dates in JapaneseHoryuji official joint ticket, cash payment and admission deadline
Nara Park and exhibitions, then move closer to Asuka
Visit the Great Buddha Hall, museum and shrine, then move closer to Asuka. Spend 2 nights near Kintetsu-Nara and 2 near Kashiharajingu-mae. This route does not visit Horyuji or return to Nara after sightseeing in Asuka.
Day 1 · Exhibitions in Nara
Start at Kintetsu Nara. Transport to the starting station and airport transfers are excluded.
- Kintetsu Nara Station → Todaiji approach
Walk towards Todaiji along Noborioji for about 20 minutes. This estimate is for reaching the temple. Allow extra time to follow signs through the grounds to the Great Buddha Hall admission desk and queue.
- Great Buddha Hall reception → Great Buddha Hall and chosen museum visit
Use the JPY 1,200 joint ticket for the Great Buddha Hall and museum. The museum opens from 09:30 to 17:30 in April–October (last entry 17:00), and 09:30 to 17:00 in November–March (last entry 16:30). Its hours differ from the hall’s, so check notices for your visit date.
Todaiji official visitor informationTodaiji official visitor information
- Great Buddha Hall and chosen museum visit → Booked accommodation near Kintetsu Nara
Have a meal near the park, then go to your booked hotel near Kintetsu-Nara.
Check the day’s hours for the Great Buddha Hall and museum separately. If you arrive too late to see both, choose one.
Day 2 · Visit the shrine
- Kintetsu Nara Station → Kasuga Taisha approach
Walk about 25 minutes from Kintetsu-Nara to Kasuga Taisha. You can add special worship for JPY 700 when rituals have not suspended it. The walk estimate is for reaching the shrine; follow signs to the ordinary worship area and allow extra time within the grounds and for queues.
Access information in EnglishOperations and suspension dates in Japanese
- Kasuga Taisha ordinary worship area → Starting station and the same accommodation
Visit the ordinary worship area, have a meal nearby and return to the same hotel for your second night. The Treasure Hall and botanical garden charge separately.
The approach from Kintetsu-Nara to the shrine takes about 25 minutes. Allow separate time for walking within the grounds, worship, meals and returning to your hotel.
Day 3 · Move your hotel base to Kashihara
- Kintetsu Nara Station → Yamato-Saidaiji Station
Check out and take your luggage from Kintetsu-Nara to Yamato-Saidaiji. Use the official journey planner for your travel date to choose a connection to Kashiharajingu-mae and check its fare.
- Yamato-Saidaiji Station → Kashiharajingu-mae Station
Change to the Kashihara Line route towards Kashiharajingu-mae and get off there. Check platforms and stops using the day’s information, then go to your new hotel. Plan the station-to-hotel journey around the property’s luggage storage and check-in arrangements.
This is the day you move from Nara to Kashihara. Check train connections and fares, and travel to suit your new hotel’s check-in time. Have a meal near the station and rest after arrival.
Day 4 · Asuka’s ancient tomb
- Kashiharajingu-mae Station → Ishibutai bus stop
From stand 2 at the east exit of Kashiharajingu-mae, take an Asuka-bound bus that stops at Ishibutai. Check both journeys using the weekday or weekend/public holiday timetable for your date. Allow time to get from your Kashihara hotel to the east-exit bus stand.
Nara Kotsu current informationVillage’s official 2026-09-01–2027-03-31 timetable
- Ishibutai bus stop → Ishibutai Tomb
Walk about 3 minutes from Ishibutai bus stop to the tomb. Individual adult admission is JPY 500. It opens from 09:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:45. Visit the tomb, then have lunch nearby.
National park’s revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walking accessAsuka Tourism Association’s current Ishibutai fees and hours
- Ishibutai Tomb → Starting station and the same accommodation
After your visit, take a Kashiharajingu-mae-bound bus from Ishibutai. Check the return service for your date in advance, then go back to the same Kashihara hotel from the station. There is no train journey to Nara today.
Nara Kotsu current informationVillage’s official 2026-09-01–2027-03-31 timetableNational park’s current informationAsuka Tourism Association’s current Ishibutai fees and hoursNational park’s revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walking accessKintetsu lines and interchange stations
Return from the bus to your Kashihara hotel; you do not take a train to Nara. Choose the weekday or weekend/public holiday timetable for your visit date and check the route to your hotel.
Day 5 · Kashihara Jingu approach and departure
- Your hotel near Kashiharajingu-mae → Approach to the shrine
Walk about 10 minutes from the central exit of Kashiharajingu-mae towards the shrine. This is a different exit from the east exit used for Asuka buses. The official estimate covers the approach to the shrine, rather than a guaranteed time to a specific worship spot.
- Shrine approach → Return towards the departure station
Go from your walking endpoint to the departure station. Finish with enough time for station access and boarding.
Published gate hours for October–November are 06:30–17:30, with ritual exceptions to check. Today’s suggestion covers only a return walk along the approach. Visits to the ordinary grounds, special worship and Treasure Hall are not included or counted as free. Ask the shrine about charges and the day’s access if you add a visit within the grounds. Skip the walk if your departure is early.
Included: The total includes JPY 1,200 for the Great Buddha Hall and museum joint ticket, JPY 500 for Ishibutai Tomb and JPY 880 for return Asuka buses, or JPY 750 with the eligible day pass.
Extra costs: The total excludes trains, city buses, accommodation, meals, onward transport, Kasuga Taisha special worship and additional visits within Kashihara Jingu’s grounds, special worship or Treasure Hall.
The JPY 1,200 Great Buddha Hall–museum joint ticket, JPY 500 Ishibutai Tomb ticket and JPY 880 return Asuka buses total JPY 2,580 per adult. Replacing the return bus fares with the eligible JPY 750 day pass brings the same scope to JPY 2,450. Kasuga Taisha special worship at JPY 700, trains, city buses, accommodation, meals and onward transport are extra. On the last day, only the return shrine approach walk is suggested; additional visits to the grounds, special worship or Treasure Hall are not priced into this total. Day 3 is a hotel move, so leave to suit the rail connection for your date. Keep the last day’s walk short enough for your departure train.
Todaiji official visitor informationNational park’s revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walking accessNara Kotsu current information
Frequently asked questions
After moving to Kashihara, do I still return to Nara from Asuka?
Route B, with 2 Nara nights followed by 2 Kashihara nights, returns by bus to Kashiharajingu-mae and then to the same Kashihara hotel. Route A, with 4 Nara nights, connects the bus with a Nara-bound train. Buses use the east exit; check the Nara rail connection or hotel approach for your date and booked hotel.
Asuka sightseeing bus official section fares and day passKintetsu lines and interchange stations
Does the Kintetsu 5-day pass cover JR return trains to Horyuji when visiting Nara and Iga?
JR Nara–Horyuji journeys are excluded. The adult JPY 4,900 pass covers all Kintetsu lines and Iga Railway for 5 consecutive days. Asuka buses, limited express tickets, attraction admission and accommodation are extra. Decide your Nara and Iga dates and actual rail sections before comparing ordinary tickets. Joining both full 5-day Nara and Mie itineraries exceeds one pass’s validity.
Kintetsu 5-day pass official prices, rail coverage and limited express exclusionsKintetsu pass official eligibility, passport and digital ticket requirements
Official sources and confirmation dates
- Todaiji approach ·
- Todaiji official visitor information ·
- Operations and suspension dates in Japanese ·
- Access information in English ·
- Tourist information centre access routes by exit ·
- Temple’s official access information ·
- Nara City Tourism Association hours and fees ·
- National park’s current information ·
- JR official journey planner ·
- Station platform information ·
- Nara Kotsu current information ·
- Village’s official 2026-09-01–2027-03-31 timetable ·
- Shrine exit and hours information ·
- Kintetsu ·
- Asuka Tourism Association’s current Ishibutai fees and hours ·
- National park’s revised 2026 Ishibutai fees and walking access ·
- Nara Prefecture’s official Horyuji fees and seasonal hours ·
- Kintetsu lines and interchange stations ·
- Todaiji official visitor information ·
- Asuka sightseeing bus official section fares and day pass ·
- Horyuji official joint ticket, cash payment and admission deadline ·