Where should you stay and what should you see in Nara?
Stay near Kintetsu-Nara Station to walk to Nara Park and the shrine, or near JR Nara Station for a JR round trip to Horyuji. Give Asuka a separate day after choosing local buses and return services.
Great Buddha Hall, shrine, temples, or tomb: what would you like to see?
Start in Nara Park for a close look at the Great Buddha or a lantern-lined shrine approach. Horyuji's old wooden buildings and Ishibutai's massive burial chamber are outside Nara City, requiring separate trips by train or bus.
Itineraries by trip length
Your starting station and hotel base depend on whether you want to walk to the Great Buddha Hall and shrine or spend a day in Horyuji or Asuka. Open an itinerary below for daily sightseeing and return steps and included costs. Airport transfers and final departure fares are extra.
2 days, 1 night
Walk to the park and shrine on separate days from Kintetsu-Nara, or stay near JR Nara and visit Horyuji on day one. Shorten day two's sightseeing around your departure time.
3 days, 2 nights
See Nara Park on day one, then choose Horyuji or Asuka's tomb on day two. Add a short Naramachi walk on the final day.
4 days, 3 nights
Give the Great Buddha Hall/museum and shrine worship a day each. Visit Horyuji or Asuka on day three and return to the same Nara hotel.
5 days, 4 nights
Compare four nights in Nara with round trips to Horyuji and Asuka against two nights in Nara followed by two in Kashihara. Itinerary A stays all four nights in Nara; B splits two nights in each. After moving to Kashihara, you do not return to Nara City after Asuka.
Where to stay
Near Kintetsu-Nara Station
Nara City · 奈良市 (Nara Prefecture · 奈良県)
Stay here to walk to Nara Park and Kasugataisha. JR Nara Station is a separate station, so allow time to reach it on your Horyuji day.
Near JR Nara Station
Consider this area for a JR round trip to Horyuji or JR travel to another city. For Todai-ji, take a city bus or plan a separate walking route.
Todai-ji accessTourist information center: access by station exitOfficial temple access
Near Kashiharajingu-mae Station
Compare moving your stay here if you want to visit Asuka with fewer train trips back to Nara City. Check the new hotel's luggage storage and check-in times, plus the route from the station.
Before traveling or booking
Which station should I use for Horyuji?
Kintetsu-Nara and JR Nara are separate stations. For Horyuji, take a train from JR Nara to Horyuji and walk about 20 minutes from the North Exit to the South Main Gate. The estimate excludes temple visits, meals, and the walk back to Horyuji Station, so check the return train first.
Official JR journey plannerTourist information center: access by station exit
Check Asuka buses and trains separately
Board an Ishibutai-stopping bus at Kashiharajingu-mae East Exit stop 2 and return to the same station. The adult fare is ¥440 one way, ¥880 round trip; the applicable loop bus day pass costs ¥750 and excludes Kintetsu trains. The weekday timetable used in the example applies September 1, 2026–March 31, 2027; weekends and public holidays have a separate timetable. Check the actual connections with Nara trains for your date.
Current Nara Kotsu guideOfficial village timetable: September 1, 2026–March 31, 2027
The departure-day walk in Kashihara
Kashihara Jingu is about 10 minutes from Kashiharajingu-mae's Central Exit, different from the Asuka bus's East Exit. This itinerary proposes only a round-trip walk along the approach described in the official access guide. General grounds, special worship, and treasure-museum admission are excluded and have not been counted as free. Confirm charges and same-day access with the shrine for additional visits.
Separate Nara City walks from trips outside the city
Plan around Nara Park and Naramachi for the Great Buddha Hall, shrine, and older streets. Add Horyuji in Ikaruga for more wooden architecture or Ishibutai in Asuka for a massive stone tomb. Both lie outside Nara City and need travel time separate from city walks.
Nara Park: Great Buddha Hall and shrine worship
See the Great Buddha up close and walk the lantern-lined shrine approach. From Kintetsu-Nara Station, walk about 20 minutes toward Noborioji to Todai-ji or about 25 minutes to Kasugataisha. Grounds and reception queues take extra time. Consider the three-night itineraries for a day at each and a museum visit.
Todai-ji accessOfficial Kasugataisha worship and access by exitOfficial Kasugataisha lanterns and vermilion buildings
Naramachi · ならまち
Walk south from Kintetsu-Nara Station to see old merchant houses, small shops, and cafes. For a lane walk and Gangoji (Gokurakubo) visit, use the temple at 11 Chuin-cho as your destination. Street walking and paid temple admission are separate; on departure day, leave time to return to the station.
Nara Prefecture tourism: Naramachi neighborhood and walking accessOfficial temple access
Horyuji: JR round trip to Ikaruga
Visit Horyuji for its five-story pagoda, Golden Hall, and Buddhist artworks. From JR Nara Station, take a Yamatoji Line train stopping at Horyuji, then walk about 20 minutes from the North Exit to the South Main Gate. Allow time for the Western Precinct, Gallery of Temple Treasures, Eastern Precinct, and station return.
Tourist information center: access by station exitOfficial Horyuji combined ticket, cash payment, and reception cutoffOfficial Nara Prefecture Horyuji Golden Hall, five-story pagoda, and Buddhist art
Asuka: visit the tomb and return to Kashihara
Visit Asuka for Ishibutai's exposed massive burial chamber. Take Kintetsu trains to Kashiharajingu-mae, then a bus from the East Exit. Nara-based itineraries connect the return bus with a Nara-bound train; itineraries moving to Kashihara return to the same Kashihara hotel.
Kintetsu routes and transfer stationsOfficial Asuka loop bus segment fares and day passNational park: Ishibutai's exposed burial chamber
Nara Prefecture tourism: Naramachi neighborhood and walking accessTourist information center: access by station exitNational park: revised 2026 Ishibutai admission and walking accessOfficial Kasugataisha lanterns and vermilion buildingsOfficial Nara Prefecture Horyuji Golden Hall, five-story pagoda, and Buddhist artNational park: Ishibutai's exposed burial chamber
Check your departure station
| Route | Main travel steps | Official access and date-specific planning |
|---|---|---|
| Kintetsu-Nara Station → Todai-ji | About 20 minutes toward Noborioji → walk within grounds → Great Buddha Hall reception | Todai-ji access and bus stops |
| JR Nara Station → Horyuji | Yamatoji Line to Horyuji → North Exit → about 20-minute walk to South Main Gate | Horyuji Station access by exit |
| Near the Nara stations → Gangoji (Gokurakubo) | 11 Chuin-cho; about 15 minutes from Kintetsu-Nara or 20 minutes from JR Nara on foot | Official temple access |
| Kashiharajingu-mae Station → Ishibutai | East Exit bus → Ishibutai stop → tomb visit → return to same station | Asuka bus fares and services |
Todai-ji accessTourist information center: access by station exitOfficial temple accessOfficial Asuka loop bus segment fares and day pass
Explore more
Horyuji: use JR
Look up both trains between JR Nara and Horyuji for your date. This is different from trains departing Kintetsu-Nara.
Asuka: Kintetsu trains and a bus
Use Kintetsu from Nara to Kashiharajingu-mae, then Nara Kotsu buses from the station's East Exit to Ishibutai. Check railway and bus fares and return services separately.
Meals in Nara City
Use this to choose meals on Nara Park or Naramachi days. For Horyuji and Asuka, schedule meals in the area you visit and check return transportation.
Nara Prefecture tourism: Naramachi neighborhood and walking access
What should you eat 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 regional food has traditions in Gojo and Yoshino and is also sold as a gift. Compare each shop's fish, assortment, and prices.
MAFF: Nara kakinoha-zushi ingredients and regional tradition
Chagayu: rice porridge cooked with hojicha
Chagayu · 茶粥 is rice porridge cooked with hojicha, a roasted tea. Nara's version is relatively thin and watery. Look for it when you want a different meal from sushi, checking availability and accompaniments with each restaurant.
MAFF: Nara kakinoha-zushi ingredients and regional traditionMAFF: Nara chagayu ingredients and serving traditions
Separate admission from railway and bus costs
These are adult charges for selected facilities and routes, not a full trip budget including hotels, meals, and airports. Each itinerary does not include every listed facility.
Ordinary tickets are also an option
Horyuji's JR round trip is outside the Kintetsu pass coverage. The Asuka bus day pass and Kintetsu railway pass are different products. Compare the Kintetsu five-day pass with ordinary tickets using your actual rail segments, validity dates, and eligibility. Distinguish it from the five-day Plus pass including Asuka buses.
Official Kintetsu five-day pass prices, rail coverage, and limited-express exclusionsOfficial Kintetsu pass eligibility, passport, and digital ticket conditionsOfficial Asuka loop bus segment fares and day pass
| Option | Confirmed cost | Included and extra |
|---|---|---|
| Great Buddha Hall only / hall and museum | ¥800 / combined ticket ¥1,200 | Other halls, transportation, lodging, and meals extra |
| Horyuji combined ticket | Adult ¥2,000, cash | Western Precinct, Gallery of Temple Treasures, Eastern Precinct; JR round trip extra |
| Kashiharajingu-mae East Exit ↔ Ishibutai bus | ¥440 one way, ¥880 round trip / applicable day pass ¥750 | Replacing this route's round trip with the day pass costs ¥130 less; trains and tomb admission extra |
| Kintetsu five-day pass | Adult ¥4,900, five consecutive days | Covered Kintetsu and Iga railways; JR, Asuka bus with standard pass, limited-express tickets, facilities, and lodging extra |
Official Todai-ji admission guideOfficial Horyuji combined ticket, cash payment, and reception cutoffOfficial Asuka loop bus segment fares and day passOfficial Kintetsu five-day pass prices, rail coverage, and limited-express exclusionsOfficial Kintetsu pass eligibility, passport, and digital ticket conditions
Check where each Nara Prefecture camera is located
The Nara Prefecture camera directory covers scenery in other cities and towns as well as city temples. Check the location and original update time to choose a view near your destination. The list alone does not establish interior coverage of Todai-ji, Kasugataisha, Horyuji, Gangoji, or Ishibutai.
Frequently asked questions
Can I treat JR Nara and Kintetsu-Nara as the same starting station?
They are separate stations. For Horyuji, travel from JR Nara to Horyuji; Nara Park walking itineraries start at Kintetsu-Nara. When choosing a hotel, check the railway you will use and your actual departure station.
Todai-ji accessTourist information center: access by station exit
Can I walk 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 and walk. For Ishibutai Tumulus, take Kintetsu trains to Kashiharajingu-mae, then a bus. To see both, consider four nights in Nara with separate round-trip days in itinerary A.
Tourist information center: access by station exitOfficial Asuka loop bus segment fares and day pass
Official sources and check dates
- Todai-ji access ·
- Ishibutai access ·
- Official Todai-ji admission guide ·
- English access guide ·
- Tourist information center: access by station exit ·
- Official temple access ·
- Official JR journey planner ·
- Current Nara Kotsu guide ·
- Official village timetable: September 1, 2026–March 31, 2027 ·
- Shrine station exits and hours ·
- Kintetsu ·
- Nara Kotsu ·
- National park: revised 2026 Ishibutai admission and walking access ·
- Kintetsu routes and transfer stations ·
- Todai-ji access ·
- Tourist information center: access by station exit ·
- Official Kasugataisha worship and access by exit ·
- Official Asuka loop bus segment fares and day pass ·
- Official Horyuji combined ticket, cash payment, and reception cutoff ·
- Nara Prefecture tourism: Naramachi neighborhood and walking access ·
- MAFF: Nara kakinoha-zushi ingredients and regional tradition ·
- MAFF: Nara chagayu ingredients and serving traditions ·
- Official Kasugataisha lanterns and vermilion buildings ·
- Official Nara Prefecture Horyuji Golden Hall, five-story pagoda, and Buddhist art ·
- National park: Ishibutai's exposed burial chamber ·