One night in Nara: choose the park and shrine or Horyuji
For the Great Buddha and shrine approach, stay one night near Kintetsu-Nara and visit them on separate days. For old wooden architecture and Buddhist statues, use JR Nara as a base for Horyuji on day one. Add Gangoji and Naramachi on day two only if time before departure allows.
Choose an itinerary for 2 days, 1 night
The Great Buddha Hall and shrine in Nara Park
See the Great Buddha up close and walk the shrine approach. Stay one night near Kintetsu-Nara Station and visit one place each day. Shorten the second day's shrine visit if you leave early.
The Great Buddha Hall and shrine in Nara Park →2 days, 1 night BFocus on Horyuji
Spend the first day exploring Horyuji's wooden architecture and Buddhist art. Stay one night near JR Nara Station for the round trip. On day two, visit Gangoji and Naramachi if time before departure allows.
Focus on Horyuji →The Great Buddha Hall and shrine in Nara Park
See the Great Buddha up close and walk the shrine approach. Stay one night near Kintetsu-Nara Station and visit one place each day. Shorten the second day's shrine visit if you leave early.
Day 1 · Kintetsu-Nara to the Great Buddha Hall
Start at Kintetsu-Nara Station. Travel to this local station and airport transfers are excluded.
- Kintetsu-Nara Station → Todai-ji approach
Walk east along Noborioji-cho toward Todai-ji. The official estimate of about 20 minutes describes station-to-temple access; it is not a confirmed time to the Great Buddha Hall ticket counter.
- Todai-ji approach → Great Buddha Hall ticket counter
Follow the temple signs to the Great Buddha Hall ticket counter. Add time for walking within the grounds and waiting at reception to the station- or stop-to-temple approach.
- Great Buddha Hall ticket counter → Visit the Great Buddha Hall
Pay the ¥800 adult admission in cash and visit the Great Buddha Hall. Hours are 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. April–October and 8 a.m.–5 p.m. November–March. Events or emergencies may change access, so check visit-day notices.
- After the Great Buddha Hall visit → Kintetsu-Nara Station
Return toward Kintetsu-Nara Station along your approach route. The official 20-minute estimate describes the station-to-temple approach; do not treat it as the return time from the hall exit. If switching to a bus, check that day's boarding point, fare, and return service.
If you arrive late, shorten the hall visit around closing and reception queues. Choose a meal or rest stop around the park or station afterward.
Day 2 · Kasugataisha shrine visit
Walk the lantern-lined approach to Kasugataisha. If time before departure is short, skip the special worship visit or leave out the shrine.
- Kintetsu-Nara Station → Kasugataisha approach
Walk toward Kasugataisha. The official estimate of about 25 minutes describes station-to-shrine access; it is not a confirmed time to the general worship area or special worship reception.
- Kasugataisha approach → General worship area
Follow signs within the grounds to the general worship area. Allow separate time for the grounds and waiting. General worship is free, available 6:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. March–October and 7 a.m.–5 p.m. November–February.
- After general worship → Optional special worship at the main sanctuary
For special worship, check the date's suspension notices and on-site reception. Admission is ¥700, with hours 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; ceremonies may suspend access. Skip this step if it is suspended or leaves too little time before departure.
- After the Kasugataisha visit → Kintetsu-Nara Station
Return toward Kintetsu-Nara Station along your approach route. The official 25-minute estimate describes shrine access; do not use it as the return time from the worship area or the entire round trip.
Special worship adds ¥700. You can have a meal or take a break after the shrine visit on the way back to the station.
Included: Great Buddha Hall ¥800 + Kasugataisha general worship ¥0
Additional costs: Kasugataisha special worship, National Treasure Hall, botanical garden, all transportation, lodging, meals, and final departure
The Great Buddha Hall costs ¥800 for adults, payable in cash, and Kasugataisha general worship is free: basic admission totals ¥800. If special worship at the main sanctuary is operating on your date and you choose it, add ¥700 for a ¥1,500 total. Leave this option out on suspension dates. The National Treasure Hall, botanical garden, all transportation, lodging, meals, and your final departure are extra.
Official Todai-ji admission guideJapanese hours and suspension dates
Focus on Horyuji
Spend the first day exploring Horyuji's wooden architecture and Buddhist art. Stay one night near JR Nara Station for the round trip. On day two, visit Gangoji and Naramachi if time before departure allows.
Day 1 · JR round trip to Horyuji
Start at JR Nara Station. Travel to this local station and airport transfers are excluded.
- JR Nara Station → JR Horyuji Station
Take a Yamatoji Line train toward Tennoji that stops at Horyuji. Check departure and arrival times, fares, and return services for your date in the official JR journey planner.
Official JR journey plannerTourist information center: access by station exit
- JR Horyuji Station North Exit → Horyuji South Main Gate
Leave through the North Exit and walk about 20 minutes to Horyuji's South Main Gate. Add time for the walk from the gate to paid admission reception and any queue.
- Horyuji South Main Gate → Paid admission reception
An individual adult combined ticket for the Western Precinct, Gallery of Temple Treasures, and Eastern Precinct costs ¥2,000, payable in cash. Hours are 8 a.m.–5 p.m. February 22–November 3 and 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. November 4–February 21. Reception ends 30 minutes before closing; late arrivals may miss some facilities. Allow separate time for the grounds and visits.
Official Horyuji combined ticket, cash payment, and reception cutoff
- After admission reception → Visit Horyuji
Explore the Western Precinct, Gallery of Temple Treasures, and Eastern Precinct included in your ticket. Leave time to walk between areas; some facilities may be unavailable close to closing.
Official Horyuji combined ticket, cash payment, and reception cutoff
- After the Horyuji visit → JR Horyuji Station
Leave toward the South Main Gate and follow your approach route back to JR Horyuji Station. The official 20-minute estimate describes North Exit-to-gate access; do not treat it as the return time from the admission areas.
- JR Horyuji Station → JR Nara Station
Take a Nara-bound train back to JR Nara Station. The official station guide lists platform 2 for Nara, Kizu, and Kamo, but follow that day's departure boards and announcements. Check the return service's departure, arrival, and fare for your date in the official JR planner.
Allow time for both trains, platform transfers, the North Exit–South Main Gate walks, and temple visits. Choose lunch and breaks before or after sightseeing. Horyuji reception ends 30 minutes before closing, and late arrivals may miss some facilities.
Day 2 · Gangoji and Naramachi
Choose paid admission to see Gangoji or a Naramachi walk to explore the streets. Shorten sightseeing for an early departure.
- JR Nara Station → Gangoji approach
Walk to Gangoji at the official address, 11 Chuin-cho. The approximately 20-minute walk from JR Nara Station describes temple access, not a confirmed time to reception. Distinguish it from the same-name temple and pagoda site in Shibashinya-cho.
Official temple accessOfficial Gangoji guide distinguishing the two temples
- Gangoji approach → Admission reception
Follow on-site signs to reception. Regular adult admission is ¥700. The autumn exhibition October 24–November 15, 2026 costs ¥800 including admission, replacing the regular price rather than adding to ¥700.
Nara City Tourism Association: hours and admissionOfficial Nara Prefecture Gangoji autumn 2026 exhibition
- After Gangoji reception → Visit Gangoji
Explore the Gangoji grounds containing Gokurakudo Hall. Hours are 9 a.m.–5 p.m., with reception until 4:30 p.m.; the listed special exhibition has the same hours. Skip paid admission for an early departure.
Nara City Tourism Association: hours and admissionOfficial Nara Prefecture Gangoji autumn 2026 exhibition
- After Gangoji or your chosen walk → Return toward JR Nara Station
Head back toward JR Nara Station after the temple visit or street walk. The official 20-minute estimate describes station-to-temple access. Check the time from your chosen walk's endpoint to the station or hotel separately.
Walking only Naramachi's streets incurs no Gangoji admission. Meals and other paid facilities are extra. Shorten the visit or walk if leaving early.
Included: Horyuji ¥2,000 + regular Gangoji admission ¥700 (replaced by ¥800 October 24–November 15, 2026)
Additional costs: JR Nara–Horyuji round trip, other transportation, lodging, meals, and final departure
Horyuji adult admission at ¥2,000 plus regular Gangoji admission at ¥700 total ¥2,700. Gangoji's autumn exhibition October 24–November 15, 2026 replaces regular admission with an inclusive ¥800 charge, making the total ¥2,800. The JR Nara–Horyuji round trip and all other transportation, lodging, meals, and final departure are excluded. Check JR times and fares for your date in the official planner. If you skip paid Gangoji admission and just walk the streets, this itinerary's confirmed facility charge is Horyuji's ¥2,000; any other paid stops are extra. Horyuji's combined ticket is cash-only, with reception ending 30 minutes before the seasonal closing time.
Official Nara Prefecture Horyuji admission and seasonal hoursNara City Tourism Association: hours and admissionOfficial Nara Prefecture Gangoji autumn 2026 exhibitionOfficial Horyuji combined ticket, cash payment, and reception cutoff
Frequently asked questions
Is Kasugataisha special worship included in the basic cost?
No. The ¥800 admission total for the one-night Great Buddha Hall/shrine itinerary A covers the hall and free general worship. Special worship at the main sanctuary adds ¥700: check its 9 a.m.–4 p.m. access and ceremonial suspension dates. The National Treasure Hall, botanical garden, transportation, lodging, and meals are also extra.
Official Kasugataisha worship and access by exitOfficial Todai-ji admission guide
Official sources and check dates
- Todai-ji access ·
- Official Todai-ji admission guide ·
- Japanese hours and suspension dates ·
- Official JR journey planner ·
- Station platform guide ·
- Tourist information center: access by station exit ·
- Official Nara Prefecture Horyuji admission and seasonal hours ·
- Official temple access ·
- Nara City Tourism Association: hours and admission ·
- Official Nara Prefecture Gangoji autumn 2026 exhibition ·
- Official Gangoji guide distinguishing the two temples ·
- Official Kasugataisha worship and access by exit ·
- Official Horyuji combined ticket, cash payment, and reception cutoff ·