An Asuka day trip or a move to Kashihara?
Choose itinerary A for both Horyuji's wooden architecture and Asuka's tomb, staying four nights in Nara with a day for each. For the Great Buddha Hall/museum and shrine before staying toward Asuka, itinerary B splits two nights in Nara and two in Kashihara. After Asuka, A returns to Nara and B to the Kashihara hotel. Shorten final-day sightseeing around your departure from each base.
Choose an itinerary for 5 days, 4 nights
Separate days for Nara Park, Horyuji, and Asuka
Stay four nights in Nara, giving the Great Buddha Hall, shrine, Horyuji's wooden architecture, and Asuka's tomb a day each. Choose near JR Nara Station for Horyuji round trips, or near Kintetsu-Nara for Nara Park walks and trains toward Asuka. Either base requires a trip to the other railway station on some days.
Separate days for Nara Park, Horyuji, and Asuka →5 days, 4 nights BNara Park and exhibitions, then move your stay toward Asuka
After the Great Buddha Hall/museum and shrine, move closer to Asuka. Stay two nights near Kintetsu-Nara Station and two near Kashiharajingu-mae. Horyuji is excluded, and you do not return to Nara after visiting Asuka.
Nara Park and exhibitions, then move your stay toward Asuka →Separate days for Nara Park, Horyuji, and Asuka
Stay four nights in Nara, giving the Great Buddha Hall, shrine, Horyuji's wooden architecture, and Asuka's tomb a day each. Choose near JR Nara Station for Horyuji round trips, or near Kintetsu-Nara for Nara Park walks and trains toward Asuka. Either base requires a trip to the other railway station on some days.
Day 1 · Todai-ji Great Buddha Hall
Start at your chosen Nara station. Travel to this local station and airport transfers are excluded.
- Your chosen Nara station → Todai-ji approach
From Kintetsu-Nara Station, walk about 20 minutes toward Noborioji. From JR Nara Station, take a bus stopping at Todaiji Daibutsuden–Kasugataisha-mae, then walk about five minutes to Todai-ji. Check your date's boarding point, fare, and both bus directions in the official guide. These estimates cover temple access. Add time for the grounds and queue at the Great Buddha Hall ticket counter.
- Great Buddha Hall reception after approaching Todai-ji → Visit the Great Buddha Hall
Individual adult Great Buddha Hall admission is ¥800 in cash. Hours are 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. April–October and 8 a.m.–5 p.m. November–March. The museum and other halls are excluded from this admission.
- Great Buddha Hall → Your starting station and booked hotel
Eat around the park, then head to your booked hotel near your starting station. If returning to JR Nara Station, check your date's bus times and fare in the official guide.
Choose whether your hotel is near JR Nara or Kintetsu-Nara first. Check the JR-side city bus boarding point, fare, and return service separately from the walking route.
Day 2 · JR round trip to Horyuji
- JR Nara Station → Horyuji South Main Gate
Take the Yamatoji Line from JR Nara Station to Horyuji, then walk about 20 minutes from the North Exit to the South Main Gate.
Tourist information center: access by station exitOfficial JR journey plannerStation platform guide
- Horyuji South Main Gate → Horyuji admission areas
An adult combined ticket for the Western Precinct, Gallery of Temple Treasures, and Eastern Precinct costs ¥2,000 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. Leave separate time for walking and visits beyond the South Main Gate.
Official Nara Prefecture Horyuji admission and seasonal hoursOfficial Horyuji combined ticket, cash payment, and reception cutoff
- Horyuji admission areas → Your starting station and same hotel
After lunch, take a Nara-bound train from the same station. For a hotel near Kintetsu-Nara, allow additional time from JR Nara Station to your hotel. Check your date's return train and fare in the official JR planner and follow on-site platform signs.
Tourist information center: access by station exitOfficial JR journey plannerStation platform guide
For a Kintetsu-Nara hotel, add time for both trips to JR Nara Station. Check Horyuji's reception cutoff and your JR return service before visiting.
Day 3 · Kintetsu trains and Asuka bus
- Kintetsu-Nara Station → Kashiharajingu-mae Station
Travel from Kintetsu-Nara via Yamato-Saidaiji to Kashiharajingu-mae Station.
- Kashiharajingu-mae Station East Exit stop 2 → Ishibutai bus stop
From East Exit stop 2, take an Asuka Station-bound bus that stops at Ishibutai. Check both directions in the weekday or weekend/public-holiday timetable for your date. If arriving from Nara City, allow time between train arrival and reaching the bus stop.
Official village timetable: September 1, 2026–March 31, 2027Current Nara Kotsu guide
- Ishibutai bus stop → Ishibutai Tumulus
Walk about three minutes from Ishibutai stop to the tomb. Individual adult admission is ¥500. Hours are 9 a.m.–5 p.m., with last admission at 4:45 p.m. Visit the tomb and have lunch nearby.
National park: revised 2026 Ishibutai admission and walking accessAsuka Tourism Association: current Ishibutai admission and hours
- Ishibutai Tumulus → Your starting station and same hotel
After lunch, take a Kashiharajingu-mae-bound bus, then a Nara-bound train back to your hotel. For a JR-side hotel, allow an additional trip from Kintetsu-Nara Station.
Current Nara Kotsu guideOfficial village timetable: September 1, 2026–March 31, 2027Kintetsu routes and transfer stations
Leave time to change to a Nara-bound train after the return Asuka bus reaches Kashiharajingu-mae. The three-minute stop-to-tomb walk does not include a railway transfer.
Day 4 · Kasugataisha
- Hotel near your chosen Nara station → Kasugataisha approach
Walk about 25 minutes from Kintetsu-Nara Station or use a Honden-bound bus from JR Nara Station. The 25-minute estimate covers shrine access. Follow signs to the general worship area, adding time for the grounds and waiting.
- Kasugataisha general worship area → Kasugataisha worship area
Visit the free general worship area. Special worship at the main sanctuary adds ¥700 and is available 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Check ceremonial suspension dates and times before choosing it.
- Kasugataisha worship area → Your starting station and same hotel
Have a meal and rest nearby, then return to your hotel near the starting station. The basic cost covers general worship; city buses and special worship are extra.
The Kintetsu-side walk and JR-side Honden-bound bus are different routes. Check ceremonial suspension and the extra charge before adding special worship.
Day 5 · Naramachi walk before departure
Take a short street walk if time before departure allows. For an early departure, skip it and head straight to the station.
- Hotel near your chosen Nara station → Naramachi streets
Walk Naramachi's streets around Gangoji (Gokurakubo) at 11 Chuin-cho. Official estimates of about 20 minutes from JR Nara Station or 15 minutes from Kintetsu-Nara describe access to Gangoji, not an entire neighborhood walk. Temple admission is excluded from the basic cost.
Official temple accessNara City Tourism Association: hours and admission
- Naramachi streets → Return toward your departure station
Head to your departure station from wherever your walk ends. Finish with time to walk to the station and board your train.
Leave time to reach your departure station from the endpoint of your walk.
Included: Great Buddha Hall ¥800 + Horyuji ¥2,000 + Ishibutai Tumulus ¥500 + Kashiharajingu-mae East Exit–Ishibutai bus ¥440 each way, ¥880 round trip (replaced by ¥750 with the applicable route's day pass) + Kasugataisha general worship ¥0
Additional costs: JR and Kintetsu trains, city buses, Kasugataisha special worship, National Treasure Hall, botanical garden, Gangoji admission, lodging, meals, and final departure
Adult admission and the Asuka bus round trip total ¥4,180, or ¥4,050 with the applicable bus day pass. All railways, city buses, special worship, lodging, meals, and final departure are excluded. JR Nara and Kintetsu-Nara are separate stations: choose connections for your hotel location and check your date's times and fares separately.
Official Todai-ji admission guideOfficial Nara Prefecture Horyuji admission and seasonal hoursNational park: revised 2026 Ishibutai admission and walking accessCurrent Nara Kotsu guideJapanese hours and suspension datesOfficial Horyuji combined ticket, cash payment, and reception cutoff
Nara Park and exhibitions, then move your stay toward Asuka
After the Great Buddha Hall/museum and shrine, move closer to Asuka. Stay two nights near Kintetsu-Nara Station and two near Kashiharajingu-mae. Horyuji is excluded, and you do not return to Nara after visiting Asuka.
Day 1 · Exhibitions in Nara
Start at Kintetsu-Nara Station. Travel to this local station and airport transfers are excluded.
- Kintetsu-Nara Station → Todai-ji approach
Walk about 20 minutes toward Noborioji to Todai-ji. This estimate covers temple access. Allow separate time to follow signs through the grounds to the Great Buddha Hall ticket counter and wait.
- Great Buddha Hall ticket counter → Great Buddha Hall and optional museum
Use the ¥1,200 Great Buddha Hall/museum combined ticket. Museum hours are 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. April–October, with last admission at 5 p.m.; 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. November–March, with last admission at 4:30 p.m. Its hours differ from the hall's, so check visit-day notices.
Official Todai-ji admission guideOfficial Todai-ji admission guide
- Great Buddha Hall and optional museum → Your booked hotel near Kintetsu-Nara Station
Eat around the park, then head to your booked hotel near Kintetsu-Nara Station.
Check both facilities' operating hours for the day. If a late arrival leaves too little time for both, choose one.
Day 2 · Shrine visit
- Kintetsu-Nara Station → Kasugataisha approach
Walk about 25 minutes from Kintetsu-Nara Station to Kasugataisha. Add the ¥700 special worship visit only when ceremonies do not suspend it. The walking estimate covers shrine access. Follow signs to the general worship area, allowing separate time for walking and waiting within the grounds.
- Kasugataisha general worship area → Your starting station and same hotel
Visit the general worship area, eat nearby, then return to the same hotel for your second night. The National Treasure Hall and botanical garden cost extra.
The station-to-shrine approach from Kintetsu-Nara takes about 25 minutes. Allow separate time for the grounds, worship, meals, and return to your hotel.
Day 3 · Move your stay to Kashihara
- Kintetsu-Nara Station → Yamato-Saidaiji Station
Check out and take your luggage from Kintetsu-Nara Station to Yamato-Saidaiji. In the official date-specific planner, choose the connection toward Kashiharajingu-mae and check the fare.
- Yamato-Saidaiji Station → Kashiharajingu-mae Station
Change to a Kashihara Line route toward Kashiharajingu-mae and get off there. Check platforms and stops in that day's guidance, then head to your new hotel. Plan the station-to-hotel route, luggage storage, and check-in around your booking.
This is the day to move your stay from Nara to Kashihara. Look up the train connection and fare and travel around the new hotel's check-in time. After arrival, eat and rest near the station.
Day 4 · Asuka's tomb
- Kashiharajingu-mae Station → Ishibutai bus stop
From Kashiharajingu-mae East Exit stop 2, take an Asuka Station-bound bus that stops at Ishibutai. Check both directions in the weekday or weekend/public-holiday timetable for your date. Allow time from your Kashihara hotel to the East Exit stop.
Current Nara Kotsu guideOfficial village timetable: September 1, 2026–March 31, 2027
- Ishibutai bus stop → Ishibutai Tumulus
Walk about three minutes from Ishibutai stop to the tomb. Individual adult admission is ¥500. Hours are 9 a.m.–5 p.m., with last admission at 4:45 p.m. Visit the tomb and have lunch nearby.
National park: revised 2026 Ishibutai admission and walking accessAsuka Tourism Association: current Ishibutai admission and hours
- Ishibutai Tumulus → Your starting station and same hotel
After visiting, take a Kashiharajingu-mae-bound bus from Ishibutai stop. Check your date's return service first, then continue from the station to the same Kashihara hotel. You do not take a Nara-bound train today.
Current Nara Kotsu guideOfficial village timetable: September 1, 2026–March 31, 2027Current national park guideAsuka Tourism Association: current Ishibutai admission and hoursNational park: revised 2026 Ishibutai admission and walking accessKintetsu routes and transfer stations
After the return bus, head to your Kashihara hotel without taking a Nara-bound train. Choose the weekday or weekend/public-holiday timetable for your date and check the route to the hotel.
Day 5 · Kashihara Jingu approach and final departure
- Hotel near Kashiharajingu-mae Station → Shrine approach
Walk about 10 minutes from Kashiharajingu-mae Station's Central Exit toward the shrine. This is different from the Asuka bus's East Exit. The official 10-minute estimate covers station-to-shrine access, not a confirmed time to a particular worship point.
- Shrine approach → Return toward your departure station
Head to your departure station from wherever your walk ends. Finish with time to walk to the station and board your train.
The October–November opening guide lists 6:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., subject to ceremonial exceptions. This day proposes only a round-trip walk along the shrine approach. General grounds, special worship, and treasure-museum admission are excluded and have not been counted as free. Contact the shrine to confirm charges and that day's access if adding a grounds visit. Skip the walk for an early departure.
Included: Great Buddha Hall/museum combined ticket ¥1,200 + Ishibutai Tumulus ¥500 + Asuka bus round trip ¥880 (replaced by ¥750 with the day pass)
Additional costs: Trains, city buses, lodging, meals, final departure, Kasugataisha special worship, and additional Kashihara Jingu grounds, special worship, and treasure-museum visits
The ¥1,200 Great Buddha Hall/museum combined ticket, ¥500 Ishibutai admission, and ¥880 Asuka bus round trip total ¥2,580 for one adult. Replacing the round trip with the applicable route's ¥750 day pass makes the same scope ¥2,450. Kasugataisha special worship ¥700, trains, city buses, lodging, meals, and final departure are extra. The final shrine day proposes only an approach walk; extra grounds, special worship, and treasure-museum visits are excluded from the total. Day three moves hotels, so depart around your date's train connection. Keep the final day's walk short enough for your departure train.
Official Todai-ji admission guideNational park: revised 2026 Ishibutai admission and walking accessCurrent Nara Kotsu guide
Frequently asked questions
Do I return to Nara after Asuka if I moved my hotel to Kashihara?
Itinerary B stays two nights in Nara and two in Kashihara. Take the bus back to Kashiharajingu-mae and continue to the same Kashihara hotel. Itinerary A stays four nights in Nara and connects the return bus to a Nara-bound train. The bus uses the East Exit; check your date's Nara trains or booked hotel's access separately.
Official Asuka loop bus segment fares and day passKintetsu routes and transfer stations
Can the Kintetsu five-day pass cover the JR Horyuji round trip on a Nara and Iga trip?
JR Nara–Horyuji is excluded. The adult ¥4,900 pass covers all Kintetsu lines and Iga Railway for five consecutive days. Asuka buses, limited-express tickets, facility admission, and lodging are extra. Set your Nara/Iga dates and actual railway segments before comparing ordinary tickets. Combining both full five-day Nara and Mie itineraries exceeds one pass's validity.
Official Kintetsu five-day pass prices, rail coverage, and limited-express exclusionsOfficial Kintetsu pass eligibility, passport, and digital ticket conditions
Official sources and check dates
- Todai-ji access ·
- Official Todai-ji admission guide ·
- Japanese hours and suspension dates ·
- English access guide ·
- Tourist information center: access by station exit ·
- Official temple access ·
- Nara City Tourism Association: hours and admission ·
- Current national park guide ·
- Official JR journey planner ·
- Station platform guide ·
- Current Nara Kotsu guide ·
- Official village timetable: September 1, 2026–March 31, 2027 ·
- Shrine station exits and hours ·
- Kintetsu ·
- Asuka Tourism Association: current Ishibutai admission and hours ·
- National park: revised 2026 Ishibutai admission and walking access ·
- Official Nara Prefecture Horyuji admission and seasonal hours ·
- Kintetsu routes and transfer stations ·
- Official Todai-ji admission guide ·
- Official Asuka loop bus segment fares and day pass ·
- Official Horyuji combined ticket, cash payment, and reception cutoff ·