Which Nara attractions should you choose?
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.
Attractions: admission, hours, and access
Todai-ji
東大寺
Start with the Great Buddha Hall to see Nara's Great Buddha up close. For the museum exhibitions as well, compare the two-facility combined ticket. Other halls charge separately.
- AdmissionGreat Buddha Hall admission is ¥800 for junior high school students and older, ¥400 for elementary school students. The hall/museum combined ticket costs ¥1,200 and ¥600 respectively, payable in cash. Other halls are excluded.
- HoursGreat Buddha Hall hours are 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. April–October and 8 a.m.–5 p.m. November–March.
- Getting thereWalk about 20 minutes toward Noborioji from Kintetsu-Nara Station. Alternatively, take a loop bus from JR Nara or Kintetsu-Nara to Todaiji Daibutsuden–Kasugataisha-mae, then walk about five minutes. These estimates cover access to Todai-ji; the walk and queue at Great Buddha Hall reception are extra.
- Additional visit conditionsMuseum 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. These differ from the Great Buddha Hall's hours. Check visit-day notices.
Official Todai-ji admission guideTodai-ji accessOfficial Todai-ji admission guide
Kasugataisha
Kasugataisha Shrine春日大社
Visit Kasugataisha for its lantern-lined approach and vermilion shrine buildings. General worship is free. To see hanging lanterns along the corridors, choose the ¥700 special worship visit at the main sanctuary, subject to ceremonial suspension dates and times.
- AdmissionGeneral worship is free; special worship at the main sanctuary costs ¥700. The National Treasure Hall and botanical garden charge separately.
- HoursGeneral worship hours are 6:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. March–October and 7 a.m.–5 p.m. November–February. Special worship is available 9 a.m.–4 p.m., with ceremonial suspension dates and times.
- Getting thereThe station-to-shrine walk from Kintetsu-Nara takes about 25 minutes. From JR Nara or Kintetsu-Nara, take a Kasugataisha Honden-bound bus and get off at Kasugataisha Honden. The official three-minute walk from the stop describes access to the botanical garden main entrance and Kasuga Ninai Chaya, not the main sanctuary. Allow separate time for the grounds and waiting at the general worship area.
- Additional visit conditionsCeremonies suspend special worship on certain dates and times. General worship has its own hours even after special worship reception ends.
Japanese hours and suspension datesEnglish access guideOfficial Kasugataisha worship and access by exit
Horyuji
Horyuji Temple法隆寺
Explore Horyuji in Ikaruga · 斑鳩 for old wooden architecture and Buddhist statues. See the five-story pagoda and Golden Hall, then Buddhist artworks in the Gallery of Temple Treasures. The adult combined ticket costs ¥2,000 in cash. Add grounds and sightseeing time to the station-to-South Main Gate walk; give it dedicated time rather than a short gap on arrival day.
- AdmissionThe combined ticket for the Western Precinct, Gallery of Temple Treasures, and Eastern Precinct costs ¥2,000 for adults, college and high school students; ¥1,700 for junior high students; ¥1,000 for elementary students. Admission is cash-only. Rates for groups of 30 or more are separate.
- HoursHours 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, and some facilities may be unavailable close to closing.
- Getting thereTake the Yamatoji Line from JR Nara Station to Horyuji. Walk about 20 minutes from the North Exit to the South Main Gate. The tourist information center distinguishes this from the South Exit bus route. Check your date's bus service and fare separately if using it.
- Additional visit conditionsThe official admission guide dates the fare revision to March 1, 2025. Walking among and visiting the Western Precinct, Gallery of Temple Treasures, and Eastern Precinct covered by the combined ticket takes additional time beyond the station-to-gate walk.
Official Horyuji combined ticket, cash payment, and reception cutoffTourist information center: access by station exitOfficial Nara Prefecture Horyuji admission and seasonal hours
Gangoji (Gokurakubo)
Gangoji Temple元興寺（極楽坊）
Visit Gangoji (Gokurakubo) to explore temple buildings alongside a Naramachi lane walk. Paid admission covers the grounds containing Gokurakudo Hall. The World Heritage Gangoji (Gokurakubo) is at 11 Chuin-cho; the Gangoji pagoda site in Shibashinya-cho is a separate temple.
- AdmissionRegular adult admission costs ¥700, replaced by ¥800 during the autumn exhibition October 24–November 15, 2026. Distinguish temple admission from walking only the surrounding streets.
- HoursThe temple is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with reception until 4:30 p.m. Recheck operation during special events and exhibitions.
- Getting thereGangoji (Gokurakubo) at 11 Chuin-cho is about a 20-minute walk from JR Nara Station or 15 minutes from Kintetsu-Nara. These estimates describe temple access; reaching reception and walking the streets take additional time.
- Additional visit conditionsGangoji (Gokurakubo) is at 11 Chuin-cho. Distinguish it from the Gangoji pagoda site in Shibashinya-cho. During the autumn exhibition, check its period-specific fee replacing regular admission.
Official temple accessNara City Tourism Association: hours and admissionOfficial Nara Prefecture Gangoji autumn 2026 exhibition
Ishibutai Tumulus
石舞台古墳
Visit Ishibutai Tumulus in Asuka · 明日香 to see an ancient tomb built from massive stones. With its earth covering gone, the exposed burial chamber shows how the stones fit together. General and college-student admission costs ¥500. For public transportation, use a bus from Kashiharajingu-mae Station and check your return as well.
- AdmissionIndividual rates revised April 1, 2026 are ¥500 for adults and ¥200 for elementary, junior high, and high school students. Preschool children enter free. Rates for groups of 30 or more are separate.
- HoursIshibutai Tumulus is open year-round from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last admission at 4:45 p.m.
- Getting thereBoard a bus stopping at Ishibutai from Kashiharajingu-mae Station East Exit stop 2. The national park guide lists about a three-minute walk from Ishibutai stop to the tomb. Match your date's return bus and railway connection separately. The adult fare between Kashiharajingu-mae East Exit and Ishibutai is ¥440 one way, ¥880 round trip. The village weekday timetable used in the example applies September 1, 2026–March 31, 2027; weekends and public holidays use a separate timetable.
- Additional visit conditionsThe park lot is for bicycles and motorcycles only September 19–November 15, 2026. For a car visit, check other parking lots and fees.
Asuka Tourism Association: current Ishibutai admission and hoursNational park: revised 2026 Ishibutai admission and walking accessOfficial village timetable: September 1, 2026–March 31, 2027Current Nara Kotsu guideIshibutai accessCurrent national park guide
Frequently asked questions
Do the Great Buddha Hall and museum have the same hours?
No. The hall is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April–October and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. November–March. The museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April–October, with last admission at 5 p.m., and from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. November–March, with last admission at 4:30 p.m. Check facility notices for your date.
Two places appear when I search for Gangoji. Which should I visit?
Gangoji (Gokurakubo) is at 11 Chuin-cho in Nara City. The Gangoji pagoda site in Shibashinya-cho is a separate temple. Check the address as well as the name on the map.
Official sources and check dates
- Todai-ji access ·
- Ishibutai 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 ·
- Current Nara Kotsu guide ·
- Official village timetable: September 1, 2026–March 31, 2027 ·
- 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 ·
- Official Nara Prefecture Gangoji autumn 2026 exhibition ·
- Official Todai-ji admission guide ·
- Official Gangoji guide distinguishing the two temples ·
- Official Kasugataisha worship and access by exit ·
- Official Horyuji combined ticket, cash payment, and reception cutoff ·