If you google “Nara,” the first thing that pops up is the wild deer that roam the city and most commonly, in Nara Park. Now if that doesn’t convince you to visit (it convinced me), then another selling point is that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nara is a great day trip from both Osaka and Kyoto.
Today’s guide will talk you through how to get there, and a full itinerary for how to efficiently spend your day in the city.
Kyoto to Nara Day Trip Itinerary
https://www.instagram.com/p/BofGbfQlRrR/?taken-by=palmtreesandpellegrino
Length of Trip: 35 Minutes – 45 Minutes
Transportation Options:
- Kintetsu Nara Line Y1110 – If you’re looking for speed, the Y1110 is the fastest option. Also recommended if you want to combine this with the 1 day pass that takes you around Nara (more on that in the next section).
- Length: 35 minutes. Departs two times an hour.
- Cost: 620 Yen (~$5.50), (JR Pass NOT valid)
- Stations: Depart from the Kyoto Station and arrive at the Kintetsu Station
- JR Nara Line Y690 – ideal if you already have the JR Rail Pass. Take the Miyakoji Kaisoku Express
- Length: 45 minutes. Departs every 30 minutes.
- Cost: Free with JR Rail Pass or 710 Yen (~$6.50)
- Stations: Depart from the Kyoto Station and arrive at the Nara Station
Pro Tip: Something I’ve learned is that the later you go anywhere, the more people there will be. I recommend leaving around 7 AM. FYI we ended up running late, and didn’t get to Nara closer to 9 AM.
[ GETTING AROUND NARA ]
There are three main options for getting around Nara. You can rent a bike (you can read more on that here), take a bus, or walk depending on your schedule.
Transportation Options:
- 1 Day Kintetsu Rail Pass – If you opt for the first option when traveling from Kyoto to Nara. Then this pass would be the best option. It allows you to have unlimited access to all the buses in Nara, and the train from Kyoto to Nara.
- Cost: 1500 Yen (~$13.50)
- Nara Bus Pass – If you have the JR Rail pass, then the Nara Bus Pass would be the most cost effective option. It allows you to have unlimited access to all the Kotsu buses around Nara.
- Cost: 1,000 Yen (~$8.90)
[ TO DO, EAT & SEE ]
I personally loved this full day itinerary that I found here.(This is a good way to go if you are looking for a step by step guide.)
STOP 1: Breakfast: Arrive at 8 AM & Start with Breakfast at the Station
We had a quick coffee and pastry on our way to explore, but another recommendation would be to visit Restaurant Kotoka (Nara no Umaimono Plaza, connected to station) for the recommended traditional dish of Tamagokake Gohan. For about 400 yen (~$4) you get a full meal! You can also make a stop at one of the cafes on the main street on your way to the second stop.
Walk Time from Stop 1 to Stop 2: 15 minutes, .8 miles
STOP 2: Kofuku-ji temple
- About: It is Japan’s second tallest Pagoda, and was created in 710.
- Fee: Entering the grounds are free, but there is a fee for visiting the Eastern Golden Hall ( 300 Yen) & National Treasure Museum (700 Yen)
- Hours: Grounds are open 24 hours a day, Hall and Museum are open from 9:00 to 17:00
PRO TIP: We decided to skip the museum and hall as we were on a time crunch.
Walk Time from Stop 2 to Stop 3: 5 minutes, .3 miles
STOP 3: Nara Park
In Nara Park is where you can walk around and feed the beautiful deer. Deer are considered sacred there, so be respectful! I received A LOT of warnings from past visitors to watch our – because if you have food the deer will come after you. They can be a little pushy so just be prepared. (You can read more specifics about the deer here.) You can feed them on your way to visit some of the temples.
PRO TIP: Looking to attract some deer? For 150 Yen (~$1.50) you can buy deer crackers around the park to feed them. I would also avoid the male deer, they’re a lot more aggressive, whereas the females will lightly nudge you for a snack!
Walk time from Stop 3 to Stop 4: 10 minute walk, .5 miles
STOP 4: Todai-ji Temple & Nigatsudo Hall
Todaiji Temple is home to quite a few interesting spots including the Todaiji Museum, Nigatusdo Hall, Hokkedo Hall, Kaidanin Temple, and more. As you might imagine, you could spend all day here if you wanted to! Being that this was a quick day trip we settled on the main temple and Nigatsudo. Interested in the others? This article has a great overview.
- About: It is one of Japan’s most famous temples, and was built in 752. The main hall is the world’s largest wooden structure.
- Location: Northern part of Nara Park
- Fee: 600 yen (~$5.50)
- Hours: 7:30AM – 5:30PM April to October, 8 AM – 5PM November to March
Nigatusdo Hall –
- About: Short walk on the hill east of the Daibutsuden Hall and offers great views of the city.
- Fee: Free
- Hours: Open 24 Hours
Walk time from Stop 4 to Stop 5: 16 minutes, .8 miles
STOP 5: Kasuga Taisha
Kasuga Taisha is Nara’s most famous shrine. It’s easy to understand why as every corner you turn is absolutely beautiful. This is a MUST SEE! (Even though the 1 mile walk makes it slightly less desirable after a morning of walking). I would also highly recommend paying the fee to enter the interior area.
- Location: East of Nara Park
- Fee: Free for outer area, inner area is 500 Yen (~$4.50)
- Hours:
- Outer area – 6 AM – 6 PM April to September, 6:30AM to 5 PM October to March
- Inner area – 8:30 AM – 4 PM daily
Walk from Stop 5 to Stop 6: 5 minute walk, .2 miles
Stop 6: Lunch: Mizutani-chaya
A couple of guide books and articles suggested having lunch back in the Higashimuki Shopping District. While this is an option, we stumbled across one of the only eateries in the Nara Park area – Mizutani-chaya. The location is absolutely charming, and the menu is quite traditional. It was great for a lunch amongst nature. Surprisingly, the prices were also very reasonable.
- Location: 30 Kasuganocho, Nara 630-0812, Nara Prefecture
- Price: $$-$$$
- Food: Traditional Japanese comfort food.
- Hours: 10 AM – 4 PM
Bus from Stop 6 to Stop 7: 2o minute walk, 1.1 miles
STOP 7 & 8: Mochi: Nakatanidou & Higashimuki Shopping Street
On your way back to downtown historic Nara, stop at Nakatanidou, known for making traditional style mochi. You can watch them make it, and pick up a box to snack on while you walk. Make note that it is located on Higashimuki Shopping Street ( a great spot to walk through after lunch). It is filled with small shops and restaurants.
STOP 9: Head back to the station
By the time we got back to the Higashimuki Shopping Street, we were all pretty exhausted from all the walking. We opted to head back to Kyoto around 4PM, and then have dinner there. Another option if you feel like hanging around Nara more is to head to the Naramachi District for some shopping, or do a visit to Horyu-ji.
[ General Pro Tips ]
1 ) Quality over quantity. My original itinerary included trying to basically see everything Nara had to offer. Since it really just is a day trip, we ended up just seeing the main highlights and going at our own pace. Our whole group was super happy with our day and didn’t feel too rushed.
2) Skip: Hōryū-ji. This spot has mixed reviews. Some say it’s worth it, some say it’s not. We decided to skip it, as it takes about an hour bus ride to get there, and the entrance fee is quite expensive at 1500 Yen.
There will be more Japan content coming soon!
