Airport limousine bus (Kansai Airport to JR Nara Station)
Run by Nara Kotsu, with no change to JR Nara Station. Tickets from Kansai Airport to Nara are sold at the airport. Check the timetable on Nara Kotsu's official page.
Korean MOFA travel advisory: Your destination: no advisory · some areas of the country have advisories
Elsewhere in the country: Level 3 (leave the country) — some regions: L3 (leave): within 30 km of Fukushima Daiichi NPP and government-designated evacuation zones / rest of Japan: no advisory
Visits to the listed regions should be cancelled or postponed (see Details for other areas).
checked 2026-10-05 · Details ↗ This is the Korean government’s advisory — also check your own government’s travel advice.
Nara Travel Guide
Japan's capital (Heijo-kyo) from 710 to 794. Todai-ji's Great Buddha, Kasuga-taisha and Nara Park, home to about 1,300 deer, are close together, and eight sites were listed as UNESCO World Heritage in December 1998 as the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara. It is an easy train ride from Osaka and Kyoto.
Plan your Nara trip
We never take payment — compare, then book on the official partner site.
✈ Nara has no airport. The airport limousine bus from Kansai Airport to JR Nara Station takes about 100–120 minutes, according to the operator, Nara Kotsu. Check official transport information for fares and timetables.
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At a glance
- Currency
- JPY (¥)
- Power & plugs
- 100V · Type A/B
- Driving side
- Left
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Local language
- 日本語
- How long to stay
- Day trip to 2 days
Emergency numbers
- Police110
- Ambulance119
- Fire119
- Tourist hotline050-3816-2787
When to go
Each season has its own highlights: cherry trees along the Saho River in spring; the Nara Light-Up Promenade (July–September) and Nara Tokae in August (about 20,000 candles over ten nights) in summer; autumn leaves in Nara Park. Mount Wakakusa Yamayaki is held on the fourth Saturday of January. The park is crowded in autumn leaf season, and male deer can be aggressive in autumn.
Airport to the city
Kintetsu via Osaka (Osaka Namba to Kintetsu-Nara)
Go from Kansai Airport to Namba, then take a direct Kintetsu train. Kintetsu-Nara Station is about 8 minutes on foot from Nara Park. Check the railway's official information for the airport-to-Namba leg.
JR via Osaka (Tennoji or Osaka Station to JR Nara)
The JR Yamatoji Rapid takes about 36 minutes from Tennoji and about 50 minutes from Osaka Station. Check JR West's official information for the airport-to-Tennoji leg.
From Kyoto (Kintetsu or JR)
About 35 minutes from Kintetsu Kyoto Station to Kintetsu-Nara by limited express (surcharge needed), or about 45 minutes from JR Kyoto Station by the JR Miyakoji Rapid. There is no direct bus between Nara and Osaka or Kyoto.
Getting around
Loop Bus (Nara Kotsu)
Runs frequently from JR Nara and Kintetsu-Nara stations to Nara Park and the main sights. Nara Kotsu buses reach all the city's tourist spots.
Bus 1-Day Pass
Unlimited rides for one day on buses in the Nara Park and Nishinokyo (Yakushi-ji, Toshodai-ji) areas. JPY 600 adult, JPY 300 child, per Nara Kotsu's English page.
Walking
Nara Park is about 8 minutes on foot from Kintetsu-Nara Station, and Todai-ji and Isuien about 15 minutes, so the center is easy to walk.
Rental bicycles
Many types, including power-assisted bikes, with bicycle stations near the major sights.
Sightseeing taxi
The driver also acts as a guide, a good way to cover several sights in a short time.
Where to stay
Around Kintetsu-Nara Station
Good for: First visit, sightseeing on foot
About 8 minutes' walk to Nara Park and about 15 minutes to Todai-ji. City and business hotels are near the station.
Around JR Nara Station
Good for: Airport bus, JR trains
The airport limousine bus stops here. The Nara City Tourist Information Center in front of the East Exit offers temporary baggage storage. About 20 minutes' walk to Nara Park.
Naramachi
Good for: Old-town walks, cafes
An old district with houses from the Edo period to the postwar years. About 15 minutes' walk from Kintetsu-Nara Station and about 20 minutes from JR Nara Station.
Map of stays in Nara
Compare prices from many booking sites on the map
Search stays in Nara in the appMap & prices: Stay22 — you book on each site
Top sights
Todai-ji Great Buddha Hall
The hall housing the Great Buddha of Nara is considered the largest wooden structure in the world. Open 7:30–17:30 (April–October) and 8:00–17:00 (November–March); JPY 800 adult. A joint pass with the Todai-ji Museum is JPY 1,200.
Nara Park and the deer
A park of about 660 hectares where about 1,300 wild deer roam. The deer are a national natural monument. Open every day, free of charge.
Nara Park · Photo: Jakub Hałun / CC BY 4.0 Kasuga-taisha
A shrine founded in 768, known for its vermilion buildings and 3,000 donated lanterns. Gates open 6:30–17:30 (March–October) and 7:00–17:00 (November–February). The main worship area is free; special worship at the main sanctuary is JPY 700.
Kasuga-taisha · Photo: Saigen Jiro / CC0 Kofuku-ji
Central Golden Hall and Eastern Golden Hall JPY 500 each, National Treasure Museum JPY 900, three-site ticket JPY 1,600; cash only. Open 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:45). As checked on 5 October 2026, the five-storied pagoda is under construction work.
Naramachi
A district that grew around the former grounds of Gango-ji, a World Heritage site, lined with old machiya townhouses. Look for the red monkey charms (migawarizaru) under the eaves, Koshin-do and the Naramachi Lattice House.
Isuien Garden
A Japanese garden made of two parts, one from the Edo period and one from the Meiji era. Open 9:30–16:30 (entry by 16:00; until 17:00 in April–May), closed Tuesdays; JPY 1,200 adult for the garden and museum.
Isuien Garden · Photo: Kimon Berlin ( Gribeco ) / CC BY-SA 4.0 Mount Wakakusa
About a 40-minute hike to the summit for a panoramic view of Nara. The Yamayaki hill-burning event is held on the fourth Saturday of January. Check official information for opening periods.
Nara Palace Site
The open site of the old palace between Kintetsu Saidaiji and Shin-Omiya stations, about 120 hectares. It was the center of the Heijo-kyo capital for 70 years and is a World Heritage site.
What to eat
Kakinoha-zushi (persimmon-leaf sushi)
Pressed vinegared rice topped with mackerel or salmon and wrapped in a persimmon leaf, which gives a subtle aroma. It keeps at room temperature, so it is a popular gift.
Narazuke
Nara's classic pickles: vegetables such as cucumber and daikon aged in sake lees. The longer they age, the browner and richer they get.
Cha-gayu
Rice porridge cooked in hojicha (roasted green tea), traditionally eaten for breakfast in Nara. It goes well with pickles.
Miwa somen
Thin wheat noodles from Sakurai, said to be the birthplace of somen. Eaten cold in summer and in hot broth in winter.
Asuka nabe
A traditional Nara hot pot of chicken and vegetables simmered in milk and broth, finished with udon noodles.
Kuzumochi
A chewy, sweet wagashi made from Yoshino kudzu starch, especially loved in summer.
Daily budget (per person)
BudgetTransport: bus 1-Day Pass JPY 600 adult; airport limousine bus JPY 2,400 one way. Nara Park and Kasuga-taisha's main worship area are free. Hotel and food costs vary by date; check booking sites
Mid-rangeExample entry fees: Todai-ji Great Buddha Hall JPY 800, Kofuku-ji three-site ticket JPY 1,600, Isuien JPY 1,200, Kasuga-taisha special worship JPY 700. Check booking sites for hotels and food
ComfortAccommodation is most of the budget — compare prices for your dates on booking sites
Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.
Sample itinerary
- Day 1
Arrive at Kintetsu-Nara Station, visit Kofuku-ji, meet the deer in Nara Park, see Todai-ji's Great Buddha Hall, then watch the western view from Nigatsu-do at sunset.
- Day 2
Kasuga-taisha early in the morning, Isuien Garden (closed Tuesdays), an afternoon walk in Naramachi, then the airport limousine bus or trains from Nara to Kansai Airport or Osaka.
Local tips
- Feed the deer only deer crackers (shika-senbei): 10 for JPY 200 as of 2024. Give them one at a time, quickly, and when you run out, spread your arms to show you have none left.
- The deer are wild animals, and males can be aggressive, especially in autumn. Don't tease them by pretending to feed them, and watch your belongings: they try to eat maps and plastic bags.
- There are no trash bins in Nara Park. Take all your trash with you so the deer don't eat it.
- Kofuku-ji admission is cash only. Drones and smoking are banned in the grounds of Kofuku-ji and Kasuga-taisha.
- The Nara City Tourist Information Center in front of JR Nara Station's East Exit offers temporary baggage storage.
- Check official Japanese government information on entry procedures before you travel.
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