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Japan's capital 1,300 years ago. Todai-ji with its Great Buddha, Kasuga Taisha and Kofuku-ji all stand around Nara Park, where deer roam freely. An easy day trip from Kyoto or Osaka.
"Classics" and "Hidden gems" are this site's editorial picks, not a measured popularity ranking.
A vast wooden hall housing a seated Buddha about 15 m tall. Don't miss the fierce guardian statues in the Great South Gate.
about 60 minPaid entryFine on a rainy dayWheelchair & stroller friendly
Bus · About 20 min from Nara ・ Loop bus to Todaiji Daibutsuden / Kasuga Taisha-mae, then about 5 minutes on foot ・ 1.2km from here
A vermilion shrine in the forest. Countless stone lanterns line the approach, and bronze lanterns hang along the halls.
about 60 minFreePartly step-free
Bus · About 25 min from Nara ・ Bus to Kasuga Taisha Honden; or loop bus to Kasuga Taisha Omotesando and about 10 minutes on foot ・ 1.9km from here
See the Ashura and other famous statues up close in the National Treasure Hall. The vermilion Central Golden Hall was rebuilt in 2018.
about 60 minPartly paidPartly step-free
Walk · About 20 min from Nara ・ 300m from here
A quarter of narrow lanes and latticed townhouses around Gango-ji, a World Heritage temple. Many houses are now shops and cafes.
about 1.5 hrFree
Walk · About 20 min from Nara ・ 800m from here
A hall on the slope east of the Great Buddha Hall. Its balcony looks out over Nara, and is best around sunset.
about 30 minFreePartly step-free
Bus · About 35 min from Nara ・ Loop bus to Todaiji Daibutsuden / Kasuga Taisha-mae, then about 15 minutes on foot ・ 1.6km from here
“Classics” and “Hidden gems” are our editors' picks, not a measured popularity ranking. Travel times are estimates. Please check prices, opening hours and operating days with the official sources before you go.
A herd of deer in Nara Park Balon Greyjoy (CC0) / The Great Buddha Hall of Todai-ji Balon Greyjoy (CC0) / Deer drinking under autumn leaves in Nara Park Marek Ślusarczyk (Tupungato) Photo portfolio (CC BY 3.0) / Hanging lanterns along a vermilion corridor at Kasuga Taisha Gzzz (CC BY-SA 4.0) / The five-storied pagoda of Kofuku-ji against a blue sky Zairon (CC BY 4.0) / A quiet street of traditional townhouses in Naramachi Maarten Heerlien from Voorschoten, The Netherlands (CC BY 2.0) / Nigatsu-do Hall of Todai-ji above stone steps and a lantern Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0). Cropped and resized.
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Kintetsu-Nara
Upcoming events
Within walking distance
Places you can drop by on foot after leaving the station. Times are estimates.
An arcade running south from the station. Look for local souvenirs like Nara-zuke pickles and persimmon-leaf sushi.
Said to be Nara's oldest shopping street, lined with independent local shops and leading on to Naramachi.
An old shrine west of the station. Inside is a small shrine to the man said to have brought manju buns to Japan.
A pond south of Kofuku-ji, known for the five-story pagoda reflected among willows. The pagoda is under repair for now.
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ClassicsHidden gems
Times assume a 9:00 start. Travel times are estimated from distance and vary with waiting and crowds.
Leave 9:00 → until about 15:04 (about 6 hr)
about 20 min on foot
about 13 min on foot
about 8 min on foot
about 7 min on foot
about 16 min on foot
Take the bus out, then walk the rest. You can stop in Naramachi on the way back.
Plan this routeLeave 9:00 → until about 16:10 (about 7 hr)
about 25 min by transport
about 15 min by transport
about 30 min by transport
World Heritage sites west of the centre, good for a second day. Uses Kintetsu trains, buses and JR.
Plan this routeApril–May and October–November are best for walking. Summer is hot and humid (27–28°C on average). Winter is cold (about 5°C) but has Yamayaki and Omizutori.
Point at a month to see its temperature and precipitation.
Temperature (line: average; band: low to high)
Precipitation (mm)
Typical seasons
Cherry blossoms (Nara Park, Yoshino)
Wisteria (Kasuga Taisha)
Wakakusa Yamayaki
Omizutori at Todaiji Nigatsudo
Autumn leaves (Nara Park)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High (℃) | 8.7 | 9.9 | 13.9 | 19.8 | 24.9 | 28.1 | 31.7 | 33.4 | 28.8 | 22.6 | 17.1 | 11.6 |
| Avg (℃) | 4.5 | 5.1 | 8.5 | 14 | 19 | 22.9 | 26.8 | 27.8 | 23.8 | 17.7 | 11.8 | 6.8 |
| Low (℃) | 0.8 | 1 | 3.6 | 8.7 | 13.9 | 18.4 | 23 | 24.1 | 20.1 | 13.5 | 7.3 | 3 |
| Rain (mm) | 52.4 | 63.1 | 105.1 | 98.9 | 138.5 | 184.1 | 173.5 | 127.9 | 159 | 134.7 | 71.2 | 56.8 |
Temperature and precipitation are Japan Meteorological Agency normals (1991–2020, Nara). Seasons are typical timings and can shift by a week or two each year. JMA data
Kintetsu Railway (from Kyoto and Osaka-Namba)
About 35–50 minutes from Kyoto and 40 minutes from Osaka-Namba. Kintetsu-Nara Station is just west of Nara Park, within walking distance of Todai-ji.
JR (Nara Line and Yamatoji Line)
About 45 minutes from Kyoto by Miyakoji Rapid and 50 minutes from Osaka by Yamatoji Rapid. From JR Nara Station to Nara Park, take a bus or walk about 20 minutes.
Nara Kotsu Bus (city loop)
Loop buses run often from JR Nara and Kintetsu-Nara stations past the Todai-ji Daibutsuden / Kasuga Taisha-mae stop. A one-day pass is sold.
On foot
Kofuku-ji, Nara Park, Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha and Naramachi can all be linked on foot. It adds up to a long walk, so wear comfortable shoes.
Airport limousine bus (Kansai Airport)
About 1.5 hours direct from Kansai Airport to Kintetsu-Nara and JR Nara stations. Departures are not frequent.
From Kyoto
No transfers
From Osaka-Umeda
No transfers
From Kansai International Airport
1 transfer
Times and fares (one adult) are estimates for a 9:00 a.m. departure. Tap a card to compare options for your own date and needs.
See the Ashura and other famous statues up close in the National Treasure Hall. The vermilion Central Golden Hall was rebuilt in 2018.
Sights are this site's picks, not a popularity ranking.