The ultimate Nara day trip itinerary
Nestled in the heart of Japan’s Kansai region, Nara is a city steeped in history and natural beauty, making it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the area. A Nara day trip is a great addition to a Japan travel itinerary if you stay in Kyoto or Osaka. As Japan’s first permanent capital, Nara boasts a wealth of cultural treasures, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ancient temples, and picturesque gardens. Therefore it is a must-visit for travelers in Japan.
Nara served as Japan’s capital from 710 to 794 AD during the Nara period. This era marked a significant time in Japanese history, as it was when the foundations of the country’s political and cultural institutions were established. However, the capital was moved to Heian-kyō (modern-day Kyoto) in 794 AD and stayed there until the Meiji restoration in 1868.
Just a short train ride from Kyoto and Osaka, Nara offers the perfect day trip escape where you can experience the serene ambiance of its historic sites and the playful charm of its friendly, free-roaming deer. Whether you’re captivated by the towering Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple, enchanted by the lantern-lit paths of Kasuga Taisha, or simply enjoying the tranquil scenery of Nara Park, this itinerary will guide you through an unforgettable journey in one of Japan’s most treasured cities. This post aims to give you a well-rounded, ultimate Nara day trip itinerary so you can make the most out of visiting Japan’s first capital.
What is the best Nara day trip itinerary?
The best itinerary depends on your personal preferences and interests, however, there are places that you shouldn’t miss if you are visiting the ancient capital of Japan. On a day trip to Nara, several sights and experiences are essential including
- Todai-ji Temple which is home to the towering Great Buddha, a monumental bronze statue that is among the largest in Japan.
- Feeding the free-roaming deer in Nara Park is a must-do experience.
- Don’t miss Kasuga Taisha, a Shinto shrine famous for its thousands of lanterns.
How to get to Nara?
A Nara day trip can be done from the surrounding bigger cities including Kyoto and Osaka. Nara can be easily accessed from Kyoto or Osaka by train. You can choose organized day trips and tours, but it is straightforward to take the train and get to the ancient capital of Japan on your own.
From Kyoto to Nara
The fastest and most popular way to reach Nara from Kyoto is by train. You have two main options:
- JR Nara Line: Board a direct rapid train from Kyoto Station to Nara Station. The journey takes approximately 1 hour 6 minutes and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass. The ticket costs 720 yen.
- Kintetsu Kyoto Line: For a slightly quicker route, take the Kintetsu Limited Express from Kyoto Station to Kintetsu Nara Station, taking about 37 minutes. Note that the Japan Rail Pass does not cover this line and the ticket is more expensive (1,280 yen) but it offers a more comfortable ride as it drops you closer to Nara Park.
From Osaka to Nara
The fastest and most popular way to reach Nara from Osaka is by train. You have two main options. Your choice will mostly depend on which station are you closer to Osaka Station or Osaka Namba Station.
- Osaka Loop Line/JR Yamatoji Line: Take a rapid train from Osaka Station to JR Nara Station. The journey takes about 55 minutes and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Without the pass the ticket costs 820 yen.
- Kintetsu Nara Line: For a faster option, board the Kintetsu Limited Express from Osaka-Namba Station to Kintetsu Nara Station. The trip takes approximately 45 minutes and costs 680 yen. Note that the Japan Rail Pass does not cover this line.
Nara Day Trip: Morning
Start your Nara day trip at the most famous place in Nara, Nara Park. Spend the morning in Nara Park, home to famous Buddhist Temples, Shinto Shrines, and friendly deer. Start your day as early as possible, aiming to arrive at Nara Park at 9 AM latest. The park is 6 minutes walk from Kintetsu Nara Station and 20 minutes walk from JR Nara Station.
Must-do: Start your day in Nara Park
The first half of your Nara day trip is best spent walking in Nara Park to explore the shrines, temples, museums and make a few deer friends. Nara Park is a huge area open 24/7 and it includes multiple sights that are worth a visit. Don’t forget about the deer, roaming free in the Park, buy some crackers to feed them, but watch out they can get a bit aggressive when it comes to food.
Option A: Todai-ji, Treasure House & Isuien Gardens
- Start at Todai-ji, a majestic Buddhist temple originally built in the 700s. It is home to one of the biggest bronze Buddha statues in Japan. Todai-ji opens at 7.30 AM so you can start your day earlier to avoid crowds. Explore the entire temple area including February Hall whose terrace gives you great views of Nara.
- Not too far from Todai-ji, you can find Shosoin Treasure House, an original building from the 700s. You can find out more about the Treasure House here.
- Then take a walk in Isuien Gardens to relax a bit.
Option B: Kasuga Taisha, Manyo Botanical Gardens & Kofuku-ji
- Continue your walk to the beautiful Manyo Botanical Garden and then to Kasuga Taisha Shrine. If you are interested in attending a Shinto worship session, check the morning prayer schedule of Kasuga Taisha here, they have daily sessions.
- Head to Kofuku-ji another famous and important Buddhist temple in the park, home to national treasures. Kofuku-ji is known as the temple of the Fujiwara clan who ruled Japan as imperial regents for hundreds of years.
- Optional Stop: If you visit Nara with your significant other, then don’t skip Meoto Daikokusha, a shrine where couples pray for a happy marriage.
- Optional Stop: If you are interested in ancient artifacts and history, then stop by the Nara National Museum located in Nara Park.
Did you know?
Tofuku-ji temple in Kyoto got its name by merging the names of the two great temples of Nara: Todai-ji + Kofuku-ji = Tofuku-ji
If you are interested in visiting Tofuku-ji, check out our ready-made Kyoto itineraries here.
Nara Day Trip: Afternoon
Then you have 2 options for the afternoon of your Nara day trip:
- Option A: spending time in the Naramachi district to see traditional streets with Edo-era townhouses and enjoy street food
- Option B: visiting the oldest wooden building in the world, the enchanting Horyu-ji temple on the outskirts of Nara
If you finish early in Nara Park you could try squeezing in both above options, but the fact that Horyu-ji closes at 4.30 PM makes it difficult.
Option A: Walk in Naramachi district
Naramachi District in Nara, Japan, is a charming historical area that offers a glimpse into the city’s rich past. Renowned for its well-preserved Edo-period merchant houses, the district is a treasure trove of traditional architecture, narrow lanes, and quaint shops. Naramachi is a great addition to a Nara day trip.
- Explore beautifully restored machiya (townhouses). Visit one of the two townhouses below:
- Naramachi Koshi-no-Ie is a traditional house open to the public and provides insight into historical living conditions
- Naramachi Nigiwai-no-le is another traditional house accessible to the public with a beautiful garden
- After visiting a townhouse here are some great places to explore. Probably you can do one of these only given the time constraint:
- Try traditional Japanese sweets in the vicinity of Naramachi. If you get lucky you can observe mochi pounding in one of the sweet shops such as Nakatanidou. Despite the crowds, this can be a great experience.
- Taste sake at Harushika Sake Brewery founded in the 19th century.
- Alternatively, you can visit the Naramachi Mechanical Toy Museum, where you can see traditional Japanese toys.
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Option B: Visit the oldest wooden building in the world, Horyu-ji
This place is further away from the center of Nara, there is not much around it, and can be time-consuming to access. Therefore, only choose this option if you are interested in history and want to avoid crowds.
Take the Yamatoji line from JR Nara station to Horyu-ji Station (3 stops, 11 minutes) and walk 20 minutes to the breathtaking Horyu-ji temple. Horyu-ji is the oldest surviving wooden structure in the world and it became part of the UNESCO World Heritage in 1993. The temple is home to national treasures including a bronze Buddha statue from 747.
In fact, there is a scientific debate about the exact time when Horyu-ji was built, however, the most likely is that it was built in 607 by Prince Shotoku and Empress Suiko who fulfilled the deathbed wish of Emperor Yomei by building Horyu-ji.
You can find more information about the history of Horyu-ji here on the official website. Don’t forget that the temple closes at 4.30 PM, so you should aim to arrive by 3 PM to be able to explore the grounds.
