Can I use JR pass from Tokyo to Nara?

Local trains are also available, but take an hour and fifteen minutes one-way. From Tokyo, take the Tokaido Shinkansen Line to Kyoto Station. From there, take the JR Nara Line to JR Nara Station, as described above. The trip is covered by the JR Pass.



Yes, you can use the Japan Rail (JR) Pass to travel from Tokyo to Nara, but the journey typically requires a transfer. First, you take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka or Kyoto Station. While the JR Pass covers the "Hikari" and "Kodama" trains for free, you must pay a special supplemental fee if you wish to use the faster "Nozomi" or "Mizuho" trains. Once you arrive at Kyoto Station, you transfer to the JR Nara Line for a direct local or rapid train to JR Nara Station. The entire trip is fully covered by the JR Pass as long as you use JR-operated lines. Note that JR Nara Station is about a 15-minute walk from the main park and deer area; the private Kintetsu Nara Station is closer, but your JR Pass is not valid on Kintetsu lines, so sticking to the JR Nara Line is the most cost-effective way for pass holders to visit the historic city.

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Validity. The pass is valid on almost all trains operated on the nationwide network of JR (Japan Railways), including shinkansen, limited express, rapid and local trains. The map below shows the major train lines that are covered by the pass.

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The JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid for any seats, reserved or non-reserved, on “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines. Please use HIKARI, SAKURA, KODAMA and TSUBAME trains.

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Nara, Japan is one of the most popular day trips from Kyoto. Should you bother? In my opinion, yes! Nara is mostly famous for two things – wild deer and a large Buddha.

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With your Japan Rail Pass The Hikari and Kodama trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen lines are covered by the Japan Rail Pass, and they can take you from Tokyo to Osaka in about 3 to 4 hours. In Tokyo, you can catch the Shinkansen either at Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station, and then arrive to Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka.

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The JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid for any seats, reserved or non-reserved, on “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines. (The pass holders must take “HIKARI,” “SAKURA,” “KODAMA,” or “TSUBAME” trains.)

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For a limited time only, you can buy a Japan Rail Pass from certain train stations and airports in Japan. Travelers should be aware it is more expensive to buy a JR Pass in Japan than to purchase the pass online.

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The JR pass is only worth it if you travel through different cities, if you are just travelling to Tokyo to Kyoto for example, I would just pay on the Suica. You can do the online calculator or just use google to calculate which trip is easier - paying individually on Suica or getting a JR Pass.

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Unless you plan to ride a LOT of JR trains during your trip, you'll almost certainly save money by buying individual train tickets instead a Japan Rail Pass. You can buy shinkansen tickets online (before or after arrival) on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu lines (between Tokyo,Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Hakata).

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The Nara Line is a part of the JR West Urban Network in the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe area.

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Nara is 35 kilometers south of Kyoto City and about 28 kilometers east of Osaka. Thus, it's within easy day trip distances of these cities. Of course, if you want to slow down and enjoy Nara a bit more, it makes sense to stay a night in Nara to really explore the area.

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It's a very serene place and has so much to see for those interested in the religion and history of the country, The deer are incredible but Nara Park has even more to offer. My only word of advice to those visiting is that, due to Nara's hooved inhabitants, there aren't many places to get food in the park itself.

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A Nara day trip from Osaka is a wonderful addition to your itinerary. With one day in Nara you'll be able to visit the deer park, see some amazing temples and try some local treats. Our Nara day trip was one of our favourite days in Japan!

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