While six or eight hours is ideal for a daytrip, you might find yourself with a mere half day to spend in Nara. If that is the case, don't despair: A half-day (four hours) is enough to see a lot of Nara's major sights.
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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.
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!
With a medium stay of 4-5 days in Kyoto, you'll have the opportunity to delve deeper into the city's rich history and culture. This extended duration allows you to venture beyond the most famous attractions and explore some of Kyoto's lesser-known gems.
Getting to NaraMiyakoji rapid trains operate every 30 minutes between Kyoto Station and JR Nara Station. The one way trip takes 45 minutes, costs 720 yen and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass. For the same fare, the trip could also be made by twice-hourly local trains in 75 minutes.
Nara's sights include Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Heijo Palace, Nara National Museum, the Neiraku Museum and the Isuien Garden Complex.
Do not carelessly touch or approach the deer! Do not let your child approach the deer alone! The deer in Nara Park are wild animals. Their behavior is unpredictable.
Nara is a small but hugely historic city lying around 40KM to the direct south of Kyoto and 35KM to the east of Osaka – it takes around 50 minutes to reach Nara from both starting points. The city is serviced by two main train stations – Kintetsu-Nara Station and JR Nara Station.
By limited express, the one way trip from Osaka-Namba Station to Nara (Kintetsu Nara Station) takes about 30 minutes and costs 1200-1300 yen. By express, it takes just a few minutes longer, but costs only 680 yen. Trains also stop at Tsuruhashi Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line.
Buses & Bus ToursNara Kotsu operates the prefecture's extensive bus network, making it possible to travel to many of the more remote areas not served by rail. They also run many tourist-friendly bus routes linking the key attractions in Nara City, and in other popular areas like Asuka.