Is a day trip to Nara enough?

One day is sufficient to see most of the sights within Nara. You can do this itinerary starting and finishing in Kyoto or Osaka if you wish, but you might find it more relaxing to stay one night in Nara. (See my personal recommendations of where to stay on the Nara Ryokan and Nara Hotels pages).



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Following the existing grid-like street pattern from the 8th century, ease of exploring by foot and its close proximity to major cities in the Kansai region, Nara is one of the best day trips from Osaka or Kyoto.

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The efficient train systems can take you to Nara easily from either city. So it depends if you have an extra day in Osaka or Kyoto. But either way, I would definitely include a day trip to Nara from either city.

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If that is the case, don't despair: A half-day (four hours) is enough to see a lot of Nara's major sights. The itinerary described here is basically an abbreviated version of the one-day itinerary above. Start from Kintetsu Nara Station and walk up Nobori-oji Street.

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The JR Nara line takes 45 minutes by express train or 70 minutes if you catch a local train from Kyoto Station. It's covered by the JR Pass but the price is 690 yen if you don't have one. This is the best way to get from Kyoto to Nara if you have the Japan Rail Pass.

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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.

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Buses & Bus Tours Nara 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.

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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. Twice-hourly limited express trains take about 35 minutes and cost 1280 yen for the one way trip from Kyoto Station to Kintetsu Nara Station.

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Nara's sights include Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Heijo Palace, Nara National Museum, the Neiraku Museum and the Isuien Garden Complex.

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The Local Food of Nara
  • Traditional Rice Porridge (Nara-wide) ...
  • Nara Green Tea Rice (Nara-wide) ...
  • Persimmon Leaf Sushi / Magnolia Leaf Sushi (Nara-wide) ...
  • Mehari Rice Balls (Totsukawamura, Shimakitayamamura etc) ...
  • Somen Noodles / Boiled Noodles (Nara-wide) ...
  • Nara Noppe (Nara-wide) ...
  • Vinegar Persimmon (Nara-wide)


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Admission is free, but you will most likely wish to purchase deer crackers during your visit. A pack of ten crackers costs 150 yen. The Todaiji Temple is open from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm during the months of April through October, and 8 am to 4:30 pm from November through March. Admission is 500 yen.

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I always imagined deers to be too uptight and ready to flee upon sensing the presence of people, but these deers made me appreciate them up close, so friendly. Be careful though feeding them, because once a deer gets a piece of acorn or deer food, the rest would gang up on you, crazy.

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Yusa has the following hypothesis about this: "A long time ago, the deer in the capital Nara were afraid of humans, so they might have started bowing as a result of being stressed. However, the city gradually became a sightseeing spot and the deer learned to bow to people to get Shika Senbei rice crackers.

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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.

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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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