A Must-Read for Day-Trippers! Complete Guide to Getting from Kyoto to Nara

The quickest way to get to Nara is to take a Kintetsu Limited Express from Kintetsu Kyoto Station to Kintetsu Nara Station.
However, since Limited Express trains require an additional limited express ticket and only save about 10 minutes, you may also want to consider using a Rapid Express, which only requires a base fare ticket.
Both Limited Express and Rapid Express trains run only one or two times per hour, so it’s best to check the schedule in advance when planning your trip.

The most budget-friendly way to get to Nara is by taking the JR Miyakoji Rapid from JR Kyoto Station to JR Nara Station.
However, this train only runs up to twice per hour during the 9:00–17:00 time window on weekdays and weekends (typically departing at 7 and 37 minutes past the hour).
If you're traveling outside this time window, use a Rapid, Section Rapid, or Local train on the JR Nara Line instead.
While the fare remains the same, travel time increases to around 55 minutes to 1 hour and 10 minutes.

IC cards such as Suica and ICOCA are highly recommended for travel in the Kyoto and Nara areas.
They can be used on Kintetsu and JR lines as well as on most local transit systems, allowing you to move around without the hassle of buying tickets every time.
Beyond public transportation, these cards are also accepted at participating convenience stores, vending machines, and even some tourist attractions—making them useful in many situations.
With just a tap of the card, the fare is automatically deducted, so you don’t need to calculate fares or handle cash.
If you don’t already have an IC card, you can buy one at station ticket machines or counters.
Additionally, if you're using Kintetsu, Hankyu, Hanshin, or Osaka Metro lines, you can also use contactless credit cards for payment.
Cards with the ripple mark (VISA, JCB, UnionPay) are accepted, and smartphones with contactless payment set up are also usable.

The KINTETSU RAIL PASS is a special discount ticket offered by Kintetsu Railway for international tourists.
There are four types depending on the area and length of use: 1-Day, 2-Day, 5-Day, and 5-Day Plus passes.
Each pass covers different areas, but all offer unlimited rides on Kintetsu lines (Limited Express rides require a separate ticket), the Iga Railway, and select Nara Kotsu and Mie Kotsu bus routes.
Not only can you travel around Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Mie, and Nagoya conveniently and affordably, but each pass also includes discount perks at sightseeing facilities along the route.
Of course, the pass can also be used for travel from Kintetsu Kyoto Station to Kintetsu Nara Station.

As in many parts of Japan, weekday mornings and evenings in Kyoto and Nara are marked by rush-hour congestion.
Trains and stations are especially crowded during morning (7:00–9:00) and evening (18:00–19:00) rush hours, making it harder to move around.
Traveling in such crowded conditions can be more exhausting than expected.
Daytime hours (departing Kyoto between 10:00 and 12:00, returning from Nara between 15:00 and 17:00) are also busy with tourists, but generally less intense than rush hours.
However, on weekends, holidays, and during the spring and autumn sightseeing seasons, trains can be packed even during midday and early evening. To travel more comfortably, we recommend departing Kyoto early in the morning.

Covering a vast 5.11 km², Nara Park features a beautiful landscape where historic buildings blend harmoniously with nature.
It’s home to Nara’s most iconic attractions, such as Todai-ji Temple, with its Great Buddha, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, a place of worship for centuries.
Seasonal beauty is also a major draw, with cherry blossoms in spring and vivid foliage in autumn.
Another highlight is the approximately 1,300 free-roaming deer, considered sacred messengers of the gods at Kasuga Taisha.
Buy some deer crackers and enjoy walking among these gentle creatures.
The park is only about a 10-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station.

Standing at the heart of Nara Park, Todai-ji Temple is one of Nara’s most famous temples.
Its main hall, the Great Buddha Hall, is one of the world’s largest wooden structures, and houses a 15-meter-tall statue of Vairocana Buddha—known as the Great Buddha of Nara.
You’ll be struck by the hall’s immense scale and the intricacy of the statue’s expression.
Within the temple grounds, you’ll also find the Nandaimon guarded by fierce guardian statues, and Nigatsudo Hall, famous for the Omizutori ritual.
With numerous National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, Todai-ji Temple is a showcase of architectural and spiritual beauty from the Heian and Kamakura periods.
To get there, take a city loop bus from either JR Nara Station or Kintetsu Nara Station and get off at the “Todaiji-daibutsuden, Kasugataisha-mae” stop. The temple is about a 5-minute walk from the bus stop.

With over 1,200 years of history, Kasuga Taisha is a Shinto shrine known for its bright vermillion buildings and sacred atmosphere.
Its unique tradition of “Shikinen Zotai,” or periodic rebuilding every 20 years, preserves its original form.
One of the shrine’s highlights is the collection of roughly 3,000 bronze and stone lanterns donated over the centuries.
During the Lantern Festivals in February and August, these lanterns are all lit, casting a magical glow along the pathways.
Access: From JR Nara Station or Kintetsu Nara Station, take the Nara Kotsu Bus bound for Kasuga Taisha Honden and get off at the final stop.

Located on the edge of Nara Park, Kofuku-ji is an ancient temple founded in 710.
Its five-story pagoda, a National Treasure standing about 50 meters tall, is one of Nara’s most recognizable symbols.
In spring and autumn, the pagoda is bathed in gentle light, and its vermillion hue contrasts beautifully with blue skies and colorful foliage.
Be sure to visit the Central Golden Hall, rebuilt in 2018 after more than 300 years.
Also not to be missed is the National Treasure Hall, which houses a wealth of Important Cultural Properties and Buddhist statues—including the famous Ashura, a masterpiece of Tenpyo-period art.
The temple is conveniently located about a 5-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station.

Toshodai-ji Temple is the head temple of the Ritsu sect, founded by the Chinese monk Ganjin.
Its main hall (Kondo), built in the Nara period (710–794), is the only surviving example of a golden hall from that era and is a National Treasure.
The temple grounds are filled with many other historically significant structures designated as National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.
The solemn atmosphere of Tenpyo culture still lingers here, offering visitors a tranquil and meditative experience.
To reach the temple, take a Nara Kotsu Bus bound for the Nara Prefectural General Medical Center from either JR Nara Station or Kintetsu Nara Station, and get off at the “Toshodai-ji” stop. The temple is just a 1-minute walk from there.

Naramachi is a charming district that preserves the historic townscape of the Edo (1603–1868) and Meiji (1868–1912) periods.
Traditional machiya townhouses, temples, and stone-paved alleys create a photogenic setting where you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped back in time.
The area is also dotted with cafés and galleries housed in renovated old homes, as well as workshops specializing in traditional crafts—perfect for combining sightseeing, shopping, and local treats.
You can reach Naramachi with a 10- to 15-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station.