Discover Nara
Less than an hour from Kyoto, discover the historical city of Nara, where friendly deer roam the streets, gardens, and temple grounds. As a former capital, Nara boasts beautiful historical temples and intriguing sights that provide a fascinating glimpse into Japan's past.
Things to see and do
Tours and Activities
FAQs
Getting around in Nara
The easiest way around Nara is on foot, since the major sights and attractions are within walking distance from each other.
Travelers can also opt to buy the following passes to get around:
- Nara Bus Pass
- Coverage: all Nara Kotsu buses within Nara City
- Duration: 1 day
- Price: 500 Yen
- Where to buy: Nara Station
- Nara Bus 1-Day Wide Pass
- Coverage:
- all Nara Kotsu buses within Nara City
- also covers buses in Ikaruga
- Duration: 1 day
- Price: 1000 Yen
- Where to buy: Nara Station
- Coverage:
- Nara Bus 2-Day Wide Pass
- Coverage:
- all Nara Kotsu buses within Nara City
- also covers buses within Ikaruga
- also covers buses within Asaku
- Duration: 1 day
- Price: 1000 Yen
- Where to buy: Nara Station
- Coverage:
- Kintetsu Rail Pass
- Coverage:
- All trains on the Kintetsu Local, Rapid and Express Trains between Osaka, Nara and Kyoto
- all Nara Kotsu buses within Nara City
- also covers buses Ikaruga
- Duration: 1 day or 2 days
- Price: 1500 Yen or 2500 Yen
- Where to buy: Nara Station (only available to foreign tourists)
- Coverage:
Getting to Nara
Travelers who come by train should get off at Kintetsu-Nara station.
Rail Passes:
- Kintetsu Rail Pass
- Coverage:
- All trains on the Kintetsu Local, Rapid and Express Trains between Osaka, Nara and Kyoto
- all Nara Kotsu buses within Nara City
- also covers buses Ikaruga
- Duration: 1 day or 2 days
- Price: 1500 Yen or 2500 Yen
- Where to buy: Nara Station (only available to foreign tourists)
- Coverage:
- Japan Rail Pass
- JR Kansai Area Pass
- JR Kansai Wide Area Pass
- JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass
- JR Sanyo San'in Area Pass
- JR Setouchi Area Pass
Rental Cars:
Nearest Airport:
The nearest and most convenient airport is Kansai international airport.
- by car: approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes
- by public transport: approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes
How long to stay in Nara
We recommend staying here between one and two days.
Hotels in Nara
Flights to Nara
Festivals in Nara
There are two famous festival in this area. Please be advised that the following info is based upon previous entries of the festival and that the dates might have changed for the following year. It is also possible that the entire festival is cancelled in the case of heavy rainfall or a natural disaster. Please check with the official organisers' website for the most up-to-date information.
For the exact location of the festivals, you can consult our map above by clicking on the icon in the upper most corner of the map to open the map legend. Festivals are hidden by default but can be made visible by clicking on the "Festivals" checkbox in the map legend.
-
Chugen Mantoro Festival
-
Date: August 14th and 15th
-
Time: 19:00 - 21:30
-
-
Basara Festival
-
Date: August 24th and 25th
-
Time: 11:00 - 20:30
-
Getting mobile data in Japan
We recommend the following options for staying connected in Japan:
Day trips from Nara
Nature enthusiasts will be captivated by the pristine beauty of Akame Waterfalls. Situated in the heart of Muro Akame Aoyama National Park, visitors can marvel at the stunning waterfalls, swim ...
Travel time:
Distance, km: 26.66
Read MoreDiscover the often-overlooked Oyamazaki, located just outside of Kyoto. This hidden gem boasts several intriguing sights and museums that provide an engaging insight into Japan's rich history and culture. Don't ...
Travel time:
Distance, km: 27.41
Read MoreVisit Yoshino in Nara, a quaint, small village famous for its annual cherry blossom display. The village also features world-class temples and a ropeway that leads to unique viewpoints of ...
Travel time:
Distance, km: 35.04
Read MoreLake Biwa offers an array of activities for every type of traveler, from swimming, kayaking, sailing, and windsurfing to leisurely boat cruises on the lake. Explore the local shrines, temples, ...
Travel time:
Distance, km: 43.45
Read More