Nara is the former capital city in Japan and it is older than Kyoto. Many shrines, temples and districts are listed on UNESCO World Heritage, National Heritage and/or National Treasure. When you travel in Kansai region, you may think about visiting or staying in Nara. If you go to Osaka or Kyoto from other cities, such as Tokyo, you can get there by Shinkansen. But when you go to Nara, there are several routes and options. The trip route to Nara is varied by your trip plan and/or the deal which you intend to use.
In this post, I would like to share the information about access to Nara by train and bus.
Overview
Please see the route map below:
Osaka and Kyoto are the gateways to Nara. JR and Kintetsu railway connects Osaka, Kyoto and Nara. And Nara Kotsu bus runs between Nara and Kansai airport.
Locations of JR Nara and Kintetsu Nara stations
Before I start to explain about the access routes, I would like to show you the locations of Nara stations. This may be reason why you choose Kintetsu railway. Please see the map below.
View Nara station in a larger map
Kintetsu Nara station is just a step away from many tourist spots, such as Kofuku-ji temple. Nara Park (Deer Park), Todai-ji temple (big statues of Buddha) and Kasuga Taisha shrine. These are within walking distance from Kintetsu Nara station.
JR Nara station is about 1 km away from Kintetsu Nara station. It is acceptable and still within walking distance. If you take Sanjo Dori (三条通/dark brown line in the map above), there are lots of shops along the street. You can enjoy this 1 km walking from the station to Sarusawa pond and Kofukuji temple. But if you travel with a senior or small child, you want to minimize to walk. Before choosing the route, please consider the location of the station in Nara.
Access from Kyoto
You can take either JR or Kintetsu. Kintetsu railway Kyoto station and JR Kyoto station are exactly same location.
But if you intend to use JR Pass or JR West rail passes (such as Kansai Area Pass, Kansai Wide Area Pass, Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass), JR trains are covered and your choice is JR.
If you use Kansai Thru Pass, Kintetsu railway is covered fully. If you do not intend to use any deals, take Kintetsu railway because Kintetsu Nara station is better location.
I show you the fastest train on each Kintetsu and JR lines.
Miyakoji Rapid Service on JR Nara line
There are three kinds of train running on JR Nara line between Kyoto and Nara. These are local, rapid and Miyakoji Rapid train. Miyakoji Rapid is the fastest JR train which connects Nara and Kyoto. The trip time is around 45 to 50 minutes. This train runs every 30 minutes in daytime. Please see the post below to find more information:
Access to Nara from Kyoto by Japan Railways, Miyakoji Rapid Service
Express and Limited Express on Kintetsu railway Kyoto line
There are four kinds of trains running on Kintetsu Kyoto line between Kyoto and Kintetsu-Nara. These are local, semi express, express and limited express. Express is the fastest train which can be taken by only a base fare ticket. The trip time is almost same as JR Miyakoji Rapid train but as I mentioned, Kintetsu Nara station is closer to the tourist spots. Kintetsu railway is faster way to get there.
However if you pay 510 yen extra, you can take limited express train. The trip time is 30 minutes and accommodation is much nicer than express and JR Miyakoji Rapid train. Please see the link below to find the train route of Kintetsu railway Kyoto line. It does not show “Nara” or “Kintetsu-Nara” station on the map in this link. But many trains from Kyoto go to Kintetsu Nara station via Yamato-Saidaiji. The segment between Yamato-Saidaiji and Kintetsu-Nara belongs to Kintetsu railway Nara-Namba line.
Kintetsu railway Kyoto-Kashihara line map
Kyoto Subway Karasuma line and Kintetsu Kyoto line inter-connected through service
If you take Kyoto city subway Karasuma line to get Kyoto station, you may stay on the subway train after Kyoto station. Because many subway trains go through Kintetsu Kyoto line. A few trains go directly to Nara. Please see the link below to find the information in Kyoto city subway official site:
Kyoto city subway Karasuma line route map
Access from Osaka
There are JR Yamatoji line and Kintetsu Nara line. But the departure station is different. You may choose the route by the pass or the departure station.
Yamatoji Rapid Service on JR Yamatoji line
If you intend to use JR Pass or JR West rail passes (such as Kansai Area Pass, Kansai Wide Area Pass, Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass) for the trip to Nara, Yamatoji Rapid Service is fully covered and the fastest train to get Nara from Osaka.
This rapid train depart from Tennoji. But this runs to counterclockwise direction on Osaka Kanjo line (loop line) from Tennoji to Tsuruhashi, Kyobashi, Osaka, Nishikujo, Bentencho. This train comes back to Tennoji again and then goes to Nara. So you can catch this train Osaka (Umeda area) and most of major stations on Osaka Kanjo line. This train is operated very frequently. In day time, it runs every 15 minutes. Trip time to Nara is 55 minutes from Osaka and 35 minutes from Tennoji. If you cannot take this train, you can take rapid or local train. But you may have to change trains on the way.
Please see the details about this train in the link below.
Rapid Express on Kintetsu railway Nara line
If you intend to use JR Pass or other JR deals, Kintetsu is not covered. You should take JR Yamatoji Rapid train to get Nara. But if you use Kansai Thru Pass, it’s fully covered. If you do not use any passes, Kintetsu railway is better choice because of fare, frequency and location of Nara station.
In Osaka, Kintetsu has three terminal stations, Osaka-Namba, Osaka-Uehonmachi and Tsuruhashi. Namba is one of the biggest downtown cores in Osaka. JR has JR-Namba station too. But JR-Namba station is a bit away from the center of Namba. Please see the link below to find more information:
If you take JR train from JR-Namba, you have to change to Yamatoji Rapid Service at Shin-Imamiya or Tennoji. On the other hand, Kintetsu takes you to Nara directly.
Osaka-Uehonmachi is located at same location as Osaka Subway Tanimachi line Tanimachi 9-chome station. You can transfer easily there. And you can transfer easily from JR Osaka Kanjo line (loop line) at Tsuruhashi.
There are 6 kinds of trains running on Kintetsu railway Nara line, such as Limited Express, Rapid Express, Express, Semi Express, Suburban Semi Express and Local. Limited Express is the fastest but you have add a seat fee on top of a base fare. And this is a commute line and Limited Express does not run very frequently. The fastest and most convenient choice is Rapid Express. This is a sort of the commute train. Please do not expect a comfortable seat and interior. You may have to stand up in the train.
The travel times from major terminal stations to Kintetsu Nara station are the following:
Osaka-Namba or Osaka-Uehonmachi -> Kintetsu Nara : 40 minutes by Rapid Express
Tsuruhashi -> Kintetsu Nara : 30 minutes by Rapid Express
Please see the link below in Kintetsu railway official site to find the Kintetsu railway Namba-Nara line route map:
Kintetsu railway official site (English)
Trip time is not much different between Kintetsu railway Rapid Express and JR Yamatoji Rapid. However Kintetsu Nara station is better location. Just keep it in your mind.
Access from Kobe
If you access to Nara from Kobe, you have to go through Osaka. There are two ways to get Nara as well. These are JR and Hanshin-Kintetsu Railways.
JR Special Rapid and JR Yamatoji Rapid Services
This is the way for the traveler who wants to use JR Pass or other JR deals. You may take Special Rapid train from Kobe to Osaka. After arrival in Osaka, you can take same way that is Yamatoji Rapid train. There is no direct JR trains from Kobe to Nara.
Hanshin Railway and Kintetsu Nara line
Hanshin Railway is other private railway company and it connects Umeda/Namba and Kobe (Sannomiya). Hanshin railway and Kintetsu railway are connected each other at Osaka-Namba station. Many trains go through each other. Some Rapid Express run between Kobe-Sannomiya and Nara directly. It is operated every 20 to 30 minutes during daytime and travel time is 75 to 80 minutes.
This is only direct train service. It is the easiest and the fastest way to get Nara from Kobe.
If you use Kansai Thru Pass, both Hanshin and Kintetsu railways are covered fully. If you do not use any deals, this is the best choice as well.
Access from Kansai airport
There are three ways, Nara Kotsu bus, JR and Nankai-Kintetsu railways.
Nara Kotsu airport limousine bus
This is only direct transportation from Kansai airport to Nara. Please see the link below to find the timetable and the faretable:
Kansai airport limousine bus official site (English)
If you do not use any train passes, this is the best way to get Nara from Kansai airport.
JR Limited Express Haruka and Yamatoji Rapid Service
This is the way for the traveler who want to use JR Pass or other JR deals.
Kansai airport (Limited Express Haruka) Tennoji (Yamatoji Rapid) Nara
The travel time is around 1 hour 15 minutes. All trips are covered by any JR deals.
Nankai railway and Kintetsu railway
This route is covered by Kansai Thru Pass. And Nara Access Ticket is the deal to cover this route. This is most affordable way to get Nara from Kansai airport.
Nara Access Ticket (Nankai railway official site)
The travel time is not much different from JR Haruka and Yamatoji Rapid combination.
Comments
Hello Takeshi-San,
can you please help with below itinerary? my 7 days JR pass is on the way, I would like to know the best way to use it, plus if there are any passes/deals I should buy to cover the days that I am not using the JR pass.
30-Mar arriving osaka kix airport 4pm, based nearTennoji station for 7 nights below), explor osaka at night
31-Mar osaka (1 day amazing osaka pass?)
1-Apr Osaka to kyoto day trip – 2 day KYOTO-OSAKA SIGHTSEEING PASS ?
2-Apr Osaka to kyoto day trip – 2 day KYOTO-OSAKA SIGHTSEEING PASS ?
3-Apr osaka to hiroshima (JR pass)
4-Apr osaka to himeiji/kobe(JR pass)
5-Apr osaka to nara (JR pass)
6-Apr osaka to tokyo (JR pass), based in air bnb – Kita-Senzoku Station
7-Apr tokyo to nikko (JR pass)
8-Apr tokyo to hakone (JR pass)
9-Apr tokyo to kamakura (JR pass)
10-Apr lake kawaguchi ko by bus
11-Apr tokyo to haneda
Thanks!
Hi Sandy san,
You have picked the right deals. I have only one thing to mention to you.
Kyoto-Osaka sightseeing pass is very cheap. It’s only 1000 yen for two days. But it covers Keihan railway only. You need to spend at least 180 yen to get Keihan railway station which is Tennoji to Kyobashi. And also you have to add other pass or single fare to get west side of Kyoto, such as Golden Pavilion, Arashiyama, Nijo. You have to add all day bus pass at 500 yen or Kyoto sightseeing card on top of this pass. Please see the link below to find the deals in Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
In Kyoto, you can access to most of places by city bus. But traffic in Kyoto is always busy. Train is much faster than bus. So the key to move efficiently in Kyoto is taking train as much as you can. So All day bus pass is cheap but not recommended strongly.
Kyoto sightseeing card is better choice and it’s 2000 yen for 2 days. But if you visit west side of Kyoto on either day and visit along Keihan railway, such as Fushimi inari, Gion, Kiyomizu dera temple, you can add only one day pass.
Other part of your trip is okay. You will get the right deals.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Your posts are great. Thank you for providing detailed guides for those who want to visit your beautiful country. I would like to ask assistance from you as well. It is my first time to travel to Japan. My point of entry will be in Nagoya. I would like to ask what possible transportation will I be using from Nagoya to Osaka? If I go by train, does Japan have an option for tourists wherein we could have unlimited rides for a number of days from Nagoya to Osaka, Osaka to Kyoto, Osaka to Nara, and Osaka back to Nagoya? Thank you so much for your kind reply.
Hi Sunshine,
Kintetsu Rail Pass covers all.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kintetsu-rail-pass-most-affordable-deal-for-osakakyoto-nagoya-and-access-to-ise.html
But this pass does not cover Chubu airport to Nagoya station. You need to add single fare. And also I recommend you to pay extra to take limited express train for Nagoya-Osaka. This pass covers only base fare. You can move between Nagoya and Osaka by ordinary train. But you have to change the trains several times and it’s not realistic. If you take limited express, you can get directly.
And also, this pass does not cover city transportation, such as subway and bus. Nara is okay but you need to have other deals or single fare for Osaka and Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
Even though you need to add a few more, Kintetsu rail pass is the best deal. There is no better and cheaper one available.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi-san
thanks for all your informative posts. I am arriving in Japan for a Osaka-Kyoto-Tokyo trip from 14 December to 26 December.
I have been trying to finalise my itinerary and am wondering if I can fit in a day trip to the Momofuku Ando Ramen Museum in Ikeda city in the morning (9.30 am to 11.30) and then to Nara for the afternoon before going back to Osaka in the evening around 5pm.
Is there a direct train that I can take from Ikeda to Nara or do I have to change trains at Namba and take the Kintetsu train? I am not planning to get a JR pass. Thanks for any advice.
Wilbur
Hi Wilbur san,
If you want to visit some places around Nara station, such as Deer park, Big Buddha, you can make it in half day.
There is no direct trains between Ikeda ana Nara. You have to change trains at least once. Two routes are available.
1. Ikeda (Hankyu) Umeda/JR Osaka (JR Yamatoji rapid) Nara
2. Ikeda (Hankyu) Umeda (subway Midousuji line) Namba/Osaka-Namba (Kintetsu) Kintetsu Nara
Trip time and fare are almost same. If you take route 1, you need to change only once. If you take route 2, you have to change twice but Kintetsu Nara station is more accessible to the places in Nara.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi-san
My arrival to Kansai will be at 11 Sunday 2016. My hotel is in Uehonmachi. What pass to go by train to Nara in a day and back to osaka ? I cant use kintetsu one day pass cover to kyoto and my plan goes to kyoto on the 4 th day. Am thinking to buy osaka n kyoto 2 days pass for 1000 yen is better but doesnt cover to Nara. Any suggestion ?
Hi Lily san,
If you just visit Nara and go back to Uehonmachi, single fare is the best choice. One way fare is 560 yen. Most of places in Nara can be accessed by walk from Kintetsu Nara station.
Osaka Kyoto Pass 2 days at 1000 yen is very affordable. But you have to take subway to get the nearest Keihan railway station. And this pass does not cover subway and bus in Kyoto. You cannot go to Arashiyama, Kinkakuji, Nijo by this pass. You may need to add bus pass or single fare in Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
Kansai thru pass is more expensive. But it covers all, Keihan, Kintetsu, subway and bus in both Kyoto and Osaka, and many other trains.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Especially if you take subway in Osaka afrer/before trip to Kyoto/Nara, Kansai thru pass is the best choice and make your trip be easier.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi-san,
My family will go to Japan on first week of April 2017 for a 7 days trip. This is our first time. We’re planning to get a JR Pass. What other pass do we need to take? Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1 – Arrived Haneida at around 2PM. Explore Shibuya area until night
Day 2 – Meiji Shrine/Yoyogi Park/Tokyo Imperial Palace
Day 3 – Chureito Pagoda at Arakura Sengen Shrine
Day 4- Travel to Osaka /Dotonbori/Umeda Bldg
Day 5- Universal Studio
Day 6 – Kyoto/Nara day tour
Day 7 – Back to Haneida Airport
What time do we need to leave Osaka in order to catch our flight at 3PM in Haneida? What other pass do we need to take? Thank you.
Hi Mai san,
You may need to add single fare or day pass to take subway in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. Some places cannot be reached by JR train in these cities. Subway, city bus and non JR trains are not covered by JR pass. Please see the links below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
And also Fujikyu railway is not covered when you go to Chureito. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/how-to-use-japan-rail-pass-to-go-to-mt-fuji.html
Regarding departure time on last day, it depends on where you stay in Osaka. It takes 3.5 hours to get Haneda by Shinkansen and Keihin Kyuko via Shinagawa. But Keihin Kyuko is not covered by JR pass. If you want to use JR pass only to get Haneda, you have to take Shinkansen to Shinagawa, local train (Yamanote line) to Hamamatsucho, and monorail to Haneda. It takes 4 hours.
And also you need to spend some more minutes to get Shin-Osaka that is Shinkansen station in Osaka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi.
Please advise on which pass should I use. I will reach kansai airport at 9.30am in mar 2017 and return from haneda airport at 11.30pm for 10days.
Should I take kansai thru pass and jr pass?
Day 1 – arrival in osaka
Transfer to guesthouse in namba.
Stroll around osaka, umeda/castle/market.
Day 2 – visit kyoto (day trip)
Back to osaka, dotonburi etc
Day 3 – visit kyoto (day trip)
Back to osaka
Day 4 – nara.
Back to osaka
Day 5 – checkout to hakone
Thinking to stay at gora.
Is this good for hakone loop pass?
Day 6 – expore hakone half day.
Transfer to tokyo.
Looking at place either near mita station or kita-ikebukuro.
Day 7 – stroll around tokyo,
Day 8 – tsukiji market and other tokyo
Day 9 – disneyland
Day 10 – last minute shopping
Transfer to airport – to put luggage first in the morning after checkout.
Then, back to tokyo town.
Transfer to airport at night around 9pm.
Please advise.
Thanks.
Christine
Hi Christine,
Yokoso Osaka ticket for day 1
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/yokoso.html
Kansai thru pass 3 days for day 2 to 4
Single ticket for subway from Namba to Shin-Osaka, and for Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Odawara
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/shin-osaka-station-guide-how-to-change-shinkansen-haruka-thunderbird-and-local-train-access-to-osaka-umeda-and-namba.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/for-non-jr-pass-travellers-guide-to-use-jr-single-ticket-basic-rules-validity-and-stopover.html
Hakone Free Pass for day 5 and 6, add single fare ticket from Odawara to Shinjuku by Odakyu railway
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/
Tokyo subway ticket 48 hours for day 7 and 8, and 24 hours for day 10. Single ticket for disneyland.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Single ticket for access to Haneda.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
question. The Kansai Thru pass that i will be using to our kyoto tour. Can i use the pass in the train goint to kyoto? or should i use icoca first and use kansai thru pass when in kyoto instead? Need rep asap. thanks.
Hi Pau,
You can get Kyoto by this pass. It covers Hankyu railway and Keihan railway between Osaka and Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html#Private_Railways_in_Kansai_area
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
TAkeshi / JPRail.com
and oh can i use my IC for the Kintetsu ride?
Hi. If going to nara from Shin-osaka, I have to ride to Osaka-Namba Stn via Midosuji subway line using my IC then take another ride from Namba using Kintetsu that will go directly to Kintetsu Nara Stn? Is my understanding right? Hoping for a reply. Thanks!
Hi Pau,
The route is right and you can use IC card to get all trains to Nara.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi-san,
i Need some advice
my husband and i going to osaka for 6day 4 night trip (1-6 Nov 2016).
this is my ITINERARY
Day1(1.11.2016)
-arriving kansai osaka at 8.30 am
-stay around namba
-round kobe
Day 2:
Osaka- namba, dhoti nori, baron, kuromon market , umeda sky building
Day 3
-osaka to kyoto(Central East, West)
Day 4
Osaka-kyoto(South)-nara
Day 5
osaka ( osaka castle, osaka acquarium , tempo zhan Ferris wheel)
Day 6:
-going back
I’m not sure should I get Kansai thru pass or amazing pass or single fare.What is the best pass I should get ?
Should i buy JR pass too?
Thanks in advance
Hi Zie san,
Please see the link below. You will find the solution:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com