Nara Day Trip#
A full day walking around Nara’s historic east side. Everything is reachable on foot from Kintetsu-Nara Station — no buses needed.
Hits 3/8 Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara, and could easily be modified to hit 2 more. The other 3 are on the other side of town. The bus across town takes most of an hour.
Overview#
| Start/End | Kintetsu-Nara Station |
| Duration | Full day (~6–8 hours) |
| Distance | ~6 km walking |
| Attraction | Hours | Notes | English? | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Todai-ji | 7:30-5:30, 7 days a week | |||
| Nara National Museum | 9:30-5 Tues-Sunday | Large Museum of Buddhist Sculpture | Limited to no English signage. Google Lens can translate signs, and you can appreciate the art | |
| Yakushi-ji | 9-5, 7 days a week | None, but there’s nothing to read anyway. Just enjoy the sights. | ||
| Harushika | 10-5, Wed-Mon | Sake Tasting. Bring bags if you want to shop. | There are English descriptions for the sake, but the staff may not speak much. | |
| Koruri Cafe & Curry | 11-7, Wed-Sun | Mom & pop curry shop. | The owners do not speak English, but they have translated menus | https://maps.app.goo.gl/DM8bpQLbnJzLhREk8 |
| Nakatanido |
Route#
1. Kintetsu-Nara Station#
Start here rather than JR Nara — it’s closer to the main sights. Coin lockers are available at the station if you’re travelling with luggage.
2. Todai-ji#
Head east along Sanjo-dori, then north into Nara Park. Todai-ji houses the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), one of the largest bronze statues in the world. The scale of the main hall is hard to overstate — it’s the largest wooden building in the world.
3. Kasuga-Taisha via Nara Deer Park#
Walk south-east through the park toward Kasuga Grand Shrine. The path is lined with stone lanterns and wandering deer. You can buy deer crackers (shika senbei) from vendors along the way — the deer know the drill and will bow for them (then aggressively demand more).
Kasuga-Taisha itself is famous for its thousands of bronze and stone lanterns. The inner shrine is worth the small entry fee.
4. Shin Yakushi-ji#
When you’re done at Kasuga Taisha, check your map carefully. Don’t take the same route back, take the side path south through the forest. There’s two more shrines this way on the grounds worth a quick visit, and the forest itself is considered part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Along the way, you’ll pass by Fuku-in temple as well. I didn’t visit, but it looks nice. Notable for selling both “making connections” and “severing connections” talismans. The former are very common - the latter quite rare. If you’re hoping for a divorce, consider paying your respects here.
Shin Yakushi-ji is smaller and much less crowded than Todai-ji, with a beautiful collection of twelve divine generals (Juni Shinsho) surrounding the main Buddha. A peaceful contrast after the busier morning stops. After you enter through the main gate, walk across the gravel area - the door to the temple hall is around the left side of the building.
5. Harushika Sake Brewery#
A short walk west. Harushika offers sake tastings — you get to sample several varieties for a small fee. A good midday break, and you can pick up bottles to take home. They also make a sake-flavoured soft serve.
Note: Closed Tuesdays.
Hours: 10-5
6. Koruri Curry & Cafe#
Time for a late lunch. Koruri serves Japanese-style curry in a cozy setting. The owners don’t speak English, but they have English menus, and are very friendly.
| Hours | 11-7, Wed-Sun |
| English spoken | ❌ Foreigner-friendly, though |
| English menu | ◯ |
7. Nakatanidou#
Head back toward the station via Mochi-iidono shopping street. If you want to maximize the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara tour, you’ll pass by Gango-ji along the way. There’s so many lovely ancient temples in Nara that you can’t visit them all in one day!
Nakatanidou is famous for their mochi-pounding performance — staff pound fresh mochi at high speed. The yomogi (mugwort) mochi is excellent. Grab some for the train ride back. We got 2 each - one for eating immediately, and another for later. Fresh is best :)
I also recommend Takoyaki Omatsu here, right next to Nakatanidou - you’ll probably stand next to it while queueing for mochi. They’re very friendly, and the takoyaki is fresh and tasty.
8. Back to Kintetsu-Nara Station#
Kintetsu-Nara Station is two blocks north from here.
Trains back to Osaka (Namba) or Kyoto run frequently.
If you’ve taken my advice to get a hotel near Karasuma Oike Station in Kyoto, make sure to get the Express Kokusaikaikan train - it goes directly there, without a transfer at Kyoto Station.
Tips#
- Start early to beat the crowds at Todai-ji (opens 7:30 in summer, 8:00 in winter).
- Wear comfortable shoes — it’s a full day of walking on mixed terrain (pavement, gravel paths, temple steps).
- The deer are wild animals. Keep food out of sight until you’re ready, and watch your maps/pamphlets — they’ll eat paper.
- Nara is an easy day trip from Osaka (~35 min from Namba) or Kyoto (~45 min). No rail pass needed; it’s cheap on a regular ticket.