Day trip from Osaka or Kyoto

Tabimawari - (Tabimawari)
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Tabimawari
What you’ll do

Day trip form Osaka or Kyoto

Day Total

54,2 km (33,7 mi)

1 uur 48 min

NARA

Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital, is home to some of the country’s most iconic temples, sacred deer, and beautiful gardens. This itinerary will take you through the must-see sights while allowing for a flexible and relaxed experience.

🚆 How to Get to Nara from Osaka & Kyoto

📍 From Osaka: Kintetsu Nara Line (Rapid Express) from Osaka-Namba to Kintetsu Nara Station (~40 min, 600 JPY)
JR Yamatoji Line from Osaka Station to JR Nara Station (~50 min, 570 JPY)


📍 From Kyoto:Kintetsu Kyoto Line (Limited Express) from Kyoto Station to Kintetsu Nara Station (~35 min, 1,230 JPY)
JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to JR Nara Station (~45-50 min, 720 JPY)
👉 Tip: Kintetsu Nara Station is more central and closer to most attractions.

📍 1️⃣ Morning: Visit Tôdai-ji & Nara park

⛩️ Tōdai-ji Temple – Home to the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue, housed in the Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden), one of the largest wooden structures in the world.
💰 Entrance Fee: 600 JPY
🕘 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

🦌 Nara Park – On your way to Tōdai-ji, walk through Nara Park, where you’ll encounter friendly deer that roam freely. You can buy special deer crackers (Shika Senbei) for 200 JPY to feed them!
🕙 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

2️⃣ Kofuku-ji Nan'endo Temple & Mochi Show Natakanidou🍡

⛩️ Kōfuku-ji Temple – A UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring a five-story pagoda, one of the tallest in Japan. Also, visit the Nan'endo (Southern Round Hall).
💰 Entrance Fee: Free for outdoor grounds, 700 JPY for the museum
🕥 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM

🍡 Nakata Nakatanidou Mochi Show – Watch the famous mochi-pounding (mochi-tsuki) show at this popular store. Arrive 10 minutes before a scheduled show for a good spot.
💰 Free to watch, 200-400 JPY per mochi
🕚 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Lunch Break 🍽️

Enjoy lunch at a restaurant near Kintetsu Nara Station or try a traditional ryotei serving somen noodles (cold noodles) or kakinoha-zushi (persimmon leaf-wrapped sushi).

🕧 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
💰 Estimated Cost: 1,500 - 2,500 JPY

4️⃣ Afternoon: Two Possible Itineraries

🛤️ Option 1: Imaicho– Edo-Period Historical District 🏯

A well-preserved Edo-period town with 500 traditional buildings, making it a walk through history.

📍 How to Get There?
🚆 From Nara, take the Kintetsu Line to Yagi-Nishiguchi Station (~30 min, 470 JPY).
🚶 Imaicho is 5 min on foot from the station.

🕐 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

📍 What to See?
🏯 Shonen-ji Temple – The heart of Imaicho.
🍶 Kawai Sake Brewery – Free tastings in a historic merchant’s house.
🏠 Traditional Merchant Houses & Shops – Converted into museums, cafés, and galleries.

💰 Entrance Fee: Free (some museums may charge a small fee)

📍 Return to Osaka/Kyoto: Take the Kintetsu Line from Yagi-Nishiguchi to Kyoto (~50 min, 900 JPY) or Osaka (~40 min, 780 JPY).

  • Early mornings and weekdays offer a more intimate experience with fewer crowds, while weekends have more shops and cafes open.

🛕 Option 2: Horyu-ji Temple – Japan’s Oldest Temple (UNESCO) 🏯

A UNESCO-listed site famous for its five-story pagoda, one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world.

📍 How to Get There?
🚆 From Nara, take the JR Yamatoji Line to Hōryū-ji Station (~12 min, 220 JPY).
🚶 The temple is 10 min on foot from the station.

🕐 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM


💰 Entrance Fee: 1,500 JPY

📍 Return to Osaka/Kyoto: Take the JR Yamatoji Line from Hōryū-ji to Kyoto (~1h10, 1,120 JPY) or Osaka (~45 min, 990 JPY).


1

Nara
Nara
Historic temples and friendly deer
Categorie
bezienswaardigheden bekijken
Est. Price
$

2,7 km (1,7 mi)

8 min

2

Nara Park 
Nara Park 
Friendly deer in Nara Park
Categorie
park

2,2 km (1,4 mi)

7 min

3

Tōdai-ji
Tōdai-ji
Historic Buddhist temple with giant Buddha
Categorie
bezienswaardigheden bekijken
Est. Price
$

527 m (0,3 mi)

2 min

4

Kasuga-taisha
Kasuga-taisha
Sacred shrine with historic charm
Categorie
bezienswaardigheden bekijken
Est. Price
$

1,6 km (1 mi)

7 min

5

Kōfuku-ji
Kōfuku-ji
Historic temple with impressive pagodas
Categorie
bezienswaardigheden bekijken
Est. Price
$

1,8 km (1,1 mi)

8 min

6

Nakatanidou
Nakatanidou
Fun mochi-making show in Japan
Categorie
bezienswaardigheden bekijken
Est. Price
$

1,9 km (1,2 mi)

7 min

7

Imopipi Nara
Imopipi Nara
Mysterious online persona with enigmatic messages
Categorie
cafe
Est. Price
$

20,4 km (12,7 mi)

36 min

🛕 Option 1 : Horyu-ji Temple – Japan’s Oldest Temple (UNESCO) 🏯

A UNESCO-listed site famous for its five-story pagoda, one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world.

📍 How to Get There?
🚆 From Nara, take the JR Yamatoji Line to Hōryū-ji Station (~12 min, 220 JPY).
🚶 The temple is 10 min on foot from the station.

🕐 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM


💰 Entrance Fee: 1,500 JPY

📍 Return to Osaka/Kyoto: Take the JR Yamatoji Line from Hōryū-ji to Kyoto (~1h10, 1,120 JPY) or Osaka (~45 min, 990 JPY).

8

Horyuji Temple
Horyuji Temple
Ancient Japanese Buddhist architectural masterpiece
Categorie
bezienswaardigheden bekijken
Est. Price
$

22,9 km (14,2 mi)

29 min

🛤️ Option 2: Imaicho– Edo-Period Historical District

A well-preserved Edo-period town with 500 traditional buildings, making it a walk through history.

📍 How to Get There?
🚆 From Nara, take the Kintetsu Line to Yagi-Nishiguchi Station (~30 min, 470 JPY).
🚶 Imaicho is 5 min on foot from the station.

🕐 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

📍 What to See?
🏯 Shonen-ji Temple – The heart of Imaicho.
🍶 Kawai Sake Brewery – Free tastings in a historic merchant’s house.
🏠 Traditional Merchant Houses & Shops – Converted into museums, cafés, and galleries.

💰 Entrance Fee: Free (some museums may charge a small fee)

📍 Return to Osaka/Kyoto: Take the Kintetsu Line from Yagi-Nishiguchi to Kyoto (~50 min, 900 JPY) or Osaka (~40 min, 780 JPY).

  • Early mornings and weekdays offer a more intimate experience with fewer crowds, while weekends have more shops and cafes open.

9

Imaicho
Imaicho
Preserved historic district in Nara
Categorie
bezienswaardigheden bekijken

234 m (0,1 mi)

1 min

10

Shonen-ji
Shonen-ji
Peaceful temple in Nara, Imaicho
Categorie
bezienswaardigheden bekijken
Est. Price
$

📌 Day Recap

🕘 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | Visit Tōdai-ji (600 JPY)
🕥 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM | Walk in Nara Park & Feed Deer (200 JPY)
🕚 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Visit Kōfuku-ji Nan’endo (Free)
🕦 11:30 AM - 11:45 AM | Mochi Show at Nakatanidou (~200 JPY)
🕧 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Lunch in Nara (~1,500 - 2,500 JPY)
🕐 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM | Option 1: Imaicho – Edo District (Free)
🕐 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Option 2: Hōryū-ji – UNESCO Site (1,500 JPY)
🕘 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Return to Kyoto or Osaka

💰 Estimated Budget for the Day

🚆 Transportation (Round Trip from Kyoto or Osaka)

  • Kyoto → Nara (JR Nara Line): 720 JPY

  • Osaka → Nara (JR Yamatoji Line): 820 JPY

  • Nara → Imaicho (Kintetsu Line): 470 JPY

  • Nara → Hōryū-ji (JR Yamatoji Line): 220 JPY

  • Return to Kyoto (Kintetsu Line): 900 JPY

  • Return to Osaka (Kintetsu Line): 780 JPY
    💰 Total Transportation: 1,440 - 2,500 JPY

🎟️ Activities & Meals

  • Tōdai-ji Temple: 600 JPY

  • Kōfuku-ji Nan’endo: Free

  • Nakatanidou Mochi: 200 JPY

  • Lunch: 1,500 - 2,500 JPY

  • Option 1: Imaicho: Free

  • Option 2: Hōryū-ji: 1,500 JPY
    💰 Total Activities & Meals: 2,300 - 4,800 JPY

📌 💰 Total Estimated Budget: 3,740 - 7,300 JPY (~$25 - $50)


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