Nara Guide Volunteers
Welcome to Nara Guide Volunteers,
a non-profit website for visitors to Ancient Nara!
Nara City Sightseeing Guide Map
How to travel between Nara and Kyoto
By Japan Railways (JR)
Miyakoji rapid trains (kaisoku) operate every 30 minutes between Kyoto Station and JR Nara Station. The one way trip takes 45 minutes and costs 690 yen. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on these trains.
By Kintetsu Railways
Twice hourly departing limited express trains (tokkyu) take about 35 minutes and cost 1,110 yen for the one way trip from Kyoto Station to Kintetsu Nara Station.
By hourly departing direct express trains (kyuko), the one way journey takes about 45 minutes and costs 610 yen. There are more frequent connections by express trains, if you do not mind transferring once at Yamato-Saidaiji Station.
The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on Kintetsu trains.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current yen exchange rate, click here.
Orientation
Nara is served by two railway companies, Kintetsu Railways and JR West. The Kintetsu station is an underground station just a few steps from Kofukuji and Nara Park, while the JR station is a 15-20 minute walk west of Kofukuji and the park. A network of city buses connects the two stations with all sites of interest.
Many of Nara's main attractions are found in the centrally located Nara Park and can be visited on foot. The great temples Toshodaiji, Yakushiji and Horyuji, however, stand several kilometers outside of central Nara and are best accessed by bus or train.
One-Day Unlimited Bus Ride Pass for Guests from Overseas
Nara Kotsu Bus Lines has renewed the design of the one-day free pass for service buses within the city that ply the routes to UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites such as Kasuga Grand Shrine, Todaiji Temple, Nara Park and so on. Please make use of this one-day free bus pass for convenient sightseeing around the ancient city of Nara.
1. Ticket Name: "Nara Tourist Local Bus Free PASS"
2. Price: Adult: 500 yen, Children: 250 yen
3. Sales Locations: Nara Kotsu Bus Lines Information Centers, JR Nara Station, Kintetsu Nara Station (1F)
4. Scope of Use: Specified area in Nara city
5. Precautions:
This Local Bus Free PASS is valid for the date stated on the ticket and unlimited rides within the specified area.
Refund is limited to unused tickets before the validity date.
Additional fares apply when using this ticket outside the specified scope of use.
When going to Toshodaiji and Yakushiji Temples with this ticket, please display the free pass and pay an additional fare of 180 yen (as of August 1, 2013).
6. Ticket Face (image):
7. Others:
A pass holder will be issued at the sales counter when purchasing. Pass the string through the hole in the ticket and hang it from your neck. You can also use the ticket without the pass holder. Please let the sales staff know if you do not need it.