5 Days 4 Nights Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Nara Station from Kansai Airport or another city → Check in to hotel → Visit the classic Nara Park (Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and feeding the deer)
Day 2: Explore “West Kyoto” and World Heritage Sites (Yakushi-ji Temple, Toshodai-ji Temple) → Stroll through “Mochi Rice Street” → Walk around “Naramachi” to experience the traditional machiya (townhouse) street
Day 3: Visit the home of goldfish “Yamato-Koriyama City”, visit Koriyama Hachiman Shrine → Head to “Ikoma City” for a nostalgic experience (Ikoma Cableway)
Day 4: Travel through the historic “Yamato Region”: Sakurai City → Uda City
Day 5: Lunch at a local restaurant → Last chance for shopping → Return.
Key Highlights of the 5 Days 4 Nights Itinerary:
• With 5 days of ample time, take the opportunity to not only visit the classic landmarks but also dive deeper into the city’s many corners! The journey from Kansai Airport to Nara Station takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, so if you’re taking an early flight, you can start your first day with a visit to Nara Park. If you arrive later, head directly to your hotel and shift your itinerary to the next day.
• During the 5 days and 4 nights, you can comfortably expand your travel range to the west or southwest of Nara City. Using the Kintetsu Rail Pass or Nara Bus Pass, you can easily and affordably visit more attractions.
3 Days 2 Nights Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Nara Station from Kansai Airport or another city → Check in to hotel → Walk around “Naramachi” to experience the traditional machiya street
Day 2: Visit Saida-ji Temple and Heijo Palace Site → Experience the local cuisine in the food hub of “Tachikawa Station” → Head to “Ikoma City” for a nostalgic experience (Ikoma Cableway)
Day 3: Feed the deer at “Nara Park”, visit Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine → Don’t forget to buy souvenirs! → Return.
Key Highlights of the 3 Days 2 Nights Itinerary:
• If you’re traveling to Nara from Kansai Airport or other cities, make sure to account for transportation time at the beginning and end of your trip. Focus on visiting the classic landmarks of “Nara Park” and “Naramachi”, which are close to each other. With more time on the second day, consider using the “Kintetsu Nara Line” to visit stops like “Yamato Saida-ji”, “Tachikawa”, and “Ikoma”. These stations meet many traveler expectations. For fans of the Japanese actor Tsuyoshi Domoto, “Yamato Saida-ji” is close to “Saida-ji” and the “Heijo Palace Site”. “Tachikawa Station” is perfect for food lovers, and “Ikoma City” offers a unique view of Nara.
Same-Day Return Itinerary
Morning
Arrive at Nara Station from Osaka/Kyoto → Visit World Heritage Sites (Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kofuku-ji Temple)
Afternoon
Feed the deer at Nara Park → Hike to Wakakusa Hill for a scenic view of the deer → Stroll around “Naramachi” to experience the traditional machiya street → Leave Nara.
Key Highlights of the Same-Day Return Itinerary:
• This condensed half-day itinerary is perfect for travelers combining Osaka and Kyoto with Nara. To avoid wasting time on transport, most of the attractions are centered around Nara Park. Depending on your departure time, you can have dinner at Naramachi or return to the shopping street near Nara Station for a final delicious meal. For a more relaxed pace, you can also take the “Nara Regular Sightseeing Bus” for a half-day tour.
Travel Tips for Planning:
• When visiting Japan’s four distinct seasons, you can plan seasonal activities for an even more immersive experience. For example, if you’re visiting in spring, don’t miss the famous cherry blossom spots. In summer, cool off with some “shaved ice”. And be sure to check out the local festivals happening throughout the year. Flexibly adjust your itinerary to make the most of your trip!