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Quick answer
Nara is about 35 to 45 minutes from Kyoto by train, so it is an easy day trip. The deer of Nara Park, the Great Buddha at Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha are all within walking distance of each other, so you can see the main sights in half a day. With children, take the Kintetsu line to Kintetsu-Nara Station, which is right next to the park.
How to get from Kyoto to Nara
| Option | Time | Fare (adult) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kintetsu limited express | About 35 minutes | ¥1,280 | The fastest. Kintetsu-Nara Station is next to Nara Park |
| Kintetsu express | About 45 minutes | ¥760 | Cheaper. Direct trains run about once an hour |
| JR Miyakoji rapid | About 45 minutes | ¥720 | Covered by the Japan Rail Pass. JR Nara Station is a 15 to 20 minute walk from the park |
| Private car | About 1 hour | — | Easy with luggage, or when you combine Nara with Fushimi Inari |
Our pick: with children, take the Kintetsu line. You step out of the station and into Nara Park, so there is very little walking.
What to see in Nara
Nara Park and the deer
- Hundreds of deer walk freely around the park
- Deer crackers (shika senbei): sold at stalls in the park for about ¥100 to ¥200 a pack. If you bow to the deer, some will bow back
- For most children, this is the highlight of the trip
Todai-ji and the Great Buddha
- A giant bronze Buddha sits inside one of the largest wooden buildings in the world
- Opening hours: 7:30 to 17:30 from April to October, and 8:00 to 17:00 from November to March
- Admission: ¥800 for adults and ¥400 for children aged 6 to 12
- Inside the hall, a pillar has a hole said to be the same size as the Buddha’s nostril. Crawling through it is said to bring good luck, and children love it
Kasuga Taisha
- A shrine with bright vermilion buildings and thousands of lanterns, set in the forest
- About 20 minutes on foot from Todai-ji, along a path through the trees
Naramachi
- Old merchant streets with traditional wooden townhouses
- A good place for a slow walk and souvenirs
- Don’t wave the crackers around: deer will crowd you. When you have none left, show your open hands and they will move away
- Don’t tease them: when a deer bows, give it a cracker straight away. Holding food out of reach can make deer nip or push
- Small children with an adult: deer are about the size of a small child. Let an adult hold the crackers and pass them one at a time
- Take extra care in autumn and early summer: the mating season (September to November) and the birthing season (May to July), when deer can be more nervous
- Don’t feed them paper or bags: they make deer ill, so take your rubbish with you
Sample plans
Half a day (morning): Kintetsu-Nara Station → feed the deer in Nara Park → Todai-ji and the Great Buddha → lunch → back to Kyoto
A full day: Kintetsu-Nara Station → Nara Park → Todai-ji → lunch → Kasuga Taisha → a walk in Naramachi → back to Kyoto
With Fushimi Inari: Fushimi Inari Taisha early in the morning (next to Inari Station on the JR Nara line) → JR to Nara → Nara Park and Todai-ji → back to Kyoto. It is a lot of moving around, so with children a private driver makes the day much easier.
For Muslim travellers
- Halal food: Nara has fewer halal restaurants than Kyoto, but there are some near Nara Park and Naramachi:
- Jinniyah Naramachi: a halal-certified Japanese restaurant in Naramachi
- SAHHA: a Tunisian and Arabic restaurant not far from the deer park, which says its whole menu is halal
- Opening days and hours can change, so check before you go. You can also use our free lists of about 150 halal restaurants and mosques
- Prayer: check prayer times before you set off and plan where you will pray. For places to pray in Kyoto, see our guide to halal food in Kyoto
Spending more days in Kyoto? See our Kyoto guide with kids.
Staying in Osaka? Nara is about 40 minutes from Namba on the Kintetsu line. See our Osaka itinerary with kids.
Tips for a day in Nara
- Go early: from about 10:00, the park gets busy with tour groups and school trips
- Wear comfortable shoes: the park is large and some paths are gravel
- Strollers: most paths in the park are flat, but the approach to Kasuga Taisha has gravel and slopes
Let a Japanese local plan your Kyoto and Nara trip
Tell us your dates and who is travelling, and we will plan your trip: your hotel in Kyoto, a day in Nara, Fushimi Inari on the way, a private car and halal meals. Plan my trip, or see our Japan tour packages from Dubai.
Can you do a day trip from Kyoto to Nara?
Yes. Nara is about 35 to 45 minutes from Kyoto by train, so a half day or a full day both work well.
How many hours do you need in Nara?
3 to 4 hours for Nara Park and Todai-ji, or 5 to 6 hours if you also want Kasuga Taisha and Naramachi.
Are the deer in Nara dangerous?
Most are gentle, but deer may push or nip when you hold crackers. Small children should feed them with an adult.
Should I take JR or Kintetsu from Kyoto to Nara?
Take JR if you have a Japan Rail Pass. With children, Kintetsu is easier, because Kintetsu-Nara Station is right next to Nara Park.
Are there halal restaurants in Nara?
A few, including a halal-certified Japanese restaurant in Naramachi. Check opening hours before you go.
