NaraPlaceholder image
Nara
Deer in Nara Park and the Great Buddha of Todai-ji — no transfer from Namba on Kintetsu.
Old temples and shrines such as Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha sit within walking distance around Nara Park. Kintetsu trains run from Osaka-Namba Station to Kintetsu-Nara Station.
Getting there from Osaka
| Route / Line / train | Time (approx.) | Fare (adult, approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Osaka-Namba Station → Kintetsu-Nara Station Kintetsu Nara Line, Rapid Express | about 36 min | ¥680 |
Times and fares are approximate, as checked on 2026-11-11. They vary by train and time of day, so check the railway company's official site or a route planner.
Main sights
Nara Park
A large park home to many deer.
Open in Google Maps ↗Todai-ji
A temple known for the Great Buddha in its Daibutsuden hall.
Open in Google Maps ↗Kasuga Taisha
A shrine lined with many lanterns.
Open in Google Maps ↗Naramachi
An old district of lattice-front townhouses.
Open in Google Maps ↗
Sample day-trip route
- Kintetsu-Nara Station
- Nara Park
- Todai-ji
- Kasuga Taisha
- Stroll Naramachi and return to Kintetsu-Nara Station
Local tips
- When feeding deer crackers, do not approach suddenly, and keep bags closed.
Stay in Osaka and head out
- Namba & ShinsaibashiStay in the heart of Minami, steps from Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi.
- Umeda & Osaka StationA transport hub around JR Osaka Station, handy for Kyoto, Kobe and the Shinkansen.
- Shin-OsakaThe Shinkansen station area — handy for trips to and from Tokyo or Hiroshima, and for early departures or late arrivals.
- Tennoji & AbenoClose to Abeno Harukas and Tennoji Zoo, with good access to Kansai Airport and Nara.
- Uehommachi, Tanimachi 9-chome & TsuruhashiA calm temple-dotted neighborhood on the Uemachi Plateau, close to Tsuruhashi's market and yakiniku.
- Osaka Castle & Tanimachi 4-chomeClose to Osaka Castle Park — great for morning walks and history trips.
- USJ & Osaka Bay AreaA waterfront area suited to trips centered on Universal Studios Japan or the Kaiyukan aquarium.
More day trips
- KyotoAbout 30 minutes from Osaka by train — the classic day trip for temples and old streets.
- KobeHarbor views, old Western-style houses and Chinatown — 20 to 30 minutes from Osaka by train.
- AshiyaA calm residential town between Osaka and Kobe, known for architecture and literature.
- AmagasakiRight next to Osaka: the rebuilt Amagasaki Castle, a temple quarter and lively shopping arcades.
- WakayamaWakayama Castle and seaside views — about an hour from Namba by Nankai limited express.
- Shiga & OtsuLake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, plus Mt. Hiei and old temples — past Kyoto with no transfer on JR.