Nara Day Trip from Kyoto or Osaka: Deer, the Great Buddha and Entry Fees
Friendly deer, the world's largest bronze Buddha hall and a lantern-lined shrine, all within walking distance. How to plan a Nara day trip, what Todaiji and Kasuga Taisha cost, and how to behave around the deer.
Nara was Japan's capital in the 8th century, long before Kyoto. Today it is an easy, relaxed day trip from Kyoto or Osaka, and almost everything is in one big park: Nara Park, home to more than a thousand free-roaming deer.
In one day you can feed the deer, stand in front of a 15-meter bronze Buddha, and walk a forest path lined with stone lanterns.
At a glance
- Getting there: under an hour by train from Kyoto or Osaka (Kintetsu or JR)
- Main entry fees: Todaiji Great Buddha Hall ¥800, Kasuga Taisha main shrine free
- Walking: most sights are within a 30-minute walk of Kintetsu Nara Station
Getting there
There are two railways:
- Kintetsu to Kintetsu Nara Station. This is the closer station to Nara Park, so it is usually the easier choice from Osaka-Namba or Kyoto.
- JR to JR Nara Station, a little further from the park. Convenient if you have a JR Pass.
Use Google Maps or a route-finder app for the exact time and fare from your hotel.
Kintetsu Rail Pass
If you are also visiting other Kintetsu areas (such as Ise or Yoshino), Kintetsu sells a Kintetsu Rail Pass: ¥1,900 for 1 day, ¥3,700 for 2 days, ¥4,900 for 5 days. For a simple Nara round trip, a regular ticket or an IC card is usually enough.
The route
A simple loop on foot from Kintetsu Nara Station:
- Nara Park and the deer start just a few minutes from the station.
- Todaiji Temple and the Great Buddha Hall.
- Kasuga Taisha Shrine, through the forest along the lantern-lined approach.
- Back through the park to the station, past Kofukuji Temple and its pagoda.
Todaiji: the Great Buddha
Todaiji's Great Buddha Hall houses a giant bronze seated Buddha, and the hall itself is one of the largest wooden buildings in the world.
| Ticket | Adult (junior high and up) | Elementary |
|---|---|---|
| Great Buddha Hall | ¥800 | ¥400 |
| Hall + Todaiji Museum set | ¥1,200 | ¥600 |
Hours (Great Buddha Hall): 7:30–17:30 from April to October, 8:00–17:00 from November to March.
Bring cash
Todaiji's Great Buddha Hall and Museum accept cash only for admission.
Look for the wooden pillar with a hole in its base: squeezing through is said to bring good luck. Expect a queue of children.
Kasuga Taisha: the lantern shrine
Kasuga Taisha is famous for its 3,000 lanterns: stone ones along the approach and bronze ones hanging around the shrine buildings.
| Fee | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Main shrine worship area | Free | 6:30–17:30 (Mar–Oct), 7:00–17:00 (Nov–Feb) |
| Inner shrine special visit | ¥700 | 9:00–16:00 (closed some days) |
| Kokuhoden museum | ¥700 (adult) | 10:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30) |
From Kintetsu Nara Station it is about a 25-minute walk, or a short bus ride.
The deer: how to behave
Nara's deer are wild animals protected as a national natural monument. They are used to people, and they bow to ask for shika senbei, special deer crackers sold by vendors around the park.
- Only feed them shika senbei. Never give them human food or plastic.
- Don't tease them by showing crackers and pulling them away. They can bite, butt or kick.
- Show empty hands when you run out. Hold your hands open so the deer know you are finished.
- Watch small children around the deer.
Autumn: be careful with male deer
The Nara Deer Preservation Foundation warns that in autumn the male deer are in their mating season. They become more aggressive than usual and can attack people. Keep your distance from stags with antlers.
A sample day
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 9:00 | Leave Kyoto or Osaka |
| 10:00 | Arrive at Kintetsu Nara. Walk into Nara Park |
| 10:30 | Todaiji and the Great Buddha |
| 12:00 | Lunch near the park. Try kakinoha-zushi (sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves) |
| 13:30 | Walk to Kasuga Taisha through the lantern path |
| 15:00 | Back through the park, Kofukuji pagoda, Naramachi old town |
| 17:00 | Train back |
Tips
- Go early. Tour groups arrive late morning. The deer are calmer and the light is better first thing.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Nara is all walking, on gravel and slopes.
- Combine with Fushimi Inari on the way if you come from Kyoto on the JR Nara Line.
Sources
Prices change
Prices, exchange rates and rules in this article were checked on the date shown above. They can change at any time, so please confirm on the official website before you book or buy.
