The Perfect Kyoto to Nara Day Trip: Complete Itinerary with Map (2025 Guide)
The Kansai region is located in western Japan and features internationally famous cities such as Kyoto and Osaka. The central hub is Kyoto, and besides Osaka, it includes Hyogo Prefecture with the port city of Kobe, and Shiga Prefecture with the beautiful Lake Biwa.
The Kansai area has many popular tourist destinations, and the historic city of Nara is one of them. With three World Heritage sites and numerous historical buildings that are older than those in Kyoto, Nara is a city steeped in history.
In recent years, many foreign tourists have been visiting. Since it's close to Kyoto, many people enjoy a one day trip from Kyoto to explore Nara.
Among Nara's many attractions, I have carefully selected the tourist spots you should visit. I'll introduce an itinerary with a map that allows you to efficiently and deeply enjoy Nara in one day.
Please use this as a reference and enjoy your one day trip from Kyoto to Nara.
How to Get to Nara from Kyoto?
The distance from Kyoto to Nara is approximately 45km. With well-developed transportation networks, you can easily travel in about 45 minutes to 1 hour, making trains the recommended option for a one day trip from Kyoto to Nara.
(By Train)
- Kintetsu Line:
①From "Kyoto" Station, take the Kintetsu Kyoto Line Limited Express (Vista Car) bound for Kintetsu Nara → Get off at "Kintetsu Nara" Station... approximately 37 minutes, 1,280 yen
②From "Kyoto" Station, take the Kintetsu sightseeing limited express (Awo ni Yoshi) → Get off at "Kintetsu Nara" Station... approximately 36 minutes, 1,490 yen
- JR Line: From "Kyoto" Station, take JR Miyakoji Rapid bound for Nara → Get off at JR "Nara" Station → 15-minute walk → "Kintetsu Nara" Station... approximately 1 hour, 720 yen
There are two types of stations available in Nara's central area: JR "Nara" Station and "Kintetsu Nara" Station. These two stations are about a 15-minute walk apart. For today's itinerary, "Kintetsu Nara" Station is recommended as it's closer to Nara Park, where many of the spots we'll visit are located.
The easiest way to get there is to take the Kintetsu Line limited express bound for Kintetsu Nara from the terminal station "Kyoto" Station. Including the limited express fee, it costs a total of 1,280 yen and takes about 37 minutes to arrive.
Additionally, Kintetsu Line operates a special sightseeing limited express (Awo ni Yoshi) with only 4 services per day. You can travel from "Kyoto" Station to "Kintetsu Nara" Station in an elegantly appointed train with spacious seats while enjoying the scenic views from the windows.
If you want to travel using the cheapest method, take the JR line from "Kyoto" Station and get off at JR "Nara" Station. Then walk 15 minutes to reach "Kintetsu Nara" Station.
Nara's Appeal
Nara's appeal lies in the strong sense of Japan's ancient history and atmosphere you can experience there.
Nara was home to Japan's capital until the 8th century. Many shrines, temples, and historical buildings constructed from ancient times through the 8th century remain preserved.
The culture that particularly flourished in Nara until the mid-8th century is called Tempyo culture. Centered around aristocrats and Buddhist temples, numerous temple architectures, Buddha sculptures, and Buddhist paintings were created.
Since trade was conducted through the Silk Road, Tempyo culture was greatly influenced by Tang, Indian, and Persian cultures, which is one of its major characteristics.
In this itinerary, we'll mainly visit beautiful temples representing Tempyo culture, such as Kofuku-ji, Todai-ji, and Toshodai-ji, to observe ancient architecture and exquisite Buddha sculptures.
Additionally, the deer in Nara Park and the primeval forests—rich nature that has been carefully preserved since ancient times—are also major attractions of Nara.
Route Overview of One-day Itinerary from Kyoto to Nara
In today's itinerary, we'll depart from "Kyoto" Station at 9:00 AM and head to Nara for a one day trip.
Once you arrive at "Kintetsu Nara" Station, which is Nara's central area, first head to Kofuku-ji, which is also a World Heritage site. Kofuku-ji is located in Nara Park and is about a 4-minute walk from the east exit of "Kintetsu Nara" Station.
Nara Park is very vast with many attractions, so we plan to spend the entire day touring it.
After visiting Kofuku-ji and the nearby Gango-ji, I also recommend doing some gift shopping in the shopping district during the morning.
After lunch, head back to Nara Park to visit must-see spots like Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha that you absolutely must visit when coming to Nara. Furthermore, take your time to leisurely stroll and explore while thoroughly enjoying the deer and nature of Nara Park.
In the evening, enjoy a special dinner at a popular Michelin-listed restaurant in Nara.
To Fully Enjoy Nara in One Day, Getting Guided by a Local Guide Who Knows Nara Inside and Out is the Best Option!
While I'm introducing a one-day plan for self-guided sightseeing, I definitely recommend touring Nara with a guided tour.
This tour includes a dedicated local guide and private car, allowing you to comfortably tour Kyoto and Nara over 10 hours.
In Nara, you'll visit Todai-ji, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha, and Horyu-ji. Nara's temples have a more archaic and austere appearance compared to those in Kyoto, so without knowing the history, you might not fully appreciate their charm.
Take a full day to slowly listen to the stories hidden behind the backgrounds of these historical temples from your guide. Transportation and admission fee costs are all included in the tour price, so you don't need to worry about anything extra.
If you want to deeply savor the historical beauty that lies dormant in Nara, consider using a tour.
- Meeting point: Pickup available mainly from hotels in Kyoto city
- Tour area: Kyoto, Nara
- Start time: 9:00
One-day Itinerary to Fully Enjoy the Charm of Japan's Ancient Capital "Nara"
9:00 AM: Depart from Kyoto
Depart from Kyoto to Nara at 9:00 AM.
Use either the Kintetsu Line or JR Line from the terminal station "Kyoto" Station. Since you'll be doing a lot of walking today, I recommend using the Kintetsu Line, which requires less walking once you arrive in Nara. In that case, get off at "Kintetsu Nara" Station.
The special sightseeing train "Awo ni Yoshi" from Kyoto to Nara that I introduced earlier operates from the 10 o'clock hour, so it cannot be used for this trip. "Awo ni Yoshi" runs between Osaka-Kyoto-Nara in the Kansai area. If you're interested in the elegant interior and luxurious facilities, please check the timetable and try it on another occasion.
10:00 AM: Exploring Around Kintetsu Nara Station
When you arrive in Nara around 10:00 AM on your one day trip from Kyoto, start by exploring the area around Kintetsu Nara Station. Exit through the east exit of Kintetsu Nara Station, and after about a 4-minute walk, you'll reach your first destination, Kōfuku-ji Temple.
First, enjoy the beautiful Kōfuku-ji, which is also a World Heritage site, and if you have time, visit Gango-ji as well. After that, head to shopping areas. Since Kōfuku-ji is located within Nara Park, which you'll also visit in the afternoon, those who want to dedicate their morning to shopping can postpone the Kōfuku-ji visit to the afternoon.
Kōfuku-ji
Kōfuku-ji is a representative temple of Nara that is registered as a World Heritage site. Founded in 710, the temple grounds contain beautiful temple buildings and pagodas. The 50-meter-tall wooden five-story pagoda is one of Nara's symbolic structures. Additionally, there's the Tōkondō with precious Buddhist statues and the Chūkondō with beautiful vermillion-painted architecture.
Among the many attractions at Kōfuku-ji, the National Treasure Museum is extremely popular. The National Treasure Museum displays precious Buddhist statues designated as national treasures, as well as traditional paintings and crafts. You can see Buddhist statues created with beautiful and intricate carving techniques, such as the wooden Kannon statue with a thousand hands and the Ashura statue.
While admission fees are required to enter buildings like the National Treasure Museum and Chūkondō, viewing the five-story pagoda and architectural structures from outside is free. Taking photos of the five-story pagoda as a typical Nara scene is also recommended.
Since it's located within Nara Park, which you plan to visit in the afternoon, those who want to explore other spots in the morning can visit Kōfuku-ji in the afternoon instead.
- Address: 48 Noboriojicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
- Operating Hours: 9:00 AM 5:00 PM
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone Number: 0742227755
- Admission Fee: 1,600 yen (Combined ticket for Chūkondō, Tōkondō, and - National Treasure Museum)
- Official Website: http://www.kohfukuji.com/
Gango-ji
Gango-ji is a temple with 1,300 years of history. It's one of the oldest temples in all of Japan and is designated as a World Heritage site. It features the "Gokurakudo," a building designated as a national treasure, and many stone Buddhist statues.
Gango-ji is a very quiet temple, and depending on the season, there aren't many tourists. When I visited, cherry blossoms were blooming in the quiet space, and I was able to slowly enjoy the 7th-century architecture and sacred atmosphere.
Additionally, Gango-ji has a space where many stone Buddhist statues and stone monuments are neatly arranged in rows. The stone Buddhist statues lined up under blooming trees gave a very gentle impression and were healing.
You can also visit a museum displaying precious Buddhist implements and a small five-story pagoda about 5.5 meters tall. Those with time to spare should definitely visit Gango-ji together with Kōfuku-ji.
Address: 11 Chuincho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
- Operating Hours: 9:00 AM 4:30 PM
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone Number: 0742231377
- Admission Fee: 500 yen
- Official Website: https://gangoji-tera.or.jp/
Nara National Museum
Source:Wikipedia
Nara National Museum is a museum located within Nara Park. It has a Buddhist sculpture hall where you can see about 100 historical Buddhist statues, and it also houses paintings, sculptures, calligraphy centered on Buddhist art, as well as ancient Chinese bronze artifacts.
Nara National Museum houses 13 national treasures and 114 important cultural properties, and offers multilingual guides in English, Chinese, and Korean.
For those who want to learn about how to appreciate Buddhist sculpture and Buddhist art and their history before actually visiting temple sites, visiting Nara National Museum in the morning is also recommended.
However, Nara National Museum can get very crowded during exhibition periods. Since viewing can take a long time, make sure to check the exhibition schedule on the website in advance.
- Address: 50 Noboriojicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
- Operating Hours: 9:30 AM 5:00 PM
- Closed: Mondays
- Phone Number: 05055428600
- Official Website: https://www.narahaku.go.jp/
Higashimuki Shopping Street
Higashimuki Shopping Street is a shopping street with a retro atmosphere where restaurants, gift shops, and general stores are gathered. It's covered by an arcade, so you can shop without worrying about the weather, even when it's raining.
Higashimuki Shopping Street, located right next to Kōfuku-ji, has shops specializing in Nara's local products. There are shops selling traditional pickles called "Nara-zuke" and "kaki-no-ha-zushi" (persimmon leaf sushi) made with Nara's specialty mackerel.
Kaki-no-ha-zushi is one of my favorite foods, and once you try it, it becomes addictively delicious. Please give it a try.
There are also large chain stores that local people use daily, such as 100-yen shops and large drugstores. For those who want to shop for miscellaneous goods and Japanese cosmetics, shopping during this time is also recommended.
- Address: 15 Higashimuki Nakacho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
- Operating Hours: Varies by store
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone Number: 0742244986
- Official Website: https://higashimuki.jp/
Sanjo dori Street
Sanjo dori Street is a shopping street located very close to JR Nara Station. Said to be Japan's oldest shopping street, it's lined with restaurants and shops selling light meals and desserts unique to Nara. It's also the road leading to Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and there are many specialty product shops aimed at travelers.
Sanjo dori Street is a spot where you can enjoy shopping at beautiful stores under the blue sky. Compared to Higashimuki Shopping Street, which locals also use, there are more gift shops aimed at travelers and many stores with new and stylish interiors.
On weekends and during spring and autumn tourist seasons, this street is very lively with travelers. Not only people, but deer sometimes walk around here too.
Since it's located between JR Nara Station and Kintetsu Nara Station, you can also pass through here when moving between stations.
- Address: 2-1 Shimosanjocho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Si-Ro Sanjo 3F
- Operating Hours: Varies by store
- Closed: Varies by store
- Phone Number: 0742262461
- Official Website: https://nara-sanjomall.com/
12:00 PM: Lunch in Central Nara
When it becomes 12:00 PM, let's have lunch. Around Nara Park, there are places where you can eat delicious lunch in wonderful spaces, such as Unagiku Nara, which is an annex of the famous long-established restaurant Kikusuirou.
I'll introduce three restaurants: an elegant and traditional eel restaurant, a modern sukiyaki restaurant, and a Japanese restaurant where you can enjoy Nara's Yamato vegetables.
Unagiku Nara Main Store
Source:Tabelog
Unagiku Nara Main Store is an eel restaurant located near Kasuga Taisha Shrine. It was opened as an annex of Kikusuirou, a long-established restaurant with over 100 years of history. The building of Kikusuirou, which is designated as a cultural property, and the Unagiku building are also traditional and beautiful, with a beautifully maintained Japanese garden on the premises.
For lunch, the "gozen" menu is recommended. You can enjoy a set meal with eel over rice, soup, pickles, and other side dishes.
The golden-colored eel is very tender with a fluffy grilled finish. The sauce has an elegant sweetness with a subtle soy sauce flavor. Since it's generously applied, enjoy the deliciousness by eating it together with the remaining rice.
- Address: 1130 Takabatakecho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, inside Kikusuirou
- Operating Hours: 11:00 AM 2:45 PM, 5:00 PM 7:00 PM
- Closed: Tuesdays
- Phone Number: 05031738945
- Official Website: http://www.kikusuiro.com/unakiku/?utm_source=GoogleMyBusiness&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=unakiku
Kitsune
Source:Tabelog
Kitsune is a high-end sukiyaki restaurant with a modern atmosphere. The restaurant name "kitsune" means "fox," and in Japan, foxes are believed to have magical powers. The restaurant's concept is sukiyaki so delicious it's as if a fox cast a magic spell on it.
The recommended lunch at Kitsune is the "Kitsune Sukiyaki Rice Bowl." Sweet beef sukiyaki is generously served over vinegar-mixed rice. Additionally, deep fried tofu, which is a food that symbolizes foxes in Japan, is also included.
With just one bite, the oil from the deep fried tofu and the umami of the beef permeate the rice, creating an exquisite combination. For those who want to enjoy high-level sukiyaki for lunch, definitely visit the very popular Kitsune.
- Address: 1F Shikasarukitsune Building, 22 Motoriincho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
- Business Hours: 11:00 AM 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM 9:00 PM
- Closed: Wednesdays
- Phone Number: 0742275023
- Official Website: https://sio-yoyogiuehara.com/restaurants/kitsune/
Naramachi Hiyori
Source:Tabelog
Naramachi Hiyori is a Japanese cuisine restaurant located near Kofukuji Temple. This restaurant serves traditional home-style cooking called "obanzai" from the Kyoto area, using Nara's specialty products: Yamato vegetables and Yamato beef.
Naramachi Hiyori is committed to using ingredients unique to Nara and provides healthy Japanese cuisine. Yamato vegetables grown in Nara are packed with nutrition and characterized by their gentle, sweet flavor. I ordered the lunch course "Hidamari," which allows you to enjoy many Yamato vegetable dishes.
I enjoyed traditional Japanese home cooking like simmered komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach) with modest and elegant seasoning. What I recommend is adding Yamato beef steak, which is Nara's brand beef, to the course. It becomes a satisfying lunch to prepare for afternoon sightseeing.
- Address: 26 Nakashinya-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
- Business Hours: 11:30 AM 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM 9:30 PM
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone Number: 0742241470
- Official Website: http://naramachi-hiyori.jp/
1:00 PM: Visit Nara's Symbol "Todaiji Temple"
At 1:00 PM, let's finally go to "Todaiji Temple," which is Nara's symbol.
Todaiji Temple is a temple located within Nara Park that was founded in the mid-8th century and houses Japan's largest bronze Buddha statue.
Other famous features include the Nandaimon (Great South Gate), which is a large wooden gate designated as a national treasure, and the impressive Niomon (Deva Kings) statues inside it. Additionally, there's the Todaiji Museum where you can see many precious Buddhist sculptures and paintings.
The building housing the Great Buddha, called Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), is approximately 48 meters high and 57 meters wide, making it one of the world's largest wooden structures. The Great Buddha is 14 meters tall, and when you enter and look up from below, you'll be amazed by the indescribable grandeur and power.
Incidentally, near the large Buddha there's a pillar with a hole the same size as the Buddha's nostril. It's believed that passing through it brings health and wish fulfillment, making it an enjoyable tourist spot as well.
The hole is about the size for one child or small-built person to pass through, and I remember crawling through it when I was a child. It's a place that creates fun memories, so please give it a try.
- Address: 406-1 Zoshicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
- Business Hours: 7:30 AM 5:30 PM
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone Number: 0742225511
- Admission Fee: 600 yen (Daibutsuden, Hokkedo, Senjudo, Todaiji Museum)
- Official Website: https://www.todaiji.or.jp/
2:30 PM: Enjoy Beautiful Nature, Architecture, and Interactions with Deer at Nara Park After seeing Todaiji Temple, let's explore other spots in Nara Park.
Nara Park is located in Nara City and has a site area of 5.11 square kilometers. Within this vast area, there are many historical temples and architectural structures, including Todaiji Temple that we just visited.
The park also has very rich nature. The grounds include Mount Wakakusa, which has been beloved by Nara people since ancient times, the Kasugayama Primeval Forest that hasn't been logged for over 1000 years, and the Kasuga Taisha Sacred Tree Forest. In spring, Someiyoshino and double cherry blossoms bloom, and in autumn, trees throughout the park beautifully change color.
Nara Park contains World Heritage sites including Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Kofukuji Temple. In the afternoon, let's slowly enjoy various spots in Nara Park, starting with Kasuga Taisha Shrine, which we haven't visited yet.
- Address: 30 Noborioji-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
- Business Hours: -
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone Number: 0742220375
- Official Website: https://www3.pref.nara.jp/park/
When You Come to Nara Park, Purchase "Deer Biscuits" and Try Feeding the Deer! First, let's play with and take photos of the cute deer, who are the popular stars of Nara Park.
Approximately 1,300 deer roam freely in Nara Park. In Nara, deer are considered messengers of the gods and are treated as very sacred creatures.
The deer in the park are accustomed to people and are generally gentle animals. Please interact with them kindly and respectfully.
Visitors can freely give the deer "deer biscuits," which are the deer's favorite food. Deer biscuits are sold at various locations throughout the park.
One thing to note is that since deer biscuits are the deer's favorite food, the deer can get excited when they see them. If you hold them in your hand for too long, the deer might chase you, so once you purchase them, give them to the deer quickly.
3:30 PM: Freely explore Nara Park and its surrounding tourist destinations
After playing with the deer, let's freely explore the vast Nara Park. What I would like to recommend is Kasuga Taisha, which is registered as a World Heritage Site. Kasuga Taisha is a beautiful shrine surrounded by forest. Please stroll around the surrounding paths and take your time to visit while enjoying the quiet nature.
Kasuga Taisha
Kasuga Taisha is a shrine founded in the 8th century. It features beautiful vermillion-colored magnificent architecture and is registered as a World Heritage Site. It is built at the foot of a mountain called Mikasayama, with shrine buildings scattered throughout the forest. Within the grounds, there are not only shrine buildings but also a botanical garden, cafes, and shops.
Kasuga Taisha has many traditional Japanese lanterns, with approximately 3,000 lanterns throughout the shrine grounds. Particularly in the East Corridor where vermillion pillars line up, many traditional hanging lanterns are suspended, creating a very mystical atmosphere that makes it popular as a photogenic spot.
When I explored the grounds, I was impressed by the beautiful paths surrounded by nature and the moss-covered stone lanterns scattered in various locations. Starting with the Manyo Botanical Garden where wisteria flowers are beautiful, please experience how the shrine harmonizes with nature.
- Address: 160 Kasugano-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
- Business Hours: 7:00 AM 5:00 PM
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone Number: 0742227788
- Admission Fee: 700 yen
- Official Website: https://www.kasugataisha.or.jp/
Meoto Daikokusha
Source:Official website
Meoto Daikokusha is a small shrine within Kasuga Taisha. It enshrines the gods of married couples, and it is believed that praying here brings blessings for marital harmony. It is also said to be effective for romantic fulfillment and family harmony, making it a popular spot visited by many couples.
What's popular at Meoto Daikokusha is the "water fortune telling" where you can divine your romantic luck and wishes. You write your wish on special paper and float it in water to divine your future fortune.
Within the vast grounds of Kasuga Taisha, small shrines including Meoto Daikokusha are scattered throughout, and there is also a course where you can visit and pray at 15 small shrines. For those who want to feel nature, I recommend strolling this course and taking a leisurely walk through the quiet and beautiful forest.
- Address: 160 Kasugano-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
- Business Hours: 6:00 AM 6:00 PM
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone Number: 0742227788
- Official Website: http://www.kasugataisha.or.jp/guidance/wakamiya.html
Ukimido Pavilion
Ukimido Pavilion is a hall built on a pond called Sagi Pond in Nara Park. It is surrounded by nature and is known for its beautiful appearance as if floating on the pond. It is also a beautiful spot where you can enjoy seasonal views such as spring cherry blossoms and autumn foliage from the pavilion.
At Ukimido Pavilion, on windless days, you can see the beautiful hexagonal pavilion reflected like a mirror in the pond. The blue sky and clouds are also reflected in the pond together, creating a very beautiful scene. After taking photos of the view from outside, I also recommend sitting in the pavilion and resting while viewing the surrounding scenery.
Turtles and carp live in the pond, and if you watch carefully while resting, you can enjoy seeing them surface from the pond. Also, there are many deer around, and sometimes you can see deer bathing in the pond.
- Address: Takabatake-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
- Business Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone Number: 0742220375
- Official Website: https://narashikanko.or.jp/spot/structure/ukimido/
Mount Wakakusa
Mount Wakakusa is a small mountain within Nara Park. It is 342m high and offers a panoramic view of Nara City from the summit. It is a mountain covered with grass where cherry blossoms bloom in spring and you can enjoy Japanese pampas grass and autumn foliage in fall. In January, an event called "Wakakusa Mountain Burning" is held where the dried grass is burned.
It takes about 30 minutes on foot to reach the observation deck spot at the summit. The blue sky and Nara city during the day, as well as the distant mountains, are very refreshing, but Mount Wakakusa is also famous for its beautiful night view from the summit.
If it's okay for you to return to Kyoto late, please climb Mount Wakakusa after dinner and definitely see the beautiful night view registered as one of Japan's New Three Major Night Views. I also recently saw the night view here and was able to create unforgettable travel memories.
- Address: Zoshi-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
- Business Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone Number: None
- Official Website: https://www3.pref.nara.jp/park/item/2585.htm
6:00PM: Enjoying Exquisite Japanese Cuisine at Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Nara
After enjoying Nara Park as part of your one day trip itinerary from Kyoto to Nara, let's have a special dinner in Nara. This time, we've picked 3 exquisite Japanese restaurants in Nara that are featured in the Michelin Guide.
Let's enjoy a first-class Japanese dinner in restaurants with the traditional and high-quality atmosphere characteristic of Nara.
NARA NIKON
Source:Tripadvisor
NARA NIKON is a renowned Japanese restaurant where you can enjoy authentic kaiseki cuisine. It's a popular restaurant that earned 2 stars in the Michelin Guide Nara 2024, and reservations are sometimes booked up to a year in advance. The interior, filled with the warmth of wood, has the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese tea room.
At NIKON, while cherishing tradition, you can eat creative and surprising fresh Japanese cuisine. The content of the omakase course changes monthly according to the season.
When I visited, the high-grade fish nodoguro was made into sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves, which are a specialty product of Nara, and I was surprised by its uniqueness. The refreshing taste with acidity was unforgettably delicious.
If you want to eat high-quality and fresh Japanese cuisine, be sure to make a reservation at the very popular NIKON to match your travel schedule.
- Address: 3 Nabeyacho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
- Business hours: Weekdays 6:30 PM - 10:30 PM, Friday 5:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Saturday 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM
- Closed: Sunday, Monday
- Phone number: 0742314276
- Official website: https://www.instagram.com/nara_nikonn/
Tsukumo
Source:Tabelog
Tsukumo is a famous Japanese restaurant that gourmets from all over Japan and the world frequent. It earned 2 stars in the 2025 Michelin Guide Japan. The restaurant is located in Naramachi, an area near Nara Park where old townhouses remain.
At Tsukumo's dinner, you can enjoy Japanese-style course meals using seasonal ingredients. All dishes are artistic and beautiful, cherishing the story of each season. For example, in winter, they express snow with lotus root and bring out subtle sweetness, and express the cheerful arrival of spring with vivid mountain vegetables like udo.
Please also pay attention to the beautiful Nara tea bowls, which are Nara pottery, and dishes with painted nightingales that enhance the story of the cuisine.
If you want to enjoy not only exquisite taste but also artistic cuisine, please visit Tsukumo.
- Address: 968 Kideracho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
- Business hours: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Closed: Monday
- Phone number: 0742229707
- Official website: http://tsukumonara.com/
Oryori Hanagaki
Source:OMAKASE
Oryori Hanagaki is a high-end Japanese restaurant that has earned 2 Michelin stars. It operates by reservation only and offers course meals using carefully selected seasonal premium ingredients.
Oryori Hanagaki's menu consists only of "omakase courses," where you can choose between "regular course" and "special course." Only one group is admitted per day for lunch and one group for dinner, allowing you to feel the specialness of everything from cuisine to service being carefully prepared just for that day's guests.
For example, the wagyu steak with mulberry sauce is carefully grilled over 2 hours and is so tender it doesn't feel like meat, with an exquisite taste. The traditional Japanese tea bowls with beautiful lacquer work and other tableware are all first-class and beautiful.
If you want to spend special time during your Nara trip, please make a reservation at Oryori Hanagaki.
- Address: 2-13-2 Gakuen Minami, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
- Business hours: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone number: 0742451288
- Official website: http://www.hanagaki2611.com/
Departure to Kyoto at Any Time
After dinner is finished, let's depart for Kyoto to complete your one day trip itinerary from Kyoto to Nara.
From Nara to Kyoto, use the Kintetsu line from "Kintetsu Nara" station or the JR line from JR "Nara" station. From Nara to Kyoto, the Kintetsu line operates until around 10 PM, and the JR line operates until around 11 PM.
Central Nara is a tourist area with many shrines and temples, not a bustling district lined with drinking establishments. Although there are bars and izakaya that operate until late hours, it might be a bit difficult for first-time travelers to find them.
For those who want to spend a bit more time in Nara until later hours, we recommend looking for bars and such in the "Naramachi" area around Nara Park or at "Shin-Omiya" station next to "Kintetsu Nara" station, which has many izakaya because it's an office district.
3 Recommended Tourist Destinations You Can Incorporate into Your Itinerary Based on Your Preferences
Beyond the spots we've introduced so far, Nara still has many more attractive recommended tourist destinations. Here are three additional spots we recommend for those who love history such as ancient history, and those who appreciate the quiet beauty of temples.
Please consider incorporating these into your schedule according to your preferences when planning your one day trip itinerary from Kyoto to Nara.
Heijō Palace Site Historical Park
Heijō Palace Site Historical Park is a park located on the site of Heijō-kyō, the ancient capital built in Nara in the 8th century. Within the vast grounds, parts of the palace and the magnificent gates that served as entrances to the capital have been reconstructed. There is also a museum with exhibits about the remains from that time and Heijō-kyō.
What surprised me when I visited was the grandeur of the space where grasslands and sky spread out. Except for the reconstructed palace and museum, it's a space where vast grasslands extend, so large that you couldn't walk around it all even if you spent an entire day.
There aren't many interesting buildings here. However, it's a mystical place where you can physically feel history from over 1,000 years ago just by walking around.
The museum displays many archaeologically valuable artifacts. This is definitely a spot that those who love history, especially those interested in Japan's ancient history, will enjoy when including it in their one day trip itinerary.
- Address: 3-5-1 Nijo Oji Minami, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
- Operating hours: 9:00 AM 5:00 PM
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone number: 0742368780
- Official website: https://www.heijo-park.jp/
Toshodai-ji
Toshodai-ji is a temple founded in the 8th century by Ganjin, a Buddhist monk who came to Japan from Tang China. Within the vast grounds, buildings in the Tempyo style influenced by Tang China are preserved, including the Kondo (main hall) designated as a national treasure.
The location of Toshodai-ji is a bit away from the Nara Park area where many tourist spots are concentrated. Therefore, it's very quiet, and you can slowly enjoy the flowers, nature, and buildings that maintain the same appearance as in the 8th century. When I visited, plum blossoms were blooming, beautifully decorating the elegant and simple temple.
Deer also walk around in the surrounding area, just like in Nara Park. If you're particularly interested in the beautiful temple architecture of Tempyo culture, why not extend your one day trip itinerary to include Toshodai-ji?
- Address: 13-46 Gojo-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
- Operating hours: 8:30 AM 4:30 PM
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone number: 0742337900
- Admission fee: 1,000 yen
- Official website: http://www.toshodaiji.jp/
Yakushi-ji
Yakushi-ji is a temple originally founded at the end of the 7th century and moved to its current location in the 8th century. It has a history of repeated destruction by fire and reconstruction over 1,300 years. The East Pagoda within the grounds preserves the original structure built in the 8th century and is also designated as a national treasure.
Yakushi-ji enshrines the famous Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha) statue. Along with the Nikko Bosatsu (Sunlight Bodhisattva) and Gakko Bosatsu (Moonlight Bodhisattva) enshrined together on the left and right, you can feel the high level of skill and delicacy of ancient sculptural techniques. Those interested in Buddhist sculpture should definitely take time to appreciate these works carefully.
You can also view the Kissho Tennyo painting, famous as a Tempyo period painting depicting celestial maidens. For those interested in Tempyo culture artworks, visiting Yakushi-ji is also recommended for your one day trip itinerary.
- Address: 457 Nishinokyo-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
Operating hours: 9:00 AM 5:00 PM
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone number: 0742336001
- Admission fee: 1,000 yen
- Official website: https://yakushiji.or.jp/
For Those Staying in Osaka, We Recommend Joining a Nara One Day Tour Departing from Osaka!
Nara can be toured as a one day trip as introduced in this article, even while staying in Osaka, which is in the same Kansai area.
In this tour, a dedicated guide and private car will pick you up at your hotel in Osaka. After touring Osaka Castle, you'll head to Nara by car and spend the day leisurely sightseeing in Nara.
This tour covers Nara's must-see spots introduced in this article, including Todai-ji Temple, Nara Park, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Additionally, you can fully enjoy vibrant Osaka sightseeing with Osaka Castle in the morning and Dotonbori, Osaka's top entertainment district, in the evening.
Learn about the history and customs of Osaka and Nara, which seem similar but are different, from a guide who knows well about the culture and history of the Kansai area including Nara and Osaka. This will surely make your subsequent stay in the Kansai region even more interesting.
- Meeting point: Pickup available mainly at hotels in Osaka City
- Tour area: Osaka, Nara
- Start time: 9:00