How to travel between Asuka and Nara
To Central Asuka:
Take Kintetsu Railways from Kintetsu Nara Station to Yamato-Saidaiji Station (five minutes, frequent departures) and transfer to a train to Kashiharajingu-mae Station (30-45 minutes, frequent departures). To reach Asuka Station, take another train from Kashiharajingu-mae Station to Asuka Station (five minutes, at least two departures per hour). The entire one way journey takes around one hour, costs 560 yen and is covered by the Kintetsu Rail Pass, but not by the Japan Rail Pass.
Slightly faster limited express trains with reserved seating are also available for each leg of the trip and require a supplemental 500 yen fee.
To Tanzan Shrine, Hasedera and Muroji:
Tanzan Shrine, Hasedera Temple and Muroji Temple are most easily accessed from Nara by traveling along the JR Sakurai Line from JR Nara Station to Sakurai (30 minutes, 320 yen), rather than taking Kintetsu Railways from Kintetsu Nara Station as when traveling to central Asuka.
From Sakurai Station, Tanzan Shrine is accessed by bus (20 minutes, 480 yen, departures every 1-2 hours), while Hasedera and Muroji are reached by trains along the Kintetsu Osaka Line. For Hasedera get off at Hasedera Station (10 minutes, 200 yen) from where the temple can be reached in a 15-20 minute walk. For Muroji, get off at Muroguchi-Ono Station (20 minutes, 340 yen), from where a bus runs to the temple (15 minutes, 420 yen, 5-7 buses per day). Note that not all trains along the Kintetsu Osaka Line stop at Hasedera and Muroguchi-Ono Stations.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current Yen exchange rate, click here.
Orientation
The Asuka area is located at the southern end of the Yamato Plain, the cradle of Japanese civilization. To the south, east and west are mountains and at the northern end of the plain, 20 kilometers away, is Nara, Japan's first permanent capital. In the mountains to the south lies Yoshino, while Hasedera Temple, Muroji Temple and Tanzan Shrine are located in the mountains to the east and are accessible via the Kintetsu Osaka Line, which runs in the direction of Nagoya.
Asuka is located near the center of the expansive railway network of Kintetsu Railways, making trips to Asuka easy to combine with trips to other areas in the region. Kintetsu Railways connects Asuka to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Yoshino, as well as the Shima Peninsula and Nagoya. If spending a few days in the area, foreign tourists may want to consider the Kintetsu Rail Pass or Kansai Thru Pass.
The former sites of ancient Asuka are spread out over what has become a very rural area. The main attractions are all within about three kilometers of Asuka Station.
Rental bicycles are the most popular and convenient means of exploring Asuka. There are rental shops outside Asuka Station, Kashiharajingu-mae Station and Okadera Station, as well as elsewhere in the area. Renting a bicycle typically costs 900 yen per day on weekdays and 1000 yen per day on weekends and holidays. Shops are usually open from 9:00 to 17:00, and some offer drop off services, overnight rental or rental by the hour.
Alternatively, the Kame Loop Bus for tourists serves most of the sights around Asuka. It operates once per hour except on weekends during high seasons when there are two buses per hour. The bus runs between Asuka Station and Kashiharajingu-mae Station, passing most of Asuka's main attractions along the way. A single ride costs between 180 and 440 yen depending on distance traveled, while a day pass for unlimited use on one calendar day is available for 650 yen.
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