The following is a full-day model course for average-paced travelers that covers the major attractions in Nara on foot over about five kilometers. Add an additional kilometer if you start at JR Nara Station instead of Kintetsu Nara Station.

Start
Start at Kintetsu Nara Station
Walk
5-10 minutes
Central Golden Hall
Kofukuji Temple's main hall 20 minutes
The Central Golden Hall is the main hall of Kofukuji Temple. It was destroyed in a fire about 300 years ago, and the current building is a reconstruction that was opened to the public in 2018 after years of reconstruction.
Eastern Golden Hall
Kofukuji Temple's eastern hall 20 minutes
The Eastern Golden Hall dates back to 1415 and houses a large statue of the Yakushi Buddha. Kofukuji's famous five-storied pagoda stands right beside.
National Treasure Museum
Museum showcasing the temple's art collection 45 minutes
The National Treasure Museum exhibits part of the temple's great art collection and is an absolute must-see for lovers of Buddhist art.
Walk
5 minutes
Nara National Museum
One of only four national museums in Japan 60-90 minutes
The Nara National Museum primarily displays Japanese Buddhist art, including temporary exhibitions. There are two wings to the museum, and they are connected by an underground corridor.
Walk
10 minutes
Nandaimon Gate
Massive gate along the approach to Todaiji 5 minutes
Nandaimon Gate is a large gate that stands at the entrance of Todaiji Temple. The two Nio Guardian King statues that flank the center path are also designated national treasures together with the gate.
Daibutsuden Hall
Todaiji Temple's main hall 45 minutes
Todaiji is one of Japan's most famous temples and a landmark of Nara. Its main hall, the Daibutsuden Hall, is the world's largest wooden building and houses one of Japan's largest bronze statues of Buddha.
Walk
10 minutes
Approach to Nigatsudo
Scenic walkway 10 minutes
The scenic approach along the hill east of the Daibutsuden Hall is a quiet and picturesque street that leads to Nigatsudo Hall
Nigatsudo Hall
Temple hall with nice views from its balcony 20 minutes
The Nigatsudo Hall stands on a small hill east of the Daibutsuden Hall. Nice views of Nara can be enjoyed from its balcony. The hall is the site of the spectacular Omizutori ceremonies, held every March.
Walk
20 minutes
Kasuga Taisha
Nara's most celebrated Shinto shrine 60 minutes
Kasuga Taisha was established at the same time as the capital and is dedicated to the deity responsible for the protection of the city. The paid inner area of the shrine offers visitors a closer look at the inner buildings.
Return to train station by bus
15 minutes
Finish

Hotels around Nara

Top rated in Nara
Budget:
    • Guest House Oku
      Budget-friendly
      Located 1.8 km from Nara Station, 18 km from Iwafune Shrine and 22 km from Higashiosaka Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Guest House Oku provides accommodation situated in Nara. This 2-star guest house offers luggage storage space and bicycle parking. The guest house features family rooms. With a shared bathroom, units at the guest house also offer free WiFi. Nippon Christ Kyodan Shijonawate Church is 23 km from the guest house, while Shijonawate City Museum of History and Folklore is 23 km away. Itami Airport is 53 km from the property.
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    • Tsukihitei
      Luxury
      Tsukihitei is located in the Kasugayama Primeval Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Each guest room has a Japanese-style decor and offer panoramic forest views, traditional tatami (woven-straw) floors, and shoji paper screens. All guest rooms are equipped with Japanese-style futon beds. The rooms have an en suite bathroom. Kasuga Taisha Shrine is 400 metres away from the property. Todaiji Temple is about a 10-minute walk away. Kintetsu Nara Train Station and JR Nara Train Station are both less than a 10-minute drive away. Japanese-style breakfast and a set meal course dinners are prepared by the Japanese chef using seasonal specialities.
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    • Guesthouse Naramachi
      Budget-friendly
      Offering a shared lounge and garden view, Guesthouse Naramachi is set in Nara, 1.6 km from Nara Station and 20 km from Iwafune Shrine. There is a private entrance at the guest house for the convenience of those who stay. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. All units are air-conditioned and some of them feature a seating area with a flat-screen TV, and a fully equipped kitchen with a dining area. The units are equipped with a safety deposit box and free WiFi, while certain rooms here will provide you with a terrace. At the guest house, units come with bed linen and towels. The area is popular for cycling and hiking, and bike hire is available at this 2-star guest house. An indoor play area is also available at the guest house, while guests can also relax in the garden. Higashiosaka Hanazono Rugby Stadium is 23 km from Guesthouse Naramachi, while Nippon Christ Kyodan Shijonawate Church is 24 km away. Itami Airport is 54 km from the property.
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    • Kotonoyado Musashino
      Luxury
      Kotono yado Musashino offers accommodation in Nara, and is located a 11-minute drive from Nara Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line. Free WiFi is provided throughout the property and free private parking is available on site. Every room includes a flat-screen TV. You will find a kettle in the room. Rooms include a shared bathroom. For your comfort, you will find slippers and a hair dryer. There is luggage storage space at the property. The ryokan also offers free use of bicycles. Kofuku-ji is 1.1 km from Musashino, while Kasuga Taisha is 300 metres from the property. The nearest airport is Osaka Itami Airport, 39 km from the property.
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    • NARA Visitor Center and Inn
      Budget-friendly
      The Nara Visitor Center and Inn is situated in the heart of Nara, just a 3-minute walk from Kofuku-ji Temple and Naramachi. The Todai-ji Temple and Deer Park are a 10-minute stroll away, while Nara Station on the Kintetsu Line is a 7-minute walk. JR Nara Station is 14-minutes away on foot. All guest rooms feature air conditioning and heating, and are equipped with a fridge and flat-screen TV. Japanese samue nightwear are available to all staying guests. Some units come equipped with an en suite bathroom with a shower, while some Japanese-style rooms come with an en suite shower. Japanese-style rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding. The property offers free WiFi access and a 24-hour front desk. Luggage storage is available. There is a public bath on site, where guests will find free toiletries and hairdryers. A coin launderette, a shared kitchen and free-use internet PCs are offered on site. The on-site tourist information desk offers information in English, Chinese and Korean. Services offered at the desk include transport and meal tickets at a discount, currency exchange, bike hire at a charge, cultural activities at an additional charge, such as Japanese calligraphy lessons, and tour arrangements. Some cultural activities such as origami folding are offered free of charge.
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    • Yuzan Guesthouse
      Budget-friendly
      Located in Nara and with Nara Station reachable within 1.3 km, Yuzan Guesthouse provides a garden, non-smoking rooms, free WiFi throughout the property and a terrace. This 1-star hostel offers a shared kitchen and luggage storage space. Nippon Christ Kyodan Shijonawate Church is 22 km from the hostel and Shijonawate City Museum of History and Folklore is 22 km away. The hostel offers certain rooms that include a safety deposit box, and each room has a shared bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. Iwafune Shrine is 18 km from Yuzan Guesthouse, while Higashiosaka Hanazono Rugby Stadium is 21 km away. Itami Airport is 53 km from the property.
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    • Hilo Hostel
      Mid-range
      Hilo Hostel is located in Nara, within less than 1 km of Nara Station and 18 km of Iwafune Shrine. Featuring a shared lounge, the 3-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen and luggage storage space for guests. Higashiosaka Hanazono Rugby Stadium is 21 km from the hostel, while Nippon Christ Kyodan Shijonawate Church is 22 km away. Itami Airport is 53 km from the property.
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    • Mountain Home Lodge in Deer Park
      Budget-friendly
      Mountain Home Lodge in Deer Park is situated in the Nara Park district of Nara, 3.3 km from Nara Station and 20 km from Iwafune Shrine. Complimentary WiFi is available throughout the property. There is a private bathroom with bidet in some units, along with free toiletries, a hairdryer and slippers. If you would like to discover the area, hiking is possible in the surroundings. Higashiosaka Hanazono Rugby Stadium is 23 km from the lodge, while Nippon Christ Kyodan Shijonawate Church is 25 km from the property. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 55 km from Mountain Home Lodge in Deer Park.
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    • Hotel Rokune
      Mid-range
      Set within 18 km of Iwafune Shrine and 21 km of Higashiosaka Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Hotel Rokune provides rooms in Nara. Featuring a terrace, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is located 700 metres from Nara Station. All units are equipped with a fridge, microwave, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. At the hotel every room is equipped with bed linen and towels. Nippon Christ Kyodan Shijonawate Church is 22 km from Hotel Rokune, while Shijonawate City Museum of History and Folklore is 22 km away. Itami Airport is 52 km from the property.
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    • Hotel New Wakasa
      Luxury
      A 12-minute walk from the Kintetsu Nara Train Station, Hotel New Wakasa offers Japanese-style rooms with tatami (woven-straw) flooring. A spacious public bath and foot bath is available for guests to relax in. Free luggage before and after check-in is available on site. Free WiFi is available at the entire building. The air-conditioned rooms feature Japanese futon bedding and a separate seating area. Each provides a flat-screen TV, a refrigerator, and an electric kettle with green tea bags. The en suite bathroom includes a hairdryer. Guests can go to the roof terrace for a beautiful view of the Mount Wakakusa and the Todaiji Temple. A private spa pool with the same view can be requested with an extra cost. A Japanese dinner and breakfast are served in the dining room. New Wakasa Hotel is an 5-minute walk from the Todaiji Temple, and a 15-minute walk from the Nara Park. It is also an 8-minute walk from Isuien and an 80-minute bus ride from Kansai Airport. The property provides free guided tours in English to guests as a service. English maps and information are available on site as well.
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Experiences around Nara