Nara does not have its own airport; most visitors arrive via either [wiki=6c8823e2938c2923ef72537cd3964e1a]Kansai International Airport[/wiki] or [wiki=0d70a380fe641d8206c6d43c185b9c23]Osaka[/wiki]'s Itami Airport (for domestic flights).
From Kansai Airport, Airport Limousine buses run to the two Nara train stations every hour (¥2000, 1 1/2 hours). More frequent service is available by rail: If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you can take the Haruka limited express to Tennoji station and then transfer to the Yamatoji line for the run to Nara (¥2900, no charge with rail pass). Otherwise, it's cheaper to take the Nankai Railway's Kūkō-Kyūkō (空港急行) express train to Shin-Imamiya, and then take the JR Yamatoji line from there (¥1430). With good connections, both trips take around 1 1/4 hours and 1 1/2 hours, respectively.
Limousine buses connect Itami Airport to the two Nara train stations for ¥1440; the ride takes about one hour.
From [wiki=492379b2b8f7ac3f7cc8e0ca6254f4b1]Kyoto[/wiki] Station, both the JR Nara Line and the private Kintetsu Kyoto Line will get you to Nara quickly. The Kintetsu Nara Station is better located than the JR Nara Station, and all-reserved Tokkyū (特急) trains leave Kyoto twice an hour, making the run to Nara in 35 minutes. On slower but more-frequent Kyūkō (急行) services, the trip takes about 50 minutes and you may need to change trains at Yamato-Saidaiji Station. The trip costs ¥610, plus ¥500 extra on the Tokkyū. For Japan Rail Pass holders, JR's Miyakoji Kaisoku (みやこ路快速) runs during mid-day hours from Kyoto to Nara in 45 minutes (¥690, no charge with rail pass).
The fastest route from [wiki=0d70a380fe641d8206c6d43c185b9c23]Osaka[/wiki] is to take the private Kintetsu Nara Line from Namba Station. Kaisoku-Kyūkō (快速急行) trains run three times per hour to Kintetsu Nara (40 minutes, ¥540). For Japan Rail Pass holders, JR runs up to four Yamatoji Kaisoku (大和路快速) trains each hour from Osaka, Tennōji, and intermediate stations on the Osaka Loop Line. The run to Nara is 50 minutes from Osaka Station and 30 minutes from Tennōji (¥800 and ¥450 respectively, no charge with rail pass). Trains leave Osaka Station at :13, :28, :43 and :58 past the hour during the working day. Return trains leave Nara at :02, :17, :32 and :47 past the hour during the working day.
Hanshin offers services from [wiki=676c34d7107e519616752eeec31e7305]Kobe[/wiki]'s Sannomiya Station to Kintetsu Nara via the Hanshin Namba line for ¥940. Direct Kaisoku-Kyūkō services leave three times per hour during most of the day; otherwise, you change trains at Amagasaki. The trip takes about 90 minutes.
If traveling between Kyoto, Nara and Osaka consider purchasing the [url=http://www.surutto.com/tickets/kansai_thru_english.html]Kansai thru-pass[/url] which enables unlimited travel for 2 or 3 days on private railways, buses and subways (not-JR) in the Kansai area.
As Nara is a major tourist attraction, there are a good number of buses that run between Nara and other locations throughout Japan, which can result in significant savings when compared to train fares.
The following buses run from Tokyo and take approximately 7-8 hours to reach Nara: (Current as of March, 2012)
The best way go around Nara is by bicycle, since you can easily cycle the 1km to Nara Park and then move quickly from attraction to attraction. You can rent bicycles at the JR station, on the ground floor. Take the North exit and go right. After a bicycle parking space, you should see the car/bike rental (rentaru), ¥700 a day.
Once within Nara Park, you can walk to almost all the other major sites. The conventional round course (from Kintetsu Nara Station to Kōfuku-ji, Nara National Museum, Tōdai-ji, Kasuga Taisha and back to Kintetsu Nara Station) is about 6km long, a pleasant walk for the typical tourist.
The City Route Look runs every 30 minutes.
Several temples are on the outskirts of town. Tōshōdai-ji, Yakushi-ji, and [wiki=6737ecbe498f9a0e9eab82f87990e9b1]Horyu-ji[/wiki] are accessible from JR and Kintetsu Nara train stations without change by Nara-Nishinokyo-Ikaruga Excursion Bus line (Line No. 97). [url=http://www.narakotsu.co.jp/rosen/kaiyu/pdf/kaiyu-line.pdf]Map[/url].
* Tōshōdai-ji (E-8) from JR and Kintetsu Nara stations (E-6, E-7), ¥240.
* Yakushi-ji (E-10) from JR and Kintetsu Nara stations (E-6, E-7), ¥320.
* Hōryu-ji (E-15) from JR and Kintetsu Nara stations (E-6, E-7), ¥760.
See also [wiki=7a098931ab1e7faaed3407701aba3600]World Heritage Tour in Nara[/wiki].
Most of Nara's sights, including temples, shrines and famously mercenary deer, are concentrated in
Nara Park (奈良公園 Nara-kōen), a wide, pleasant space of greenery. According to legend, the god of the Kasuga Taisha came riding a white deer in the old days, so the deer enjoy protected status as envoys of the god; however, based on their current behavior, either the deer have lost the job, or the god has taken an extremely passionate interest in biscuits from tourists (¥150), empty food wrappers and harassing shopkeepers.
* Home to the famous Daibutsu (大仏), at almost 15 meters the second largest Buddha statue in Japan (after [wiki=5b08c47099272559f88b4d1c6e9b84c6]Katsuyama[/wiki]'s Buddha at 17 meters) and one of the largest in the world. The Daibutsu-den, which houses it, is said to be the largest wooden building in the world and is a [wiki=255f23d5f5774408a90d290f4d8f6aac]UNESCO World Heritage[/wiki] site. The giant front gate, Nandai-mon, is guarded by two fierce, awe-inspiring protectors. It's also swarmed by deer, who know this is the best place to come looking for a hand-out. Through the gate is a stone path leading to the outer walls surrounding the Daibutsu-den. Follow the signs to the left to enter the inner courtyard, and if you happen to have a stick of incense with you, join the crowd around the incense offerings before you head onward.
The Daibutsu-den contains four other giant statues. Once you've taken in the Daibutsu itself, walk around it to the left to see the other statues, as well as a few old tiles and leftover relics. There's a stand inviting you to sponsor a tile in order to help with the upkeep of the temple, and English-language fortune scrolls (omikuji) are on sale year-round. Take a final look at the Daibutsu as you leave; don't let the souvenir stand be your last memory of this incredible sight.
Just before the souvenir area, behind and to the right of the Daibutsu, is a wooden column with a small hole carved through the bottom. Enlightenment is reportedly promised to anyone who can squeeze through this hole. In practice, this means a lot of kids have enlightenment in store (thanks in part to other kids who kick their feet to "help" them through), and all but the skinniest adults can only look on in envy.
To the right of the entrance to the Daibutsu-den is a statue of the Yakushi Nyorai. Though a bit scary-looking on first glance, it's actually a Buddha of medicine and healing. Touching a part of the Yakushi Nyorai and then the corresponding part of your own body is said to heal any ailments you have there.
* This temple has a three-story and a five-story pagoda; historically, the latter has contended with [wiki=492379b2b8f7ac3f7cc8e0ca6254f4b1]Kyoto[/wiki]'s Toji for the title of Tallest Pagoda in Japan, although Kofuku-ji seems to have surrendered for now.
* This small pond at the east end of Sanjō-dōri with Nara Park behind or Naramachi to its south is a very popular viewing spot for Kōfukuji.
* This museum has one of the world's best collections of Buddhist art and changing exhibitions. The National Treasure Hall has an impressive collection of statues. There are "English Guides" inside the museum however, they do not guide you through the museum; instead they are there to answer questions. The guides are highly knowledgeable, so if you can think of questions that require explanation, you can learn a lot more about the exhibits, Buddhism, and Buddhist art. Each year for about 2 weeks in late October - early November (dates vary) the museum hosts on a rotating basis a part of the collection of Shōsōin, the Tōdai-ji treasury (which is closed to the public). Expect enormous queues, as this is a notable event in the cultural calendar of the country, and tourists from all over Japan converge on Nara at this time.
* A shrine dating from 1217 and home to several fine cherry trees. Although the architecture is unremarkable, the trees in front of the shrine explode into beautiful clouds of pale pink and white blossoms in spring (late March-early April).
* A hexagonal building built on Sagiike Pond in Nara Park so that it appears to float on water.
* Worth a visit for the beautiful approach, through the Kasuga-yama Primeval Forest (see below), more than the temple itself. What [wiki=492379b2b8f7ac3f7cc8e0ca6254f4b1]Kyoto[/wiki]'s Fushimi Inari Taisha is for torii, Kasuga Taisha is for stone lanterns. Notice the giant rack of sake barrels near the front gate and the fountain-statue of a giant buck. The temple is occasionally closed for services, but a walk around the outside is likely to be no less rewarding.
* A gorgeous hill of wild, undeveloped forest leading to Kasuga Taisha and some of the other sights in Nara Koen. The path is clearly marked, though, so don't worry about getting lost. It's a magical, quiet walk at any time of day. If you're determined to feed some deer, save your biscuits for the ones out here instead of the loafers by Todai-ji.
* This small but immaculately kept garden is often overlooked despite being just around the corner (literally) from Todai-ji. Isui-en is what you'd get if you boiled down some of the larger, better known gardens until you were left with a concentrated broth of garden perfection. Smaller spaces and less traffic means more attention to detail from the gardeners, and Isui-en has everything you'd expect (just smaller). From the lush moss carpets to the carefully trimmed trees, waterfalls, rocky landscape, ponds and bridges, this garden deserves a slow pace.
There is a small museum on the grounds that is included in the price, worthwhile mainly for its air conditioning in the summer months.
* Really nice garden that would be worth a visit even if it wasn't free. Can be coupled with the Isui-en Garden as the entrances are right beside each other.
* It's a single hall with twelve ferocious warrior statues (each with his own collection plate) standing guard by a Buddha of healing. The statues are quite impressive - this is as well-protected a Buddha as you're likely to find.
The steel-and-glass building sits as if reflected upon the linear pond that surrounds it. Inside, there are reasonably interesting exhibits of photography on local subjects like the Mount Wakakusa Fire Festival (see below).
* Although most of the temple was reconstructed in the 1970s after a fire, Yakushi-ji is still worth the visit. The Buddhist Yakushi trinity housed in the hondo is a great work, and the the two pagodas on each side of the temple make it a unique and recognizable complex. The east pagoda has survived and dates back to 730 AD. Like Gango-ji, Yakushi-ji was one of the seven top temples in the city during the Nara Period.
* It was considered to be one of the seven most important temples in Nara back in the days when Nara was the nation's capital. The original temple burned down in the 18th century, but the architectural style remains true to the original, with its unique Korean-style roof. The mandala within the temple is one of the most famous in the nation. Around the outside of the temple there are many Buddhist statues, but perhaps more interesting are the various demon statues scattered about among them. While the Buddhist statues are quite typical and obviously religious, the demon statues are comical and seem out-of-place. Some even appear sacrilegious, with a demon doing Zen meditation among the Buddhist statues and another in a rather erotic centerfold-like pose. There is a story that supposedly associates the demons with the temple. For visitors, it is fun to try to spot them all.
* The Suzaku Gate (朱雀門) is a replica, along with the newly built Daigoku-den (大極殿). In the center of this large expanse of land you'll find the best preserved excavation area, with some foundation structures on the site. On the rest of the grounds, you can still see where structures once stood by looking at the elevated and sunken areas. On opposite ends of the site there are museums where you can learn about the history of the palace, see artifacts recovered from the excavation, and learn about the excavation process. As a part of 1300th anniversary celebration in 2010, there are free shuttles running from JR Nara, Kintetsu Nara and Yamato Saidaiji stations.
* A temple that was important in helping to spread Buddhist teachings in Japan, Toshodai-ji is where the great Chinese priest Ganjin preached. His grave is within the precints of the temple.
* Hosts a variety of events, concerts, and musicals. Sometimes a flea market is held in front of the hall.
A covered shopping arcade with many souvenir shops and restaurants.
* A well-known purveyor of narazuke.
* Another covered arcade.
* Many souvenir shops, traditional writing brush and ink stores, narazuke stores as well as various bars and restaurants are located on this avenue. Most major banks have a branch here.
Alternatively, you can take out kaki-no-hazushi, the persimmon leaf wrapped sushi, which is actually very popular for domestic travellers. There are three kaki-no-hazushi stores that can be easily spotted around Kintetsu Nara Station. Packages of various size and combination are available.
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* A take-out sushi store with a selection of prepared packages.
This Japanese style house transformed into a cosy hostel is run by a modest welcoming guy. It has two clean 4 bed dorms for ¥2000 per person and a double for ¥3000 per person. Free Wi-Fi and a shared PC available. It was opened around September 2011.
*This is a Japanese style house that has a very cozy feel. Owner speaks good English and is very helpful. Free Wi-Fi and a shared PC available. Bike rentals and Western breakfast available. Ceilings are low so be prepared to hit your head on random beams often.
* In the Naramachi section of the town, among the tangle of narrow lanes and old houses. Tatami mats, classical architecture, and a well-kept inner garden feature in this traditional ryokan. The rooms are showing their age, but each features a samovar for tea and a small room with a table overlooking the garden. The shared bathrooms have been recently remodeled. Japanese/Western breakfast for ¥700/450 is served in the tatami dining room. Curfew 11PM. The manager speaks very passable English, can lend you a variety of guidebooks (in several languages) and puts out his own laptop in the common room in the mornings and evenings for guests to catch up on e-mail.
* The owners profess to be familiar with Buddha statue carving and calligraphy.
* A cozy hostel run by a very friendly and helpful Japanese gentleman. Easy access to train station. 8 bed mixed dorm, kitchen, shower. Small quarters but very clean and good for getting to know people.
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A modern western style hotel, very conveniently located in the middle of JR and Kintetsu Nara stations.
* Nationwide western-style hotel chain. Rooms have internet at no extra charge.
* Japanese and western style rooms available.
Deluxe Japanese-style ryokan inn.
* A classic Westernized-style hotel of deluxe class, since 1909.
* A JAL (Japan Airlines) group chain hotel.