Nara: Ikaruga, Nishinokyo & Nara Park · 2 days, 1 night · Recommended: Mar

Nara 2-Day Itinerary from Kyoto: Horyu-ji to Todai-ji

Kyoto Station 08:00 → Day 2 13:35Train & bus2 days, 1 night

Checked Nov 9, 2026

Leave Kyoto Station at 08:00 and visit Horyu-ji, Lunch on the approach to Horyu-ji, Tsutsui Station (Kintetsu) and 10 more places on foot and by train. 2 days, 1 night. Stay at Hotel near Kintetsu-Nara Station.

ℹ Made by Shioriba (run by a Japanese traveler), checked against official sources. A model plan, not a travel diary. Times and prices are a guide.
🕒 All times are Japan time (JST), 24-hour clock.
Place names show the Japanese next to the English, so you can match station signs or show them to staff. Links marked “Japanese” open pages in Japanese.

1. Kyoto Station (start)京都駅Day 1 · 08:00

JR Nara Line to Nara, then change to the Yamatoji Line

Itinerary

Booking pagebook it yourselfhow fast it books up

Day 1

08:001
📍Directions
JR Nara Line to Nara, then change to the Yamatoji Line
Train 1 hr 24 min¥990Timetable
09:262
📍Directions
Walk 20 min
09:503
📍Directions
About 2 hr 5 min here¥1,500Official siteyamatoji.nara-kankou.or.jp
The world's oldest wooden buildings. One combined ticket for the Western Precinct, Daihozoin and Eastern Precinct
Walk 5 min
12:004
📍Directions
About 35 min here
Kakinoha-zushi (persimmon-leaf sushi), nyumen noodles and more
Walk 5 min
12:405
📍Directions
Bus route 63 (12:42) to Tsutsui Station. Buses are infrequent
Bus 12 min¥360Timetable
12:546
📍Directions
Train 7 min¥240Timetable
13:157
📍Directions
Walk 5 min
13:208
📍Directions
About 1 hr 15 min here¥1,000Official sitenara-yakushiji.com
The National Treasure East Pagoda and the Hakuho-era halls. Last entry 16:30
Walk 10 min
14:459
📍Directions
About 45 min here¥1,000Official sitetoshodaiji.jp
Golden Hall linked to the monk Ganjin (Jianzhen). Last entry 16:30
Walk 10 min
15:4010
📍Directions
Train 16 min¥300Timetable
16:0011
📍Directions
About 20 min here
Drop your bags at the hotel first
Walk 10 min
16:3012
📍Directions
About 1 hr 15 min hereOfficial sitenarashikanko.or.jp
Cafés and shops in old townhouses. Head to Nigatsu-do around 17:45
Walk 30 min
18:1513
📍Directions
About 1 hr 20 min hereOfficial sitetodaiji.or.jp
Otaimatsu torches Mar 1–14 from 19:00 (19:30 on the 12th, 18:30 on the 14th)
Walk 25 min
20:0014
📍Directions
Overnight
Nara Park is dark at night. Stick to lit paths

Day 2

07:301
📍Directions
Nara Park is quiet in the morning, so you can take your time with the deer
Walk 15 min
07:452
📍Directions
Official sitenarashikanko.or.jp
Hold deer crackers and you'll be surrounded. Watch out for antlers and head-butts
Walk 10 min
08:003
📍Directions
About 1 hr 10 min here¥800Official sitetodaiji.or.jp
Nov–Mar: opens 8:00. Cash only
Walk 20 min
09:304
📍Directions
About 55 min hereOfficial sitekasugataisha.or.jp
Vermilion shrine halls and a lantern-lined approach. Gates open 6:30
Walk 20 min
10:455
📍Directions
About 35 min hereOfficial sitenarashikanko.or.jp
The grounds are free to walk around
Walk 10 min
11:306
📍Directions
About 1 hr 5 min here
Plenty of places to eat on Higashimuki Shopping Street
Walk 5 min
12:407
📍Directions
Train 51 min¥760Timetable
13:358
📍Directions

Getting around and time at each stop

Day 1

Kyoto Station (start) → Horyuji Station: Train 1 hr 24 min (¥990)
Horyuji Station → Horyu-ji: Walk 20 min
Horyu-ji → Lunch on the approach to Horyu-ji: Walk 5 min
Lunch on the approach to Horyu-ji → Horyuji-mae bus stop: Walk 5 min
Horyuji-mae bus stop → Tsutsui Station (Kintetsu): Bus 12 min (¥360)
Tsutsui Station (Kintetsu) → Nishinokyo Station: Train 7 min (¥240)
Nishinokyo Station → Yakushi-ji: Walk 5 min
Yakushi-ji → Toshodai-ji: Walk 10 min
Toshodai-ji → Nishinokyo Station: Walk 10 min
Nishinokyo Station → Kintetsu-Nara Station: Train 16 min (¥300)
Kintetsu-Nara Station → Naramachi stroll & dinner: Walk 10 min
Naramachi stroll & dinner → Todai-ji Nigatsu-do: Walk 30 min
Todai-ji Nigatsu-do → Hotel near Kintetsu-Nara Station: Walk 25 min

Time at each stop (approx., includes free time): Horyu-ji: about 2 hr 5 min · Lunch on the approach to Horyu-ji: about 35 min · Yakushi-ji: about 1 hr 15 min · Toshodai-ji: about 45 min · Kintetsu-Nara Station: about 20 min · Naramachi stroll & dinner: about 1 hr 15 min · Todai-ji Nigatsu-do: about 1 hr 20 min

Day 2

Hotel near Kintetsu-Nara Station (start) → Nara Park (deer in the morning): Walk 15 min
Nara Park (deer in the morning) → Todai-ji Daibutsu-den (Great Buddha Hall): Walk 10 min
Todai-ji Daibutsu-den (Great Buddha Hall) → Kasuga Taisha: Walk 20 min
Kasuga Taisha → Kofuku-ji: Walk 20 min
Kofuku-ji → Lunch near Kintetsu-Nara Station: Walk 10 min
Lunch near Kintetsu-Nara Station → Kintetsu-Nara Station: Walk 5 min
Kintetsu-Nara Station → Kyoto Station (finish): Train 51 min (¥760)

Time at each stop (approx., includes free time): Todai-ji Daibutsu-den (Great Buddha Hall): about 1 hr 10 min · Kasuga Taisha: about 55 min · Kofuku-ji: about 35 min · Lunch near Kintetsu-Nara Station: about 1 hr 5 min

Travel times are a guide. Check timetables on the day.

Listed costs per person, in yen

Transport: ¥2,650
Stay (1 night): ¥0
Admission: ¥4,300
Total: ¥6,950

1 transport or stay item has no price listed, so the real cost will be higher.
Not a tour price. Meals may not be included.
We share travel information only — we don't sell, book or arrange travel. Book on the linked sites yourself, and check official information before you go.

Same plan in Japanese日本語で見る