When it comes to Nara, many travelers' first reaction is 「Is there a new Shinkansen station?」 The answer is: No. There is no new Shinkansen station set up within Nara Prefecture — this is a geographical fact. But this doesn't mean getting to Nara is troublesome — in fact, with reasonable transportation planning, traveling to Nara from Tokyo or Osaka not only takes no extra time, but also lets you visit Kansai attractions along the way.
Why doesn't Nara have a new Shinkansen?
Nara is located east of Osaka and Kyoto. Due to topographic factors, the JR Tokaido Shinkansen line (the 「Memory Express」 in Kyushu legend) does not extend into Nara. Although JR West has a dense network of regular and rapid trains within Nara Prefecture, the nearest real Shinkansen stations are Kyoto Station (about 35 minutes by car) and Osaka Station (about 45 minutes). This 「gap」 has actually allowed Nara to maintain a relatively quiet atmosphere for tourism, without the heavy tourist crowds found in Osaka or Kyoto.
Recommended: The Golden Combination of Shinkansen + Nara Direct Train
Since there's no Shinkansen, here's the smartest way to combine your trip. Here's my recommended itinerary:
Tokyo → Kyoto (Shinkansen approx. 2h 10min) → Nara (Rapid train approx. 45min)
The benefit of this combination: Kyoto Station itself is a major JR Shinkansen station, with very frequent trains from Tokyo and Nagoya. From Kyoto, transfer to the JR Nara Line's rapid train, which goes directly to central Nara. There are 3-4 rapid trains per hour between Kyoto and Nara, with a journey time of under an hour, and fares are very reasonable.
Osaka Namba → Nara (Kintetsu Express approx. 35min)
If your trip starts from Kansai Airport, many travelers fly in first to Osaka. Taking the Kintetsu Nara Line's rapid train from Osaka Namba is another popular route. The fare is about ¥620, with equally frequent departures. This combination is especially suitable for travelers staying in the Namba or Shinsaibashi area.
Must-Visit Nara Attractions for Tourists
Nara Park (Nara City, Nara Park)
If you haven't visited Nara Park, you haven't been to Nara. In this vast 660-hectare park, more than 1,000 sika deer roam. These deer are regarded as messengers of the gods, and visitors can purchase deer senbei (¥200) to feed and interact with them. There are cherry blossom tunnels in spring and autumn foliage — beautiful in all seasons. This is a free attraction, but it gets very crowded, so，建议清晨造訪。
Todai-ji Temple (Nara City, Zoshicho 406-1)
Built in 728, Todai-ji Temple is the world's largest wooden building. The Daibutsu Hall is approximately 57 meters tall, housing a Rushana Buddha statue standing 15 meters high. Admission is ¥600, student ticket ¥400. There are food stalls along the approach where you can try Nara's special kakinoha sushi (¥350-¥500).
Kasuga Taisha (Nara City, Kasugano)
Along with Ise Jingu and Hiraoka Jinja, Kasuga Taisha is one of Japan's three major shrines. Built in 710, it enshrines four deities including Takemikazuchi no Mikoto. There are over 3,000 stone lanterns within the grounds, and the Mantoro lantern festival is held every February and August, creating a spectacular scene. Admission is free, but the treasure hall requires ¥500.
Naramachi (Nara City, Minamihandan Higashi)
A cluster of traditional Edo-period machiya townhouses, now home to creative shops and cafes. We recommend Kikuya Coffee (Nara City, Moishidentacho), serving matcha and Japanese sweets; the building itself is a renovated old farmhouse. This area has relatively fewer tourists, allowing you to experience the true atmosphere of the ancient capital.
Mount Wakakusa (Nara City, Kasugano)
A small mountain 350 meters above sea level, with about 2,000 cherry blossom trees in spring. The hike takes 30 minutes, and from the summit you can enjoy panoramic views of Nara City. The annual 「Wakakusa Yamayaki」 (4th Saturday of January) sets the entire mountain ablaze at sunset — a very unique traditional ritual.
Practical Information
Transportation: From Kansai Airport, you can take Nankai Electric Railway to Osaka Namba (approx. 45min, ¥920), then transfer to the Kintetsu Nara Line to Nara (approx. 35min, ¥620). Or take the HARUKA from Kansai Airport directly to Kyoto (approx. 75min, ¥3,300), then transfer to the JR Nara Line.
Fare Reference:
- Shinkansen Tokyo to Kyoto: Unreserved seat ¥13,220, Reserved seat ¥14,170 (one-way)
- Kyoto to Nara (JR Rapid): ¥620
- Kintetsu Osaka Namba to Nara: ¥620
Opening Hours: Most attractions are open all day, temples and shrines are open from sunrise to sunset (usually 8:00-17:00).
Travel Tips
1. Make use of Nara IC cards: If your itinerary involves multiple rides, you can purchase the Nara Ikkyu Day Pass (¥1,500), which allows unlimited rides on JR and Kintetsu within Nara.
2. Secret to avoiding crowds: The deer in Nara Park are tamer in the morning and become more 「ferocious」 in the afternoon. If you want to take photos without crowds, arrive before 7 AM.
3. Wear comfortable shoes: Nara Park is very large. Walking from Todai-ji to Kasuga Taisha takes about 20 minutes, and climbing Mount Wakakusa requires体力, so wear comfortable walking shoes.
4. Bring rain gear: There aren't many indoor attractions in Nara City, with mostly outdoor activities. Remember to bring an umbrella or raincoat.
5. Don't forget to send postcards: Kasuga Taisha in Nara has special limited goshuin stamps and traffic safety omamori — great souvenirs.
Although Nara doesn't have a Shinkansen station, you can easily reach this thousand-year-old ancient capital by transferring at Osaka or Kyoto. Not having Shinkansen has actually allowed Nara to preserve its rare tranquility — this may be another kind of收获.
