NARA FAQ`S
The city of Nara does not have its own airport, visitors can fly into Osaka International Airport which is about 30 miles away from the city center of Nara. The Kobe Airport is 43 miles away and the Kansai International Airport which is 50 miles away. The Kansai Airport is the only airport that serves international flights, Osaka and Kobe are domestic airports.
If you have not booked a private transfer through us there are a few options to reach the city from the airport, such as trains, taxis, buses, and rental cars.
What types of transportation can I find at the airport?Kansai International Airpot is connected to Nara by trains that provide the quickest and easiest option when traveling to the city. The train station is located directly adjacent to Terminal 1, there are no direct trains. The best option from Kansai International Airport to Nara is the JR Haruka Airport Express train that connects to Tennoji (South Osaka) in about 34 minutes, then a change to the JR Ymatoji Kaisoku local express train to JR Nara Station (approximately another 35 minutes, a total of 70 minutes travel time not including waiting for trains). The total cost here is around ¥2800.
Express buses can be a more affordable option when traveling from Kansai International Airport to Nara with a direct connection. The airport bus makes stops at Tenri, Nara Hotel, Kintetsu Nara and terminates at the JR Nara Railways Station. The journey takes 90 minutes and a one-way fare costs around ¥2,050. Buses depart hourly from 7:30 am until 9:40 pm. The bus stop can be found outside the arrivals hall at Kansai Airport.
A taxi ride from the airport to Nara is not recommended as the distance is quite far and the taxi fare will be very expensive. Taking a taxi can be the quickest way to travel between the airport and Nara, but prices will reach upwards of ¥31000 for the almost hour-long journey.
Rental cars are available at the airport and offer passengers a cheap way to reach the city of Nara with rentals starting around ¥850 - ¥1300.
How do I get from the train station to my hotel?There are two train stations located in Nara; Nara Station on the JR Line and Kintetsu-Nara Station on the Kintetsu Line. Kintetsu is an underground station just minutes away from Kofukuji Temple and Nara Park, many of the hotels and attractions can be reached on foot from this station. The JR Station is about a 20-minute walk away from the center of town, there are buses and taxis available here to connect you to your hotel. There is a network of local buses operated by Nara Kotsu that connect the two train stations and other points of interest in Nara.
How do I get around the city using public transportation?The city of Nara is well served by rail and bus services. The Kintetsu Railway and West Japan Railway (JR West) operate from the cities two railway stations and connect passengers to the different regions in the city. There are passes available for train travel in the city which will save passengers money.
Nara Kotsu is the bus network that operates in the city providing visitors with access to the rural areas. The extensive bus network makes it possible to travel to the more remote area in Nara that are not served by trains. There are tourist-friendly bus routes like Asuka which link the main sightseeing attractions in the city, these are red and blue Grutto loop buses and the journey costs about ¥100.
How do I call/hail a taxi?Taxis are readily available in Nara City, a taxi can sometimes by hailed during peak times or found by the two main trains and bus stations in town. There are also designated taxi ranks found along the outskirts of Nara Park. Taxis can also be ordered over the phone and sightseeing taxis are available for hire
Is Nara a walking city?Nara is a great city to explore on foot and for the most part its main attractions can only be reached on foot. The two main train stations in town are within walking distance to most hotels, eateries, and attractions. The city is brimming with charming narrow side streets which can only be explored on foot.
Can I ride a bike in Nara?Renting a bicycle when visiting Nara is a good idea, a bike can get you to many of the attractions in the city. Riding a bicycle will give you a chance to explore different areas found close to the city center and discover the charming characteristics. There are many rental services offering bike found throughout the city, many even offer battery-powered bicycles.
Is Nara a dangerous city, is there anything I should be aware of?Nara is remarkably safe and Japan has long been known as one of the world`s most crime-free countries. Crimes against visitors are practically unheard of and lost belongings are generally turned into local police. Keep your wits about you and practice street smarts when out sightseeing
What are some popular areas for shopping?Nara is surprisingly filled with various shopping opportunities from quaint narrow shopping streets to bustling shopping malls and other interesting hidden gems. There are many top quality items available to purchase at stores in Nara, many of the stores in the city have been around for centuries. Here is a list of some of the popular shopping locations in the city.
Vierra Nara is found inside the JR Nara Station on the ground floor and features a supermarket, a bakery cafe and a wide range of souvenir shops selling local specialties such as sweets, sake, and sushi. There are several different dining options found here including restaurants, cafes, fast food, and noodle bars.
Higashimuki Shotengai is a busy shopping area that runs north to south between the Kintetsu Nara Station and Sanjo Dori. A covered shopping street featuring different stores selling souvenirs, arts, crafts, clothing, ornaments, and Japanese sweets. A lot of the shops found here are a historic family-owned business that have been around for years, such as Mafu-okai Shop specializing in Nara`s traditional linen products, this shop is 100 years old. There are also many restaurants and cafes here to choose from .
Mochiidono Shopping Arcade is located just south of Higashimuki Shopping Arcade with similar shopping options under a covered street that runs to Nara`s old quarter Naramachi. Mochiidono offers a wide selection of restaurants, cafes, tea shops and food stores along with shops selling pottery, ceramics, fabrics, crafts, deer antlers, calligraphy goods and much more.
Sanjo Dori runs west to east from JR Nara Station to Nara Park and is considered the main street in the city for 1300 years. The street is filled with everything from shopping outlets to banks, entertainment venues to convenience stores. There are major retail outlets, independent shops, jewelry stores, antique stores and others specializing in Nara`s traditional arts and crafts. Sanjo Dori is a pleasant avenue to stroll down and enjoy food and shopping along the way.
The Nara Family Shopping Center has a central location in the city of Nara close to the Kintetsu Yamato Saidaiji station, it was established in the 1970s where visitors can find all kinds of goods including clothes, toys, Japanese good luck charms, pottery, and porcelain. This is a great location to stop in and pick up ready to eat bento boxes, fresh fruit, and traditional sweets before hopping on a train or when arriving at the nearby station.
Ideda Ganko-do is a traditional craft shop situated on the main street of Sanjo Dori that specializes in making handmade Japanese uchiwa fixed fans and sensu folding fans. The business has been around for several generations producing high-quality arts and crafts and a famous place in the city.
What is the best time to visit Nara?Nara features a temperate climate and is a year-round destination, with hot humid summers and cold winters, the rainy season runs from the middle of June to late July. Spring and fall can be the best time to visit Nara. Springtime is the best and most popular time to visit Nara boasting comfortable temperatures and the famous cherry blossom season in the mountainous region of Yoshino, this begins the end of March. This is also a great time of year to see the region in bloom with parks and gardens filled with peonies, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, and other beautiful flowers. Summers in the city of Nara are hot and humid with temperatures soaring into the 90s in the month of August. Autumn is another great time to visit with mild cooler weather and picturesque landscapes covered with striking red, yellow and orange hues. Hiking is very popular this time of year with comfortable temperatures, the mountains around Nara are amongst the country`s top 100 along with World Heritage pilgrimage trails providing many hiking options. The city is the quietest during the wintertime when temperatures become quite cold, however during this `off` season restaurants are easier to book and accommodations are more affordable. Staying in a Ryokan in Nara in the winter gives visitors the opportunity to relax and warm up in the onsen hot springs.
Where can I see Deer in Nara?One of the unique and interesting things to do in Nara is to see the sika deer roaming through town or hanging out in Nara-koen Park. There are over 1,200 wild deer that live in the park. According to the legendary history of Kasuga Shrine, Takemikasuchi the god arrived in the city of Nara on white deer, the deer have since been regarded as heavenly animals or messengers of the gods that protect the city. Visitors can buy a package of deer crackers `shika sembei` and feed the deer for around ¥150.
I don`t speak Japanese will there be many people who speak English?Japanese is the language spoken in Nara, but English is widely spoken throughout the country with announcements on public transportation frequently made in Japanese and English, most signs include roman characters or an English explanation. Most Japanese people study English in junior high and high school so you are best seeking out younger people who may be able to help and translate for you.
It is best to have your destination written down in Japanese so you are able to show this to your taxi driver or people on the street. People are always willing to help whether they can speak English or not.
We recommend that you get a good English - Japanese guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, excuse me and numbers 1 - 10.
What is the currency? Can I pay/tip in US dollars?The currency in Japan is the yen symbolized by ¥. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand and be prepared to exchange your dollars to yen upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and bank locations throughout the city, ATM`s are widespread. ATM`s are located at Post office`s all over the city, look for a symbol that indicates `International ATM Service` or `Authorized Foreign Exchange` (a green clover) and stickers indicating which cards are accepted.
For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in Japan by clicking Japan What is the food like?The city of Nara offers a great selection of dining options and boasts a number of Michelin-starred restaurants. The options are endless with traditional local Japanese, Italian, French cuisine and a wide variety of restaurants throughout the city to taste this delicious food. Nara is the so-called former capital of Japan and has a long food culture dating back hundreds of years, with recipes that date back centuries. Some of the gourmet foods to enjoy in Nara include the famous mochi dango (Japanese rice cakes) which can be found all over the city at food stalls which also sell senbei (rice crackers) that come in a variety of sweet and savory flavors. Narazuke is a regional type of pickle in Nara made with `sake kasu` which is a byproduct that is leftover from producing sake. The pickle has a unique combination of sweet and salty with a crunchy taste. Asuka nabe is a Japanese style hot pot made from soy sauce, chicken or port stock, and seafood broth. Soumen is the popular noodle in Nara dating back over 1,300 years, a thin, soft noodle served cold with a dipping sauce.
Nara is famed for its rich history and the hungry deer that roam its streets. But did you know that this little city also boasts a number of Michelin-starred restaurants? From gourmet soba and sashimi garnished with flower blossoms to French cuisine, Nara can surprise any gourmand with its variety of tastes.
What is the nightlife like?In the quaint town of Nara there are some laid back nightlife options found along quaint side streets. The city has some world-class bars and traditional izakayas serving up rare whiskey and Nara`s famed sake. Many of the nightlife establishments in Nar offer laid back atmospheres, live music and mingle with the locals. There are some popular bars and pubs found around the main train stations in town and some traditional Japanese bars on Naramachi Street.
Nara is the birthplace of Japan`s most popular liquor `temple sake` also know as `Narazake` originated here. The namesake brew dates back to the 8th century when Nara was Japan`s capital. The Harushika Spring Deer Sake Brewery is a popular place to go when visiting the city for sake tastings and tours.
What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?If you need emergency services while in Japan dial 110 for the police or 119 to call an ambulance or report a fire.
Hospitals:
Nara City Hospital tel. 81-742-24-1251
Kindai University Hosptial tel. 81-743-77-0880
Saiseikai Nara Hosptial tel. 81-74236-1881