Japan Rail Pass NowAustralia's No.1 Choice
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Japan Rail Pass NowAustralia's No.1 Choice
There's no direct train from Tokyo to Nara, but the trip is easy: take the shinkansen to Kyoto (about 2h 15m), then the JR Nara Line's Miyakoji Rapid (about 45 minutes). All up it's roughly 3 hours 15 minutes, from around ¥14,000 one way, and almost all of it is covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Here's exactly how each option works, what it costs, and which to choose.
Buy your Tokyo to Nara train ticketsCheck times, fares and book online| Option | Time | From (one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen + JR via Kyoto | 3h 15m | ¥14,000 | Fastest, JR Pass friendly |
| Shinkansen + Kintetsu via Kyoto | 3h 20m | ¥14,500 | Direct to Nara's old town |
| Overnight highway bus | 8 to 9h | ¥6,500 | Tightest budgets |
| Plane (via Osaka) | 4h+ | ¥12,000+ | Rarely worth it |
The standard route is Tokyo to Kyoto on the Tokaido Shinkansen, then a short hop south to Nara:
JR Nara Station is about a 15 minute walk (or short bus ride) from Nara Park, Todai-ji and the old town. You can also route via Shin-Osaka and the Yamatoji Rapid, which takes a little longer; go via Kyoto unless you're stopping in Osaka anyway.
Find your Tokyo to Nara trainLive times and fares
Only for the shinkansen leg, and only really at rush hour (7 to 9am, 4 to 7pm) or in peak seasons (New Year, Golden Week in early May, mid-August Obon), or if you're a group who wants to sit together. The Miyakoji Rapid to Nara is an ordinary commuter-style train with no reservations.
Leaving Tokyo around 06:00 puts you in Nara before 09:30. Coming back, the last comfortable connection leaves Nara around 20:30 for a Kyoto shinkansen arriving in Tokyo before midnight.
If you're making several long journeys, a Japan Rail Pass can save money, but it was repriced in late 2023, so check today's price against your trips first. For this route it covers the Hikari shinkansen and the entire JR Nara Line, so the whole trip is included (only the Nozomi needs a supplement). Not sure it's worth it? See our guide to Japan Rail Pass prices and whether it's worth it.
Overnight highway buses to Nara (or to Kyoto, changing to a local train) take 8 to 9 hours from around ¥6,500 and save a night's accommodation. You can check timetables and book on the Willer Express and Japan Bus Online sites.
Nara has no airport. Flying Tokyo to Osaka then training it back to Nara takes 4+ hours door to door and rarely beats the shinkansen on price or time. Skip it.
About 6 to 7 hours via the Tomei and Meishin expressways, plus fuel, tolls and rental, which typically costs far more than a train ticket. You'll want an International Driving Permit. Worth it only if you're exploring rural stops along the way.
Bags up to 160 cm combined fit overhead. Oversized baggage (160 to 250 cm) needs a free advance seat reservation. Or use Japan's takkyubin delivery service to send suitcases ahead to your Nara hotel.
Shinkansen to Kyoto plus the Miyakoji Rapid is the clear winner: about 3 hours 15 minutes, one easy change, and fully covered by the JR Pass if you ride the Hikari. Many travellers simply base themselves in Kyoto and visit Nara as a day trip.
Book your Tokyo to Nara train ticketsAbout 3 hours 15 minutes: roughly 2h 15m on the shinkansen to Kyoto, then 45 minutes on the JR Nara Line.
From around ¥14,000 one way (verify current fares before travel).
No. You change once, at Kyoto (or at Shin-Osaka), and the connection takes only a few minutes.
Yes, the whole route is covered if you take the Hikari shinkansen and the JR Nara Line. Only the Nozomi needs a supplement.
An overnight highway bus, from around ¥6,500, taking 8 to 9 hours.
Either works well: Nara is about 45 minutes from both. From Tokyo, most visitors see Nara as a day trip while staying in Kyoto or Osaka.
Ensure you get the most out of your trip to the land of the rising sun with our comprehensive 249-page Japan Travel Guide.