Day One Japan

Nara (奈良県)

See the Great Buddha first, then follow the eastern edge of Nara Park to a hillside hall and a lantern-lined shrine.

Open the full walk in Google Maps
The Great Buddha Hall at Todaiji Temple in Nara
Todaiji Temple · Zairon · CC BY 4.0 · Resized and framed for this page

Getting to Todaiji Temple

From Osaka-Namba Station (大阪難波駅)

Take a Kintetsu Nara Line (近鉄奈良線) train bound for Kintetsu-Nara (近鉄奈良駅). Walk east through Nara Park, or take a city loop bus to Todaiji Daibutsuden / Kasuga Taisha-mae (東大寺大仏殿・春日大社前) to shorten the walk.

Kintetsu-Nara Station (近鉄奈良駅)

The Kintetsu-Nara Station entrance with 近鉄奈良駅 and the English name on the sign
Mont Blank rich · CC0 · Resized
Public transport in Google Maps Kintetsu Railway network map

Three stops in order

  1. 1. Todaiji Temple (東大寺)

    Go through the Nandaimon gate (南大門) to the Great Buddha Hall. Check the temple’s hours before setting out.

    Walk in Google Maps Map of the stop Todaiji official access and visitor information

  2. 2. Nigatsudo Hall (東大寺 二月堂)

    Climb to the terrace on the hill east of the Great Buddha Hall for a view across the temple roofs. Expect steps on the approach.

    Walk in Google Maps Map of the stop Todaiji official temple guide

  3. 3. Kasuga Taisha (春日大社)

    Continue south through the park to the shrine’s stone lanterns. Check visiting hours for the inner areas.

    Walk in Google Maps Map of the stop Kasuga Taisha official shrine guide

Deer roam across the park. Give them space and keep food and paper in your bag.

Transport and visitor information checked .