Osaka and Kyoto to Nara in 2026: JR vs Kintetsu fares

By the Japan Travel Costs team. Every figure links to its source with the date we last checked it, and figures we cannot verify are left out. About us.

Last checked 2026-10-26

Nara is the classic day trip from Osaka or Kyoto: Todai-ji's giant Buddha, Kasuga Taisha and the deer of Nara Park. Two railways run there, JR and Kintetsu, and they arrive at different stations. Here is what each costs, from NAVITIME's route search, and which one suits you.

From Osaka

Last checked 2026-10-26. Times are the sample trains NAVITIME listed on that date.

Which to take depends on where you stay. From Namba, Dotonbori or southern Osaka, Kintetsu from Osaka-Namba is cheaper and quicker. From Umeda or Osaka Station, the JR Yamatoji Rapid goes direct, and it is the one to use with a JR Pass.

From Kyoto

Last checked 2026-10-26. The JR Nara Line also stops at Inari for Fushimi Inari Taisha, ¥150 from Kyoto in NAVITIME's route search.

JR Nara or Kintetsu-Nara?

Kintetsu-Nara is the closer station to the main sights. NAVITIME puts Todai-ji about 1.2 km from Kintetsu-Nara and about 2.1 km from JR Nara (NAVITIME Travel route search: Osaka-Namba to Kintetsu-Nara (Kintetsu Nara Line, ¥680); NAVITIME Travel route search: Osaka to Nara (JR Yamatoji Rapid, ¥840)). From JR Nara you can walk through town or take a local bus. If you are short on time or travelling with children, that extra kilometre is worth weighing against the fare difference.

With a JR Pass

The JR Yamatoji Rapid and JR Nara Line are covered by the Japan Rail Pass, so a pass holder pays nothing extra on JR. Kintetsu is a private railway and is not covered. On its own, a Nara day trip will never justify a pass; the long Shinkansen legs decide that. Price your whole route in the location planner, which also adds a simulated estimate for local JR rides like this one.

Day-trip totals, one adult

• Osaka-Namba and back on Kintetsu: 2 x ¥680 = ¥1,360 (US$9).
• Osaka Station and back on JR: 2 x ¥840 = ¥1,680 (US$11).
• Kyoto and back on JR: 2 x ¥720 = ¥1,440 (US$9).
• Kyoto and back on the Kintetsu Express: 2 x ¥760 = ¥1,520 (US$10).

Planning the rest

Choosing a base? Tokyo vs Kyoto vs Osaka costs compares room rates, and Kyoto to Osaka covers the hop between the two. Our 7 day itinerary includes a Nara option, and the trip budget calculator adds it all up.

Sources: NAVITIME Travel route search: Osaka to Nara (JR Yamatoji Rapid, ¥840); NAVITIME Travel route search: Osaka-Namba to Kintetsu-Nara (Kintetsu Nara Line, ¥680); NAVITIME Travel route search: Kyoto to Nara (JR Nara Line Miyakoji Rapid, ¥720); NAVITIME Travel route search: Kyoto to Kintetsu-Nara (Kintetsu Kyoto Line, ¥760; Limited Express ¥1,280). Last checked 2026-10-26.