Nara is a great place to visit for a day trip from Kyoto, especially as there are lots of major sightseeing destinations just around the station, a mixture of cultural experience by visiting The Great Buddha Hall of The Todaiji, and a fun walk through the Nara park with deer.
If you are doing a day trip to the area, you are probably planning to visit Todaiji temple and Kasuga Taisha shrine. In this page, you can find out the best way from Todaiji temple to Kasuga Taisha shrine.
The best way from Todaiji temple to Kasuga Taisha shrine.
You can walk or catch a bus between the destinations. A lot of people walk and so did we, and my recommendation is if you want to save energy for looking around Kasuga Taisha or any other sightseeing places on the way or going to a nice restaurant later, catch a bus.
There is about 1.5 km from Todaiji to Kasuga Taisha, but it is mostly uphill, and both of them has a pretty big site to look around.
If you are fit and enjoy walking, it is the best way as you will see more.
When you are planning a day trip to Nara, the best way for looking around is going to Kasuga Taisha shrine by bus from the station first, and then walk the way back to Todaiji temple. That way you don’t have to walk uphill and it makes the way simpler.
Walk to Kasuga Taisha shrine.
There is a pathway to Kasuga Taisha shrine on the left when you cross the zebra crossing near Todaiji temple. You just need to follow the way. It takes about 20 mins and it is a good walk in the park deer around you.
Catch a bus to Kasuga Taisha shrine.
There are 2 bus stops next to each other, Nara Kotsu Bus lines and the Sightseeing bus “Gurutto”. The sightseeing bus only operates on the weekend.
If you are catching the Nara Kotsu Bus, catch one from Todaiji-Daibutsu-Den, and get off at Kasuga-Taisha-Honden. It is 210 yen per adult, and it takes about 4 mins. There are 3 buses an hour between 10 am to 4 pm.
Gurutto is cheaper, 100 yen. There are 2 types of buses stopping at Todaiji Bus stop, and you need to take the Nara park route. Catch that and get off at the Kasuga-Taisha stop. It takes about 14 mins. There is a bus every 15 mins.
