NARA, JAPAN: Getting to Nara Park from Osaka Port

by Heather Hopkins Clement

If I had one day at the port of Osaka and had never been to Japan, I would spend the day (6-8 hours) at Nara Park.  I could go on and on about all the reasons why, but just trust me and go see it for yourself.

Here’s How:

(Allow yourself about 1.5-2 hours travelling time, one-way.)

From Tempozan Pier at the Port of Osaka, walk 5 minutes to Osaka-ko station on the Chuo (Green) Subway line (actually at this point its a monorail, but it’s part of the Osaka subway system).

When you purchase your ticket at the Osaka-ko station ticket vending machine, PRESS “KINTETSU” FIRST, then select the 830 yen fare button.

Board the train on platform 1 and get off at Ikoma Station.  (This is the 16th stop, about 40 minutes away.)

When you get off at Ikoma station, you will need to transfer to the Kintetsu Line.  Walk upstairs, go through the transit gate (making sure to pick up your ticket on the other side) and board the train on platform 3. 

Take any train bound for Nara for the 15-20 minute ride to Kintetsu Nara station, the last stop at the end of the line.

Inside the station, you will find a Tourist Information Center, so make sure to stop in to get free bilingual maps and brochures.  You can go around on your own or take advantage of several free local guide services. (Note that some guide services require you apply 1-10 days in advance.)

Name: Nara Student Guide

Guide Area: Nara City
We can take you around at your request.
Recommended sightseeing tours are:
1) Kofukuji Temple → Todaiji Temple → Kasuga Grand Shrine and
2) Toshodaiji Temple → Yakushiji Temple → Horyuji Temple.
Apply to the office by phone ((0742) 26-4753, 9am-5pm) or visit Nara Sarusawa Information.
URL: http://www.narastudentguide.org

Name: Nara YMCA EGG (NARA YMCA English Goodwill Guide)

Guide Area: Nara City and Nara Prefecture
We can take you around at your request.
The recommended sightseeing tour is:
Kofukuji Temple → Isuien Garden → Todaiji Temple → Kasuga Shrine → Nara-machi → Horyuji Temple → Yakushiji Temple → Toshodaiji Temple.
You can meet us at JR Nara Station or Kintetsu Nara Station.
Apply at least one day in advance to Nara YMCA office by phone/fax (Tel:(0742) 45-5920, fax: (0742) 47-6459, 9:30am-8:30pm, Mon. thru Sat.) or e-mail (eggnaraymca@hotmail.com).
URL: http://www4.kcn.ne.jp/~eggymca/egghomepage.html

Name: NARA Guide Club (NGC)

Guide Area: Nara City
We can take you around at your request in English, Korean and Chinese.
Major touring spots of our recommendation are:
1) Todaiji Temple, 2) Kofukuji Temple, 3) Kasuga Taisha Shrine, 4) Nara Machi, 5) Heijo Palace site, 6) other cultural assets.
Apply by e-mail (naraguideclub@xqg.biglobe.ne.jp) at least 10 days in advance.
Please put your e-mail title as follows.
e.g. [A Guidance request to NGC] 3 persons, from U.K.
Please fill in the text with your name, schedule, request and so on.
In the case of e-mail by the HTML format, you can type in English, Korean, Chinese and Japanese characters directly.
About the question except the guidance reservation, please contact it to the secretariat staff by e-mail (naraguideclub@xqg.biglobe.ne.jp).
URL: http://web1.kcn.jp/nara-guide-club/eng_index.htm

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