Nara and Uji in One Day: Itinerary from Kyoto or Osaka
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posted by WANGKIRA
Nara and Uji make a good combination for a one-day trip from Kyoto. Both are served by the JR Nara Line, so you can visit Nara Park and Todai-ji in the morning, then continue to Uji after lunch for Byodoin, matcha, and a walk along the river.
Give yourself about 8 to 9 hours for the day. Leaving around 8:00 AM is enough to cover the main sights in both places and still get back to Kyoto or Osaka by late afternoon.
| Stop | Travel Time | Suggested Arrival | Main Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nara Park & Todai-ji | ~45 min from Kyoto by JR | 8:30–9:00 AM | Deer, Great Buddha, temple grounds |
| Uji River & Byodoin | ~40 min from Nara | 1:30–2:00 PM | Byodoin, matcha, riverside walk |
Table of Contents
Train from Kyoto and Osaka
From Kyoto, the JR Nara Line is the simplest option for getting to both Uji and Nara. From Osaka, Kintetsu trains are usually the most convenient choice for Nara.
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From Kyoto Station: Take the JR Nara Line toward Nara. Uji is about 20 minutes away by rapid train and costs around ¥240, while JR Nara Station takes about 45 minutes and costs around ¥720. If you are staying around Gion or Sanjo, the Keihan Line is another convenient way to reach Uji. You can then continue to Nara by train.
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From Osaka: From Namba, Kintetsu trains take about 40 minutes to Kintetsu-Nara Station and cost around ¥680. The station is just a 10-minute walk from Nara Park, making it a convenient starting point for the morning. From Osaka Station, the JR Yamatoji Line takes about 50 minutes to JR Nara Station and costs around ¥800.
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Between Nara and Uji: From JR Nara Station, take a JR Nara Line train to JR Uji Station. The journey takes about 40 minutes and costs around ¥620.
Morning in Nara: Nara Park and Todai-ji
Try to get to Nara around 9:00 AM and start with Todai-ji. The temple opens early, while many of Uji's tea shops do not open until around 10:00 AM, so it's better to go to Nara in the morning.
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Nara Park & Deer: More than 1,000 deer roam Nara Park and the surrounding area. Deer crackers (shika senbei) are sold at stalls throughout the park for about ¥200 a bundle. If you run out, show the deer your empty hands and they will usually move on. Do not give them other food.
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Todai-ji Temple: Todai-ji opens at 7:30 AM from April through October and at 8:00 AM from November through March. Admission to the Great Buddha Hall is ¥600. Set aside about 45–60 minutes for the temple.
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Lunch in Nara: Before heading to Uji, grab a quick lunch along Sanjo Dori. Local options include kaki-no-ha sushi, sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves, and kitsune udon. Budget around ¥1,000–¥1,500 per person. For an early afternoon arrival in Uji, aim to catch a train around 1:00 PM.
Afternoon in Uji: Byodoin, Matcha, and the River
Arrive in Uji around 1:45 PM. From JR Uji Station, it is about a 10-minute walk to Byodoin Omotesando, the main street lined with Uji tea shops, cafés, and small food stalls.
Most sights close around 5:00 PM, so you will have about three hours to see the main attractions before heading back to the station.
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Byodoin Temple: Admission to the garden and museum is ¥600. Entry to the Phoenix Hall requires a separate ¥300 ticket and a timed entry. Tickets are sold inside the temple grounds.
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Matcha: Byodoin Omotesando has plenty of places to try Uji tea. Matcha soft-serve usually costs around ¥400–¥500. For a sit-down tea experience, traditional shops such as Nakamura Tokichi have tea sets in the ¥1,200–¥1,800 range.
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Uji River: After Byodoin, cross Asagiri Bridge and walk across Tonoshima Island toward Uji Shrine. The riverside section takes about 20 minutes, after which you can head back toward JR Uji Station.
Self-Guided Train Trip vs. Our Organized Day Tour
Taking the trains gives you more freedom to set your own pace, but you will need to handle the train connections and walk between the stations and sights. Our day tour takes care of the transportation and adds Fushimi Inari to the route.
| Trip Detail | Self-Guided by Train | KeepGoodTrip Day Tour |
|---|---|---|
| Sights Covered | Nara Park, Todai-ji, Uji | Nara Park, Todai-ji, Uji, Fushimi Inari Taisha |
| Pick-up | Make your own way to the station | Osaka (8:00 AM) or Kyoto (9:00 AM) |
| Drop-off | Return by train | Drop off in Osaka or Kyoto |
| Transportation | 3–4 train journeys/transfers | Direct coach transport |
| Walking | 15,000–18,000 steps | 9,000–11,000 steps |
If you are staying in Osaka, need to end the day in Kyoto, or want to visit Fushimi Inari without dealing with multiple train connections, our Kyoto, Nara & Uji World Heritage Scenic One-Day Tour covers all three destinations by coach in about 9 hours.
Common Questions Before You Go
Can I store my luggage at the train stations?
Yes. JR Nara Station, Kintetsu-Nara Station, and JR Uji Station all have coin lockers. Large lockers generally cost ¥700–¥800 per day and can hold a standard suitcase. During the busy spring and autumn seasons, the larger lockers can fill up by around 10:30 AM, especially at the more popular stations.
Is a JR Pass worth using for this route?
If you already have a national JR Pass or JR Kansai Area Pass, you can use it for the Kyoto–Uji–Nara journey on JR trains. If you are buying individual tickets, the total fare for the day's train rides is under ¥1,800, so a rail pass is unlikely to save you money for this trip alone.
What order should I visit Nara and Uji?
Go to Nara first and Uji after lunch. Todai-ji opens early, while most tea shops in Uji start opening around 10:00 AM. After spending the morning in Nara, you can arrive in Uji around 1:30–2:00 PM and visit Byodoin, try some matcha, and walk along the river before the main sights close.
How much cash should I carry?
¥3,000 in cash per person should cover most small purchases during the day. Some temple ticket counters, deer cracker stalls, and smaller shops around Byodoin Omotesando may not accept credit cards or IC cards, so it is useful to have some yen with you.
