Nara, the eponymous capital of Nara Prefecture, is a medium sized city with a population of 366,5911. It has a history stretching back over 1,300 years to when it was Japan’s first permanent capital, and is home to 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites including the world famous Nara Park and its 1,200 friendly deer. The city’s natural beauty, historic atmosphere and slower pace of life make it the perfect place to start one’s journey in Japan, and there are a number of convenient and affordable ways to get there from Kansai Airport.
By Train: JR and Private Railway Lines
Kansai International Airport is served by both the JR and Nankai Railway companies. The JR lines provide the most direct access to Nara, and all train services between the Airport and Nara are covered by the Japan National Rail Pass. The fastest connection is via the Limited Express Haruka (2 trains per hour between 8am and 9pm) and the Yamatoji Rapid Service for Kamo. Take the Ltd. Express Haruka to Tennoji Station (the first stop after departing Kansai Airport) and then change to the Yamatoji Rapid Service for the final run to Nara (the Limited Express Haruka arrives on track 18 and trains to Nara depart from track 16). There’s also the JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service (3 trains per hour) which follows the same course as the Ltd. Express Haruka, depositing Nara bound riders at track 18 at Tennoji Station with plenty of time to change to a Yamatoji Rapid Service train. Using the Kansai Airport Rapid and Yamatoji Rapid Services takes about 93 minutes and taking the Haruka Ltd. Express takes as little as 79 minutes. For those traveling without a JR National Rail Pass, the run from Kansai Airport to Nara costs ¥1,710. Riding the Ltd. Express Haruka adds ¥650 for a non-reserved seat, ¥1,170 for a reserved seat, or ¥1,930 for a green car (1st class) seat.
For those not traveling with the JR National Rail Pass (and looking to save their pennies), the Nankai and Kintetsu Lines are the most cost effective option. Get the Nankai Airport Express all the way to the Nankai Namba Terminal, and then switch to the Kintetsu Line at Osaka-Namba Station (Nankai Namba and Kintetsu Osaka-Namba Station, and also the Osaka Subway, are connected via an underground passageway and shopping area). The journey will take around 100 minutes but will cost just ¥1,480, a savings of ¥230. Both the Nankai and Kintetsu Lines offer limited express services (+ ¥510 for a reserved seat on the Nankai Ltd. Express Rapit, and ¥560 for a reserved seat on a Nara bound Kintetsu Ltd. Express train) but utilizing either service does not offer any significant savings on time.
By Bus
The Nara Kotsu Bus Company operates an “Airport Limousine” bus service between Kansai Airport and 4 major stops in Nara including the Nara Hotel, and Kintetsu Nara and JR Nara Stations. One way tickets are ¥2,050 and a roundtrip ticket with a 14-day validity period is ¥3,900. Tickets can be purchased, on a first come first served basis, at the number 9 ticket window at the Kansai Airport Terminal 1 bus stop, and at the number 1 ticket window at the Kansai Airport Terminal 2 bus stop. Tickets can also be purchased on the bus if there are seats available (please have the exact fare ready). There are 15 departures per day, at 40 minutes past the hour, from Kansai Airport Terminal 1 and 8 departures per day, at 25 minutes past the hour, from Terminal 2. Depending on the traffic, the bus takes about 90 minutes to complete the run from Kansai Airport to Nara, and with no transfers along the way all you have to do is relax and enjoy the ride.
Works cited:
1. http://data.un.org/Data.aspx?d=POP&f=tableCode%3A240
Works consulted:
http://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/NR
http://www.kate.co.jp/en/guide/#guide0