For this Kansai region trip, I spent the first two nights in Kyoto, followed by the next two nights in Osaka. The subsequent plan included one night in Nara and the final night in Kobe, concluding the journey. I made the most of the time allocated in Osaka.
Now it was time to move to Nara. Originally, I planned to move directly from Osaka to Nara after lunch, but upon researching Nara’s major attractions, it seemed like most places closed around 5 PM. So, instead of visiting during an awkward time, I decided it would be better to spend more time in Osaka and then head to Nara, get a good night’s sleep, and explore early the next morning.
Ultimately, after finishing dinner in Osaka, I decided to move to Nara.
“Moving from Osaka Shinsaibashi Station to Nara”
For my one-night stay in Nara, I chose a guesthouse named “Haruya Naramachi,” a traditional Japanese house with a long history converted into a guesthouse. It was about a 20-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station.
There were various ways to travel from Osaka to Nara, but the route consistently recommended by many was using the “Kintetsu” line. It was the most economical option, and since there was no need for transfers, it was convenient. Additionally, Kintetsu Nara Station was well-connected to the main tourist sites in Nara, making it a recommended choice.
“Kintetsu Nara Line, Osaka Shinsaibashi Station to Nara Station”
Thanks to this recommendation, I also used the Kintetsu line to travel from Osaka to Nara. While typically, people move from Osaka’s Namba Station to Nara Station, the guesthouse I stayed at was closer to “Shinsaibashi Station.” Note that Namba Station and Shinsaibashi Station are only one stop apart, so the difference was not significant.
The cost from Shinsaibashi Station to Nara Station was approximately 640 yen, equivalent to around 6,400 won. While public transportation in Japan tends to be more expensive than in South Korea due to privatization and less convenient transfers, this price was reasonable for city-to-city travel.
With no need for a transfer, the journey was comfortable. Following the signs indicating “Kintetsu Line,” I could board the train, and naturally, I reached Nara.
“Transferring to a Local Train in the Yamato Saidaiji Area”
Originally, I didn’t need to transfer, but I had taken a train bound for the “Yamato Saidaiji Area,” so I had to transfer to a train bound for Nara at that station. However, since I only needed to get off and wait for the next train on the same platform, it was not a big issue.
“Deer-Themed Nara Station”
Upon arriving at Kintetsu Nara Station, deer were depicted in the station’s name. Additionally, deer figurines were scattered throughout the station. Since Nara is strongly associated with deer, encountering these images was inevitable.
In reality, I saw more deer during my travels in Nara than I had in my entire life. What was even more impressive was observing deer coexisting with people. They didn’t mind when people approached and even approached humans first. This behavior left a lasting impression.
In any case, after overcoming some twists and turns, I had arrived at Kintetsu Nara Station. Now, the next task was to move to the guesthouse in Nara.