Recommended bus trip from Nara
Our recommended round trip for you is to start a trip from the ancient city of Nara, have a foodie trip in Nagoya, the hub city in the center of Japan, and go to Shirakawago or Kanazawa.
Access Info
Sightseeing Spots
- Nara
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- Nagoya
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- Shirakawago
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- Kanazawa
Journey to learn about ancient history of Japan and meet adorable deers
Nara is a popular destination for its historical buildings, traditional architecture, and lush parks. Nara Park, located in front of the famous Todaiji Temple, is home to a large population of deer that are considered to be messengers of the gods. Visitors can get up close with them as they roam freely throughout the park.
Todaiji Temple
Todaiji Temple is one of the most important and famous temples in Japan, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is known for its Great Buddha Hall, which houses The Great Buddha, one of the largest bronze statues in the world.
Kasugataisha Shrine
Kasugataisha Shrine is located at the foot of Mt. Kasuga, which is considered to be the shrine's sacred mountain. The shrine's main buildings are brightly colored in red, and they are surrounded by thousands of stone lanterns.
Naramachi
Naramachi is a historic district located in the south-east of Nara City. It has a variety of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. Visitors can stroll through the narrow streets, admire the traditional architecture, and experience Japanese culture.
Savor the flavor of Nara
Savor the flavor of Nara
"Mahoroba Daibutsu Pudding" is a popular pudding shop with an adorable store that looks like a fairy tale and puddings made with carefully selected ingredients.
Access
Take a bus from Kintetsu Nara Station and get off at "Takanohara Golf Center."
Access
Access to Nara
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From Kansai Airport to Nara
Take the JR train to Nara via Tennoji Station. It takes about 1 hr and 30 min.
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From Kyoto to Nara
Take the JR train to Nara directly. It takes about 50 min.
Nagoya: The heart of Japan
Nagoya is the third-largest city in Japan, located in the central part of the country. It is the capital of Aichi Prefecture and is known for its important cultural attractions, including Nagoya Castle, the Atsuta Shrine. Nagoya is also known for its distinctive cuisine, which includes dishes such as tebasaki, misokatsu, and hitsumabushi.
Nagoya Castle
Nagoya Castle is located in the center of Nagoya and is one of the most famous castles in Japan. The castle was built in the early 17th century by Ieyasu Tokugawa, the first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
Atsuta Jingu Shrine
Atsuta Jingu Shrine is known for housing one of the three Imperial Regalia of Japan, the Kusanagi sword. In addition to the main shrine, there are many other shrines within the shrine grounds, each of which has its unique benefits.
Higashiyama Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Higashiyama Zoo & Botanical Gardens is a municipal zoo in Nagoya. At the zoo and the botanical gardens, you can meet about 500 species of animals and about 7,000 plants, including many rare and endangered species.
Savor the flavor of Nagoya
Savor the flavor of Nagoya
In Japan, the image of Nagoya is firmly established as the city of Tebasaki, as the first shop to offer Tebasaki (fried chicken wings) was located in Nagoya. Sweet and savory Tebasaki is sure to be addictive.
Access
Access to Nagoya
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From Nara to Nagoya
Approx. 2 hrs 30 min by Highway Bus
A place of peace and tranquility
Shirakawago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the mountainous region of Gifu Prefecture. It is a traditional Japanese village with a unique architecture known as gassho-style farmhouses. Shirakawago is one of the most popular tourist spots in Japan, attracting many visitors every year.
Gassho-style Houses
The gassho-style farmhouses of Shirakawago are a beautiful sight to behold in any season. The roofs of these farmhouses are made of thatch and are steeply pitched to withstand the heavy snowfall in the region.
Observatory
Shirakawago has several viewpoints that offer stunning views of the village. In particular, Tenshukaku Observatory is the best spot to see the entire village, and on a clear day, it even offers views of the Hakusan Mountains.
Hida Takayama
Hida Takayama is famous for its well-preserved traditional Japanese architecture. The old town of the city is a maze of narrow streets lined with traditional Japanese wooden houses. It takes about 50 minutes by bus to get from Shirakawago to Hida Takayama.
Savor the flavor of Shirakawago
Savor the flavor of Shirakawago
In the Hida region, people have traditionally collected fallen hoba(magnolia) leaves and used them as cooking tools. "Hoba miso" is a local dish made with miso, Hida beef, or mushrooms, and grilled on a magnolia leaf.
Access
Access to Shirakawago
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From Nagoya to Shirakawago
Approx. 2 hrs 40 min by Highway Bus
A city of tradition and innovation
Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa prefecture and the largest city in the Hokuriku region, is a city that blends tradition and innovation. The city is home to many historical landmarks, such as Kenrokuen and Kanazawa Castle, as well as modern museums and cultural facilities, such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa.
Kanazawa Station
”Tsuzumimon”, a majestic structure located in front of Kanazawa Station, was inspired by the taiko drums used in Nohgaku, a traditional performing art of Kanazawa.
Kenrokuen
Kenrokuen is one of Japan's Three Great Gardens. The garden is designed to be enjoyed from a variety of perspectives, and it features a lot of landscaping elements including ponds, streams, waterfalls, hills, and forests.
Oumicho Market
Oumicho Market is a bustling marketplace located in the heart of Kanazawa. It is a popular destination for both locals and tourists, and it is a great place to find fresh seafood and other local produce.
Savor the flavor of Kanazawa
Savor the flavor of Kanazawa
Oden is a must-try dish for anyone visiting Kanazawa. There are many popular restaurants serving oden, and some of them have lines of customers every night.
Access
Access to Kanazawa
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From Shirakawago to Kanazawa
Approx. 1 hrs 20 min by Highway Bus