- How to Use Buses in Nara - 11 March 2026
- 8 Tips for Travelling in Japan as a Larger Family or Group - 10 March 2026
- Top 10 Things to do in Nara - 6 March 2026
Nara is a pretty small city, so you might not need to use the buses when you visit – but, if you arrive at JR Nara Station, or want to visit some of the sights a little further away, it can be handy to know how to use Nara’s efficient bus service – and our guide will help.
Is the Bus Necessary in Nara?
The answer to this mostly depends on how you get to Nara.
Nara has two train stations – Kintetsu-Nara Station, which is served by the Kintetsu Line, and JR Nara Station, served by the JR lines. You can use either to get into Nara from popular spots like Kyoto and Osaka.
Of the two, Kintetsu Nara Station is nearest to Nara Park. From here, the main attractions are within about a ten-minute walk – and, often, if you do try and get on a bus heading to the park, they can be full by the time they arrive at the stops around here. If you come into Kintetsu Nara Station, you probably won’t need to take the buses.
Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
If you are arriving at JR Nara Station, though, the main sights are about a 30-minute walk from the station. It’s a nice walk past shops and small shrines, but if you want to save time between sights or need to save your feet, catching the bus is the way to go.
In fact, if you are travelling to Nara with someone with limited mobility, I would say to get the JR train and use the buses if you can. Not only is it kinder on your feet, but because the most tourist-friendly buses tend to be empty as they pull into the station, you will always get a seat if you need one. They come regularly enough to let a full bus pass and get the next empty one if you need to (been there, done that).
So let’s talk about those tourist-friendly buses.
The Nara Tourist Loop Buses (No.1 and No.2)
These bright yellow buses are one of the easiest ways for visitors to travel around central Nara. They travel in a Loop around the city and visit all the main sightseeing areas for day trippers.
There are two loop routes:
Bus No. 1 runs anti-clockwise around the city.
Bus No. 2 runs clockwise along the same loop in the opposite direction.
They are clearly signposted in English and have English signs inside.
If you get off at JR Nara and want to catch the bus to the deer park and the sights close to it, catch Bus No.2.
If you are heading straight to Nara Machi, catch the No1. You’ll also catch the No.1 back to the station at the end of the day.
Finding the Buses at Nara Station
The bus is bright yellow, so it’s pretty easy to spot – but which stop do you need?
Whichever bus you need, exit the station via the East Exit.
You will come out into a big circle full of bus stops. If you are catching the No. 1 bus to Nara-machi you catch it at Stop 5 in this loop.
For Bus No.2, though, don’t be fooled, the stop is not here!
Instead, either turn right and walk past the 7-11, Super Hotel and Lawson walk to the main road, and you’ll find the stop on your left. Or walk all the way around the bus stop loop to the main road, and the stop will be on your right. There’s normally a queue of tourists and some staff at the stop.
Don’t stress if you get on the wrong one. Remember, it’s a Loop – you’ll end up where you want to go eventually – think of it as a mini city tour.
Paying on the Loop Bus
Another reason the Loop buses are so great for tourists is that they also use a flat fare system.
Get on the front of the bus and pay the driver the fare, which at the time of writing is 250 yen. You can use IC Cards like Suica or ICOCA. When you get off, exit via the back door.
How Often Do The Buses Run
About every 10 minutes. They’re very regular. They do fill up, but if the first one is full, the next one will be along promptly, so don’t worry too much. Or, you could swap to one of the regular buses.
Using Regular Nara City Buses
In addition to the tourist loop buses, Nara has a network of standard buses.
The process for using these buses can be slightly different from the loop buses, and I did see some tourists getting a bit confused and shouting at the driver as they thought he was making them pay twice.
In Nara, the clue is how you get on the bus. If you get on the front of the bus, it means it has a flat fare; just pay the driver. However, if everyone is getting on the bus at the back, the process is different.
As you enter, either tap your IC card on the reader or, if you want to pay in cash, take a small numbered ticket from the machine beside the door. The tap or the ticket registers where you go on the bus.
As the bus travels, you will see an electronic fare board at the front of the bus. This shows ticket numbers and the fare associated with each one. As the bus moves along the route, the fare displayed next to your number gradually increases depending on the distance travelled. You need to pay what it says under your ticket number when you reach your stop.
When you reach your stop, head toward the driver. If you have an IC card, just tap the reader as you exit. This is when you actually pay your fare.
If you have a paper ticket, insert the ticket together with the correct fare into the fare box. If you need change, there will be a machine on the bus that changes notes and smaller coins.
Once you have paid, exit through the front door. If in doubt, just see what the local people are doing and follow them.
The Nara Bus Pass
Visitors planning to use buses several times in one day may find the Nara Park and Nishinokyo 1-Day Pass handy. This pass covers buses operating in the main sightseeing areas around Nara Park and the Nishinokyo temple district – basically the area most day trippers will be visiting.
It costs 600 yen for adults and 300 yen for children. If you think you might get the bus more than twice in the day, it’s worth buying.
You can buy the pass at the Bus Information Counter in the Station.
And I think that’s all you need to know to use the buses in Nara.
Who Writes This Blog?
My name is Helen Foster, and I’m a journalist and author. My travel articles have appeared in publications including The Australian, Escape, RAC Horizons, Jetstar Magazine, Sainsbury’s Magazine, and more.
I’ve traveled to Japan eight times before – solo and with my partner and visited over 25 towns and cities. My last visit was November 2024 so, everything here is pretty up to date.