Comparison · Kyoto vs Nara · Japan
Kyoto vs Nara
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Nina R from Africa, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
Choose Kyoto for Temples and shrines, Fushimi Inari torii gates and nightlife; choose Nara for Todai-ji Great Buddha, Nara Park deer, lower day-to-day costs and a short break. Nara is generally less expensive, and the two are about 36 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 36 km
- Less expensive
- Nara
- Best time for Kyoto
- March–May and October–November
- Best time for Nara
- March–May and October–November
Side by side
| Kyoto | Nara | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Japan | Japan |
| Known for | Temples and shrines, Fushimi Inari torii gates and Geisha district of Gion | Todai-ji Great Buddha, Nara Park deer and Kasuga Taisha lanterns |
| Best time to visit | March–May and October–November | March–May and October–November |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 2 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $150–$280 | $110–$220 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | August, 34°C (93°F) | August, 33°C (91°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 9°C (48°F) | January, 9°C (48°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 5 | 5 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | KIX, ITM | KIX, ITM |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Kyoto for…
Temples and shrines, Fushimi Inari torii gates and nightlife. Japan's imperial capital for more than a thousand years, Kyoto holds most of the 17 temples, shrines and castles of the UNESCO-listed Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, among them Kinkaku-ji's golden pavilion, Kiyomizu-dera's wooden stage and the thousands…
Choose Nara for…
Todai-ji Great Buddha, Nara Park deer, lower day-to-day costs and a short break. Nara was Japan's capital from 710 to 784, and the temples and shrines founded then — Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji and Kasuga Taisha among them — now form a UNESCO World Heritage site. Most of the headline sights sit in or around Nara Park, a large green area on the…
Top sights compared
| # | Kyoto | Nara |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fushimi Inari Taisha | Todai-ji and the Great Buddha |
| 2 | Kiyomizu-dera | Nara Park and its deer |
| 3 | Kinkaku-ji | Kasuga Taisha |
| 4 | Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji | Kofuku-ji |
| 5 | Gion and Hanamikoji Street | Nara National Museum |
Food compared
| Kyoto | Nara |
|---|---|
| Kaiseki | Persimmon-leaf sushi |
| Yudofu | Nara-zuke pickles |
| Yuba | Miwa somen |
| Shojin ryori | Tea porridge |
Which is cheaper?
Nara is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $110–$220 per person there, against $150–$280 in Kyoto (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Nara on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Kyoto and Nara are about 36 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Kyoto and 2 in Nara.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Kyoto or Nara cheaper?
Nara is usually less expensive: about $110–$220 a day mid-range against $150–$280 (estimates).
+Is Kyoto or Nara better for a first trip?
Pick Kyoto for Temples and shrines, Fushimi Inari torii gates and nightlife, or Nara for Todai-ji Great Buddha, Nara Park deer, lower day-to-day costs and a short break.
+How far is Kyoto from Nara?
About 36 km in a straight line.