Comparison · Nara vs Tokyo · Japan
Nara vs Tokyo
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Wiiii, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Choose Nara for Todai-ji Great Buddha, Nara Park deer, lower day-to-day costs and a short break; choose Tokyo for Shibuya Crossing, Sushi and ramen, beaches and nightlife. Nara is generally less expensive, and the two are about 366 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 366 km
- Less expensive
- Nara
- Best time for Nara
- March–May and October–November
- Best time for Tokyo
- March–May and October–November
Side by side
| Nara | Tokyo | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Japan | Japan |
| Known for | Todai-ji Great Buddha, Nara Park deer and Kasuga Taisha lanterns | Shibuya Crossing, Sushi and ramen and Temples and shrines |
| Best time to visit | March–May and October–November | March–May and October–November |
| Ideal stay | 2 days | 6 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $110–$220 | $150–$280 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | August, 33°C (91°F) | August, 31°C (88°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 9°C (48°F) | January, 10°C (50°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 5 | 11 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | Yuigahama, Kamakura |
| Airports | KIX, ITM | HND, NRT |
Which one is right for you?
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…
Choose Tokyo for…
Shibuya Crossing, Sushi and ramen, beaches and nightlife. Tokyo is less a single city than a cluster of distinct centres linked by an exceptionally efficient rail network: neon-lit Shinjuku and Shibuya, the department stores of Ginza, the temple quarter of Asakusa, the museums of Ueno and the anime shops of…
Top sights compared
| # | Nara | Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Todai-ji and the Great Buddha | Senso-ji Temple |
| 2 | Nara Park and its deer | Meiji Jingu Shrine |
| 3 | Kasuga Taisha | Shibuya Crossing |
| 4 | Kofuku-ji | Shibuya Sky |
| 5 | Nara National Museum | Tokyo Skytree |
Food compared
| Nara | Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Persimmon-leaf sushi | Sushi |
| Nara-zuke pickles | Ramen |
| Miwa somen | Tsukemen |
| Tea porridge | Tempura |
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 Tokyo (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Nara on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Nara and Tokyo are about 366 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 2 days in Nara and 6 in Tokyo.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Nara or Tokyo cheaper?
Nara is usually less expensive: about $110–$220 a day mid-range against $150–$280 (estimates).
+Is Nara or Tokyo better for a first trip?
Pick Nara for Todai-ji Great Buddha, Nara Park deer, lower day-to-day costs and a short break, or Tokyo for Shibuya Crossing, Sushi and ramen, beaches and nightlife.
+How far is Nara from Tokyo?
About 366 km in a straight line.