[Osaka-Nara 2Day Sample Itinerary] Save while you travel with the KINTETSU RAIL PASS! On-the-go 2-Day Trip in Nara to Love.

To kick off this journey, start at Kintetsu Railway Osaka-Namba station. From here you’ll take the Nara line two stops to Osaka-Uehommachi station, then transfer to a shuttle bus heading to Abeno Harukas.

Abeno Harukas is a super high-rise complex building that towers at a height of 300m above ground. Inside you’ll find department stores, hotels, art museums, and much more, making it an iconic landmark of Osaka.

The highlight of this stop is the "Harukas 300 (Observatory)" observation deck, a three-story structure between the 58th and 60th floors. To get there, take a dedicated elevator from the 16th floor to the top, 60th floor. Once there you’ll find a glass-wall corridor that feels like you’re practically walking the skies. Here in the clouds, you’ll find views of not only Osaka city, but if weather permits, far out from Kyoto to the Rokko mountain range, and even the Ikoma mountain range, a destination for later.

After taking in the view, grab the shuttle bus back to Osaka-Uehommachi station. From here you’ll take the Kintetsu Nara Line Rapid Express bound for Kintetsu Nara for 16 minutes before getting off at Ikoma station. Then step over to the "Torii Mae" station, hop on the cable car, transfer once at Hozan and head to Ikomasanjo station.

Just a short walk from the cable car Ikomasanjo station will bring you to Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park, a sprawling escape atop the 642m high Mt. Ikoma! This amusement park, surrounded by lush greenery and mountaintop views is free to enter!

First, have lunch at the "View Restaurant", which offers panoramic views of the Osaka plains from its terrace seating. After you've eaten, you'll play to your heart's content on various playground equipment. The oldest large-scale playground equipment in Japan, the "Flying Tower", is something you'll definitely want to ride as a memory of your trip.

After enjoying the Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park, return to Ikoma station and take the Kintetsu Ikoma Line for about 25 minutes to Oji station. Transfer to the Nara Kotsu Bus and get off at the bus stop "Shigisan Ohashi". Here you’ll find the leisurely stroll that brings you to Shigisan Chogosonshi-ji Temple.

Founded by Prince Shotoku in 587, Shigisan Chogosonshi-ji Temple has a deep connection with the tiger, which plays a significant role in the origin of Mount Shigi. As such, you’ll find the temple grounds are dotted with tiger statues.
Inside the Reihokan you’ll find a replica of the national treasure Shigisan Engi Emaki on display, an acclaimed masterpiece and must-see from the Heian period, considered to be one of three major picture scrolls in Japan.

It's a 3-minute walk from "Shigisan Shingon Sect Main Temple Chogosonshiji" to "Shigisan Gyokuzoin," one of the sub-temples of Chogosonshiji.

With a history of over 1000 years, Gyokuzoin allows visitors to try their hand at ancient traditions like sutra copying and chores, while also providing an exclusive temple stay experience. This temple carries the historic roots of Shigisan and is known for keeping a number of lodgings from the Heian to Edo period. You can learn more about this culture first hand during your stay.

On the second day, wake to a refreshing morning at the temple lodging. After leaving Shigisan, take the Nara Kotsu Bus from the "Shigi Ohashi" bus stop to the Kintetsu "Shigisan-shita" station. Take the Kintetsu Ikoma line to the "Oji" station and change to the Nara Kotsu Bus bound for Nara via Horin-ji, get off at the "Chuguji-mae" bus stop. After a 10-minute stroll through the town of Ikaruga, you’ll arrive at your first destination, Horin-ji.

The ancient temple "Horin-ji" stands in Ikaruga, a place associated with Prince Shotoku. It was founded in 622 to pray for the recovery of Prince Shotoku's illness, by his son, Yamabe no Ooenooji. The five-story pagoda of Horin-ji, along with the five-story pagoda of Horin-ji and the three-story pagoda of Hokki-ji, is known as the "Three Towers of Ikaruga". The original pagoda was destroyed by lightning in Showa 19 (1944) and rebuilt in Showa 50 (1975). The rebuilt three-story pagoda, in the Asuka style, is a magnificent structure also known as the "Famous Tower of Showa".

In addition, the lecture hall, which also serves as a storehouse, houses the Yakushi Nyorai seated statue, the main object of worship, and the standing statue of Kokuzo Bosatsu, both of which are designated as important cultural properties. Take a moment here to breathe in the serenity while facing the Asuka Buddha up close.

Next on your itinerary is "café komodo". From Horin-ji, return to the "Chuguji-mae" bus stop and take the Nara Kotsu bus again. Get off at the "Horyuji-mae" bus stop.

For lunch, visit "café komodo" located in the multi-purpose complex "Mahoroba Station Ikarucoki", near the eastern gate of the World Heritage Site Horyuji. The café serves a lunch menu using local ingredients, notably its signature dish of three types of Tatsuta-age (Japanese-style fried chicken) marinated in a secret sauce and fried to a fragrant finish: their homemade Yamato gluten, domestic chicken, and soy meat, along with a side dish made from gluten.

Once your tastebuds are satisfied, take a 5-minute walk from "café komodo" to the "Horyuji-mae" bus stop. From there, take the Nara Kotsu Bus No. 63 to Kintetsu Tsutsui Station. From Kintetsu Tsutsui Station, take the Kintetsu Kashihara Line and get off at Kintetsu-Koriyama Station after about 2 minutes. Next, you will explore Yamatokoriyama, known as the "Town of Goldfish."

Located a 5-minute walk from the station, the souvenir shop "Kochikuya" offers a wide range of goods featuring goldfish motifs. In addition, the "Goldfish Scooping Dojo" is located on the premises of the shop, where you can experience goldfish scooping. They will instruct you on how to scoop goldfish.

After enjoying goldfish scooping, take a leisurely 10-minute walk to the Historic Site Koriyama Castle, taking in the goldfish motifs scattered throughout the town along the way. You'll explore the castle ruins, which are designated as a national historic site.

Koriyama Castle was built in 1580, and today you can see the restored Otemon gate and turret. It is also famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot in Kansai, and has been selected as one of Japan's "Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots". Every year from late March to early April, about 800 cherry trees adorn the grounds. During the cherry blossom season, the castle is lit up at night, which is another must-see.

After enjoying the atmospheric stroll through the castle ruins, it's time to return to Osaka. Take the Kintetsu Kashihara Line Express from Kintetsu-Koriyama station to Yamato-Saidaiji station. From there, change to the Kintetsu Nara Line and take the approximately 40-minute train journey to Osaka-Namba station!

In the evening, head out to Dotonbori, a 3-minute walk from Osaka-Namba station. As one of Osaka's bustling downtown districts, home to a smorgasbord of eateries serving takoyaki, okonomiyaki, crab, ramen, and more. You'll be able to fully enjoy the gastronomy of Osaka.
Dotonbori is also known as a photo spot with its line of giant billboards. Don't forget to snap a commemorative photo on Ebisubashi bridge!