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

Begin your trip at Kintetsu Osaka-Namba Station and take the Nara Line Rapid Express to Ikoma Station. From there, it's just a short walk to Cable Torii-mae Station, where you can transfer to the Kintetsu Ikoma Cable Car (Hozanji Line) and ride to Hozanji Station.
Next, transfer to the Ikoma Sanjo Line and continue to Ikoma Sanjo Station, where you’ll arrive at your first destination: Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park!

Spread across Mount Ikoma at an altitude of 642 meters, Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding nature. Best of all, admission is free!

The park is home to Japan’s oldest large-scale amusement ride, the Flying Tower, as well as the Cycle Monorail, a ride famous on social media for its breathtaking views. Whether a kid or just a kid-at-heart, there’s something for everyone to love.
After taking in the thrill of the rides, drop in for a break at View Restaurant, a tasty spot for lunch while gazing out from the terrace across the Osaka Plain!

After a jam-packed time of fun at Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park, make your way back to Ikoma Station and hop on the Nara Line Express to Tsuruhashi Station. Transfer to the Osaka Line Semi-Express and head to Kawachi-Yamamoto Station. From there, transfer to the Shigi Line and get off at Shigisan-guchi Station.
Next, take the Nishi-Shigi Cable Car to Takayasu Station, then board the Kintetsu Bus (Shigisanjo Line) and get off at Shigisanmon Bus Stop. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the area as you make your way 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 Chogosonshi-ji Temple to Shigisan Gyokuzoin, one of the sub-temples of Chogosonshi-ji.

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.

The second day begins with a refreshing morning at the temple lodging. After leaving Shigisan, take a bus from Shigisanmon Bus Stop to Cable Takayasu Station. From there, board the Nishi-Shigi Cable Car back to Shigisan-guchi Station, then transfer to the Kintetsu Shigi Line to Kawachi-Yamamoto Station. Next, take the Osaka Line Semi-Express to Yamato-Yagi Station, transfer to the Express Train to Kashihara-Jingū-mae Station, and finally switch to the Yoshino Line to Asuka Station. The journey from Shigisan-guchi Station to Asuka Station takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
For the second day, the adventure continues with a cycling tour through Asuka Village, a place rich in Japan’s ancient history!

To explore Asuka Village, a rental bicycle is the perfect choice. There are five rental stations within the village (one of which, the Takamatsuzuka branch, is for group reservations only). With an additional fee, you can return the bicycle at any rental station. The shop offers five different bike sizes, including electric bicycles, ensuring a comfortable ride even for those who may not be confident in their stamina.
For this trip, the bicycle is rented from the Asuka Station rental branch. Now, it's time to embark on a journey through Asuka Village, where ancient ruins from over 1,400 years ago are scattered throughout the area!

After a 15-minute cycling trip through the picturesque Asuka Village, the next stop is Traditional Local Food Yumeichi-chaya, a perfect place to enjoy a meal after some physical activity.

Located near the nationally designated special historic site Ishibutai Kofun, this charming countryside restaurant offers seasonal dishes made with fresh local vegetables from Asuka Village.
For this trip, the Ancient Rice Gozen is on the menu. The meal features a chewy and flavorful rice blend made with Hinohikari rice from Asuka Village and ancient grains, as well as "Go-Tofu," a delicate tofu dish made with Yoshino kudzu starch and soy milk. The meal is not only healthy but also satisfying, making it a perfect lunchtime choice.

After enjoying the flavors of Asuka Village, the next stop is Ishibutai Kofun, just a short bike ride away. This ancient tomb, built in the late 6th century, is believed to be the final resting place of Soga no Umako, a powerful figure of the Asuka period.

Ishibutai Kofun was constructed using over 30 massive stones, forming what is one of the largest stone chambers in Japan. The total weight of these stones reaches an astonishing 2,300 tons, showcasing the impressive civil engineering and transportation techniques of the time.
Surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, the kofun is also a beloved cherry blossom spot in spring, when Somei Yoshino cherry trees bloom magnificently around the site.

Leaving Ishibutai Kofun, a 10-minute bike ride leads to the final stop in Asuka Village—Inabuchi’s Terraced Rice Fields, a historic landscape that has preserved the quintessential image of Japan’s rural scenery since its development in the medieval period.

With over 300 rice paddies and fields spread across the mountain slopes, Inabuchi’s terraced rice fields are considered one of Asuka Village’s most treasured landscapes. The scenery transforms beautifully through the seasons—bright yellow canola flowers in spring, glistening water mirrors in early summer, and a breathtaking golden sea of rice stalks in autumn.
To ensure that this centuries-old scenery remains untouched for generations to come, visitors must strictly respect the local guidelines and avoid stepping into restricted areas. Let’s appreciate this stunning rural landscape with care and mindfulness!

After a 15-minute bike ride from Inabuchi Tanada Terraced Rice Fields, the rental bicycle is returned at the Asuka Station rental branch, marking the end of the Asuka Village exploration.
From Kintetsu Asuka Station, board the Yoshino Line and transfer at Kashihara-Jingū-mae Station to the Minami Osaka Line Express. The journey continues to the final stop at Osaka Abenobashi Station, leading to the last destination of this trip—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. The glass-enclosed observation corridor makes you feel as if you're taking a stroll through the sky! From here you’re eyes are in for a treat of panorama’s out over Osaka’s cityscape, and on clear days, even see as far as Kyoto, the Rokko Mountain Range, and the Ikoma Mountain Range, which you visited on the first day.