Topic: Nara Park Bus Terminal, Nara tours Publish date: May 2nd, 2025
The Nara Park bus terminal is a stylish and modern wooden building located right across Nara Park. This terminal isn’t just for boarding city buses, but it also has kimono rentals, plenty of resting areas, bathrooms, restaurants, information about Nara, and a rooftop garden (3F) with benches where people can look over Nara Park from a vantage view. Several tours buses which lead to Mt.Wakakasa have drop offs around the area.
1F (Souvenir Store + Information Desk)
Pick up an assortment of Nara souvenirs such as famous Nara snacks, Nara letter prints, and even Nara leaf wrapped sushi! Inside is also an information desk, a stylish brunch like cafe serving roasted meats and smoothies, a 7-11 convenience store, and an ATM where you can withdraw international currency.
Souvenir store hours: 10:00 AM ~ 6:30 PM
Information desk hours: 7:30 AM ~ 8 PM
2F (Nara Story– interactive information about Nara)
Resembling a small museum, “Nara Story” is a newly constructed area packed with information about Nara, its history, and even quizzes for guests of all ages to enjoy. Nara Story introduces the several power spots in Nara, the origin story about Nara deer, Japan’s oldest history scriptures (Kokiji and Manyoshu), and trivia about different Nara sake.
Nara Story hours: 7:00AM ~ 8PM
2F (Indoor Rest Space & Cafes)
On the second floor there is also a large indoor rest space with plenty of seating and a view of Nara Park. There are also two bathrooms on this floor. On this floor is Starbucks and also a Gyukaku restaurant, famous for its deep fried beef cutlets. It is separated in two parts, one which holds lecture halls and exhibitions, and one with the stores.
Starbucks hours: 7 AM ~ 8 PM
Gyukaku hours: 7:30 AM ~ 8 PM
3F (Outdoor Panoramic View Resting Space)
Up the stairs and outside is a spacious rooftop garden space with benches and a grass area where you can enjoy a view of Mt.Wakakusa, Nara Park, and Todai-ji Temple! There large grass area is a great spot for children to play and there are even deer sculptures you can take a photo op with while looking at the panoramic view of Nara.
Rooftop hours: 7:30 AM ~ 8 PM.
General Information
Currently two tours are running in Nara, the World Heritage Tour with Kamameshi and Matcha and the Perfect Nara Park course. To book a tour in Nara, check here for tours administered by the prefectures main bus company. Tours can be booked online or at the Nara Kotsu Sightseeing Bus Information Center, located a 8 minute walk from Nara Park Bus Terminal.
Facility hours: 7:30 AM ~ 8 PM
| Access |
| From Kintetsu Nara: take Exit 1 and walk 10 minutes |
| From JR Nara Station: head towards bus stop #2 and board bus 2, 77, or 97 and get off at Kencho-mae (Kenchozen) bus stop. |
