Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview of Nara Prefecture (奈良県)
Nara Prefecture (奈良県) is located in the Kansai region of Japan, with its prefectural capital at Nara and primary transport gateway at Kintetsu-Nara & JR Nara Stations. Spanning 39 cities, towns, and villages, Nara is renowned for Nara Park's 1,300 sacred deer, Todai-ji Great Buddha, Kasuga Taisha lanterns, Horyu-ji (world's oldest wooden buildings), Asuka ancient capitals, and Mount Yoshino.
| Nara Prefecture (奈良県) Quick Facts | 2026/2027 Travel Reference |
|---|---|
| Region & Capital | Kansai · Capital: Nara |
| Primary Rail / Transit Hub | Kintetsu-Nara & JR Nara Stations |
| Municipalities Covered | 39 cities, towns, wards & villages |
| Top Sightseeing Bases | Nara (奈良市), Kashihara (橿原市), Ikoma (生駒市), Yamatokōriyama (大和郡山市), Kashiba (香芝市) |
| Best Season to Visit | Spring (Mar–May) & Autumn (Oct–Nov) |
| Signature Regional Food | Kakinoha-zushi (persimmon-leaf wrapped mackerel/salmon sushi), Miwa somen (ultra-fine hand-pulled wheat noodles in Sakurai), Asuka nabe (milk & chicken hotpot), Yomogi mochi (Nakatanidou freshly pounded mugwort mochi) |
Top Cities, Towns & Sightseeing Bases in Nara Prefecture
Whether you are basing in the prefectural capital of Nara or planning regional day trips from Kintetsu-Nara & JR Nara Stations, these top municipalities in Nara Prefecture offer the richest concentration of cultural landmarks, rail links, and dining:
- Nara (奈良市) — Core city (pop. 367,393, 276.84 km²) served by Nara Station (奈良駅) (1.3 km); key local sights include Todai-ji Temple & Great Buddha (東大寺), Nara Park Sacred Deer (奈良公園), Kasuga Taisha Shrine (春日大社).
- Kashihara (橿原市) — City (pop. 124,679, 39.52 km²) served by Miminashi Station (耳成駅) (0.7 km); key local sights include Miwa Yama (6.0 km), Tsubosaka-dera (9.2 km), Otowa Yama (8.0 km).
- Ikoma (生駒市) — City (pop. 115,359, 53.18 km²) served by Ikoma Station (生駒駅) (0.8 km); key local sights include Ikoma Yama (3.0 km), Iimori Yama (5.2 km), Tōshōdai-ji Temple (8.2 km).
- Yamatokōriyama (大和郡山市) — City (pop. 90,223, 42.68 km²) served by Kintetsu Kōriyama Station (近鉄郡山駅) (0.4 km); key local sights include Kōriyama Castle, National Historic Site, Nara Prefectural Museum of Folklore, Dainagon-zuka.
- Kashiba (香芝市) — City (pop. 72,967, 24.23 km²) served by Kashiba Station (香芝駅) (0.6 km); key local sights include Hirano Tsukaanayama Kofun, National Historic Site, Ninji temple ruins, National Historic Site, O Dake (2.6 km).
- Tenri (天理市) — City (pop. 70,702, 86.37 km²) served by Tenri Station (天理駅) (0.8 km); key local sights include Ryūō Zan (5.2 km), Takamine Yama (5.6 km), Shiro Yama (6.5 km).
How to get to Nara Prefecture
35–45m direct from Kyoto or Osaka-Namba via Kintetsu Rapid/Limited Express or the JR Nara / Yamatoji lines. Once at Kintetsu-Nara & JR Nara Stations, JR regional lines, private commuter railways, and local highway buses connect travelers across all 39 municipalities in Nara. Use our Shinkansen Fare & Route Calculator and JR Pass Value Helper to compare rail tickets and regional passes.
Signature local food in Nara
When visiting cities across Nara, look out for these regional specialties at station restaurants, markets, and local izakaya:
- Kakinoha-zushi (persimmon-leaf wrapped mackerel/salmon sushi) — regional culinary specialty across Nara Prefecture (奈良県).
- Miwa somen (ultra-fine hand-pulled wheat noodles in Sakurai) — regional culinary specialty across Nara Prefecture (奈良県).
- Asuka nabe (milk & chicken hotpot) — regional culinary specialty across Nara Prefecture (奈良県).
- Yomogi mochi (Nakatanidou freshly pounded mugwort mochi) — regional culinary specialty across Nara Prefecture (奈良県).
Best time to visit Nara
Early–mid April for Mount Yoshino's 30,000 cherry trees; October–November for golden ginkgo and maples in Nara Park and Hasedera.
All 39 cities & municipalities in Nara Prefecture
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, local landmarks, nearest rail station, food specialties, and 5 closest neighboring stops:
| City (Kanji) | Type / Status | Population | Area | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nara 奈良市 | Core city | 367,393 | 276.84 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Yamatotakada 大和高田市 | City | 69,473 | 16.49 km² | City guide → |
| Yamatokōriyama 大和郡山市 | City | 90,223 | 42.68 km² | City guide → |
| Tenri 天理市 | City | 70,702 | 86.37 km² | City guide → |
| Kashihara 橿原市 | City | 124,679 | 39.52 km² | City guide → |
| Sakurai 桜井市 | City | 60,699 | 98.92 km² | City guide → |
| Gojō 五條市 | City | 36,002 | 292.05 km² | City guide → |
| Gose 御所市 | City | 31,160 | 60.58 km² | City guide → |
| Ikoma 生駒市 | City | 115,359 | 53.18 km² | City guide → |
| Kashiba 香芝市 | City | 72,967 | 24.23 km² | City guide → |
| Katsuragi 葛城市 | City | 35,194 | 33.73 km² | City guide → |
| Uda 宇陀市 | City | 35,895 | 247.62 km² | City guide → |
| Yoshino 吉野町 | Town (町) | 8,420 | 95.65 km² | City guide → |
| Yamazoe 山添村 | Village (村) | 3,989 | 66.52 km² | City guide → |
| Totsukawa 十津川村 | Village (村) | 3,749 | 672.38 km² | City guide → |
| Tenkawa 天川村 | Village (村) | 1,615 | 175.66 km² | City guide → |
| Tawaramoto 田原本町 | Town (町) | 32,886 | 21.09 km² | City guide → |
| Takatori 高取町 | Town (町) | 7,387 | 25.79 km² | City guide → |
| Shimokitayama 下北山村 | Village (村) | 1,059 | 131.65 km² | City guide → |
| Sangō 三郷町 | Town (町) | 23,157 | 8.79 km² | City guide → |
| Ōyodo 大淀町 | Town (町) | 19,153 | 38.1 km² | City guide → |
| Ōji 王寺町 | Town (町) | 23,131 | 7.01 km² | City guide → |
| Nosegawa 野迫川村 | Village (村) | 479 | 154.9 km² | City guide → |
| Kawanishi 川西町 | Town (町) | 8,808 | 5.93 km² | City guide → |
| Kawakami 川上村 | Village (村) | 1,634 | 269.26 km² | City guide → |
| Ikaruga 斑鳩町 | Town (町) | 28,423 | 14.27 km² | City guide → |
| Heguri 平群町 | Town (町) | 19,562 | 23.9 km² | City guide → |
| Asuka 明日香村 | Village (村) | 5,866 | 24.08 km² | City guide → |
| Ando 安堵町 | Town (町) | 7,787 | 4.31 km² | City guide → |
| Miyake 三宅町 | Town (町) | 7,233 | 25.79 km² | City guide → |
| Soni 曽爾村 | Village (村) | 1,721 | 47.76 km² | City guide → |
| Mitsue 御杖村 | Village (村) | 1,927 | 79.58 km² | City guide → |
| Kanmaki 上牧町 | Town (町) | 23,492 | 6.14 km² | City guide → |
| Kōryō 広陵町 | Town (町) | 34,637 | 8.23 km² | City guide → |
| Kawai 河合町 | Town (町) | 18,808 | 8.23 km² | City guide → |
| Shimoichi 下市町 | Town (町) | 6,337 | 61.99 km² | City guide → |
| Kurotaki 黒滝村 | Village (村) | 834 | 47.7 km² | City guide → |
| Kamikitayama 上北山村 | Village (村) | 616 | 274.22 km² | City guide → |
| Higashiyoshino 東吉野村 | Village (村) | 2,156 | 131.65 km² | City guide → |
Frequently asked questions
What are the best places and cities to visit in Nara Prefecture (奈良県)?
Top highlights across Nara Prefecture (奈良県) in Japan's Kansai region include Nara Park's 1,300 sacred deer, Todai-ji Great Buddha, Kasuga Taisha lanterns, Horyu-ji (world's oldest wooden buildings), Asuka ancient capitals, and Mount Yoshino. Major cities and sightseeing bases in Nara include Nara (奈良市), Kashihara (橿原市), Ikoma (生駒市), Yamatokōriyama (大和郡山市), Kashiba (香芝市).
How do I get to Nara Prefecture and get around by train?
The primary rail and transit hub for Nara Prefecture is Kintetsu-Nara & JR Nara Stations (prefectural capital: Nara). 35–45m direct from Kyoto or Osaka-Namba via Kintetsu Rapid/Limited Express or the JR Nara / Yamatoji lines. Compare bullet-train fares with our Shinkansen Fare Calculator and JR Pass Calculator.
What local food and regional dishes is Nara Prefecture famous for?
Signature regional specialties across Nara Prefecture (奈良県) include Kakinoha-zushi (persimmon-leaf wrapped mackerel/salmon sushi), Miwa somen (ultra-fine hand-pulled wheat noodles in Sakurai), Asuka nabe (milk & chicken hotpot), Yomogi mochi (Nakatanidou freshly pounded mugwort mochi)—served at station restaurants around Kintetsu-Nara & JR Nara Stations, local morning markets, and izakaya in Nara and Kashihara.
When is the best time of year to visit Nara Prefecture?
Early–mid April for Mount Yoshino's 30,000 cherry trees; October–November for golden ginkgo and maples in Nara Park and Hasedera. Check month-by-month weather, cherry blossom windows, and autumn foliage dates in our Japan Seasonal Calendar.