The JR Nara Line runs between Nara and Kyoto with stops at the important sightseeing locations: Uji, Inari and Tofukuji along the way. This line is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
At JR Nara Station JR Nara Line trains depart from platforms 3, 4, and 5.
A Miyakoji Rapid Service train bound for Kyoto at JR Nara Station
JR Nara Line Stations
There are 21 stations on the JR Nara Line. These are as follows:
Nara > Narayama > Kizu > Kamikoma > Tanakura > Tamamizu > Yamashiro-Taga > Yamashiro-Aodani > Nagaike > Joyo > Shinden > JR Ogura > Uji > Obaku > Kohata > Rokujizo > Momoyama > JR Fujinomori > Inari > Tofukuji > Kyoto
For more details on these destinations please see our JR Nara Line article at KyotoStation.com. The JR Nara Line is served by Local, Regional Rapid, Rapid and Miyakoji Rapid services.
A local train on JR Nara Line
Traveling to Kyoto
Local trains on the JR Nara Line take 70 minutes to travel between Nara and Kyoto because they stop at every station. If you wish to travel directly to Kyoto on the JR Nara Line you should take the Miyakoji Rapid train which takes only 48 minutes. This train also stops at Uji Station and Tofukuji Station on the way, however, it does not stop at Inari Station. If you wish to get off at Inari Station, you will need to take a local train. To plan your journey use English language online route finders like Jorudan and Hyperdia.
Information on departures is given in both Japanese and English
Fares and Train Times
| Nara – > Uji | 500 yen | 31 minutes |
| Nara -> Inari (local train) | 670 yen | 1 hour and 10 minutes |
| Nara – > Tofukuji | 710 yen | 46 minutes |
| Nara – > Kyoto | 710 yen | 48 minutes |
Other Options
If you are carrying a Japan Rail Pass the Miyakoji Rapid service on the JR Nara Line is the best service to use between Nara and Kyoto. However, if you do not have a Japan Rail Pass, you might choose to take the Kintetsu Kyoto Line from Kintetsu Nara Station. Express trains to Kyoto on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line are frequent, take between 44 – 50 minutes to reach their destination and cost no more than 620 yen. This compares favorably with the regular fare of 710 yen on the JR Nara Line.
Kintetsu Nara Station is also more centrally located than JR Nara Station and closer to the major tourist sites. If you are in a hurry, another option is to pay 1,130 yen for a Kintetsu Limited Express ticket. A Limited Express on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line will get you from Nara to Kyoto in just 35 minutes. For more details see our article on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line at KyotoStation.com.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
