Meeting Point #2

A fountain with a conical shape and a statue of a man at the top, located outside a train station with a crowd of people waiting in line and walking nearby.
Bronze statue of a smiling elder monk with hands clasped around prayer beads in front of Kintetsu Nara Station in Japan, under a modern glass and steel roof.

The statue of Gyoki at Kintetsu Nara Station

Access From Major Cities:

  • From Osaka (Kintetsu Osaka-Namba Station)
    Take the Kintetsu Train bound for Nara Station. Approx. 40–60 minutes.

  • From Kyoto (Kintetsu Kyoto Station)
    1. Take the Kintetsu train bound for Kintetsu Nara Station. Approx. 45–60 minutes.
    2. Take the Kintetsu tran toward Yamato-Saidaiji or Kashiharajingu-mae Station. Change train at Saidaiji Station bound for Nara Station. Approx. 60 minutes

  • From Kashiharajingu-mae (Kintetsu Kashiharajingu-mae Station)
    Take the Kashihara train to Yamato-Saidaiji Station, transfer to the Nara Line, and arrive at Kintetsu Nara Station. Approx. 40–55 minutes.

Important Note (Meeting Point: Gyoki Statue / 行基像)
Our meeting point is the Gyoki Statue （行基像） located outside the station on the ground level, in front of the fountain plaza.

How to Reach the Gyoki Statue from the Ticket Gates

  1. After passing through the Central Ticket Gate （中央改札口） of Kintetsu Nara Station

  2. Follow the signs for “東出口” （East Exit） or “出口”（駅前広場）.

  3. Go straight toward the station front plaza, and you will see a large bronze statue of Gyoki Bosatsu standing at the center of a circular fountain. This is the meeting point.

Shops & Landmarks to Pay Attention To

  • Just before exiting, you will pass the Kintetsu Nara Station shopping area on your right.

  • Upon exiting, you will see Starbucks and the Kintetsu Nara Building shops around the station plaza.

  • Near the statue, there is also the Gyoki-mae Police Box (行基前交番) — if you see this, you are in the correct place.

⚠️ Common Mistake:

Many visitors accidentally head toward the Underground Shopping Area （地下商店街） or remain inside the station complex and miss the exit to the plaza. Please be sure to go all the way outside to the station front fountain plaza, where the Gyoki Statue is located. This is where we will meet up and begin the tour.

Google MAP

Please read carefully and understand.
This is very important!

A statue of a historical figure stands atop a conical fountain with flower arrangements at its base, located outside Kintetsu Nara Station, with groups of people waiting in line and walking nearby.

Kintetsu
Nara Station

OR

Old JR Nara Station: A historic building with traditional Japanese architectural features, including a curved roof, multiple windows, and a central clock.

JR
Nara Station

Difference Between Kintetsu Nara Station and JR Nara Station
Although both stations are located in Nara City, Kintetsu Nara Station and JR Nara Station belong to different railway companies and serve different travel routes.

  • Kintetsu Nara Station is operated by the Kintetsu Railway.
    It is the closest station to major sightseeing spots such as Nara Park, Kofuku-ji Temple, and the Nara deer area. It is more centrally located and generally more convenient for travelers exploring the city on foot.

  • JR Nara Station is operated by Japan Railways (JR).
    It serves long-distance JR trains, including those coming from Osaka, Kyoto, and other regions. It is located farther away from Nara Park and requires additional transportation (bus, taxi, or walking) to reach the main tourist area.

Locations of the Two Stations

  • Kintetsu Nara Station
    Located directly next to Nara Park and the historical district. The station sits beneath the Kintetsu Nara Building, with immediate access to the city center.

  • JR Nara Station
    Located southwest of Kintetsu Nara Station, along Sanjo Street (三条通り). The area around JR Nara Station is more residential and business-oriented, with fewer major tourist spots within walking distance.

Distance Between the Two Stations
The stations are approximately 1.2 km (0.7 miles) apart. Depending on your pace, walking between them typically takes 15–20 minutes.

How to Reach the Correct Station if You Arrive at the Wrong One
1. Bus
From JR Nara Station, take buses bound for “Kintetsu Nara Station” from the East Exit bus terminal. Travel time: 5 minutes.
From Kintetsu Nara Station, you can take a bus down Sanjo Street to JR Nara Station in about 5 minutes.

2. Taxi
Taxis are available in front of both stations. The ride between the two stations takes 3–5 minutes.

3. Walking
Walk along Sanjo Street (三条通り), which directly connects the stations in a straight line. Walking time: 15–20 minutes.

⚠️ Important Notice for Discover Nara Tour Guests

The meeting point for all Discover Nara tours is Kintetsu Nara Station, NOT JR Nara Station. Please double-check which station you are heading to. If you arrive at JR Nara Station by mistake, please use bus, taxi, or walk to reach Kintetsu Nara Station, where our staff will be waiting for you.