If you are under 20, please refrain from entering.
Nara's nightlife is listed around JR Nara and Kintetsu Nara stations and Shin-Omiya in Nara City, and around the stations of Kashihara. This page gives Kintetsu and JR journey times from Osaka and Kyoto, connections within the prefecture and this site's areas.
Updated May 27, 2026
Nara City has two gateways, JR Nara and Kintetsu Nara, both of which the Japan National Tourism Organization lists as the way into Nara Park and Naramachi. This site lets you search Nara City's venues by station.
Nara City has three areas: Around JR Nara Station, Kintetsu Nara Station Area and Shin-Omiya. For Kashihara in the south, travel by Kintetsu via Yamato-Saidaiji. In any area, check the address and contact details on the venue page before you go.
From Osaka, the Kintetsu express covers Osaka-Namba to Kintetsu Nara in about 34 minutes. The JR rapid takes about 52 minutes from Osaka Station, about 49 from JR Namba and about 36 from Tennoji. From Kyoto, it is about 34 minutes to Kintetsu Nara by Kintetsu limited express and about 41 to Nara by JR rapid.
Coming from Tokyo, allow about 142 minutes on the Shinkansen to Kyoto. Inside Nara Prefecture both Kintetsu and JR West run trains: Kintetsu Nara to Yamato-Saidaiji is about 5 minutes by express, then about 20 minutes on to Yamato-Yagi or about 26 to Kashiharajingu-mae.
The Nara page is split between Nara City, with Around JR Nara Station, Kintetsu Nara Station Area and Shin-Omiya, and Kashihara City, which is a single area; each opens a list of venues.
Nara is generally fine for a night out. The main risk is bottakuri, a padded bill at the end. Stick to venues that post their prices, skip street touts steering you into ‘free’ bars, and confirm the set fee plus any nomination or bottle charges before you order.
Payment methods vary by venue. Check the listing and confirm with the venue before booking.
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