Mt.Wakakusa Bus: Direct to the Summit!
Wakakusayama Hilltop Bus (Approx. 1 hour 45 mins)
This round trip bus takes you from either JR Nara Station or Kintetsu Nara Station directly to Mt.Wakakusa summit, where you will have approximately 45 minutes to enjoy the view before returning to the station. The entire experience, from departure to return, lasts about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Wakakusayama Hill is one of Nara’s most iconic attractions, located in the eastern part of Nara Park. It is a gentle, grass-covered hill, 342 meters high and home to wild deer. From the summit, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Nara City and Mt. Ikoma.
Enjoy the rich nature, breathtaking scenery, and the opportunity to interact with the deer that roam freely across the hill.
You will have the option to end your bus ride at the summit and hike down the mountain while enjoying the views. It takes about an hour on foot to reach Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Todai-ji Temple from the summit. On your way down, you will pass souvenir shops and restaurants at the foot of the hill.
Open Season:
From the 3rd Saturday of March to the 2nd Sunday of December
Admission fee:
(Adult 150 JPY / Child 80 JPY) is required to enter the hiking trails.
As a complimentary gift, you will receive a Wakakusayama Hill Walking Map and a one-way ticket for a local bus from the “Todaiji Daibutsuden/National Museum” bus stop back to Kintetsu Nara Station or JR Nara Station,” which can be used if you choose to end your ride at the summit.
You may also choose to get off at the “Kencho-mae (Kofukuji Temple)” bus stop to continue exploring Nara Park.
The bus is fully equipped with air conditioning and heating. It also features automated announcements in Japanese, English, and Chinese.
Meeting/Departure Points:
📍 JR Nara Station (East Exit) Bus Stop.No.4
📍 Kintetsu Nara Station (Regular Sightseeing Bus Stop)
Departure Times:
⌚ JR Nara Station 10:05/12:05/2:05/4:05
⌚ Kintetsu Nara Station 10:10/12:10/2:10/4:10
Drop-off Point:
Mt.Wakakusa Summit (Optional drop-off for guests who wish to hike down)
📍 Kencho-mae (Kofukuji Temple)
📍 Kintetsu Nara Station
📍 JR Nara Station
Operating Days:
November 1st, 2025 (Sat) – March 29th, 2026 (Sun) *Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays Only
4 services per day
Service Exceptions (Cancellations):
・Service will not operate on the following dates: December 14th (Sun), January 1st (Thu/Public Holiday), January 3rd (Sat), January 4th (Sun), and January 24th (Sat).
・The 4th service (departing JR Nara at 4:05 / Kintetsu Nara at 4:10) will be suspended on the following Saturdays: November 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th.
Price:
Adults (12 years and older): 1,000 yen
Children (6–11 years old): 500 yen
Note: If you choose to end your bus ride and hike down from the Mt. Wakakusa Summit, you can use a one-way ticket for a local bus included in the price (from the “Todaiji Daibutsuden/National Museum” bus stop to Kintetsu Nara Station or JR Nara Station).
Meeting Point
Arrive at the bus stop 10 minutes before departure time.
JR Nara Station (East Exit) Bus Stop No.4
Kintetsu Nara Station Regular Sightseeing Bus Stop
Route
JR Nara Station (10:05/12:05/2:05/4:05)
Kintetsu Nara Station (10:10/12:10/2:10/4:10)
Travel in a spacious, climate-controlled tour bus. Multilingual audio guidance is available in Japanese, English, and Chinese.
Mt. Wakakusa Summit （Approx. 45-minute stay）
Once reaching Wakakusayama Hill, panoramic views of the entirety of Nara city and Mt.Ikoma will start to unfold before your eyes. If you’re lucky, sometimes you can also see parts of Kyoto from the summit as well.
The hillside area is covered in grass and is comfortable for resting or spending time with the deer who roam freely in the area.
If you’d rather enjoy the hilltop at your own pace, there is also an option to end your bus ride at the summit and hike down the mountain while enjoying the views. By foot, it takes about an hour to reach Kasuga Taisha Shrine or Todai-ji Temple from the summit, where you can find many restaurants and souvenir shops.
Open Season:
From the 3rd Saturday of March to the 2nd Sunday of December
Admission fee:
(Adult 150 JPY / Child 80 JPY) is required to enter the hiking trails.
As a complimentary gift, you will receive a Wakakusayama Hill Walking Map and a one-way ticket for a local bus from the “Todaiji Daibutsuden/National Museum” bus stop back to Kintetsu Nara Station or JR Nara Station,” which can be used if you choose to end your ride at the summit.
Kencho-mae (Kofukuji Temple)
JR Nara Station
Kintetsu Nara Station
You may also choose to get off at the “Kencho-mae (Kofukuji Temple)” bus stop to continue exploring Nara Park.
The bus will stop at Kencho-mae (Kofukuji Temple), Kintetsu Nara Station, and JR Nara Station in this order. Please get off at your preferred stop.
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Scheduled Period of Operation
November 1st, 2025 (Sat) – March 29th, 2026 (Sun)
*Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays Only
4 services per day
Service Exceptions (Cancellations):
・Service will not operate on the following dates: December 14th (Sun), January 1st (Thu/Public Holiday), January 3rd (Sat), January 4th (Sun), and January 24th (Sat).
・The 4th service (departing JR Nara at 4:05 / Kintetsu Nara at 4:10) will be suspended on the following Saturdays: November 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th.
Note
Requirements:
- You do not need to check in at the information desk. Please proceed directly to the bus stop.
- When boarding the bus, please present your ticket (voucher) to the driver.
- Reservations are generally required, but if there are seats available, you can board without a reservation. In this case, please pay using an IC transit card or cash.
- Please arrive at the bus stop at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.
- Departure times vary depending on the boarding location, so please check in advance.
- If you miss the return bus from Mt. Wakakusayama Summit, you will not be able to board a later bus.
Notes / Other Information:
- Services may be canceled if safe operation cannot be guaranteed due to road conditions, weather, or other factors.
- Delays may occur due to traffic conditions. In such cases, the scheduled stay time may be shortened.
- Roads can be extremely congested during peak tourist seasons. Please allow ample time when connecting to trains or other means of transportation for your return journey.
- Children under 6 years old may ride for free, but no seat will be provided. If a seat is required, the child fare will apply.
- A cancellation fee of 100 yen per person will be charged for cancellations made after payment. No cancellations or refunds will be made after the bus has departed.
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