Which is Better for Your Base: Kyoto or Nara?

If you’ve followed this blog for any amount of time, you’re likely aware of my strong admiration for Kyoto. Yes, it is a tourist hotspot, but it’s also my former home. This vast city is rich in history, providing countless opportunities to avoid the crowds throughout the year if you make the effort.

I mention this not because my feelings about Kyoto have changed—they haven’t—but because I’ve recently come to entertain an unexpected perspective: for certain types of travelers, Nara might serve as a better overnight base than Kyoto.

It’s important to clarify that I am not suggesting you choose between Kyoto and Nara; I believe everyone should visit both cities at least once. However, there is more to discuss than just comparing them.

My Experience Staying Overnight in Nara

I never really compared Kyoto and Nara until I spent a night in Nara—something that, as of this post’s initial publication, is a fairly recent experience for me. Before that, it wasn’t a fair comparison. Kyoto is a place where you can spend days (or even months, as I have); Nara, on the other hand, was somewhere I simply visited for a few hours.

Whether it was the stunning sunset I witnessed from Wakakusayama, the fact that I was there during the annual lantern festival, or the tranquility I felt waking up at 5 AM with just me, the deer, and a handful of locals, I now believe there’s a strong argument for Nara being a better base for exploring Japan’s Kansai region than Kyoto.

Kyoto

Comparing Kyoto and Nara

Transport and Walkability

One of the aspects I love about Kyoto is how easy it is to get around. Distinct neighborhoods like Higashiyama and Arashiyama are highly walkable, and a straightforward subway and local train system (along with a manageable number of bus routes) connects them to more remote destinations. In contrast, in Nara, you may never need to board a bus in the city center, especially if you arrive via the Kintetsu line.

Accommodation Options

If you’re visiting Nara on a day trip, you might not consider the accommodation options available there. However, as you might expect, Nara has fewer hotels, and those that exist tend to be less luxurious. While Kyoto offers a wide range, from the minimalist Ryokan Kyoraku to the lavish Hotel the Mitsui, Nara’s options are generally more modest, such as Miroku Nara and Hotel New Wakasa.

Cityscape

Like Kyoto, Nara’s city center resides in a valley bordered by mountains. However, unlike Kyoto, Nara lacks a modern skyline, allowing iconic structures like the Kofuku-ji five-story pagoda and the Todai-ji temple to stand out more prominently than most of Kyoto’s landmarks—except perhaps the towering Hokan-ji pagoda in Higashiyama.

Dining and Nightlife

When it comes to selecting between Nara and Kyoto for dining and nightlife, there’s really no competition. While Nara does have some excellent restaurants and bars—such as Lamp Bar, arguably the best cocktail spot in all of Japan—the sheer variety of dining options available in Kyoto (from casual eateries in Nishiki Market to upscale obanzai establishments along the Kamo River) far surpasses anything Nara has to offer.

Day Trips and Excursions

Nara is frequently visited as a day trip from Kyoto, but it’s not the only option available. Many travelers venture west from Osaka to explore Himeji Castle and Kobe; others may head east to Lake Biwa or even northward to the often-overlooked Obama and the area known as “Kyoto by the Sea”. Staying in Nara opens up additional day trip possibilities like Mt. Yoshino and Asuka, although it generally makes accessing other regions of Kansai more challenging compared to staying in Kyoto.

Nara

Choosing a Base: Nara or Kyoto?