JR Nara Station

Take the bus to get to the nearby park, you’ll get to feed some deer! It’s pretty fun. If you’re carrying luggages you can find the storage units right by the elevator on the first floor. It’s very convenient and buses are close by. If you’re here for the entire day, you can also get the day pass. I was only there for a few hours so I didn’t need the pass but it’s worth it if you plan to visit multiple places in the city.

For a smaller city, this is a newer, mid-​sized train station that offers frequent trains to Kyoto and Osaka, as well as plenty of helpful options like hotels, convenience stores, a Vie de France bakery, a MaxValu supermarket, and a small shopping center directly attached to the station. There’s even a tourist information center housed in a separate building on the northeast side of the station. It’s located next to the main Sanjo-​dori street, and within walking distance of all of the main tourist sites in Nara.