Getting there
From Nara to Asuka and Sakurai
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By train (to Asuka)
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From Nara, take the Kintetsu Railway from Kintetsu Nara Station to Yamato-Saidaiji (5 min), then transfer to a train to Kashiharajingu-mae (30–45 min). From there, transfer again to reach Asuka Station (5 min). The full trip takes about 1 hour, costs 700 yen, or 1220 yen if using the limited express. It’s covered by the Kintetsu and Kansai Rail Passes (except limited express fee), but not by the Japan Rail Pass.
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By train (to Sakurai)
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From Nara, JR trains to Sakurai run twice per hour on the JR Sakurai Line. The ride takes 30 minutes, costs 330 yen, and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
From Kyoto to Asuka and Sakurai
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By train (to Asuka)
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From Kyoto, take the Kintetsu Railway to Kashiharajingu-mae Station (about 70 minutes by express or 55 minutes by limited express), then transfer to a train to Asuka (5 minutes). The full trip takes around 80 minutes and costs 1160 yen by express, or 65 minutes and 2080 yen by limited express. It’s covered by the Kintetsu and Kansai Rail Passes (except the limited express fee), but not by the Japan Rail Pass.
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By train (to Sakurai)
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From Kyoto, you can reach Sakurai in just over an hour by Kintetsu Railway via Yamato-Yagi (1140 yen by express or 2060 yen by limited express), or in about 100 minutes by JR via Nara (1170 yen), with JR fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Kintetsu routes covered by the Kintetsu and Kansai Rail Passes (except limited express fees).
From Osaka to Asuka and Sakurai
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By train (to Asuka)
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From Osaka, take the Kintetsu Railway from Osaka-Abenobashi Station to Asuka. The express train takes 45 minutes and costs 850 yen, while the limited express takes 40 minutes and costs 1370 yen. The trip is covered by the Kintetsu and Kansai Rail Passes (except the limited express fee), but not by the Japan Rail Pass.
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By train (to Sakurai)
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From Osaka, you can reach Sakurai in about 45 minutes by Kintetsu express train from Osaka-Uehonmachi Station for 760 yen. This route is covered by the Kintetsu and Kansai Rail Passes, but not by the Japan Rail Pass. Alternatively, JR trains from Tennoji Station take about 1 hour, cost 860 yen, and require at least one transfer (usually at Oji or Takada). This JR route is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.