Getting Around

Public Transportation

Buses from NAIST

You may take buses from the bus stop directly outside NAIST to Gakken Kita-Ikoma Station, Gakken Tomigaoka Station, Gakuenmae Station, and Takanohara Station.

Bus schedule:

Access / Campus Map

Nearest Station from NAIST

Gakken Kita-Ikoma Station:

20 mins. on foot / 7 mins. by bus from NAIST

Travelling in the Kansai Area

You can easily travel around the Kansai area from the stations surrounding NAIST.

• Nara (An ancient capital of Japan, the Buddhist statue of Todaiji Temple and the deer of Nara park are famous): A 15 min. train ride from Gakuemmae Station
• Osaka/Namba (The third largest city in Japan, very popular for shopping and sightseeing): Roughly 30-40 min. from Gakken Kita-Ikoma Station and Gakuemmae Station depending on your destination (You may need to change trains)
• Kyoto (The historical capital rich in history and culture): A 35 min. train ride from Takanohara Station

To travel outside the Kansai area, you can use the JR and Kintetsu train lines. You can catch the Shinkansen (bullet train) at both the Kyoto and Shin-Osaka Stations.

Driving in Japan

Due to NAIST's location, some international students and scholars find driving to be the most convenient mode of transportation. However, obtaining a Japanese driver's license can be difficult and costly for those who do not speak or read Japanese. In many cases, it is easier to convert an existing driver's license to a Japanese one.

Alternatively, an International Driving Permit (IDP) may be used for a limited period. Rules and regulations regarding license conversion and the use of IDPs vary depending on the country of origin and length of stay, and are specific to Japan. For this reason, please confirm the required procedures and the validity of an IDP with the Japanese Police Agency before driving.

For further details, please refer to the International Student Handbook.