Your First Visit to Nara Prefectural Convention Center
Nara Prefectural Convention Center (奈良県コンベンションセンター) opened in October 2020 as Nara Prefecture’s first large-scale convention complex. Located approximately 10 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Shin-Omiya Station, it features a main convention hall accommodating up to 2,000 guests alongside a range of halls and meeting rooms for events of all sizes. The facility handles international conferences, academic congresses, corporate events, and exhibitions, and its co-operation with the adjacent JW Marriott Hotel Nara makes it a seamless venue for international gatherings.
Nara is accessible from both Tokyo and Osaka, and as a UNESCO World Heritage city renowned for Nara Park and its deer, it is increasingly attracting international meetings and congresses.
This guide covers practical information including how to get to Nara Prefectural Convention Center, where to stay, dining options nearby, and tips for your visit.
Getting to Nara Prefectural Convention Center
The most practical routes combine the Shinkansen with Kintetsu railway, or a regional flight with a limousine bus. Below are the key options from each major Tokyo airport.
From Narita Airport
- Shinkansen (Nozomi) + Kintetsu: Narita Express to Tokyo Station → Nozomi to Shin-Osaka → Kintetsu Nara Line (transfer at Yamato-Saidaiji) → Shin-Omiya Station → approx. 10-min walk. Total approx. 3 hrs 30 min (approx. ¥19,000)
- Flight + Limousine Bus: Fly to Kansai International Airport (approx. 85 min) → Limousine bus to JR Nara or Kintetsu Nara Station → bus or taxi to venue. Total approx. 4 hrs 10 min (bus approx. ¥2,050, airfare separate)
From Haneda Airport
- Shinkansen (Nozomi) + Kintetsu: Keikyu to Shinagawa Station (approx. 13 min) → Nozomi to Shin-Osaka → Kintetsu Nara Line (transfer at Yamato-Saidaiji) → Shin-Omiya Station → approx. 10-min walk. Total approx. 2 hrs 55 min (approx. ¥15,500)
- Flight + Limousine Bus: Fly to Itami Airport (approx. 65 min) → Limousine bus to JR Nara Station → bus or taxi to venue. Total approx. 2 hrs 35 min (bus approx. ¥1,510, airfare separate)
From the Nearest Stations
- Kintetsu Shin-Omiya Station (Kintetsu Nara Line): approx. 10-min walk (approx. 700 m). The most convenient station for the venue
- JR Nara Station (JR Yamatoji Line / Manyo Mahoroba Line): approx. 20-min walk, or approx. 10 min by city bus (routes 27, 28, 160, or 163 — alight at “Nara-Shichomae”)
Venue at a Glance
- Full name: Nara Prefectural Convention Center
- Address: 691-1 Sanjo-oji 1-chome, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
- Nearest station: Kintetsu Shin-Omiya Station (approx. 10-min walk)
- Official website: https://www.nara-cc.jp/
Event Spaces at Nara Prefectural Convention Center
The convention center offers a range of halls and meeting rooms suited to events from large international congresses to small breakout sessions.
Convention Hall
| Capacity (theater) | 2,000 |
| Floor area | 2,100 m² |
| Ceiling height | 9.9 m |
Divisible into three sections — A (730 m²), B (600 m²), and C (770 m²). Suited to international conferences, academic congresses, and large corporate events.
Tenpyo Hall
| Capacity | Flat: 504 / Tiered: 476 |
| Floor area | 600 m² |
| Ceiling height | 8.0 m |
A proscenium-style hall designed for theater, lectures, and ceremonies, with fixed tiered seating.
Tenpyo Plaza
| Floor area | 1,270 m² |
| Ceiling height | 13 m |
Indoor exhibition and event space with an open atrium feel. Divisible into four sections (A/B/C/D); suited to exhibitions, poster sessions, and receptions.
Meeting Rooms 201–206 (6 rooms)
| Capacity (max) | 528 theater-style (2 rooms combined); up to 270 per room |
| Total floor area | 630 m² |
| Ceiling height | 4.5 m |
Flexible for breakout sessions and mid-size meetings; two rooms can be combined.
Meeting Rooms 101–108 (8 rooms)
| Capacity (max) | 90 theater-style (2 rooms combined); up to 45 per room |
| Total floor area | 100 m² |
| Ceiling height | 3.0 m |
Compact rooms ideal for small group meetings and operations staff.
Recommended Hotels Near Nara Prefectural Convention Center
From the luxury hotel directly adjacent to the venue to budget-friendly business hotels, there are options to suit every need.
JW Marriott Hotel Nara
A luxury hotel directly connected to the convention center — approximately 1 minute on foot. The seamless proximity makes it the top choice for international conference attendees and organizers.
Novotel Nara
An upper-midscale hotel approximately 3 minutes on foot from the venue. Part of the internationally recognized Accor group, it offers reliable comfort for business travelers.
Hotel D-CUBE Nara
A compact business hotel close to the convention center with competitive rates, well suited to attendees looking to keep accommodation costs down.
Hotel Rokune
A hotel with a Japanese-modern aesthetic that brings the atmosphere of Nara to life, ideal for those who want a more distinctive stay.
KAMENOI HOTEL NARA
A resort hotel with hot-spring baths, also offering convenient access to Nara Park and the UNESCO World Heritage sites nearby.
Recommended Restaurants Near Nara Prefectural Convention Center
The area around the convention center offers everything from formal Japanese dining to casual local spots.
Fine Japanese Dining
Wa Yamamura
A high-end Japanese kaiseki restaurant well suited to formal dinners and business entertainment, featuring seasonal ingredients from the Nara region.
Casual Japanese
Nomishokudokoro Rento
A local izakaya-style eatery loved by residents, serving reasonably priced Japanese dishes made with Nara produce. A good choice for informal post-conference gatherings.
Western
TORRY PINES
An Italian and European restaurant just south of the convention center, within walking distance for a casual lunch or dinner.
Asian
Soondubu OKIDOKI Nara Omiya
A Korean restaurant specializing in soondubu (soft tofu stew). Affordable and popular with locals, it makes for a satisfying meal after a long conference day.
Café
ROKUMEI COFFEE FACTORY
The flagship café of a Nara-based specialty coffee roaster, operated on-site at the roasting facility. Coffee beans are available for purchase, making it a great stop between sessions.
Bar
bar RISE
A well-regarded bar with a solid selection of whisky and cocktails in a relaxed setting, ideal for winding down after a full day of meetings.
Tips Before You Visit
No covered walkway from Shin-Omiya Station
The approximately 700 m walk from Kintetsu Shin-Omiya Station to the venue has no covered arcade. Bring an umbrella or consider a taxi on rainy days.
Nara Marathon road closures
The Nara Marathon, held in early December each year, triggers road closures around the venue from early morning. If your event coincides with the marathon, use public transportation — taxis and private cars will face significant delays.
The JW Marriott’s restaurants and bars are open to non-guests
The restaurants and bars at the adjacent JW Marriott Hotel Nara are open to non-guests. Given that the hotel is right next door, this makes for a very convenient post-conference dining and networking option.
Use the in-venue facilities during breaks
The convention center houses a Tsutaya Books outlet, a tourism information desk, and souvenir shops — handy for filling time between sessions or picking up gifts before departure.
Take public transit during peak tourist seasons
Spring (March–April) and autumn (October–November) bring heavy road traffic near Nara Park. Taxis can face significant delays during these seasons — opt for the Kintetsu line or city buses instead.