Your First Visit to Nara Kasugano International Forum IRAKA
Nara Kasugano International Forum IRAKA (I・RA・KA) is an international conference and cultural facility operated by Nara Prefecture, set in a corner of Nara Park. Its centerpiece is the Noh Theater Hall, and the building is known for “Big Roof,” one of the largest roofs of its kind in Japan. A Japanese garden using Mt. Wakakusa as borrowed scenery lies on the east side of the front.
The venue hosts international conferences, ceremonies, and receptions that take advantage of Nara’s distinctive setting. There is no airport in Nara Prefecture, so visitors from overseas typically arrive by Shinkansen and Kintetsu line, or via Itami Airport. The nearest station, Kintetsu Nara, is about a 20-minute walk away, so it is worth planning to use a bus.
This guide covers practical information including how to get to Nara Kasugano International Forum IRAKA, where to stay, dining options nearby, and tips for your visit.
Getting to Nara Kasugano International Forum IRAKA
The nearest station is Kintetsu Nara (about a 20-minute walk), and the official website also provides Nara Kotsu bus directions from Kintetsu Nara and JR Nara stations. For travel times and fares from the airports, please check a route planner or each operator’s official website.
From Narita Airport
- Shinkansen + Kintetsu (via Kyoto): Narita Airport → Tokyo Station (rail) → Kyoto Station (Tokaido Shinkansen) → Kintetsu Nara Station (express and other trains running through on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line) → walk or bus. Please check the official websites for the latest travel times and fares.
- Domestic flight (via Itami Airport): Narita Airport → Itami Airport (domestic flight) → JR Nara Station East Exit (limousine bus) → bus. The limousine bus is operated by Hankyu Kanko Bus and Nara Kotsu.
From Haneda Airport
- Domestic flight + limousine bus (via Itami Airport): Haneda Airport → Itami Airport (domestic flight) → JR Nara Station East Exit (limousine bus, approx. 77 min for the bus portion) → Nara Kotsu bus or on foot. The bus is jointly operated by Hankyu Kanko Bus and Nara Kotsu.
- Shinkansen + Kintetsu (via Kyoto): Haneda Airport → Shinagawa Station (rail) → Kyoto Station (Tokaido Shinkansen) → Kintetsu Nara Station (Kintetsu Kyoto Line) → bus or on foot. Please check the official websites for the latest travel times and fares.
From the Nearest Stations to the Venue
- Kintetsu Nara Station (Kintetsu Nara Line), Exit 2: approx. 20 min walk
- Bus from Kintetsu Nara Station, Exit 5: Nara Kotsu bus, Stop 1, bound for “Kasuga Taisha Honden” → get off at “Nara Kasugano International Forum Iraka-mae”
- Bus from JR Nara Station (JR Kansai Main Line / Yamatoji Line), East Exit: Stop 2, Nara Kotsu bus bound for “Kasuga Taisha Honden” → get off at “Nara Kasugano International Forum Iraka-mae”
- City loop bus (outer loop): get off at “Todaiji Daibutsuden Kasuga Taisha-mae,” then walk east from the Daibutsuden intersection for approx. 3 min
Venue Information
- Official name: Nara Kasugano International Forum IRAKA (I・RA・KA)
- Address: 101 Kasugano-cho, Nara City, Nara 630-8212
- Nearest station: Kintetsu Nara Station, Exit 2, approx. 20 min walk (JR Nara Station is more than approx. 30 min on foot, so the bus is normally used)
- Official website: https://www.pref.nara.lg.jp/i-ra-ka/index.html
- Opening hours: 9:00–21:30 (please check the official website for the latest information)
- Closed: every Monday (the following day if Monday is a national holiday) and during the year-end and New Year holidays (Dec. 28 – Jan. 4)
Recommended Hotels Near Nara Kasugano International Forum IRAKA
Options range from luxury hotels in the Nara Park area to hotels around Kintetsu Nara Station and Naramachi. Here are five picks.
Shisui, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Nara
A Marriott-affiliated luxury hotel in the Nara Park area. It suits VIPs and overseas guests looking for a refined stay.
Nara Hotel
A historic classic hotel founded in 1909, with banquet facilities. You can stay in a traditional atmosphere that is distinctly Nara.
FUFU Nara
A luxury resort with hot springs. It suits guests who want to unwind between events.
Iroha Grand Hotel Kintetsu Nara Ekimae
An upper-midscale hotel about 170 m from Kintetsu Nara Station. Its location near the station is convenient for travel from the airports, Kyoto, and Osaka.
Hotel Setre Naramachi
A mid-range hotel in the Naramachi area. You can stroll the old townscape and reach the venue by bus or on foot.
Recommended Restaurants Near Nara Kasugano International Forum IRAKA
Our picks span the Kasugano area around the venue, the area near Kintetsu Nara Station, and Naramachi, by genre.
Fine Japanese Cuisine
Muso-an
A kaiseki and Japanese cuisine restaurant in the top price range. Open 12:00–14:00 for lunch and 17:00–22:00 for dinner; closed Mondays. It suits business entertaining and special dinners.
Casual Japanese
Chatei Yusui
A Japanese restaurant in Kasugano-cho, close to the venue. Moderately priced, it is an easy choice for lunch. Open 11:30–16:30; closed Thursdays and Fridays, with no dinner service.
Western
FAON
A French restaurant in Takabatake-cho, on the Naramachi side. Moderately priced, it suits an unhurried evening meal.
Asian
China Dining Hiten
A Chinese restaurant in the Higashimuki shopping street. Moderately priced and easy to drop into on foot from Kintetsu Nara Station.
Cafe
ROKUMEI COFFEE Nara
A specialty coffee cafe. Low-priced and well suited to mornings.
Bar
Savant
A cocktail bar near Kintetsu Nara Station. Moderately priced, it is a good place for a drink after an event.
Tips Before You Visit
About a 20-Minute Walk from Kintetsu Nara
It is about a 20-minute walk from the nearest station, Kintetsu Nara, to the venue. Because the official website recommends taking a bus, allow extra time for your trip.
Check Your Bus Stop and Destination
From Kintetsu Nara Station, use Nara Kotsu Stop 1 near Exit 5; from JR Nara Station, use Stop 2 at the East Exit. In both cases, board a bus bound for “Kasuga Taisha Honden” and get off at “Nara Kasugano International Forum Iraka-mae.”
No Airport in Nara: Itami Is the Base
There is no airport in Nara Prefecture, and the nearest is Itami Airport. The limousine bus from Itami Airport to JR Nara Station East Exit takes approx. 77 min (the Itami route does not stop at Kintetsu Nara Station). Compare it with the Shinkansen route via Kyoto when choosing.
Don’t Confuse the Main Building and the Annex
On Google Maps there is a separately listed “Iraka Annex” (Zoshi-cho 469, Nara City) nearby. When booking or arranging a meeting point, confirm that you have the main building (Kasugano-cho 101).
Closed Days and Opening Hours
The venue is closed every Monday (the following day if Monday is a national holiday) and during the year-end and New Year holidays (Dec. 28 – Jan. 4). Opening hours are 9:00–21:30, but please check the official website for the latest information.
Location Within Nara Park
The venue sits in a corner of Nara Park, with a Japanese garden using Mt. Wakakusa as borrowed scenery on the east side of the front. The area is popular with sightseers, so plan your travel on the day of your event with time to spare.
Using the City Loop Bus
If you take the city loop bus (outer loop) and get off at “Todaiji Daibutsuden Kasuga Taisha-mae,” it is about a 3-minute walk east from the Daibutsuden intersection. Stop names are similar, so check where to get off.
No English Page on the Official Website
We could not confirm an English page on the official website. Check the site in advance for the latest venue information and inquiries.
Event Facilities at Nara Kasugano International Forum IRAKA
The Noh Theater Hall is the main hall, and the venue also has reception halls. The figures below are based on Nara Prefecture’s published materials; please check the official website for details.
Noh Theater Hall
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Area | 855 sq m |
| Theater style | 500 people |
This is the facility’s main hall. For capacities in other layouts, such as classroom style, please check the official website.
Reception Hall 1
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Area | 508 sq m |
| Theater style | 450–500 people |
| Classroom style | 200–220 people |
For other meeting rooms and equipment, please check the official website.