Nekodan (Cat Stairway)
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Kintetsu-Nara Station · 20 min walk (Kintetsu Nara Line)
- Admission
- Free
- Time needed
- 10–15 min
- Best time to go
- Early morning or late April; early mornings provide uncrowded conditions, while late April frames the stone steps with fresh spring greenery.
About
Nekodan, or the 'Cat Stairway', is a historic stone staircase located near Todai-ji Temple in Nara. Legend warns that tripping on these steps will turn you into a cat, making it a quirky, folklore-rich stopover for travelers exploring the historic Zoshicho area. Visitors can expect a quiet, atmospheric stone pathway shaded by trees, perfect for a quick, whimsical photo opportunity away from the main temple crowds.
What Japanese guides note
Nekodan serves as a quiet connector route between the eastern outer wall of the Great Buddha Hall and the hillside precinct housing Todai-ji's Belfry and Nigatsu-do. Japanese walking guides emphasize maintaining careful footing along the stone slabs, particularly during rain when the surface becomes slick. The ascent provides a view across the eastern roofline of the Great Buddha Hall away from the main tour routes.
Details from local sources
- The staircase spans 50 meters in length with an elevation difference of 15 meters and an average incline of 17 degrees, transitioning from wide steps at the base to narrower, steeper stones near the top. [source]
- Historical maps recorded the slope as Nekosaka (Cat Slope), documenting that wild mountain cats once inhabited the hillside. [source]
- When asked about the folklore that anyone who trips will be reborn as a cat, a Todai-ji temple official noted it was likely cautionary advice to encourage people to watch their footing on the slippery stones in rainy weather. [source]
Insider Tip
Watch your step! If you do trip, local legend says you can reverse the cat curse by buying a traditional clay pot at a nearby shop.
Frequently asked
Where is Nekodan located within the Todai-ji complex?
Nekodan is located immediately east of the Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden). Following the path around the hall's eastern exterior wall leads to this straight 50-meter stone staircase, which ascends toward the Kamakura-period Belfry and the trail leading uphill to Nigatsu-do.
Why is the staircase called Nekodan?
While local folklore claims anyone who trips will reincarnate as a cat, historical Edo-period maps designated the path as Nekosaka because wild mountain cats once lived on this wooded hillside. Todai-ji officials suggest the story served practically to warn pedestrians against slipping on the incline.
How do you reach Nekodan from public transportation?
From Kintetsu-Nara Station, walk east along Noborioji-dori for approximately 20 minutes into the Todai-ji temple grounds. Alternatively, take the Nara City Loop Bus from JR Nara Station or Kintetsu-Nara Station to the Todaiji Daibutsuden / Kasuga Taisha-mae stop, followed by a 5-minute walk to the Daibutsuden area.
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