Nara 8hr Private Tour - Kyoto DEP. with Licensed Guide
Nara, JP
100% of travellers recommend this
Highlights
- Explore Nara with a licensed guide
- Visit Todai-ji Temple and see the Great Buddha
- Roam freely with hundreds of deer in Nara Park
- Experience the beauty of Kasuga Taisha Shrine
- Enjoy panoramic views from Mount Wakakusayama
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Private Tour Experience
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Duration 8 hours
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Licensed Local Guide
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Customizable Itinerary
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Walking Tour
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Available in English and Japanese
Experience the rich history and beauty of Nara on a full-day private tour with a government-licensed guide. This dynamic and ancient Japanese city is bursting with traditional sites and modern charm. Start your day in Osaka or Kyoto, and let your guide customize an itinerary that suits your interests. Visit Todaiji Temple, home to one of Japan's largest bronze statues of Buddha. Explore Nara Park, where hundreds of deer roam freely. Discover the stunning Kasuga Taisha Shrine and the famous five-storied pagoda of Kofukuji Temple. Climb Mount Wakakusayama for panoramic views of the city. Immerse yourself in ancient history at Horyuji Temple and Yakushiji Temple. Finally, explore the Naramachi district, a preserved merchant area with traditional buildings and narrow lanes. Don't miss the chance to visit the renowned Nara National Museum to admire Japanese Buddhist art. Book your private tour now and discover the wonders of Nara.
At a Glance
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Free cancellation
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8 hours
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Available in English, Japanese
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Wheelchair accessible
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Mobile voucher
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Private Tour
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Guided
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Family friendly
Featured Reviews
Embark on an 8-hour private tour of Nara with a licensed guide, exploring ancient temples, parks, and cultural gems tailored to your interests.
Included
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Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Kyoto -
Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'What to expect' list
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Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
Excluded
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Transportation fees, entrance fees, lunch, and other personal expenses -
You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
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Private vehicle
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Guide entry fees are only covered for sights listed under what to expect.
Pickup
Check if pick-up is available from your location, you will select during checkout (providers may allow other pickup locations)
What to expect
Todai-ji Temple
Todaiji (東大寺, Tōdaiji, "Great Eastern Temple") is one of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara. The temple was constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan and grew so powerful that the capital was moved from Nara to Nagaoka in 784 in order to lower the temple's influence on government affairs. Until recently, Todaiji's main hall, the Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall), held the record as the world's largest wooden building, despite the fact that the present reconstruction of 1692 is only two thirds of the original temple hall's size. The massive building houses one of Japan's largest bronze statues of Buddha (Daibutsu). The 15 meters tall, seated Buddha represents Vairocana and is flanked by two Bodhisattvas.
30 minutes
Admission Not Included
Nara Park (奈良公園, Nara Kōen) is a large park in central Nara. Established in 1880, it is the location of many of Nara's main attractions including Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, Kofukuji and the Nara National Museum. It is also home to hundreds of freely roaming deer.
30 minutes
Kasuga Taisha
Kasuga Taisha (春日大社) is Nara's most celebrated shrine. It was established at the same time as the capital and is dedicated to the deity responsible for the protection of the city. Kasuga Taisha was also the tutelary shrine of the Fujiwara, Japan's most powerful family clan during most of the Nara and Heian Periods. Like the Ise Shrines, Kasuga Taisha had been periodically rebuilt every 20 years for many centuries. In the case of Kasuga Taisha, however, the custom was discontinued at the end of the Edo Period. Beyond the shrine's offering hall, which can be visited free of charge, there is a paid inner area which provides a closer view of the shrine's inner buildings. Furthest in is the main sanctuary, containing multiple shrine buildings that display the distinctive Kasuga style of shrine architecture, characterized by a sloping roof extending over the front of the building.
30 minutes
Wakakusayama Hill
Mount Wakakusayama (若草山) is the grass covered mountain behind Nara Park, located between Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Shrine. The mountain is about 350 meters tall and affords unobstructed views over Nara City. Tourists are allowed to climb Mount Wakakusayama all year round except during winter. A small entrance fee is charged. The grassy slope of the mountain is lined by cherry trees that are usually in full bloom around early April. A steep trail leads along the leftmost edge of the slope to a plateau halfway up the mountain with great views over the city. It takes about 15-20 minutes to reach the plateau and many people do not hike farther. An additional 20-30 minutes would get you to the mountain's peak.
30 minutes
Admission Not Included
Horyu-ji Temple
Horyuji Temple (法隆寺, Hōryūji) was founded in 607 by Prince Shotoku, who is credited with the early promotion of Buddhism in Japan. Horyuji is one of the country's oldest temples and contains the world's oldest surviving wooden structures. It was designated a world heritage site in 1993. Horyuji's temple grounds are spacious and separated into two main precincts, the Western Precinct (Saiin Garan) and the Eastern Precinct (Toin Garan).
30 minutes
Admission Not Included
Naramachi
Naramachi (奈良町, literally "Nara Town") is the former merchant district of Nara, where several traditional residential buildings and warehouses are preserved and open to the public. Boutiques, shops, cafes, restaurants and a few museums now line the district's narrow lanes. Many of Naramachi's buildings in the Edo Period and earlier were machiya, long, narrow "townhouses" that served both as shops and as the living quarters of the local merchants. The store fronts of machiya were often kept narrow in order to save on taxes, which used to be calculated on a property's street access rather than its total area. Today, a handful of machiya have been preserved and made open to the public as museums.
30 minutes
Kofuku-ji Temple
Kofukuji (興福寺, Kōfukuji) used to be the family temple of the Fujiwara, the most powerful aristocratic clan during much of the Nara and Heian Periods. The temple was established in Nara at the same time as the capital in 710. At the height of Fujiwara power, the temple consisted of over 150 buildings. The temple features several buildings of great historic value, including a five-storied pagoda and a three-storied pagoda. At 50 meters, the five-storied pagoda is Japan's second tallest wooden pagoda, just seven meters shorter than the five-storied pagoda at Kyoto's Toji Temple. Kofukuji's pagoda is both a landmark and symbol of Nara. It was first built in 730, and was most recently rebuilt in 1426. Neither pagoda can be entered by the public.
30 minutes
Admission Not Included
Yakushiji Temple
Yakushiji (薬師寺) was constructed by Emperor Tenmu in the late 7th century for the recovery of the emperor's sick wife. One of Japan's oldest temples, Yakushiji has a strictly symmetric layout, with the main hall and lecture hall standing on a central axis, flanked by two pagodas. The main hall was rebuilt in the 1970s after being destroyed by fire and houses a Yakushi trinity, a masterpiece of Japanese Buddhist art. The East Pagoda is the temple's only structure to have survived the many fires that have beset the temple over the years, and dates from 730. It appears to have six stories, but is in fact only truly three-storied, like the West Pagoda.
30 minutes
Admission Not Included
Shinyakushiji Temple
Shin-Yakushiji Temple (新薬師寺) was founded during the Nara Period (710-794) by an empress for the sake of the ailing emperor. It is devoted to Yakushi Buddha, the patron of medicine in Japanese Buddhism. Shin-Yakushiji means "New Yakushi Temple", because there already existed a Yakushiji Temple. During its heyday, Shin-Yakushiji consisted of a large complex of buildings, but all except for the main hall (Hondo) have since been lost. Inside the main hall there are life size statues of 12 guardian deities surrounding a two meter tall statue of a seated Yakushi Buddha, which are the temple's main objects of worship. The Yakushi statue is made of wood while the guardians are made of clay. Each guardian has a different character and possesses a different weapon, and visitors can spend quite a while admiring them. There are also a few small paths around the temple grounds.
30 minutes
Admission Not Included
The Nara National Museum (奈良国立博物館, Nara Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan), located in Nara Park, is an art museum which primarily displays Japanese Buddhist art. Established in 1889, the museum retains its original building and is joined by a new wing that is connected to the original building by an underground passage. Both wings display the museum's permanent collection, which includes Buddhist statues, paintings, scrolls and ceremonial objects mainly from Japan. The new wing also houses temporary exhibitions, including an annual exhibition every autumn of treasures from Todaiji Temple. A ticket to the museum gives access to both wings, and English explanations are available throughout the museum.
30 minutes
Admission Not Included
Heijō Palace Site Historical National Park
During most of the Nara Period (710-794), Nara served as the capital of Japan and was known as Heijo-kyo. The Heijo Palace extended about one kilometer wide and one kilometer long and served as the site of the emperor's residence and government offices. For its great historical and cultural importance, the palace site is included as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Nara.
30 minutes
Admission Not Included
Toshodaiji (唐招提寺, Tōshōdaiji) was founded in the year 759 by Ganjin, a Chinese priest who was invited to Japan by the emperor in order to train priests and improve Japanese Buddhism. Ganjin's influence in the introduction of Buddhism to Japan was monumental, and his arrival and teaching at Toshodaiji (which roughly translates to "temple of the one invited from Tang China") were important stages in that process. Toshodaiji's main hall (kondo) was re-opened in late 2009 after being renovated over a period of almost ten years, during which the building was dismantled and reconstructed. The temple's lecture hall (kodo) was originally an administrative building located in the Nara Imperial Palace and was later moved to Toshodaiji. Today, it is the only surviving building of the former palace.
30 minutes
Admission Not Included
Isuien (依水園) is an attractive Japanese garden with a variety of features, such as the use of Todaiji Temple's Nandaimon Gate and Mount Wakakusayama as "borrowed scenery". Isuien means "garden founded on water", and the garden's name is derived from the fact that its ponds are fed by the small adjacent Yoshikigawa River. The Yoshikien Garden is located just on the other side of the river.
30 minutes
Admission Not Included
Yoshikien (吉城園) is a pleasant Japanese garden located in central Nara. It is named after the Yoshikigawa River, a small river that runs beside the garden, and was built on the site of Kofukuji Temple's former priest residences. The entry fee to the garden is waived for foreign tourists. There are three unique gardens within Yoshikien: a pond garden, a moss garden and a tea ceremony garden. So, a visit to Yoshikien provides the opportunity to see three different variations of Japanese gardens in one spot. If visitors still want to see more techniques of Japanese gardening, the Isuien Garden is located just across the small river.
30 minutes
Admission Not Included
The experience can be subject to change due to bad weather or unforseen circumstances. We always endeavour to give you the best possible experience.
Additional Information
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A guide will be designated to them after the booking is made -
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
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Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
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Public transportation options are available nearby
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Service animals allowed
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Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.
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Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
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Wheelchair accessible
What our experts say
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Start at Nara Park for deer sightings. -
Try local mochi at a nearby shop.
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Visit Isuien Garden for stunning views.
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Explore Naramachi for unique shops.
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Consider a visit to Todai-ji Temple.
More About this Experience
Introduction
Discover the enchanting city of Nara with a full-day private tour accompanied by a knowledgeable and government-licensed guide. This tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich history and cultural heritage of Nara while experiencing both its modern and traditional aspects. With its close proximity to Kyoto and Osaka, Nara is the perfect destination for a day trip, allowing you to immerse yourself in ancient Japan without straying too far from the bustling cities. Your guide will create a customized itinerary based on your preferences, ensuring that you make the most of your time in Nara.What to expect?
During this tour, you can expect to visit some of Nara's most iconic landmarks and attractions. Begin your journey at the impressive Todai-ji Temple, home to a magnificent bronze statue of Buddha and surrounded by the tranquility of nature. Explore the vast Nara Park, where you can encounter friendly deer freely roaming the grounds. Marvel at the beauty of Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Mount Wakakusayama, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Delve into the rich history of Horyuji Temple, one of Japan's oldest temples, and visit the charming district of Naramachi with its preserved traditional buildings. Lastly, immerse yourself in art and culture at the Nara National Museum. This tour promises to be a fascinating journey through time.Who is this for?
This tour is designed for travelers seeking a comprehensive and immersive experience of Nara's history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you are interested in Japanese history, architecture, nature, or simply seeking a serene escape from the urban jungle, this tour caters to a wide range of interests. Suitable for solo travelers, couples, families, and small groups, this private tour allows for a personalized experience tailored to your preferences. Nara's accessibility from Kyoto and Osaka makes it an ideal choice for those looking to explore the cultural wonders of Japan without venturing too far from the major cities.Why book this?
By booking this tour, you can unlock the true essence of Nara with the assistance of a government-licensed guide who possesses an in-depth knowledge of Japanese culture and history. Benefit from their expertise as they share intriguing stories and provide valuable insights about each attraction along the way. With a customized itinerary, you can prioritize the spots that interest you the most, ensuring a personalized experience that suits your preferences. By exploring Nara with a knowledgeable guide, you will gain a deeper understanding of its significance in Japanese history and appreciate the beauty of its ancient temples, serene gardens, and sacred shrines.Good to know
Please note that this tour has a duration of 480 minutes, allowing ample time to fully experience each destination. Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes, as this tour involves a significant amount of walking. Remember to bring a camera to capture the stunning sights and unique moments throughout the journey. It is recommended to bring some cash for entrance fees, souvenirs, and meals. Additionally, be sure to inform yourJournals from our explorers at this location
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