Back in the year 710, Nara was the first permanent capital of Japan, making it a treasure trove of historical and cultural significance. It is home to some of the country’s oldest and most revered temples, including Todai-ji, with its towering Great Buddha, and Kasuga Taisha, famed for its enchanting lanterns.

This half-day private guided tour is perfect for those who want to see the old grandeur of Nara during their trip to Japan. It's just one hour away from Kyoto and Osaka so can be done as a day trip, or you can choose to sleep in Nara and further explore the prefecture.

The tour will take you to all the highlights of this historic city, from its majestic temples and shrines set amongst the deer filled Nara Park, to its charming old town area. We will also take you to several off-the-beaten-track spots such as a sake tasting store and secluded garden.

The tour itinerary:

Meet at Kintetsu Nara Station (or your hotel lobby if in Nara City)

Meet your guide at the ticket gate of Kintetsu Nara Station.

Yoshikien Garden

Yoshikien Garden is a traditional Japanese garden that contains a tranquil moss garden, Japanese style pond and a tea ceremony area. The garden is a beautiful place of peace and quiet which provides a peaceful retreat from the bustle outside.

Nara Park

Next, stroll through Nara Park, famous for its free-roaming deer that are considered sacred messengers of the gods in Shintoism. You can feed the friendly deer with special crackers sold in the park, but remember to be gentle as they can get quite enthusiastic! In the park you can buy various snacks and souvenirs, or stop at a traditional tea house.

Todai-ji Temple

Todai-ji Temple is one of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples. Home to the Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden), the world’s largest wooden building, Todai-ji houses a massive bronze statue of Buddha which is over 15m tall and contains 130kg of pure gold. Marvel at the intricate architecture and explore the surrounding temple grounds, which are equally breathtaking.

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Walk through the park to Kasuga Taisha Shrine, an iconic Shinto shrine renowned for its thousands of bronze and stone lanterns. The serene forest path leading to the shrine is lined with ancient stone lanterns, creating a mystical atmosphere. Inside, the shrine is adorned with numerous bronze lanterns donated by worshippers over the centuries.

In April/May you can visit the adjoining Kasuga Taisha Shinen Manyo Botanical Garden which houses many varieties of wisteria flower.

Kofuku-ji Temple

Next head through the park to Kofuku-ji Temple. This ancient temple complex, once a powerful political and cultural center, is home to an impressive five-story pagoda (*under renovation until 2031*) and the National Treasure Museum, which houses an extensive collection of Buddhist art and artifacts and is worth seeing if Buddhist art interests you. During the tour you will just pass by the temple complex, but you can head back later if you want to go inside, or extend your tour length. The National Treasure Museum costs 700 yen to enter while the Tokondo complex is 300 yen and the Chukondo complex is 500 yen.

Lunch

Your guide will take you to a suitable restaurant near Higashimuki Shopping Street. We can cater to dietary requirements so please inform us in advance if you have any requirements.

Naramachi Old Town

Explore Naramachi, Nara’s historic merchant district. Wander through narrow streets lined with traditional wooden machiya houses, many of which have been converted into charming shops, cafes, and museums.

Some of the places you may visit include:

The Naramachi Koshino-ie House, a preserved machiya that offers a glimpse into the life of a merchant family during the Edo period.

The Herbal Medicine Shop Kikuoka (Kikuoka Kanpo Yakkyoku) which dates back to 1184 and is run by the 24th generation of the same family. You can learn about ancient herbal remedies and how they were made, and even buy some medicine or herbal tea.

If you have a sweet tooth, pay a visit to Nakanishi Yosaburo, a traditional sweets shop that has been in business for over 150 years. They sell Japanese sweets called "wagashi", perfect for accompanying your cup of green tea.

You can also see sweets being made at Nakatanido, where their high speed mochi pounding displays are an entertaining sight.

Due to its many forests and pure clear water, Nara is renowned for its high quality sake. Visit the Harushika Sake Imanishi Seibei Brewery to learn about how sake is brewed try five different types of local sake.

Return to Kintetsu Nara Station

Your guide will drop you off at the station so you can return to Kyoto/Osaka, or at your hotel. If you want to spend more time in Nara, you can choose to do that and say goodbye to your guide at the tour finish time.