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Offered languages
- Japanese
- English
- English
Most Nara tours only stop at the Great Buddha and take a few photos with the deer. This tour is different. You will visit Todai-ji, Nigatsu-do, Kasuga Taisha, and the quiet streets of Naramachi — all in one walk. Your local guide will explain the history and culture at each place, not just the famous parts.
This tour also has a special part: your guide teaches simple, useful Japanese phrases as you walk. It's more than just visiting temples. It's a good tour for travelers who want to really understand Nara — not just take photos of deer.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Participants can specify their pick-up and drop-off locations.
Itinerary
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1Naramachi
Walk through Naramachi, Nara's preserved old merchant quarter, lined with traditional machiya townhouses and small "migawari-zaru" monkey charms hanging from the eaves.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
Kofuku-ji Temple (Pass by)
A UNESCO World Heritage temple founded in 710 AD by the Fujiwara clan. Its five-story pagoda is a symbol of Nara, and the National Treasure Museum houses the famous Ashura statue, prized for its rare, expressive face. Located near Nara Park, it's an easy stop alongside the city's wild deer on the way to Todai-ji.
Admission ticket free -
2Nara Park
Home to over 1,000 wild sika deer that roam freely and are considered sacred messengers in Shinto belief. Visitors can hand-feed them "shika senbei" crackers, and many bow for a treat. The park also connects major landmarks like Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji, and Kasuga Taisha, making it the natural starting point for exploring Nara on foot.
2 hours • Admission ticket free -
3Todai-ji Temple
Home to the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), a 15-meter bronze statue housed inside Daibutsuden, one of the world's largest wooden buildings. Founded in the 8th century, this UNESCO World Heritage temple sits within Nara Park, easily combined with the deer. Look for the wooden pillar with a hole said to grant enlightenment to anyone who crawls through it.
1 hour • Admission ticket included -
Nigatsu-do Temple (Pass by)
A hillside sub-temple of Todai-ji, famous for its sweeping sunset views over Nara and the fiery Omizutori ritual held every March. Its stilted wooden veranda offers a quieter, more atmospheric alternative to the crowds below at the Great Buddha Hall.
Admission ticket free -
Wakakusayama Hill (Pass by)
A grassy, three-tiered hill on Nara Park's eastern edge, offering panoramic views over Nara after a short, steep climb. Famous for Yamayaki, a dramatic January fire festival that sets the whole mountainside ablaze. Note: open to climbers only on select days.
Admission ticket free -
4Kasuga Grand Shrine
A revered Shinto shrine founded in 768 AD, set in a primeval forest and famous for its thousands of stone and bronze lanterns lining the approach. Twice a year all lanterns are lit for the breathtaking Mantoro festival. A naturally atmospheric final stop after Todai-ji and Nigatsu-do.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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