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Offered languages
- English
Step into the heart of Japan with a tour that blends tradition, flavor, and unforgettable encounters. Begin with a luxurious sukiyaki lunch made from Yamato Wagyu, one of Japan’s finest beef varieties, served in a serene local restaurant. Then, explore Nara’s most iconic landmarks with the support of an English-speaking guide. Stand before the towering Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple, receive a charming deer-shaped fortune at Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and hand-feed Nara’s sacred deers at the summit of Mount Wakakusa with sweeping views below.
To make your journey even smoother, this tour includes a Nara Yamatoji 2-Day Pass, giving you unlimited access to designated local bus routes within the area on the day of the tour and the following day—perfect for continuing your adventure at your own pace.
This tour is designed for comfort, culture, and connection—perfect for first-time visitors who want to experience the magic of Japan in just one day.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meet at Tsukihitei Restaurant located near Kintetsu Nara Station. The address is: 2F, Nara Economic Club Building, 6 Higashimuki Nakamachi, Nara City, Nara Prefecture 630-8215. The meeting time is 11:30 AM, and punctuality is very important—late arrivals may not be accommodated.
Itinerary
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1
Your tour begins with a delicious lunch at Tsukihitei, a refined restaurant located just steps from Kintetsu Nara Station. Here, you’ll enjoy a traditional sukiyaki meal made with Yamato Wagyu, a premium brand of Japanese beef known for its rich flavor and delicate marbling. The serene setting and elegant presentation offer a perfect introduction to Nara’s culinary culture.
50 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
After lunch, you’ll walk 5 minutes on your own to the sightseeing bus boarding point at the Kintetsu Nara Station Sightseeing Bus Stop (Nara Line House 1F, 6-1 Nakasuji-cho, Nara, 〒630-8237). Please arrive by 12:25 PM, as the bus departs promptly at 12:35 PM. Late arrivals cannot be accommodated.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
Once aboard the sightseeing bus, your English-speaking guide will accompany you to Todai-ji, one of Japan’s most iconic temples. As you approach the temple grounds, you’ll pass through the massive Nandaimon (Great South Gate), guarded by towering wooden statues of guardian deities. Inside the temple, you’ll encounter the awe-inspiring Daibutsu (Great Buddha)—a colossal bronze statue seated in quiet majesty within one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. Visitors often try to crawl through a hole in one of the temple’s pillars, said to bring good fortune and wisdom. This stop offers a powerful blend of spiritual atmosphere, architectural wonder, and cultural depth.
1 hour 10 minutes • Admission ticket included -
4
Next, you’ll visit Kasuga Taisha, a beautifully preserved Shinto shrine nestled in the forested hills of Nara Park. Known for its thousands of stone and bronze lanterns, the shrine exudes a timeless elegance. After a respectful visit to the main hall, you’ll enjoy a unique cultural experience: drawing a “Deer Omikuji” fortune— a small wooden deer figure holding a paper fortune in its mouth, available in English. This playful yet spiritual tradition adds a personal touch to your visit, connecting you to the local customs in a memorable way.
1 hour • Admission ticket included -
5
Your journey continues to the summit of Mt. Wakakusa, where panoramic views of Nara’s historic landscape await. From this peaceful hilltop, you’ll have the chance to interact with Nara’s famous deer by offering them deer senbei (crackers)—a fun and gentle experience that delights visitors of all ages. The deer are considered sacred messengers in local tradition, and feeding them in this serene setting is both joyful and symbolic. Don’t forget to take a few photos with your new four-legged friends against the backdrop of the city below.
40 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6
The bus will briefly stop at Kōfuku-ji Temple, a historic site known for its elegant pagodas and deep cultural significance. While there is no time allocated for sightseeing, you may choose to leave the tour here if you wish to explore the temple on your own. After this stop, the bus continues to several convenient drop-off points: Kintetsu Nara Station (around 16:25), JR Nara Station (around 16:30), and the Nara Convention Center (around 16:40). You’re free to disembark at any of these locations, depending on your plans for the rest of the day.
5 minutes • Admission ticket not included
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants (0-2 years old) are free of charge with no tour inclusions.
- Child (3-5 years old) rate includes a bus seat, English guide fee, admission fees, a sacred deer fortune charm, and deer cracker. Lunch is not included in this price. If your child requires lunch, please book using the Youth rate.
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Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants (0-2 years old) are free of charge with no tour inclusions.
- Child (3-5 years old) rate includes a bus seat, English guide fee, admission fees, a sacred deer fortune charm, and deer cracker. Lunch is not included in this price. If your child requires lunch, please book using the Youth rate.
- This is a local meet-up tour, so please make your own way directly to the designated meeting location. Transportation costs to and from the meeting and dismissal points are not included and will be at your own expense.
- There will be no tour conductor accompanying the group. Instead, local staff will be present at the meeting point to assist with check-in and provide guidance. When checking in, please show your reservation screen or voucher and provide your name.
- The English-speaking guide will join you from the Kintetsu Nara Station sightseeing bus stop and stay with the group until the end of the tour. After lunch, you’ll walk to the bus stop on your own, where the guide will rejoin you for the remainder of the tour.
- Please note that we are unable to accommodate special dietary requests, including food allergies. If you have specific dietary needs, we recommend making your own meal arrangements. No refunds will be provided for meals.
- Wearing comfortable clothing and shoes is strongly recommended.
- According to traffic conditions etc., the order of the itinerary may have to be changed.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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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.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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