Todai-ji Temple & Nara Sake Tasting Walking Tour

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3 hours (approximately)
Offered in: Japanese and 1 more

【Todai-ji Temple】
As one of Japan’s most iconic temples, Todai-ji Temple attracts numerous tourists from overseas every year. It is also famous for housing the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue, known as the “Great Buddha of Nara.” Said to have been built to ward off a widespread epidemic 1300 years ago, the Great Buddha successfully brought the epidemic to an end, bringing peaceful days to the people and has been at the heart of Japanese faith to this day.

【Imanishi Seibei Shoten】
We offer a sake tasting set at a sake shop run by the brewery of “Harushika,” a brand famous for its dry sake. Try tasting the subtle differences in flavor that even Japanese people find difficult to distinguish.

【Nara Beer Naramachi Brewery】
Nara Prefecture is also famous as a region of sake, with temples that were the first in Japan to obtain sake brewing licenses and shrines that enshrine the gods of sake brewing.
You can enjoy beer tasting at a craft beer brewery.

What's Included

Sake tasting set at Harushika brewery＆One beer tap at Nara Beer Naramachi Brewery
Admission to: Todai-ji Temple Admission Fee
Air-conditioned vehicle

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
Todai-ji Museum

The building is fully air-conditioned and has restrooms. Please gather at the benches inside (there are two entrances; enter through the left-hand entrance facing the building for free access). Your guide will be holding a sign that reads "888".

End point

The disembarkation location is an estimate. Your guide will provide information on public transportation to match your next destination.

Itinerary

Duration: 3 hours (approximately)
  • 1

    The Great South Gate of Tōdai-ji is an enormous wooden structure, standing about 25 meters tall, that showcases the rare and powerful Daibutsuyō architectural style. Inside the gate stand two towering Nio guardian statues—each more than eight meters high—sculpted in just 69 days by the master artists Unkei and Kaikei, whose dynamic, almost lifelike forms leave visitors in awe. Serving as the majestic entrance to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tōdai-ji, the gate rises with quiet dignity in the serene natural setting of Nara, offering a place where traditional Japanese architecture and Buddhist artistry can be experienced together in a single breathtaking moment.

    15 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Todai-ji Temple

    The Great Buddha Hall of Tōdai-ji captivates visitors with its immense scale, known as one of the largest wooden buildings in the world, and with the majestic presence of the Great Buddha—Vairocana—seated at its center. The hall’s massive pillars and intricate wooden framework create an interior space that feels timeless, drawing you into an atmosphere where 1,300 years of history and spiritual devotion quietly endure. As natural light filters in and subtly changes the Buddha’s expression, the hall offers a sense of serenity and awe, making it a powerful symbol of Japanese culture and spirituality.

    45 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 3

    The Ukimido Pavilion, quietly overlooking Sagiike Pond in Nara Park, is admired for its elegant octagonal structure that reflects beautifully on the still water, creating a scene that changes with every season. Cherry blossoms in spring, deep green foliage in summer, vivid autumn colors, and serene snowscapes in winter all harmonize with the pavilion to form picture-perfect views. Its traditional wooden design gives the area a calm, timeless atmosphere, and the soft light at sunrise and sunset creates especially magical reflections on the pond. Just steps away from the lively parts of Nara Park, Ukimido offers a peaceful retreat where visitors can slow down and enjoy the gentle beauty of nature.

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 4
    Harushika Brewery

    Imanishi Seibei Shoten, known for its Harushika sake, is a historic brewery founded in 1884 and located in the charming old district of Naramachi. Visitors can enjoy several sake tastings for a small fee, and Harushika’s clean, elegant flavor makes it one of Nara’s most beloved local brands. It’s an inviting spot where you can easily experience Nara’s sake tradition.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 5

    Naramachi Beer Brewery blends seamlessly into the historic streets of Naramachi, offering craft beers made with local ingredients and seasonal fruits. The cozy interior lets visitors enjoy fresh beer while seeing the brewing tanks up close. It’s a perfect stop to relax with a flavorful local brew while taking in the charm of Nara’s traditional townscape.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by 888tour

Tags

Half-day Tours
Historical Tours
Walking Tours
Sake Tasting
Food & Drink

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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