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- English
- English
- Italian
Discover ancient Japan with a local guide who brings Nara's spiritual heritage to life.
Experience more than sightseeing—understand the Buddhist and Shinto traditions that shaped Japan while exploring 1,000-year-old temples and sacred forests.
Highlights:
Meet Nara's famous sacred deer and learn their spiritual significance. Explore the hidden tranquility of Yoshikien Garden's three distinct landscapes. Walk mystical forest paths to Kasuga Taisha, lined with thousands of stone lanterns. Marvel at Todai-ji's Great Buddha—one of the world's largest bronze statues. Visit charming Himuro Shrine and enjoy local snacks at scenic spots.
What Makes This Special:
Your guide reveals the stories and symbolism behind each site, creating an immersive cultural journey, not just a tour. Perfect for travelers seeking authentic experiences and meaningful connections to Japan's ancient heart.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
We meet in front of the bakery "Vie De France", located at NARA JR STATION.As soon as you exit the gates, you will find the bakery in front of you:
This is the well-known mochi shop you often see on Instagram and other social media. Please note that the shop sometimes closes unexpectedly, and the mochi-pounding performance changes its schedule daily. For this reason, the show cannot be guaranteed.
Itinerary
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1
Yoshikien Garden is a quiet hidden gem beside Nara Park, featuring three beautiful styles—a pond garden, a moss garden, and a tea garden. It’s peaceful, easy to enjoy, and free for foreign visitors. This is also the perfect place for me to introduce Zen, so you can understand not just the garden’s design, but a deeper layer of Japanese culture.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
Himuro Shrine is a small yet fascinating shrine near Nara Park, known for an ancient tradition involving mountain ice and the gods. It’s a quiet place with a unique story—perfect for introducing Shintoism and how nature and spirituality connect in Japan.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Nara Park
Nara Park is our chance to take a short break and meet the famous deer. Here I’ll share the story behind why they’re considered sacred—and for those who want, you can also try feeding them.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Todai-ji Temple
Tōdai-ji is one of Japan’s most iconic temples—a place where history, faith, and sheer scale come together. Its Great Buddha Hall once stood as the largest wooden building in the world, protecting a giant bronze Buddha that shaped the spirituality and politics of ancient Japan. It’s the perfect setting to introduce Japanese Buddhism and explore how this temple helped define the country’s early history and identity.
1 hour • Admission ticket included -
5Nigatsu-do Temple
Nigatsu-dō is a beautiful terrace overlooking Nara, known for its calm atmosphere and sweeping views. It’s the perfect spot for a relaxed lunch break—please bring your own lunch, and I recommend picking up something tasty at a bakery or conbini before we arrive. While we enjoy the view, I’ll share the story behind this sacred hall and its unique place in Nara’s traditions.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6Mt. Wakakusa
Mount Wakakusa is one of Nara’s most iconic landscapes, a wide grassy hill with beautiful open views. We won’t climb it, but we’ll stop nearby to enjoy the scenery and browse a small local shop for snacks, drinks, or souvenirs. It’s a simple, relaxing moment to take in Nara’s nature before continuing our journey.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
7Kasuga Grand Shrine
Kasuga Taisha is Nara’s most important Shinto shrine, known for its thousands of stone and bronze lanterns. We won’t enter the main shrine, but we’ll explore the atmospheric grounds around it, surrounded by ancient forest and sacred paths. From here, we’ll follow a peaceful woodland trail back toward Nara City—a calm and beautiful way to finish our journey.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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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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