First Time Nara Tour UNESCO Sites with Lunch and Deer Feed

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4 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English

This 3-hour small-group walking tour is perfect for first-time visitors to Nara, combining UNESCO World Heritage sites with a delicious lunch. In Nara, wild deer are revered as sacred messengers and roam freely through the city.

・Enjoy a tasty lunch and admission to all shrines included.
・Half-day guided walking tour of Nara with lunch and admission tickets included
・Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Tōdai-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Kōfuku-ji Temple
・Small-group tour (maximum 12 participants) for a more personal experience
・Efficiently visit Nara’s most famous temples in just a few hours

What's Included

Professional English-speaking tour guide
One pack of crackers for feeding the deer
Admission fees to all temples and shrines visited
Transportation fees
Additional food and drinks from street vendors (purchasable at your own expense)
Private vehicle
Other personal expenses

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

"Gyoki Bosatsu Statue – 10:00 AM In front of the Gyoki Bosatsu Statue, located right outside Kintetsu Nara Station Exit 2 or the East Exit. Please come to Kintetsu Nara Station, not JR Nara Station. It takes about 10 minutes to get from JR Nara Station to Kintetsu Nara Station."

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 4 hours (approximately)
  • 1

    Kōfuku-ji Temple boasts a history of over 1,300 years. Within its grounds are masterpieces of Japanese Buddhist art, including the National Treasure Five-Story Pagoda, the Central Golden Hall, and the National Treasure Hall famous for its Ashura statue. The 50-meter-tall pagoda is especially notable as the second tallest wooden pagoda in Japan, after Tō-ji Temple in Kyoto. Adjacent to Nara Park, where deer roam freely among the scenery of all four seasons, Kōfuku-ji offers a unique space where history, nature, and culture blend seamlessly.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 2

    Tōdai-ji, founded in 752 as the head temple of all Buddhist temples in Japan, is one of the country’s most celebrated landmarks. Passing through the Great South Gate, visitors are greeted by towering 8-meter-tall guardian statues before reaching the Daibutsuden Hall, once the world’s largest wooden building. Inside sits the Great Buddha, a 15-meter bronze statue of immense grace and presence. Surrounded by vast temple grounds and freely roaming deer from Nara Park, Tōdai-ji offers an awe-inspiring blend of history, culture, and nature—an essential stop in Nara.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 3

    Kasuga Taisha, a UNESCO World Heritage site founded in 768 as the shrine of the powerful Fujiwara clan, is one of Nara’s most iconic landmarks. Its grounds are lined with about 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns, creating a magical atmosphere during the Mantōrō lantern festival. The vivid vermilion shrine buildings, built in the distinctive “Kasuga-zukuri” style, blend beautifully with the surrounding sacred forest. Closely connected to Nara Park’s deer—regarded as divine messengers—Kasuga Taisha offers a serene blend of history, nature, and spirituality, making it a must-visit in Nara.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 4

    Nara Park, established in 1880, is a vast green space in the heart of Nara. Over 1,000 wild deer roam freely throughout the grounds, revered as sacred messengers since ancient times. A beloved sight is watching them bow when offered special deer crackers. The park also delights visitors with its seasonal beauty—cherry blossoms in spring, vibrant foliage in autumn, and serene winter landscapes. Offering history, nature, and close encounters with wildlife all in one place, Nara Park is a highlight of any visit to the city.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 5

    Naramachi offers a unique blend of history and modern charm, with streets lined by Edo-period townhouses. Visitors can tour preserved machiya to glimpse the life of past merchants, wander narrow lanes filled with cafés, boutiques, and galleries, and enjoy local experiences like watching high-speed mochi pounding, tasting fluffy shaved ice, or savoring seasonal Japanese sweets. With craft workshops and small artisan shops, every stroll through Naramachi reveals new flavors, traditions, and treasures to discover.

    40 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by Shibainu Tour

Tags

Half-day Tours
Historical Tours
Walking Tours
Small Group
Involves Animals
New Product
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

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

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