Nara: Shrines, Deer, and Traditions

brown deer standing on brown dirt road during daytime
brown deer standing on brown dirt road during daytime
A group of benches sitting in the middle of a park
A group of benches sitting in the middle of a park
brown and white house near green trees under blue sky during daytime
brown and white house near green trees under blue sky during daytime

Discover the spiritual essence of Japan on a journey through Nara. Explore ancient shrines, meet the friendly deer of Nara Park, and marvel at iconic temples. Stroll down charming streets filled with tradition and, indulge in a sake tasting. This tour beautifully blends history, nature, and culture for an unforgettable experience!

a woman in a white dress feeding a deer
a woman in a white dress feeding a deer

¥11,250 per person (≈76 USD)

*price is for 4 pax

  • Private tour

  • Up to 8 PAX

  • Recommended start time: 8:30 am

  • Duration: 8 hours

  • Free for children under 12 years old

Nara

Walking Tour

Public Transportation

  • English

  • Spanish

  • Catalan

Private Tour

  • Filipino

  • Bisaya

  • Japanese

a large wooden building sitting on top of a lush green field

Description

Immerse yourself in the spiritual and cultural heritage of Japan with this complete tour through Nara!

Nara is Japan’s first permanent capital, where history and nature come together in a beautiful way.

In Nara, you will have the chance to roam through Nara Park, where you can meet the friendly deer that freely wander around, representing the city's harmony with nature. You'll also get to explore Todai-ji, an incredible temple that is home to the large bronze Buddha statue, a sight that will truly leave a lasting impression.

The tour continues with a visit to the tranquil Kasuga Taisha, an ancient shrine surrounded by a magical forest adorned with thousands of bronze and stone lanterns, creating an enchanting atmosphere.

Take a leisurely stroll along Sanjo Dori Street, where traditional Nara crafts, shops, and eateries blend seamlessly with modern touches, giving you a taste of local life and culture.

This tour promises a perfect mix of spiritual sites, natural beauty, and cultural experiences, offering you a deep and memorable insight into the traditions of Osaka and Nara.

Itinerary

Nara Park

Nara Park is a vast, scenic area where friendly deer roam freely, symbolizing the city’s harmony with nature. The park provides a beautiful, natural setting perfect for strolls and peaceful encounters with these gentle creatures.

Todai-ji Temple

Todai-ji is a magnificent temple, famous for housing the Great Buddha, the world’s largest bronze statue of Buddha. The temple’s grandeur and spiritual significance make it a must-visit for anyone exploring Japan’s cultural heritage.

Nigatsudo

Nigatsudo is a historic hall located within Todai-ji Temple in Nara, Japan. Famous for its stunning views of the city and Nara Park. The hall is a serene and spiritual spot, offering visitors a glimpse into Japan’s rich cultural and religious traditions.

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Kasuga Taisha is a serene and historic shrine, nestled within a sacred forest. It is renowned for its thousands of bronze and stone lanterns, which create a magical atmosphere, especially during festivals.

Sanjo Dori Street

Sanjo Dori Street is a lively thoroughfare that blends traditional Nara charm with modern touches. Here, you can explore local shops, taste regional foods, and experience the everyday culture of Nara.

Sake Tasting

Enhance your tour with an optional sake-tasting experience, where you can sample a variety of Japan’s finest rice wines, learning about the rich history and craft behind each flavor.

A group of benches sitting in the middle of a park
A group of benches sitting in the middle of a park
Two deer laying down in front of a store
Two deer laying down in front of a store
A table topped with lots of bottles of wine
A table topped with lots of bottles of wine
brown deer standing on brown dirt road during daytime
brown deer standing on brown dirt road during daytime
a large wooden building sitting on top of a lush green field
a large wooden building sitting on top of a lush green field
two pieces of paper with writing on them
two pieces of paper with writing on them
Entrance Ticket Prices
  • Todai-ji ¥800

  • Kasuga Taisha ¥700

  • Sake Tasting ¥700

Estimated Transportation Expenses

OThis is a walking tour. If you want to use bus to shorten distances, the price will be about ¥500 per person.

The average meal cost is around ¥2,000 per person.

What's Not Included?

Entrance ticket prices, transportation costs, and estimated meal expenses

Estimated Meal Expenses

What's Included?

Guide in your chosen language and an 8-hour private tour

Meeting Point

Meeting point is at Kintetsu Nara Station.

How to get there

When you arrive at Kintetsu Nara Station, go to west exit and you will see the Gyoki Statue/Water Fountain on your right.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/d4fFWzYJGP2sHtf76

If you wish to be picked up and dropped off at the hotel feel free to inform us.

Do you love this tour but have questions or want to customize it?

No problem! Click the button below, and let’s work together to make this tour perfect for you.

Reviews

12 reviews

★★★★★

We spent three days with Peri on tours to Nara, Osaka, and Kyoto from February 14 to 16 (2025). His service was excellent, and he was incredibly kind and attentive to everyone, especially since we used public transportation the entire time (he knows the routes and schedules very well). During the tours, he provided historical explanations of the sites we visited and shared fascinating insights about Japanese culture and customs. He also took us to traditional restaurants, explaining each dish so we could choose what we liked best. We visited the most iconic landmarks, but he also took us to lesser-known places that were either beautiful or historically significant. He always made sure the sites matched our interests, and if an entrance fee wasn’t worth it, we skipped it. It’s important to mention that the tours involve a lot of walking (about 15,000 to 20,000 steps per day), but the experience was engaging thanks to Peri’s conversations. He also took amazing photos of us and shared them afterward. I highly recommend him for your next trip to Japan. In summary: he’s knowledgeable, attentive, and ensures you have a great experience. I hope this review helps!

★★★★★

Enrique Molina Caballero - México

February 14, 2025

Excellent attention!

Very efficient and shared a lot of history about each place we visited—Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara.

★★★★★

Lorena Díaz - México

February 14, 2025

Excellent

Peri is always ready to help.

★★★★★

Silvia - México

February 14, 2025

Friendly

Everything was very nice

★★★★★

Daniel Díaz - México

February 14, 2025

Excellent guide

★★★★★

Ricardo - México

February 14, 2025

Very Happy

Micheli - Brazil

★★★★★

Private tour in Nara

January 9, 2025

Peri was the best guide in all of Japan. I went in January 2025 with my 23- and 28-year-old children. He helped us plan the trip as well as experience it. We spent five days with him in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and many other cities. He accompanied us everywhere, recommended where to eat, how to get around, what to buy, and also taught us about history! He was like another traveler with us!

★★★★★

Raquel - Argentina

January 8, 2025

Our Journey to Japan

Thank you for being such a great guide!

★★★★★

Irma Vega - México

November 5, 2024

Personalized tour in Nara

Thank you for your attentiveness—everything was excellent: the places, explanations, company, and food. Unforgettable days!

★★★★★

Ismael Benavides - México

4-day tour in Kyoto, Uji, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, and Himeji.

October 22, 2024

Thank you for your hard work. I will get in touch for future travel assistance. Will recommend you as well to others.

★★★★★

Jan - Philippines

September 19, 2024

2-Day Tour in Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara

Thank you Allysa for your hard work over the last 2 days for our Osaka, Kyoto and Nara tours.

★★★★★

Edgar - Philippines

September 19, 2024

2-Day Tour in Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara

Thank you so much, when we return to Japan, I will ask you to be our personal tour guide next year with my kids.

★★★★★

Jamilla - Philippines

September 7, 2024

2-Day Tour in Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara