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GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!

Nara Half Day Tour - World Heritage Religious Sites

Luke Kinsella

by GoWithGuide travel specialist:Luke Kinsella

Last updated : Apr 23, 20232 min read

Itinerary Ideas

We introduce the most popular itineraries amongst our customers who choose tours on GoWithGuide. We hope it helps you to plan your perfect itinerary during your trip to Japan. In our thirteenth post of the series, we focus on the best full day tour of Yokohama.

 

During this 4 hour half day tour of Nara, we visit two World Heritage temples and a World Heritage shrine. Starting at Todaiji, a very big temple with a giant statue of a Buddha, Kofuku-ji, a temple full of ancient treasures, and Kasuga Taisha, a shrine hidden in the depths of a vast forest.

 

1. Todaiji

One of the most popular sightseeing spots in Nara, Todaiji houses a wealth of significant items designated as National Treasures. The reason for its popularity though, is the opportunity to see the Great Buddha, which is housed in Japan's largest temple, an impressive World Heritage site built in 752.

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2. Kofuku-ji

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With a 1300 year old history, the World Heritage site of Kofuku-ji is the head temple of the Hosso sect. A five-storey pagoda stands proud and is a representation of a time when Nara was the ancient capital, an array of Buddhist sculptures and other treasures can be found inside the National Treasure Museum, and a wealth of Nara history can be attained here.

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3. Kasuga Taisha

With over one thousand events throughout the year at Kasuga Taisha, this World Heritage shrine nestled in a vast primeval forest of Nara Park, can be enjoyed at any time of the year. The nearby botanical gardens, the changing seasons, the sand-scraping wisteria, these can all be enjoyed at Kasuga Taisha, along with the mysticism of the shrine itself.

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Written by Luke Kinsella

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GoWithGuide’s writers are passionate travel specialists sharing unique tips and essential information for global explorers.

Kyoto Tour Guide - Hiroshi Y.

Hiroshi Y.

4.67 / 5
(326 reviews)
Japan

Hello,I am HIROSHI YOKOYAMA. Please call me Hiro, not "hero". I have been lived in kyoto for more than 30years. So, I am very familiar with the city of Kyoto and a unique culture developed in Japan as well. I can offer you not only historic places like Nijo castle, Kinkakuji temple ,Kiyomizu temple etc., but also off the beaten track spots Nijo jinya house or nicknamed "ninjya house" ,Katsura Imperial Villa etc.. I am really looking forward to seeing you .                                                                                                                                 

Kyoto Tour Guide - Toshiyo O.

Toshiyo O.

4.68 / 5
(246 reviews)
Japan

I was born and raised in Kyoto.Kyoto has a lot of things to see and experience. Kyoto is an ancient city with a lot of world heritage. I am happy to show you both traditonal aspects of Japan and modern things. I use public transportation and I am good at walking. Also I am very flexible.                                                                                                                                  

Kyoto Tour Guide - Yoshihisa T.

Yoshihisa T.

4.97 / 5
(222 reviews)
Japan

Hi. My name is Yoshihisa. Call me "Yoshie", please. It means good or O.K. in Japanese. I live in Joyo City, Kyoto Prefecture, located just in between Kyoto and Nara. I was born and raised in Iga, Mie Prefecture. Iga is a birthplace of ninja and a renowned haiku poet, Matsuo Basho. I might be a descendant of ninja. I aim at becoming a linguistic ninja, following a part of Basho's lifestyle with the incorporation of seasonal changes into my tours. In addition to visiting famous temples and shrines, I invite you to lesser-known places of historic interest. Once in a month I go hiking or mountain climbing with some friends mainly in mountains surrounding Kyoto and Nara basins. Recently I have got intrigued by the charms of Buddhist statues, which are manifestations of people's wishes and prayers. I also like izakaya (Japanese-style taverns) hopping, tasting delicious dishes and locally brewed sake at reasonable prices. Especially I like communicating with people from home and abroad, talking face to face. Some of the above-mentioned elements are included in my walking tours. I hope you will discover new aspects of cultural and natural beauty in Kansai area through one of my tours which you could never gain otherwise. One of my favorite phrases that come from Zen Buddhism is Ichigo Ichie or this meeting-but only once in a lifetime. My interpretation goes this way: This place and this moment never cross again. Each and every good encounter, however, lingers on like the sound of a temple bell. Won't you explore a deeper world of Japanese culture in Kyoto, Nara and Osaka with me?                                                                                                                                  

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