Nara Private Tours
Book a Private Nara Tour with a Local Tour Guide
Nara Day Trip Tours
Historic Monuments of Ancient Capital of Nara - from Osaka
Nara
8 hours
In Nara, eight Buddhism temples and Shintoism Shrines are included in the World Heritage as “Historic Monuments in Ancient Capital of Nara” as those represent close cultural exchanges between Japan and China, and even Hellenism culture in the 8th century. On this tour we will visit three of them in a day from Osaka.
FROM$262/ per group
Hiroyuki T.
4.97 / 5
(161 reviews)
Full-Day Nara tour from Kyoto with a private guide
Nara
8 hours
Nara is a very beautiful and interesting city known by the old name of "Yamato". It was established as the first permanent Japan's capital in the year 710. There are a lot of historical monuments in this ancient city, such as Todaiji Great Buddha Hall, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kofukuji Temple and so on. Nara"deer"park is also one of must-see areas. Let's walk around and play with the lovely deer!!
FROM$356/ per group
Koichi W.
4.96 / 5
(70 reviews)
Exploring Nara, Nara Pref
Nara
8 hours
Nara is ideal for those who wish to see not only numerous historical structures but also to touch, feed wild deers roaming freely around in the Nara Park. There are 8 UNESCO heritages in Nara spotted sparsely in the historic regions which have full of rich tales in Nara period (from 710 to 794). Visiting 4 UNESCO heritages (3 temples and 1 shrine) in this tour in addition to one Japanese garden.
FROM$269/ per group
Masahisa M.
5.00 / 5
(47 reviews)
Full day Nara/Kyoto private guided tour!
Nara
8 hours
We can meet at your hotel, either from Kyoto, Nara or Osaka? The plan would be to start from Nara. We will walk across the Nara park until the monumental Todai ji temple then move up nearby to the Nigatsu-do temple for an amazing view of the city. Then we can have some snack, or lunch at the most famous shopping arcade of the city. See some shops there if you want and then get the train(or train back) to Kyoto until the Fushimi Inari Taisha, the main Shinto shrine of Japan
FROM$370/ per group
Alex O.
4.92 / 5
(12 reviews)
Nara Highlights Tours
Your most memorable tour to Nara (Kyoto or Osaka departure)
Nara
6 hours
In Nara deer Park, you can feed many cute wild deers. After playing with deers, you will go to Toudaiji Temple. You can see huge buddaha statue. Next, you will go to kasuga shrine After lunch, you will viist Koufukuji Temple and you can see a five-storied pagoda. Morover, based on your request, I will take you to other spots.
FROM$222/ per group
Kazuhiko G.
4.78 / 5
(188 reviews)
One day trip of Nara Park
Nara
6 hours
-Nara Park is famous and known as Deer Park, and more than one thousand deer roam freely in the park.-Numerous important temples, shrines, gardens and museums are within minutes of one another within the park.-The most famous sites are Todai-ji temple, Kasuga Grand Shrine, and Kofuku-ji temple.-These temples and shrines were originally built in Nara period, 1,300 years ago.
FROM$133/ per group
Makoto Y.
4.93 / 5
(114 reviews)
Nara, the oldest capital in Japan, Walking tour
Nara
4 hours
We'll visit Todaiji temple, one of the largest wooden structures in the world, Kasugataisha shrine whose god is believed to have come to Nara riding on a white deer, popular Japanese gardens if you like. We can enjoy pretty plum trees from late February to early March and cherry blossoms in spring. 1300 wild deer are roaming around in Nara park, where you can feed them deer crackers. In June Rokuen, the deer protection center, is open to the public, where mother deer feed their cute newborns.
FROM$134/ per group
Nao O.
Nara Highlights from Kyoto or Osaka
Nara
10 hours
Nara is located about 40km south from Kyoto and 30km east from Osaka. It is an older capital than Kyoto and as old as Osaka. It was about 1300 years ago. There are ancient temples. Most of them are older than Kyoto and are not Zen temple. Nara is quieter than Kyoto and Osaka. More than one thousand friendly deer live with Nara citizens. And also Nara has a lot of local food like Sushi, Ramen and so on. You would be able to have unique experience.
FROM$269/ per group
Yoshiharu K.
4.69 / 5
(52 reviews)
Nara Art, Culture, & Historical Tours
One day tour in Nara
Nara
7 hours
Highlights of the tour are feeding deers in Nara Park and overwhelmed by the great Budha, Daibutu. Tour also visits several historcal sites. As all historical sites are located in the Nara park, we will mainly walk through the park ( 5~8km ) The tour also can customized in line with the customer's interest, historical sites, cultural sites or shopping.
FROM$269/ per group
Yasuhisa K.
4.97 / 5
(37 reviews)
Nara Sightseeing & the World of Buddhist Statuary
Nara
7 hours
Through this tour you will be intrigued with the charm of Buddhist statuary, which represents people's wishes and prayers. Figures of statues vary according to the development of eras from Asuka period to Muromachi period. At the same time you can visit Nara Park, where you can feed deer. Also you can visit a nice sake tasting place after the tour if you like.
FROM$235/ per group
Yoshihisa T.
4.97 / 5
(232 reviews)
Let's enjoy walking around the ancient city called Heijyokyo or Nara established in 710.
Nara
8 hours
Nara is the most ancient city in Japan. You can see one of the most biggest images of Buddha in Japan called"Daibutu-san", and You also see many deer roaming freely around in Nara park. We visit Kasuga-Taisya Shrine ,founded to protect the Heijyokyo, which is also the deity of Fujiwara family is enshrined.
FROM$148/ per group
Hiroshi Y.
4.68 / 5
(332 reviews)
Tour of the Great Buddha of Nara
Nara
4 hours
(Highlights) The Great Buddha of Nara is a magnificent structure weighing some 500 tons. Originally built in 752 AD, the stature is 15.9 meters high excluding the pedestal and its face 4.8 meters long. Subsequently, it was damaged by natural disasasters, fires and wars and was repaired several times. It was completely rebuilt in the Edo period (1603-1867). You will be amazed at the splendid image of the Great Buddha calmly seated on the pedestal with the look of a perfect repose and passionless calm. His right hand shows mercy and left hand, the wisdom of the universe. The building housing this huge image, The Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji Temple, is the largest existing wooden structure in the world, having an area of 54 meters by 49 meters and a height of 45 meters. It was burned down by a fire twice, but was rebuilt in the Edo period. (How to enjoy) You will be amazed at how huge the Buddha image is. Immerse yourself in the solemn atmosphere it creates amid the odor of burning incense, wonder at the ancient technology and the wisdom and the devotion of people. After all, you will never end up not being deeply impressed with the aura the "Daibutsu-sama" Great Buddha emits. Everywhere around the Great Buddha Hall, in the meantime, you can enjoy mixing with tame deer which do you no harm but ask you for food, "shika-sembei", which is being sold at the nearby stalls for 150 yen a pack containing some 50 grams of the deer food. You will feel very happy feeding, stroking and hugging the cute animal whose number exceeds, perhaps, 100. (Others) The transportation fare between Kyoto and Nara on a Kintetsu train is 620 yen (plus 510 yen if you take a limited express train). The entrance fee to Todaiji temple is 600 yen.
FROM$103/ per group
Tatsuhiro N.
4.54 / 5
(59 reviews)
Nara Off the Beaten Path Tours
Asuka village 1 day tour ~the original landscape of Japan~
Nara
7 hours
Asuka, the ancient political center, has been preserved. Not only historical structure such as Asuka dera, the oldest temple in Japan and "Ishibutai", mysterious huge stone tomb, but also tranquil village landscape must leave deep impression on you. "Tanada", terraced rice field, mountains and streams, old village houses will surely energize busy modern people. In the afternoon, we will explore the beautiful village, experience traditional Japanese natural dyeing,and visit the farmers' market.
FROM$181/ per group
Michiko T.
5.00 / 5
(64 reviews)
Walking along historical trail of Nara(3)
Nara
4 hours 30 min
Yamanobe no Michi, "Old trail along the foot of the mountain" from Miwa shrine to Kasuga shrine, has been shown in the Kojiki," Records of Ancient Matters" the Japanese oldest history book ( beginning of 8 century ). The trip is a walking about the half of the trail between Tenri and Yanagimoto JR stations visiting historical spots including shrines and ancient tombs before 6 centuries
FROM$268/ per group
Yasuhisa K.
4.97 / 5
(37 reviews)
Uji-tea plantation visit
Nara
4 hours
We will visit Wazuka village, the hometown of Uji tea, excellent quality of green tea. The landscape of tea plantations, built on the mountain slope, has 800 years of history. It was designated as the first scenic property of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as one of the Japan Heritages.
FROM$134/ per group
Michiko T.
5.00 / 5
(64 reviews)
Walking along historical trail of Nara(2):
Nara
4 hours 30 min
Nara area used to be a Capital of Japan for 80 years (Heijyoukyou;A.D.708-810).After transferring the Capital to Kyoto, Nara was remained as a center of Buddhism. Although many temples remained such as Todaiji and Kohukuji, many other temples have been established but abolished in its long history, then only stone Buddha images are remained as an evident of the history.
FROM$268/ per group
Yasuhisa K.
4.97 / 5
(37 reviews)
Nara Nature & Outdoor Tours
Asuka Walking or Cycling Tour
Nara
5 hours
Asuka is the place where first unified state was established. It was a capital of Japan from 538 to 710. There are a lot of view point including ruins of the Imperial palace, ancient tombs, uniquely shaped stone structures throughout the area. You can enjoy the historical atmosphere and beautiful scenery.
FROM$118/ per group
Yuri T.
4.48 / 5
(27 reviews)
Walking along historical trail of Nara(1):Samurai road
Nara
4 hours 30 min
Walking along historical trail between Nara and Yagyu where was used to be the mecca of swordsmanship "Kenjyutu" during Edo era. As Yagyu family was a leader of Yagyu Shinkage Ryu, one of the stile of Japanese swordsmanships, many samurais visited Yagu to learn the skill through the trail. You can enjoy such old trail thinking about samurai who were eager to improve the skill of swordsmanship.
FROM$268/ per group
Yasuhisa K.
4.97 / 5
(37 reviews)
Walking along historical trail of Nara (4)
Nara
4 hours 30 min
Second part of the "Yamanobe no michi"..The trip is a walking the trail between Sakurai and Yanagimoto JR stations. As the old palace of emperor "Makimuku" ( Some researchers believe that the site might be the old capital of Japan in 3 to 6 century with active trades and communication with Wei Dynasty of ancient China (A.D. 3rd century) , you can enjoy older historical spots along the trail.
FROM$268/ per group
Yasuhisa K.
4.97 / 5
(37 reviews)
Full-Day Guided Tour in a Japanese Mountain: Yoshino, Nara
Nara
8 hours
Come with me, certified interpreter-guide, to discover Yoshino, in the South of Nara prefecture! Surrounded by nature and inside mountains, Yoshino is the place to visit especially during the beautiful sakura season, better between April 13~15. But even out season, Yoshino is a high place of History, mostly with the Southern Imperial Court of Japan (14th century).
FROM$437/ per group
Mouloud H.
4.73 / 5
(11 reviews)
Nara Unique Experience Tours
Nara Park & Indigo dyeing experience
Nara
7 hours
First we will visit Nara Park, where historic monuments and nature create calm and peaceful atmosphere. You'll see wild deer roaming hear and there. Walking in Nara-machi district will give us a chance to see an old merchants' houses.Then I will take you to an traditional indigo-dyeing studio and help you to experience it.
FROM$187/ per group
Michiko T.
5.00 / 5
(64 reviews)
Indigo dyeing experience and Yakushi-ji temple visit
Nara
3 hours 30 min
Ai-zome, or indigo dyeing used to be very familiar with ordinary Japanese people, especially in Edo Period(16C to 19C). The beauty of the color is highly valued as "Japan Blue". You will experience at a studio called "Konya", the fine renovation of an old merchant's house in Yamato-koriyama city, a castle town. After that you will visit Yakushiji Temple. .
FROM$95/ per person
Michiko T.
5.00 / 5
(64 reviews)
Nara Kids & Family Friendly Tours
Nara Tour Reviews
R
Regine D.
5 / 5
Feb 28, 2025
“Perfect tour”
Michiko was the perfect tour guide, would recommend a tour to a tea plantation, the farmer was very informative on all aspects of tea farming and the tea was delicious. Stopped for the best meal in Japan on the way home.
Michiko T.
Thank you for the kind review. I also had a great time visiting a tea farmer in Wazuka village. Especially, I was impressed you enthusiastically learned about tea, and tried supporting young generation who are trying their best. I hope you’ll remember this tour when you drink a cup of tea.
S
Spliteye M.
5 / 5
Feb 23, 2025
“Excellent Tour of Nara”
Michiko san has expert knowledge of Nara and its history. As a native, she has the cultural depth that we really appreciated and enjoyed, and her English is perfect. From temples to shrines and gardens, Michiko gave us a wonderful 4 hour tour that went above and beyond our expectations. At the end of the tour, she showed us some of her favorite restaurants and stayed with us to make sure our lunch order was correct. We have another tour with her in Kyoto tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to that,
Michiko T.
Thank you for the wonderful review! I’m glad we could spend a beautiful winter day in Nara with you. Especially, I was impressed that both of you really like nature and gardens and appreciate what you see with deep insight. I’m excited to have another day with you in Kyoto!
Brandon P.
5 / 5
Feb 23, 2025
“Had such a great time!! ”
Thank you so much, Hiro-san, for your insightful guidance through Nara. The group had a fantastic time and truly appreciated your deep knowledge and engaging explanations of the history behind each location. Your presence made the experience all the more enriching! I highly recommend Hiro-san to anyone looking for a knowledgeable guide in Kyoto and Nara. The experience is well worth the small extra cost, as it transforms your visit from simply seeing the sights to truly understanding their rich history. Hearing the stories behind each location makes the journey even more captivating and memorable.
Hiroyuki T.
Brandon san, Thank you very much for another kind message. It was really nice to had been with you and your group in Kyoto and Nara. Your group showed a lot of interest and respects to our culture and history. I really appreciated it. I hope I can be of help to you in the future again. Hiro
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Private Tours in Nara
Travel like a real local. With our lineup of varied tours we want to help you customize and realize your ideal tour in Nara. Our guides can arrange for you to visit areas specific to your interests, so there will be no filler in the itinerary!
Browse all the tours we offer in Nara, and find the perfect one for you. The tours come in a variety of categories and lengths, so chances are you will be able to find the tour for you. Looking for something you couldn’t find in our lineup? Go ahead and send a message to one of the guides, they will create your tour for you!
Teaming up with a local guide and getting their help in planning the itinerary is the smart way to travel, so let them sort everything out for you.