Dear deer Nara! ~Nara Park & Nara-machi~
Joined 2017
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' townscape.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
at Kintetsu or JR Nara station
Todaiji temple (World Heritage)
Nara was an ancient capital of Japan(710~794), and the terminal destination of Silk Road, a trading road connecting the West and the East. Influenced by international culture, a great number of treasures, including historical structures, Buddhist statues and artifacts, miraculously remain here.
Especially, the quality of Buddhist statues is marvelous! For example, Nio-zo, A pair of statues of Guardian Deities in Todaiji temple has a lot in common with Statue of David by Michelangelo. I will guide you to see such world-class masterpieces.
Kofukuji temple (World Heritage)
Kasuga Grand shrine (World Heritage)
Nara-machi (old merchants' town)
I will take you to Nara-machi, an old merchants' town. We will drop by shops of local special products, such as hemp cloth, tea, Indian ink stick, sake(rice wine).
Ending Point
ar Kintetsu or JR Nara Station
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee (18500JPY),
guide transportation fee from home to Nara (2000JPY)
your transportation fee on the tour (￥210～￥500）, lunch, entrance fee（①Todaiji temple ￥800 ②National Treasure Hall in Kofukuji temple ￥700 ）
Tour Important Information
This is basically a walking tour. So I recommend wearing shoes that are easy to walk in. If you have difficulty in walking, please let me know.
You are supposed to pay in cash for entrance fees at temples and shrines.I would like you to prepare some cash.
Important message from the supplier
The price of the tour includes the guide fee and the guide's transportation fee between home and the travel city.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2017
About Tour Guide Michiko T.
Hi, I'm Michiko.
I'm a national certified English tour guide.Since I was born and raised in Nara, I'm familiar with the sightseeing spots and attractions of Nara, and neighboring city, Kyoto.
Nara and Kyoto, old capitals of Japan, retain time honoured structures and art works. What is more, beautiful gardens and picturesque landscapes are always waiting for you!
I'm also a traveler who especially love to explore local foods and crafts, which have been passed down from generation to generation.
I'll try to guide you with best hospitality. When you have a chance to visit Nara,Kyoto and Osaka, please contact me anytime and join my tour!
I will be looking forward to seeing you.See you soon!
Reviews
“A lovely drive and Tea Plantation Exploration ”
Michiko made my day excursion so easy, comfortable and fun. I wanted to see a tea plantation. Michiko found a farmer, Osamu, who met us in the beautiful rolling hills of Wachea. Osamu drove us to his fields on a solitary road surrounded by Cypress forests. The views were breathtaking. We then went to his home, met his family, learned about the production process and sample tea. It was informative and special. I’m in Japan for 6 weeks. This day will certainly be the highlight of my trip. Miko obliged my wishes in every way. I felt at ease the entire trip. No language barrier or work. Mahalo, Miko!
Michiko T.
Thanks for the great review, Diane. I am also very pleased to have had the opportunity to spend a winter day with you and Osamu in Wazuka Village. Osamu's stories as a tea farmer and tea lover and the scenery of Wazuka Village with its 800 year old tea plantations were fascinating and encouraging. Furthermore, your life stories left a deep impression on me. You may be at a crossroads in your life, but remember that I always wish you happiness. With love.
“A day in kyoto”
Family of 5 had a wonderful guided day with michiko, very informative and adaptable to the whims of the kids. Perfect balance of interesting sites and beautiful walks taking in the monkeys, bamboo forest, ancient gardens and finally sweet making taught by a lovely Japanese craftsman, Would highly recommend for families.
Michiko T.
Thank you for the wonderful review, Michael. I also had a great time with such a generous and caring people like you and your family. I was happy to see you and your family relaxed and enjoyed at every spot. Also everyone's sense of humor made the tour more enjoyable. I'm happy if you could find your favorite things about Japanese culture, nature, people etc. through this walk.
Rachel P.
Asuka village 1 day tour ~the original landscape of Japan~
“Asuka Tour - Nara Prefecture”
Michiko was an outstanding guide from the get go. Her communication was warm and professional. She shared much of her local knowledge and took us to many interesting places in Asuka. We had a fun, relaxed time with her and would give her service more than five stars if we could. We would definitely engage her as a guide again, and will be recommending her in the future.
Michiko T.
Thanks to your wonderful review! It was my great pleasure to introduce my favorite places and people in Asuka. You and Oliver have such relaxing and generous personalities, so I felt as if I hang around with my old friends. Thanks again for choosing Japan for your honeymoon destination, and I hope you will come back sometime in the future. I wish you all the best!
$133/ per group
More tours by Michiko T.
Nara Park & Indigo dyeing experience
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.
Asuka village 1 day tour ~the original landscape of Japan~
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.
Nara park & Wazuka tea plantation visit
In the morning, we will visit Nara Park, Todaiji temple, Kasuga grand shrine. You will have a chance to see, take photos and feed deer. After lunch, we will have a short trip to 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.
Walk along the Japanese oldest road
Yamanobe-no-michi Road, the oldest road in Japan, runs through at the foot of eastern mountains of Nara Basin. In this area, huge burial mounds and oldest shrines blend well with quiet farming villages. This tour might take you back in time to the ancient mythical period. The road is mostly flat and comfortable to walk on.
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Nara
One day tour in Nara
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.
Let's enjoy walking around the ancient city called Heijyokyo or Nara established in 710.
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.
Nara Sightseeing & the World of Buddhist Statuary
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.
Tour of the Great Buddha of Nara
(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.
