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Exploring Nara, Nara Pref

In the glimpse of a moment, a shrine maiden, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara city, Nara

Kasuga Taisha Museum, Nara city, Nara

Kasuga Taisha shrine, Nara city, Nara

Guardian Kings, Todai-ji, Nara

Nara Park, Nara city, Nara

The Great Buddha, Todai-ji, Nara

Une-me Festival, Nara

Nara Park, Nara city, Nara

Kasuga Taisha shrine, Nara

Kasuga Taisha shrine, Nara city, Nara

Todaiji Temple, Nara City, Nara

Naramachi Nigiwai-no-ie Garden, Nara

Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara

Todaiji Temple, Nara City, Nara

Naramachi Nigiwai-no-ie Garden, Nara

Todaiji Temple, Nara City, Nara

Nara Crafts Museum, Nara city, Nara

Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara

Kasuga Taisha shrine, Nara city, Nara.

Kofukuji Temple, Nara City

Kasuga Taisha shrine, Nara city, Nara.

Todaiji Temple, Nara city, Nara

Kasuga Taisha shrine, Nara city, Nara

Todaiji Temple lying behind, Nara city, Nara

Kasuga Taisha shrine, Nara city, Nara.

At TEMIZUYA (ablution front) prior to meet the Great Buddha, Todai-ji Temple, Nara city, Nara

Mt Wakakusa, Nara

Exploring Nara, Nara Pref

Name: Nara Guided Tours
Brand: GoWithGuide
Price: 283 USD
Rating: 5.0 (70 reviews)

Day Trip

Joined 2017

Masahisa M.

5.00 / 5

(70 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Nara

English

8 hours

Private tour (only you and Masahisa M.)

Up to 15 people

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.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

09:00 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel in Osaka, Kyoto or Nara

09:00 AM

At your hotel lobby

To meet you at your hotel lobby, with Gowithguide welcome sign board your name on. Followed after brief tour orientation, we start the tour of the day

10:00 AM

Kofukuji Temple

We take you to Osaka METRO station to lead Kintetsu Namba station whichever METRO station closer to your hotel. If you stay in Nara, we can save 45 min travel by train to Kintetsu Nara station. 10 min walk from Kintetsu Nara station to Kofukuji Temple through old temple town, Higashi-muki shopping arcade.

11:00 AM

Isuien Japanese Garden

10 min walk from Kofukuji Temple on the way to Todai-ji Temple

01:00 PM

Todai-ji Temple

5 min walk from Isuien Japanese Garden to Todai-ji Temple, through Nara park where 1,300 wild deers roaming freely around.

03:00 PM

Kasuga Great Shrine

15 min walk from Todai-ji Temple to Kasuga Great Shrine

05:00 PM

End of this day tour at your hotel in Osaka. Will arrive at your hotel earlier if you stay in Nara.

Ending Point

At your hotel in Osaka, Kyoto or Nara

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

What‘s included

Included:

*Guide fee

*Hotel pick up fee in Kansai district (Kansai district = City of Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Kobe)

*Travel expense as required for the guide to travel with customers by means of public transportation such as train, subway, bus.

Travel expenses for the guide included herein are limited within Kansai district (Kansai district = City of Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Kobe)

*Admission fees, tickets for the guide as might be incurred at temples, shrines or the like.

*Meals, drinks or the like for the guide during the tour

*Any tax or the like as might be incurred by the guide in Japan

*Gratuity

What‘s not included

Not included:

*Fees to cruise river or sea or the like for the guide

*Tickets for Universal Studio Japan, museum or the like as might be required for the guide at private or public museum, entertainment

facilities.

Tour Important Information

Messenger of deity of Kasuga Great shrine, 1,350 deers welcome you all the tour long in Nara national park. First stop is Kofuku-ji temple which was founded by Fuhito Fujiwara in 710 during Nara period where the five-storied pagoda is a symbol of Nara national park viewed over Sarusawa Pond. Next is a short walk to a Japanese garden, called Isui-en (on the way to the Todai-ji temple) is also a must-to-see scenic spot. The third stop is the main attraction in Nara i.e Todai-ji temple, the largest wooden structure in the world, built in 752 and 2.8 million people took part in to construct, houses the 15 m tall Great Buddha statue. Fourth stop is Nigatsudo Hall which stands close to Todai-ji temple where the water-drawing ritual ceremony is being held in every March since 752. Last stop is Kasuga Great shrine which is a national shrine founded to protect the Heijyo-kyo, the new capital of Nara (form 710 to 794). 2,000 stone lanterns and 1,000 hanging lanterns are lit in February and August there and it brings you date back the time of the ancients.

* A scenic tour exploring, touching and feeling the area in 8th Century in Japan, a birth district of

Japan.

* A surprise greeting by wild deers

- IMPORTANT -

Not suitable for tours with infants, children, senior people, wheelchairs and strollers.

Be quiet and respectful in Temples and Shrines complex

Remove hats and sunglasses in front of main sanctuary in Temples, Shrines

Not to touch old buildings, old remains and objects

Not to take pictures where prohibited in Temples, Shrines complex

Take your shoes off before stepping on tatami

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

Masahisa M.

5.00 / 5

(70 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Masahisa M.

Lived in Chicago (5 years), Toronto (1 year), Singapore (2 years), Indonesia (4 years) and Birmingham, UK (11 years) to construct business platform, now retired after 40

years employment in Japan. Dynamic tour guide who develops many different ways along with rich experience overseas to entertain large or small tour groups. Enjoys the interaction with tour groups, very strong group presentation and communication skills, finds each guest question as an opportunity to learn anything new. Constantly learning information about each tour spot to enhance tours. Guided 9,513 guests all over the world across Japan as of March 31, 2026 since Feb 2015.

Reviews

Vladislav S.

5 / 5

Apr 15, 2026

Exploring Osaka

Apr 15, 2026

Osaka

9 hours

“A great way to visit Osaka highlights ”

We spent the whole day with Mike walking around Osaka. He met us in our hotel lobby and took us to Umeda Sky, Osaka Castle, Dotonbori and the Kuromon market, Shinsekai, as well as many other places. Everything, from the communications, to facts sharing, and attention to our requests was top notch. My wife mentioned that we are planning a trip to Hokkaido and Mike have us an itinerary with lots of good advice. I consider ourselves lucky to meet Mike and be able to spend a day with him. Mike, thank you so much for showing us around Osaka, all the information and knowledge you shared, as well as all the amazing pictures you took!

Masahisa M.

Vladislav Thank you very much for coming all the way from beautiful, nature rich Kiwiland again this year. It was truly a pleasure to guide such a lovely young couple, and I was able to enjoy a wonderful day myself. If you have any questions as you plan your future trip to Japan, please feel free to ask me anytime. Thanks Masahisa

Katie D.

5 / 5

Apr 14, 2026

Exploring Nara, Nara Pref

Apr 14, 2026

Nara

8 hours

“Fantastic historical tour”

Masahisa-san was an incredible guide, navigating the side-streets with ease and allowing us to see even more of Nara and Osaka than we had hoped! He has a wealth of life experiences to share and is a very calming presence throughout the day. He is committed to making sure you get the best photographs and has a great eye for what will make a good picture. I would highly recommend touring with him and look forward to hopefully doing so again in the future!

Masahisa M.

Katie Thank you so much for traveling all the way from afar to visit us. I’m relieved to hear that you might have returned home safely. Hearing the recent news about NYK and the new young mayor made me feel as if I were chatting with both of you at Madison Square Garden. If you have the chance, please do come visit us again. Thanks Masahisa

Jake and diana R.

5 / 5

Apr 12, 2026

Exploring Kyoto in Rakutou (East) and Rakuchu (Central)

Apr 12, 2026

Kyoto

9 hours

“A Must-Do While In Kyoto”

We had such a special with Masahisa! He was the perfect tour guide, taking us to 10 different locations throughout East Kyoto each of which he was extremely knowledgeable about. He knew where to take us at what times in order to avoid crowds and brought us to quiet, beautiful locations that we wouldn’t have found otherwise. This was one of our favorite activities of our entire Japan trip and we could not recommend Masahisa more! He also took so many photos for us without us even asking, a true professional in every manner. :)

Masahisa M.

Jake and Diana Thank you for coming all the way from the “Windy City,” where I spent my working years and made countless cherished memories. It is my only regret that I was unable to show you the few remaining places in Kyoto where the quiet elegance of the ancient court culture still lingers. Still, spending the day with beautiful couple brought me great joy, and I truly had a wonderful time. Once again, I sincerely appreciate your long journey to visit, and I would be delighted if, in some small way, I was able to contribute to creating memorable moments from your trip. Thanks Masahisa