Nara historical walking Tours(half day)
Nara is one of Japan's most-visited destination, small-group tour. Admire landmarks including Kofuku-ji Temple and Nara Park, Todaiji - Temple, kasura shrine. And local Conners !
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Kintestu Nara Station
- It’s very easy to get to Nara from either Osaka or Kyoto. You can take the Kintetsu Line directly to Nara Station.
Kofuku-ji Temple
Kofuku-ji Temple was established in Nara at the same time as the capital in 710. It is famous for it's five-storied pagoda, the second tallest wooden pagoda in Japan just seven meters shorter than the five-storied pagoda at Kyoto's Toji Temple. See this temple for yourself at sunrise!
Kasuga Grand Shrine
Kasuga Grand Shrine is famous for it's lanterns, which have been donated by worshippers. There are approximately 3000 stone and bronze lanterns, standing as one of Japan's most historical shrines. It holds significance as the sacred grounds that inspired the presence of deer in Nara Park.
Todai-ji Temple
Todaiji Temple is famous for its Great Buddha Statue, the biggest Buddha statue in Japan. Until recently, this temple's man hall was the world's largest wooden building. It looks beautiful but once you know the history to why it was built and it's historical significance, you will be shocked!
Nara Park
Nara Park is home to thousands of wild deers. These deers are considered to be sacred because it's said that one of the 4 gods in Kasuga Shrine rode the deer to Nara. The cute thing about these deers is that they bow at you when you feed them! It's an experience that everyone should try!
Ending Point
Nara Park
Want to personalize this tour?
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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
Walking tour (no transportation fee)
Admission Ticket for guests:
- Todai-ji Temple (JPY800 / 5.4USD per person)
- Tofukuji Temple (JPY900 / 6USD per person)
- Kasura Shrine (JPY700 / 4.7USD per person)
Food and Drinks
Tour Important Information
- This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
-This tour is not recommended for those with severe back/knee problems.
-This tour is wheelchair accessible.
- Several places we will visit do not accept credit cards, so please bring cash.
Important message from the supplier
I can guide you in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka if you pay my transportation fee.
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
About Tour Guide Akira F.
Hello, my name is Akira , and I am a private guide based in Kyoto. I specialize in creating customized tours that are tailored to your interests and travel style.
Kyoto is a city rich in history, culture, and hidden beauty, and I would love to share its charm with you. Whether you are interested in famous landmarks like Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari, exploring peaceful temples and gardens, or discovering local food and traditions, I will design a unique itinerary just for you.
My goal is to make your time in Kyoto not only enjoyable, but also meaningful and memorable. I look forward to guiding you and helping you experience Kyoto like a local.
Reviews
Michelle L.
“A memorable Kyoto experience ”
My family and I enjoyed our Kyoto tour immensely. We learned so much in just a few hours. Akira shared a wealth of knowledge in such an engaging and interesting way. He is full of energy and enthusiasm, which made us even more eager to learn about Kyoto’s history. I had requested a “less walking” tour, and Akira was very thoughtful in accommodating this - my parents were extremely happy and comfortable throughout the experience. I highly recommend Akira to anyone looking for a local tour guide in Kyoto. You won’t regret it! :)
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Akira F.
Thank you very much for your kind words and high praise. We truly had a wonderful day in Kyoto together. We visited historical sites, experienced some of the most beautiful spots in the city, and enjoyed excellent food along the way. I sincerely hope that Kyoto — and the time we spent together — has left you with warm memories and a lasting impression. I very much look forward to welcoming you back to Kyoto again in the future. Thank you once again.
Jennah M.
“THANK YOU AKIRA!”
Akira took us around Uji, Kyoto and the surrounding areas. He was super accommodating at short notice, and took us to a few places that we really wanted to go that were not the “typical Kyoto spots”. Apart from being extremely knowledgeable (we learned so much, and it made everything feel even more special compared to if we had visited by ourselves), he was an absolutely lovely person and made everything fun. He was funny, kind, and had such positive energy. A really great guide, and if we head back to Kyoto (which we would love to do), we will certainly see him again!
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Akira F.
Thank you very much for your wonderful feedback. I believe that kind words are never too late—whenever I receive them, my heart is filled with gratitude. Your feedback motivates me to keep improving. Most importantly, I feel truly honored that I was able to help you enjoy Japan’s culture and tranquility during your trip, and that we had the chance to talk about many meaningful things. That, to me, is the greatest reward. I sincerely hope to see you again. When you come back to Japan next time, I hope you will contact me so we can meet again. Thank you so much.
Paul Y.
“Akira was Outstanding!”
What makes Akira an outstanding guides are a combination of several things. First, he was spontaneous with a sprinkle of humor - our 8 hour tour went by in a flash. Second, he inquired about what we already know so he can spend his time on things we did not know that he thought would be of interest to us. Third, he not only knew the best photo spots, but provides instructions before taking the photos with your camera. His creative eye captured some of the best vacation photos ever. Last but not least, he shared with us his favorite ramen place - a little hole in the wall that served some of the best ramen in Japan. He graciously joined us for lunch. We highly recommend Akira.
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Akira F.
Thank you for your kind words. It was truly an honor to serve as your guide in Kyoto. We shared many wonderful conversations about the ancient capital—its history, culture, and the beauty it has to offer. I sincerely look forward to the opportunity to meet again in Japan, so we can continue exploring more places and discovering even deeper layers of this remarkable region. Thank you again for your updated photo!
$187/ per group
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Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Nara
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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.
Let's enjoy walking around the ancient city called Heijyokyo or Nara established in 710.
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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.
Nara Sightseeing & the World of Buddhist Statuary
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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.
One day tour in Nara
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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.
Tour of the Great Buddha of Nara
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