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
Chad M.
“Wonderful day and tour”
We had a great time. The tour was customized for us and we saw all of the highlights. Akira was extremely knowledgeable and friendly and made the day enjoyable. Highly recomend!!!
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Akira F.
Thank you so much for your kind review. I truly feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to be your guide for your one-day tour in Osaka. Everything worked out wonderfully — from meeting both of you to the beautiful weather throughout the day — and I’m very happy that our time together went so smoothly. It was a great pleasure to meet you, and I feel honored to have been able to show you the beautiful side of Osaka. Thank you again, and I hope to welcome you back to Japan in the future!
Maureen M.
“Wonderful Day in Nara and Osaka”
Even though the tour listed on GoWithGuide didn't include Nara, Akira was very agreeable to take us there in addition to Osaka. After our previous day with Akira when he took the 4 of us to Kyoto, we knew that it would be another great day and it was. We first visited Todai-ji Temple (Great Buddha) that was spectacular. Then the highlight of the day was going to Nara Park to see and feed the bowing deer. What an experience! Then we were off to Dotonbori District, a very interesting and entertaining area. Last stop was Osaka Castle, a beautiful site. As Akira did on our 1st day with him, he provided us with lots of interesting information about each site. It really was a pleasure having Akira as our guide and I highly recommend him if you are planning on visiting Kyoto, Osaka and Nara. Thanks again, Akira!
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Akira F.
Thank you so much. I’m truly delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful time exploring both Osaka and Nara. These two cities are quite different in character, and I’m glad we were able to experience the most enjoyable and memorable aspects of each. As we mentioned, I’m sure we’ll have another opportunity to meet again in the future. I very much look forward to seeing you again. Thank you!
Maureen M.
“Wonderful Day with Akira in Kyoto”
The 4 of us were on the Celebrity Millennium and even though it was a long drive to the port, Akira was willing to pick us up and drop us off there. From the start, we knew we would have a wonderful day. He met us under the "giraffe" and was very friendly. His vehicle was spotless and he provided bottled water. We visited Kyoto's highlights: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine (known for its torii gates), Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. All were beautiful, but the best part was the detailed information about each site that Akira provided. He was very knowledgeable but also had a great sense of humor so we really enjoyed all that he shared with us. And he was very helpful especially when I had a bit of a time on uneven steps. It was a long day for us and for Akira, but we really enjoyed every minute of it. Fortunately, we also booked him for our day in Osaka and Nara (see my April 12, 2026 review)
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Akira F.
Thank you very much for your wonderful and generous review. I was truly touched when I read your kind words, and I feel deeply honored to have been your guide in Kyoto. As you mentioned, we were able to cover the key highlights and enjoy a well-balanced itinerary. I’m especially happy that I could share my knowledge with you and help you build a deeper appreciation for Kyoto, creating lasting and meaningful memories. I’m sure your time in Nara the following day will be just as memorable and enjoyable. Thank you again for your kind evaluation of my service—it truly means a lot to me.
$185/ per group
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(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.
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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.
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