Nara History Tour
Joined 2023
You can go in blind and simply learn as much as possible about this phenomenal city, where you will be provided with a good encapsulation of the wonders of Nara.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Nara station (JR Nara or Kintetsu-nara stations). Please let me know if you would like hotel pickup instead.
The Nara Deer Park
Find out about the connection between these majestic animals and the foundations of Buddhism.
Todaiji Temple and the Daibutsu statue
This site would deserves the label of world wonder, as one of the largest wooden structures in the world housing one of the largest buddhist statues, it is a true marvel to behold. Meanwhile, this site has a history with goes far beyond its mere religious significance.
Lunch break
We can go to local shopping arcades for a unique lunch, products, and knick-knack.
The Nara Imperial Palace, as well as the palace museum and archeological site
One of the highlights of Nara is the palace archeological site. Learn about the advent of the Japanese state in its first permanent capital.
A visit to a temple founded by a Chinese Tang Dynasty monk and hence called the 'tang temple'
In pre-isolationist Japan, cultural exchange flourished. At this site we can learn about one of the many embassies sent back and forth between ancient China and Japan.
Ending Point
Return to Nara station (JR or Kintetsu).
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
Guiding fees, guide's transportation expenses from Kyoto to Nara. Hotel pick-up if you are staying in Kyoto.
Please note that any additional expenses such as food, drink or souvenirs are not included as part of the tour expenses.
Transportation is also not included, though I can arrange a number of options. Public transportation is also fast, efficient and clean. I can help you purchase a one-day pass for all your needs.
Tour Important Information
Subject to opening times of the various temples, museums and the palace archeological dig.
Important message from the supplier
I can guide you in other areas around Kansai as well, such as Kobe or Wakayama, 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
Joined 2023
About Tour Guide Eco H.
Eco has called Kyoto his home for the last 7 years, and now he hopes to share with you all he has learned of this wonderful city and the surrounding area. Recent graduate with a background in Japanese history and religion, he is now a professor a university in nearby Kobe city. Therefore, if you are particularly interested in learning more about the history and culture of Kyoto he can provide exciting narratives to go along with visiting the delightful sites. Throughout his time in Kyoto he has been working as a guide for numerous organisations, including guiding around Japanese tourists visiting Kyoto, and has provided many with a unique view of the city.
Reviews
Maria V.
“Historical and religious Kyoto”
Eco was our favorite guide out of the many places we've been. He is extremely knowledgeable about Japanese history as well as Buddhist and Shinto religions. Additionally, he worked with us to customize the itinerary. Recommend 100%!
Eco H.
Dear Maria, thank you for your kind words. I’m glad you had such a good time. I also enjoyed talking with you and your parents about your field of study. Thank you also for the nice lunch! Please come visit again sometime!
Addie F.
“Eco is a Wonderful Tour Guide”
Eco handles my large family well. He was flexible and accommodating. He is so knowledgeable and taught us many interesting things. We learned about the history and culture and religions of Japan. We loved our tour with Eco!
Maike D.
“Off the beaten path”
We traveled aß a family of three, first time to Kyoto. Eco responded to every question I had very quick. We met at the hotel and went for a four hour walk through Tokio, as requested throu parts of Kyoto that are not so crowded. Eco was very knowledgable, friendly and very flexible during the tour. He gave us a lot of Tips for our stay in Kyoto. We had a wonderful time off the beaten path im Kyoto.
$567/ per group
More tours by Eco H.
Half-day Kyoto History and Culture Tour
First and foremost, I do not want to provide a typical tour to the standard fair of tourist attractions. As with the majority of visitors to Kyoto, you do not really need a guide to visit such places. Instead, what makes my tour special is that I can show you the unique places of Kyoto with the addition of a historical and cultural background. Lunch at local restaurants, visit temples of the beaten path, go to local shopping arcades for unique products. Enjoy Kyoto without the crowds.
Osaka City Trip
Welcome to Japan's third largest city Osaka! A vibrant and bustling metropolis, the city is famous as a more rugged city experience compared to Tokyo. Known as the "Nation's Kitchen," Osaka is a city a history of international trade has shaped its version of modernity, offering a unique blend of rich history, cultural landmarks, and foods to try. Join on a journey to explore some of Osaka's most iconic attractions, and learn more about the dynamic energy that defines this incredible city.
Kyoto Day-trip to Miho Museum
In this tour we would like to take you to the most spectacular museum in the area, the Miho Museum by renown architect I. M. Pei. We will ensure you reach this difficult to visit museum hidden in the depths of the mountains of Shiga Prefecture. As there is little language support available, on this tour we will be joined by an interpreter.
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Welcome to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, a symbol of Japan's rich cultural heritage and a site that has played a pivotal role in the country's history. Today, as we walk through these hallowed grounds, we will explore the palace's long and fascinating history, which stretches back over a thousand years. The Kyoto Imperial Palace, or "Kyoto Gosho" as it is known in Japanese, is not just a historic building, but a living testament to the traditions, politics, and culture of Japan's imperial past.
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.
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.
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.
Mixed Scenery with Towns and Temples, Nara
Enjoy the beauty of the temples in rural scenery and old townscapes. Ikaruga is Japan's oldest temple town, dating back to the 7th century. Even today, the pagodas from that time rise and create a beautiful rural landscape surrounded by mountains. Naramachi is within the grounds of a temple built near the Imperial Palace in the 8th century. Commercial and industrial houses lined its grounds from the Middle Ages, and the temples blended into the traditional townscape.
