NARA - Journey into Shinto and Buddhism
Joined 2023
The ancient city of Nara hosts 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites with breathtaking architectural examples of the 8th century.
This tour covers the historical sites in the journey of better understanding Buddhism and Shinto, interacting with some of the hundreds of deer in Nara Park, and enjoying walks in old forests.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel or at the train station.
- The guide will meet you at your hotel (for accommodations in Kyoto or in Nara) or at JR Nara Station/ Kintetsu-Nara Station.
Fushimi-Inari Shrine -1000-torii gate passage (South-East of Kyoto)
Famous for its beautiful vermillion torii gate passages on Mt. Inari, Fushimi-Inari Shrine will be our first stop on the itinerary and the only one in Kyoto before leaving for Nara. The grounds of the shrine on the sacred mountain are best to be enjoyed before rush hour.
Kasuga Shrine
The journey in Nara will start with visiting Kasuga Shrine, located in old forests and guarded by deer. We will walk in hinoki forests (Japanese cypress) and interact with the local deer considered messengers of God.
Nara Park
This 660-hectare park is renowned for its free-roaming deer and world-famous temples. Feeding the deer with special crackers is an attraction in itself.
Lunch break on Higashimuki Street
*bookings for lunch will be made in advance based on the tour participants' number and food restrictions.
Todai-ji - The Great Eastern Temple
One of the Seven Great Temples of Nara, Todai-ji hosts Japan's tallest Buddha statue. The Main Hall is the world's largest standing wooden structure and represents the peak of 8th-century architecture.
End of Tour
We will say our goodbyes at the station of your choice: JR Nara or Kintetsu Nara Station.
Ending Point
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
Guidance Fee
Entrance Tickets (guide + guests): 800 yen/person @Todaiji
Transportation meet up and during the tour (guide + guests): approx. 2700 yen/person with departure from Kyoto.
Meals
Tour Important Information
This tour involves walking and using public transportation.
Please bring appropriate walking shoes ( parts of the paths are cobblestones that can get slippery on rainy days)
If you wish to customize the tour ( e.g. drop the visit to Fushimi-Inari Shrine) please contact me in advance.
Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
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 Ana I.
Hello everyone!
My name is Ana. I am an experienced tour conductor who guides clients throughout Japan. I am Romanian and have been living in Japan for over 10 years.
I am versed in creating customized on-the-budget one-day and half-day tours for solo travelers, families, or groups.
Please allow me to show you the natural beauty, traditions, history and amazing food of KYOTO and NARA.
Feel free to contact me for a standard package OR a customized trip. I will put my best effort into meeting your needs and creating an amazing journey.
WELCOME TO JAPAN!
Reviews
Eileen E.
“Two great days in Kyoto”
Ana was our guide for two days in Kyoto. She taught us a great deal about Japanese history and culture. She made excellent suggestions for meals and photographs and helped us navigate the crowds and the train system. I would recommend her to anyone looking for a guide in Kyoto.
Ana I.
Dear Eileen, Thank you for having me as a guide for your time in Kyoto. All four of you were great companions for discovering the city and chatting about Japanese history,culture and lifestyle. I am most grateful for meeting you all! All the best!
Gerald D.
“À great experience. An outstanding individual ”
It was an awesome experience. As a first time visitor to Kyoto, visiting the highly popular locations In Higashiyama ku including Kiyomizu dera, Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka & Maruyama Park can be challenging and overcrowded. An early morning tour to beat the crowds makes lots of sense. Ana is one of few tour guides in the area that offers such a tour. She was kind, friendly, very professional & knowledgeable. In a very good way, it felt like time spent with an old friend than with a formal tour guide. Her knowledge of the historical context & her passion for the area is admirable For English speakers, she has great command of the language & speaks very clearly.
Ana I.
Dear Gerald, Thank you for the beautiful review. It was an absolute pleasure walking in the Historic District at sunrise with you. The conversation with you enriched my general knowledge and understanding of what visitors to Japan are experiencing in Kyoto. Thank you for your generosity and time. I wish you all the best!
Eileen E.
“Beautiful country - great guide!”
Ana was professional, well-informed, friendly and extremely helpful. We learned about the history and local culture while managing the crowds and the transportation system with Ana's help. It was a great tour of Kyoto!
Ana I.
Dear Eileen, thank you for your kind review. I enjoyed spending every moment with you and the group. Everyone's patience throughout the tour days was much appreciated. I wish you all safe travels back home!
$105/ per person
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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.
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.
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.
