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Nara, Original Landscape of Old Town with Temples and Mountains

Horinji Temple

Perspective of 3-story pagoda in Horinji Temple

JR Horyuji sta.

Horyuji Temple

Pagoda in Horyuji

School trip in Horyuji Temple

Cyuguji Temple

Cosmos field

Former JR Nara sta. building with information

Dear in Nara Park

Statue of Great Buddha in Todaiji Temple

Street corner in Naramachi

Main gate at Gangoji Temple

Mechanism Toy Museum

Free play toys

Townhouse in Naramachi

Tour in the townhouse

Inner garden

Nara, Original Landscape of Old Town with Temples and Mountains

Art, Culture, & Historical

Joined 2024

Yosshi S.

5.00 / 5

(10 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Nara

English, Japanese (Native)

6 hours

Private tour (only you and Yosshi S.)

Up to 6 people

An 8th-century waka poem states, "Nara is a land of supreme beauty, surrounded by mountains." Ikaruga town began as a temple town for Horyuji, the world's oldest temple, and its pagoda towers amid a rural landscape surrounded by mountains. Naramachi town, a post town established within the grounds of Gangoji Temple in the 18th century, still retains its retro-flavored streetscape. This tour explores these areas and appreciates the tranquil, beautiful, and pristine landscape in the old town.

Itinerary

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

11:00 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel or any convenient place in Nara City center.

Ikaruga, encounter graceful Buddhist statue (JR Horyuji sta.)

>Horyuji Temple (18.7 ha)/Built in the 7th century by order of Prince Shotoku, this is the world's oldest wooden architectural complex. Enjoy the original buildings, Buddhist statues, murals, and crafts.

>Chuguji Temple/The principal image, said to be modeled after Prince Shotoku's mother, is a masterpiece of Buddhist art with its graceful form and gentle smile (known as an archaic smile).

>Stroll through rice stalks and cosmos flowers to admire the tiled roofs and three-story pagodas of temples like Hokiji Temple and Horinji Temple.

Encounter the Great Buddha and deer in Nara Park (JR Nara sta.)

#Todaiji Temple (6.9 ha)/A complex of eight national treasure buildings, including the Great Buddha Hall, built by the Emperor in prayer for the happiness of all living things.

#Great Buddha Hall/The Great Buddha, shining a merciful light, and four Buddhist statues representing mercy, wisdom, and guardian deities recreate the Buddhist world.

#Kasugano Garden/A grassy area filled with deer along the approach to the Great Buddha Hall of Tōdaiji Temple.

Naramachi, Experience life in a merchant's townhouse

>Gngoji Temple/originated from Japan's first Buddhist temple, built in the 6th century, and moved to the present place together with Heijyo-Palace in the 8th century.

>Naramachi old town (49.3ha)/originated from a temple town of Gangoji Temple. In the Edo period, it flourished as a commercial, industrial, and entertainment town. locals preserve traditional townhouses and open them to the public

e.g., Mechanism Toy Museum/touch and play with the classic toys, Bustling House/showcase of the old townhouse built in 1917

Ending Point

At your hotel or any convenient place in Nara City center

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

>guide fee, hotel pick up in Nara City center

What‘s not included

>transportation fee (you and guide/per adult)/train and bus (some 1500JPY), taxi(undecided)

>admission fee (you/per adult)/Horyuji Temple (2000JPY), Cyuguji Temple(600JPY), Gangoji Temple(700JPY)

>short break/lunch/dinner

Tour Important Information

>If you're staying in Osaka or Kyoto, I'll pick you up at your hotel and take you to Nara by train. In this case, the pick-up time will be the start time of the tour. Pick-up is also possible at JR or Kintetsu Nara Station.

>The tour uses buses, taxis (for small groups), and walking as needed for easy access. Please wear comfortable walking shoes.

>The above additional fees are often paid in cash on-site, so please have some Japanese yen (JPY).

>The tour does not include insurance. I hope you purchase your own travel insurance.

Important message from the supplier

>If you would like to take a listed or customized tour, please send me a message in advance. I will check the availability of the spots listed on the itinerary (opening days, hours, reservation status, etc.).

>The tour uses trains, subways, trams, buses, walking, and taxis (for small groups) for easy access. Please wear comfortable walking shoes for transfers.

>Please note that we may change or add spots depending on the availability of public transportation and tourist attractions.

>The tour does not include insurance. I hope you purchase your own travel insurance.

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 2024

Yosshi S.

5.00 / 5

(10 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Yosshi S.

Thank you for visiting my page. Discover 1,300 years of history as I guide you through Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto.

These 3 cities were the sites of the Imperial Palace from the 7th to the 19th centuries, and were the political, economic, and cultural centers of Japan. Due to political upheavals and natural disasters, the Imperial Palace was moved 15 times in the vicinity, leaving numerous historical sites, from famous tourist attractions to hidden gems.

I grew up in Osaka, studied in Kyoto, and obtained a Master's in Urban and Transportation Planning. With 20 years of urban planning as a public official in Tokyo and Osaka, I have visited 90 cities in 30 countries, gathering insights and photographs that enrich my Listed Tours on this page. I have always been passionate about creating cities where residents can live comfortably and with pride. Furthermore, I am striving to share the charm of the 3 cities with many people and pass it on to future generations. To this end, I have obtained 2 national qualifications (General Travel Service Manager and Licensed Guide Interpreter) that enable me to create new tours, recruit participants, and guide tours.

All 3 cities, as well as international airports and ports, are within a one-hour train ride of each other. Each city offers excellent transportation: subways, trams, buses, and taxis. I will create a Customized Plan that efficiently visits the places you want to see within your limited time, fulfilling your purpose and interests to the fullest.

Let's explore these charming ancient cities, where nature and cityscapes blend seamlessly through each season: cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, vibrant autumn leaves, and snowy winter landscapes. I look forward to hearing from you.

Reviews

James S.

5 / 5

Dec 2, 2025

Osaka, Spiritual Tour in Temple Town on Hill

Dec 2, 2025

Osaka

7 hours

“Great Guide!”

Yosshi was a great guide. He had vast knowledge of the sights we visited. Very friendly and payed attention to our needs as we explored. I would book with him again. Thank you Yosshi.

Yosshi S.

Dear James San. Thank you for your review. I was happy to share my experience with you as you have an interest in Osaka's history. Hearing about your hometown has added to my bucket list. The day was sunny, the autumn leaves were beautiful, and there weren't many tourists, so I was able to show you ancient, medieval, and early modern sites. We were also able to go up the Osaka Castle Tower and the Tsutenkaku Tower for a bird's-eye view of Osaka's topography. Osaka's long history has been supported by its citizens. Next time, I'd like to guide you to markets and theaters where we can experience the vitality of its citizens. Thank you for yesterday. Yosshi

Drew B.

5 / 5

Nov 9, 2025

Osaka, Spiritual Tour in Temple Town on Hill

Nov 9, 2025

Osaka

6 hours

“Cultural tour of Kawachi/Osaka ”

Yosshi san created a unique tour to introduce us to the history of Kofun burial mounds and Haniwa clay pottery. We had an amazing day despite the weather visiting Shin-ike Haniwa Factory Park and the Imashirozuka Museum. Yosshi san has amazing knowledge & excellent English and was a pleasure to spend the day with. Also Yosshi san is a master of navigating Osaka transport, very impressed!! Thank you again Yosshi san for looking after us so well, Drew & Annie.

Yosshi S.

Dear Drew & Annie san Thank you so much for sending me your generous review. You read the explanations, took photos, and asked questions to the museum guide during the tour. I was impressed by your deep interest and knowledge, and it was a great honor to guide you. However, it's unfortunate that today's tour didn't go as planned due to the heavy rain all day. Here is the only imperial mausoleum in Japan that we can enter, so if we have another opportunity, I'd like to stroll around the 350-meter burial mound on a sunny day and discuss the Kofun age with you. Thank you so much for today. Regard Yosshi

James K.

5 / 5

Oct 21, 2025

Nara, Stroll in Nara Park led by Friendly Deer

Oct 21, 2025

Nara

6 hours

“Nara park and Todai-Temple Tour”

Wonderful tour with Yosshi. Really enjoyed both Nara Park and the Todai-ji Temple. Yosshi customized the tour for our needs, and made the travel to and from Kyoto seamless.

Yosshi S.

Hello James san Thank you for your heartwarming review. I was so happy to see you and your mother enjoying the deer in Nara Park. I was also touched by how much you always cherish your mother, and I learned a lot from you. I'm glad I was able to show you around Nara Park and the Great Buddha Hall. On the train ride there and back, you and your mother told me stories about your town and asked me many questions, which broadened my horizons. I hope you and your mother are in good health. I look forward to seeing you again. Thank you. Yosshi