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Nara, Stroll in Retro-Flavored Ancient Capital City

Horyuji Temple ground

Approach lead to Horyuji

Main gate of Horyuji

Horyuji Temple

Main Hall of Horyuji

Pagoda in Horyuji

School trip in Horyuji Temple

Dream Hall in Horyuji

Cyuguji Temple

Horinji Temple

Perspective of 3-story pagoda in Horinji Temple

Cosmos field

JR Horyuji sta.

Former JR Nara sta. building with information

Main gate at Gangoji Temple

Main Hall of Gangoji

Gangouji covered with old roof tile

Street corner in Naramachi

Townhouse in Naramachi

Tour in the townhouse

Inner garden

Mechanism Toy Museum

Free play toys

Higashimki Shopping street

High speed Mochi Pounding

Nara, Stroll in Retro-Flavored Ancient Capital City

Art, Culture, & Historical

Joined 2024

Yosshi S.

5.00 / 5

(11 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Nara

English, Japanese (Native)

5 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 temple town for Gangoji Temple, 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 a graceful Buddhist temple and statue

#Horyuji Temple (18.7 ha)/Built in the 7th century by order of Prince Shotoku, this is the world's oldest wooden architectural complex. Discover the techniques of the then master carpenters.

#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.

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

#The Higashimuki (80 stores) and Mochiidono (100 stores, the oldest one in Nara)/Bustling shopping streets with charming souvenir shops, restaurants, and cafes.

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

Tour Important Information

>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.

>It is possible to pick you up at your hotel (Osaka, Nara, or Kyoto) and take you to the spots in the other city with no additional guide 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 2024

Yosshi S.

5.00 / 5

(11 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Yosshi S.

Thank you for visiting my page.

I will guide you to the 3 ancient capitals of Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto, which housed the Imperial Palace for 1200 years, starting in the 7th century.

I grew up in Osaka, studied urban and transportation planning in Kyoto, and worked for national and local governments as an urban planning expert for 20 years. My goal was to create cities where citizens can live safely and comfortably, and which captivate tourists to stimulate the local economy. I developed urban policies and construction projects. During this time, I visited and researched unique cities in Japan and abroad (90 cities in 30 countries), exchanging ideas with local experts on preserving historic assets.

I use my extensive urban development experience and knowledge of cities in Japan and abroad to uncover the hidden charms of the 3 ancient capitals and share them with international tourists, working as a guide.

In the 3 ancient capitals, the Imperial Palace was relocated 15 times, and each time a new capital was built, with court nobles and monks accompanying His Majesty the Emperor. Knowing the history of these cities' development, we will come to appreciate that the townscape before us is the result of the strong will of many people.

The 3 cities are within an hour's train ride of each other, and the transportation network is well-developed. I will create a Customized Tour that will remain in your photos and memories forever, within the limits of your time and energy. I look forward to hearing from you.

Reviews

Michelle M.

5 / 5

Jun 14, 2026

Millennial City Kyoto, Power & Charm Transition

Jun 14, 2026

Kyoto

5 hours 30 mins

“Great Highlights of Central Kyoto”

We had an excellent tour with Yosshi. I recommend him. He had great communication to create a custom tour for us. He emailed about and researched our sights ahead of time. He arrived early at our hotel lobby. He spoke good English and was very kind. He was very informative about the many sights we visited and came prepared with printouts. He took photos of our family. He took us to the Nijo castle, Imperial Palace and Manga museum. He helped us with ordering lunch. He was very knowledgeable getting around the metro. It made our day a breeze. We really enjoyed our day and Yosshi made it very special. Thank you.

Yosshi S.

Dear Michelle-san Thank you for taking the time to send me such a heartwarming review. The Kemari Garden at the Imperial Palace is a game where players pass a ball to their opponent in an easy-to-kick manner. Today, we visited a place of great importance in Japanese history, set on a vast site full of early-summer greenery. The spirit of Kemari (a football game) lives on at this turning point as well. As a guide, I tried my best to provide clear explanations. The day I spent with you has become a memorable tour for me. OH-KI-NI! (Kyoto dialect for thank you). Yosshi

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