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Nara, Stroll through Nara Park led by the Deer

School trip at Todaiji Temple

Kasugano Garden at the foot of Mt .Wakakusa

Strolling garden in Nara Park

Mother & Baby deer

Moss garden in Yoshikien Garden

Isuien Garden and Todaiji in the background

Great Buddha Hall with cherry blossoms

Statue of Great Buddha

Nigatu-do

Overlooking from Nigatu-do Veranda

Todaiji Temple grounds

Approach to Kasuga Taisya Shrine

Kasuga Taisya Shrine

View of Mt.Wakakusa from Sanjyo Dori street

Sarusawa Pond at the end of Sanjyo Dori

Higashimuki Shopping street

High-speed Mochi pounding

Nara, Stroll through Nara Park led by the Deer

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

We go around a must-visit temple and shrine in Nara Park. In the 8th century, the emperor built a new capital (Heijo-Palace) and the Statue of the Great Buddha. A powerful aristocracy built a shrine adjacent to the Palace. They prayed for the Buddha to bring stability to the country and peace to the people. In the 19th century, their vast grounds were incorporated into Nara Park, creating a unique space where residents and tourists can freely interact with the sacred deer.

Itinerary

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

12:00 PM

Meeting Point

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

Nara Park

>Nara Park (660ha/1630 acres)/well known for the Deer Park at the foot of Mt Wakakusa(342m height) with 1300 roaming deer and yearly 13 million visitors

#Kasugano Garden/grass square along the approach leads to the Great Buddha Hall

#Yoshikien Garden/former private villa with three different styles of gardens: Pond, Moss, and Tea-Ceremonial Flower

Todaiji Temple

>Todaiji Temple (6.9ha/17 acres)/complex building group originally built by the order of the emperor in the 8th century

#Great Buddha Hall/the statue of the Great Buddha and another 4 statues of Buddha are enshrined

#Great South Gate/two guardian kings of Buddhism are standing on either side of the Gate

#Sangatu-do (March Temple)/a masterpiece that combines two structures from different eras

#Nigatu-do (February Temple)/a panoramic view of Nara city can be seen from the veranda

Kasuga Taisya Shrine

>Kasuga Taisya Shrine (100ha including Primeval Forest/250arces)

/the Main Sanctuary, enshrining the four deities, was built by the order of a dominant aristocracy in the 8th century.

#The structure is restored every 20 years as a ritual, and always wearing vibrant colors (the 60th restoration was made in 2015)

#Wakamiya tour/after visiting the Main Sanctuary, the tour of the neighboring 15 shrines has been a long-standing practice.

Shopping Streets

>Sanjyo Dori street/the main street dating back to Heijyo-Palace

>Higashimuki (80 shops) and Mochiidono(100 shops)/attractive souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes, etc. on the roads

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

What‘s not included

>transportation fee (you and guide/per adult)/one-day bus ticket (600JPY)

>admission fee (you/per adult)/Todaiji Temple Great Buddha Hall (800JPY), Kasuga Taisya Shrine (700JPY)

>short break/lunch/dinner

Tour Important Information

>The deer in Nara Park are sacred animals, so please treat them kindly.

>Please wear comfortable shoes for walking.

>The above extra fees are often asked with CASH on the spot, so please bring some JPY.

>This tour is not insured, so I hope you get 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.).

>Our tours aim to cover the spots efficiently and enjoyably. We will combine trains, subways, trams, buses, walking, and taxis (for small groups), but will require occasional transfers. Please wear comfortable walking shoes.

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

>The tour does not include insurance, so 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.

I'd love to guide you to three ancient capital cities, each with a 1,000-year history of urban development and a 100-year history of filmmaking. I grew up in OSAKA and earned a Master's Degree in Engineering in KYOTO. I worked for 20 years as an urban planning expert for national and local governments in TOKYO and OSAKA, dedicated to creating cities that were safe and comfortable for residents and attractive for visitors.

Then I became a freelance urban planner with a Nationally Licensed Professional Engineer. I've visited urban development sites and filming locations in 90 cities in 30 countries, sharing the unique cityscapes of these cities on social media.

OSAKA, KYOTO, and NARA established a metropolitan area centered around the Imperial Palace with political, economic, and cultural hubs from the 7th to 19th centuries. Even today, locals continue to maintain beautiful cityscapes, preserve historical heritage, and celebrate traditional events. Many travelers visit these three cities to experience them in person.

The three cities are all within a one-hour ride by intercity train. The cities have an extensive subway, tram, and bus network, allowing you to access many tourist spots in a short amount of time. I am also a Nationally Licensed Guide Interpreter and Certified General Travel Service Manager, and I will create a memorable travel plan comprising places and stories based on your requests. I will also ensure that you get around efficiently using the appropriate means of transportation within the limited time you have. Please feel free to contact me.

Reviews

James S.

5 / 5

Dec 2, 2025

Osaka, Spiritual Tour in the Temple Town

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 the Temple Town

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 through Nara Park led by the 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