Japan
›
Nara
›
Tours
›
Highlights
›
One Day Tour in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nara

The South Gate in Todaiji Temple

The bell in Todaiji Temple

Deer in Nara Park

The Central Golden Hall in Kofukuji Temple

The Octagonal Hall in Kofukuji Temple

'Jizo' statues in Kofukuji Temple

The Five Storied Pagoda in Kofukuji Temple

The mascot of Nara

Kasuga Shrine

The Great Buddha

One Day Tour in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nara

Highlights

Joined 2021

Atsuko T.

4.96 / 5

(77 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Nara

English, Japanese (Native)

8 hours

Private tour (only you and Atsuko T.)

Up to 8 people

Nara was once the ancient capital of Japan. There are many historical sites, artefacts, relics, temples and shrines. There is a proof that the capital flourished in the 8th century. Nara is also rich in nature. Mountains, primitive forests and parks enhance the attraction of Nara.

This tour includes Kofukuji Temple, Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Shrine, which are World Heritage Sites.

We will also visit the Nara Park which is famous for deer.

Let's enjoy the tour in Nara together !

Itinerary

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

09:00 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel in Osaka or Nara

- Hotel or other places

09:00 AM

At your hotel in Nara or Osaka

You can choose any hotel or train station near your accommodation.

If you stay at a hotel in Osaka, we will start the tour earlier.

09:30 AM

Kofukuji Temple

Kofukuji Temple is one of the World Heritage Sites in Nara.

It was designated as a place of Historical Monuments of Ancient Nara in 1998.

You can see beautiful structures such as the Central Hall, the Octagonal Halls, the Pagoda, the east hall and the pond in the temple.

You can also learn about the history of the ancient capital and Buddhism here.

Let's enjoy walking in the temple together !

10:30 AM

The Nara Park

The Nara Park is famous for a lot of deer.

They have been regarded as messengers of God since ancient times.

They fit well with the scenery of this holy city.

Let's enjoy seeing a lot of deer while walking in a beautiful park.

11:30 AM

The Yoshikien Garden

The garden area was a part of the Kofukuji Temple precinct before.

The garden is a landscape garden. It is a relaxing and peaceful garden.

Greeneries, stones and ponds make the garden's serene beauty.

You can see seasonal flowers there.

Let's enjoy walking in the quiet and peaceful garden.

12:30 PM

A restaurant

There are some restaurants near the Todaiji Temple.

You can choose your favorite food restaurant. Some of them serve the traditional Japanese cuisine.

01:30 PM

Todaiji Temple

Todaiji Temple is one of the World Heritage Sites in Nara.

It was designated as a place of Historical Monuments of Ancient Nara in 1998.

You can see the amazing Great Buddha, the Buddha's Hall which is the biggest wooden structure in Japan, the beautiful south gate, and magnificent scenery from the hall.

You can also enjoy the history of Nara through different structures in this temple.

Let's enjoy visiting temple structures built in different periods.

03:30 PM

Kasuga Shrine

Kasuga Shrine is also one of the World Heritage Sites in Nara.

It was designated as a place of Historical Monuments of Ancient Nara in 1998.

The forest behind the shrine is also a world heritage site.

The forest has been preserved well as a sacred place.

This shrine has beautiful orange colored structures, hanging lanterns and 3000 stone lanterns.

The shrine's crest is a wisteria flower so we can enjoy different types of wisteria flowers in the shrine and the shrine garden in May.

The deer is a messenger of God in this shrine. The scenery of deer and lanterns is picturesque.

Let's enjoy visiting the sacred place.

05:00 PM

At your hotel in Nara or Osaka

At your hotel or other places that you will choose.

If you stay in Osaka, we will finish the tour later.

Ending Point

At your hotel or other places

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 or Osaka

What‘s not included

Transportation and admission fees for you

Lunch costs for you and the guide (approx. 1000 to 1500 JPY for each)

Tour Important Information

On this tour we'll visit three world heritage sites, a garden and a park. If you want to visit other places, please feel free to let me know. I will arrange the tour according to your request.

Also, if you want to change the meeting time, please feel free to ask me.

We'll be able to finish the tour at shopping district in Nara or Osaka if you want.

You will be able to enjoy the local food there.

This tour will show you the following;

・ The history of Nara

・The correlation between Shinto and Buddhism for Japanese people.

・The traditional and beautiful gardens

・The important role of deer in Nara

・Special foods in Nara

・Culture and rituals in Nara

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 2021

Atsuko T.

4.96 / 5

(77 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Atsuko T.

Hello. My name is Atsuko.I'm a licensed tour guide in Japan.

I have lived in Osaka since I was born.

I have guided many tourists all over the world as a volunteer for 6 years. I like showing my tourists my favorite places in Japan and talking with them. Osaka, where I was born and raised, is famous for foods, modern and ancient cultures. Nara and Kyoto, which are neighboring places, were ancient capitals in Japan. I'm happy to visit those places with you.

Reviews

Harriet L.

5 / 5

May 31, 2026

Kobe Highlights with the Magnificent view

May 31, 2026

Kobe

10 hours

“Wonderful Tour Guide”

Atsuko is a Wonderful tour guide. She is professional, respectful, kind, energetic, and very fun to spend the day with. We spend 2 days with her. One day to Kyoto and went to beautiful Arayashima Bamboo Forest and Tenryu-ji Temple, and even rode the train that goes through the river gorge that was absolutely lovely. The 2nd day we went to Himeji Castle and Kobe. Atsuko was a wealth of information about both places we enjoyed learning from her. The castle was so amazing and historic, and Kobe had a great Chinatown with yummy food. We were also were impressed with the gorgeous and modern Port of Kobe. We loved having Atsuko as our tour guide and highly recommend her!

Atsuko T.

Hello Ms. Harriet, Thank you for your kind review and words for me. I am happy to know you enjoyed the tours on both days. I had a wonderful time with all of you in Kyoto, Himeji and Kobe. Each of the areas has its own attraction. I really enjoyed showing the picturesque nature in Kyoto, the impressive castle, the beautiful port area and shrine. If you have another chance to visit here, please let me know. Thank you for joining my tour. Best regards, Atsuko

Donald F.

5 / 5

May 28, 2026

One Day Tour with the picturesque scenery in Kyoto

May 28, 2026

Kyoto

10 hours

“Kyoto Day Trip”

Atsuko promptly replied to questions/concerns prior to our confirming our booking which put us at ease. We are from California and an elderly friend from the states also happened to be in Osaka joined up so there was 4 Adults. Atsuko promptly met us at our Hotel in Osaka, explained the plan for the day & off we went. 1st Stop: The Bamboo Forest: 2nd Stop: The Golden Pagoda; 3rd Stop: Lunch @ Local Restaurant (she picked a Great Choice!) 4th Stop: Nijo Castle; 5th Stop: Kyoto Station; 6th Stop: Gion Area; 7th & Last Stop: Nishiki Market It was not just the various places we visited, Atsuko went through the places with us to explain its significance & history. She pointed things out that we would had missed if we toured on our own. The were other stops on our itinerary but my wife & elderly friend who is not accustomed to such walking became tired so we shortened the tour. Atsuko was very kind & patient as we occasionally needed to wait to them to rest-up. I highly recommend Atsuko and would certainly refer acquaintances to her upon knowing their plans to visit Osaka and/or Kyoto.

Atsuko T.

Hello Mr. Donald, Thank you for your kind review and words for me. I really enjoyed the tour with all of you. We visited many places that we planned. It was a long day but I am happy to know you had a good time in Kyoto. If you have another chance to come here, please let me know. Thank you for joining my tour. Best regards, Atsuko

Sam H.

5 / 5

Mar 15, 2026

Osaka One Day Tour with history & local food

Mar 15, 2026

Osaka

4 hours

“A great tour of Osaka”

Atsuko listened to my interests and physical limitations and put together a tour that worked perfectly. Her planning and care made everything go smoothly.

Atsuko T.

Hello Mr. Sam, Thank you for your kind review and words for me. It was a wonderful day yesterday. I really enjoyed showing some attractions in Osaka, talking with you and sharing our culture with you. Please enjoy your tour Osaka or Nara today. Thank you for joining my tour. Best regards, Atsuko