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One day trip of Horyu-ji Temple

Kondo(Main Hall) and Five-storied Pagoda. Asuka period, oldest wooden built constructions

Kudara Kannon-Do Kudara Kannon statue(National treasure, Asuka period, 7th century) is displaied here.

Yumedono(Hall of Dreams) (National Treasure, 8th century)

Houki-ji Temple and Three-storied Pagoda (National treasure, Asuka period)

Fujinoki Kofun tumulus located 400 meter west of Horyu-ji Temple.

One day trip of Horyu-ji Temple

Highlights

Joined 2017

Makoto Y.

4.94 / 5

(126 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Nara

English, Japanese

4 hours

Private tour (only you and Makoto Y.)

Up to 8 people

-Horyu-ji Temple was founded by Prince Shotoku in 607(Asuka period).

-The location is about 16 km(10 miles) southwest of Nara city

-The temple structures are the oldest wooden buildings in the world.

-The temple was the first place in Japan to be designated as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

-It would take three hours minimum to see the major areas of the temple.

Itinerary

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

08:30 AM

Meeting Point

At JR Horyu-ji station

Horyu-ji Temple West Complex: Kondo(Main Hall), Five-storied Pagoda, Kodo(Lecture Hall) etc.

Treasure House: Kudara Kannon(Buddha statue come from Kudara), Yumetagai Kannon(Dream Changing Kannon)

Horyu-ji Temple Eastern Complex: Yumedono(Dream Hall)

Chugu-ji Temple: Next to Horyu-ji Temple, Famouse Miroku Bosatsu statue with a mysterious smile.

Houki-ji Temple: Three storied Pagoda(oldest three storied pagoda)

Fujinoki Kofun tumulus: built late 6th century. Superb horse fittings gold plated

Ending Point

At JR Horyu-ji 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

What‘s included

guide fee,

What‘s not included

Lunch, entrance fee,

-Entrance fee of Horyu-ji temple is 1500 yen/person.(excluding guide)

-Entrance fee of Chuguu-ji is 500 yen/person(excluding guide)

Tour Important Information

Important message from the supplier

No special conditions

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 2017

Makoto Y.

4.94 / 5

(126 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Makoto Y.

Hello, I’m Makoto (Mac) and I'm a national-licensed tour guide.

My previous career as an automotive engineer, gave me the opportunity to learn English and to live in the US, Germany, and England. After I retired, I learned more about the Japanese history especially focusing on Nara and Kyoto to become a historical specialist of the Nara area. I now live in Ikaruga town in Nara prefecture, where the UNESCO World Heritage, Horyuji temple is located. I regularly offer guides on the Fujinoki tumulus, which is located near the Horyuji temple. It contains very interesting Archaeological findings from the end of the Kofun Period.

Recently, there are many foreign tourists who come to Japan, and I hope they enjoy learning about the culture and history of Japan. I would like to help tourists have a broader and deeper understanding of the Japanese culture and that is the reason why I decided to become a tour guide to help and support their experience in Japan.

Nara is the place where Japan started. The capital was located in Asuka, Fujiwara and Nara before it moved to Kyoto. Therefore, there are many places to visit in Nara to trace the original history of Japan, which I have a depth of knowledge.

Let’s explore the roots of Japan together!!

Reviews

Namrata K.

5 / 5

Dec 5, 2025

Kyoto 1 Day Tour covering Most Popular Spots

Dec 5, 2025

Kyoto

7 hours

“A Wonderful Kyoto Day with Mr. Makoto”

Our tour with Mr. Makoto was fantastic. He guided us through Kyoto’s historic sites with knowledge, warmth, and genuine kindness. He was especially patient and engaging with our 7-year-old, pointing out fun details at each temple and helping him collect colorful fall leaves. He brought us to a quiet, beautiful spot in Arashiyama for lunch—one we never would have found on our own. It truly felt like exploring Kyoto with a friend. Highly recommend. His kindness is priceless.

Makoto Y.

Dear Namrata, Thank you for your nice comment. I am so glad to know that you have enjoyed the tour. I also enjoyed guiding you as you are very keen to learn Japanese culture and history. Your son is so nice aod smart. I hope you visit Japan again and we meet someday, Thanks again for your choosing me or your guid. Makoto

Thomas C.

5 / 5

Nov 19, 2025

One day tour of Osaka

Nov 19, 2025

Osaka

7 hours

“Pleasant day in Osaka”

My wife and I had a very pleasant day with our guide Makoto in Osaka. He impressed us with his deep knowledge of Japanese history visiting Osaka Castle, and we were impressed how well prepared he was when we visited Doshomachi Street, normally not on Osaka tours, but interesting a this is where the Japanese pharmaceutical industry originated with Tanabe in the 17th Century, and there are interesting company museums and exhibits of how the industry evolved from trading chinese herbal medicines to modern age.

Makoto Y.

Thank you for your nice comments. I also had a very pleasant day because I had a good chance to learn about Japanese history again through this tour. Switzerland has nice big pharmaceutical industry even though it is small country. I learned that both Japan and Switzerland have similar background to develop such special industry of pharmacy and precision machinery such as watch because we do not have much natural resource. We have to utilize human resource effectively, which I learned this time. Thanks again for your choosing me of your guide this time. Makoto

Ambalangodage J.

5 / 5

Oct 4, 2025

One day tour of Osaka

Oct 4, 2025

Osaka

7 hours

“Very immersive and insightful experience of Osaka”

Our tour with Makoto was one to remember. Punctual and organised with all the relevant materials, Makoto escorted us to iconic tourist attractions such as Osaka Castle and the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living. Funny and affable, Makoto had an extremely detailed understanding of Osaka history and Japanese culture that really enhanced our experience with the tour. He even took us shopping streets and knew a delicious place to eat lunch. Makoto gave us a beautiful photo of Osaka castle to take home and we continue to cherish it to this day. Thank you for an amazing day and we highly recommend Makoto for anyone visiting Osaka.

Makoto Y.

Dear Ambalangodage, Thanks for your nice review message. I am so happy that you have enjoyed my tour. I have also enjoyed guiding you especially shopping in the street, Also you clearly understood the relationship and power balance between Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Ieyasu, which is not so easy to understand. I hope that you consider coming to Osaka again in the time of cherry blossoming. Thanks again fo your choosing me of your guide. Makoto