Japan
›
Nara
›
Tours
›
Highlights
›
One day trip of Nara Park

Cherry blossom at Sahogawa River.Best timing to see the blossoming is around the first week of April.

Cherry blossom at Himura Shrine. This is a part of Nara Park, and located at the next to Todaiji Temple.

Second Month Temple (Nigatsu-Do) (National Treasure, Edo period,1669)

Belfry of Todaiji Temple (National Treasure, Kamakura period)

The Great Budda Hall of Todaiji Temple (National Treasure, 1709)

Five-storied Pagoda of Kofukuji Temple (National Treasure, Muromachi period, 1426)

One day trip of Nara Park

Highlights

Joined 2017

Makoto Y.

4.94 / 5

(135 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Nara

English, Japanese

6 hours

Private tour (only you and Makoto Y.)

Up to 8 people

-Nara Park is famous and known as Deer Park, and more than one thousand deer roam freely in the park.-Numerous important temples, shrines, gardens and museums are within minutes of one another within the park.-The most famous sites are Todai-ji temple, Kasuga Grand Shrine, and Kofuku-ji temple.-These temples and shrines were originally built in Nara period, 1,300 years ago.

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 your hotel in Nara or JR Nara station

Kofuku-ji Temple; Famous five-storied pagoda, Tokon-do, Nan-En-do(South Octagonal Temple)

Todai-ji Teple; Nandai-Mon(Great South Gate), Daibutsu-Den(Great Budda Temple), Budda statue, Shoro(Belfry),Hokke-Do, Nigatsu-Do(Second Month Temple)

Kasuga Grand Shrine; Chu-Mon(Inner Gate), Hon-Den(Main Sanctuary), Many lanterns(2000 stone lanterns), Homotsu-Den(Treasury)

Option 1: Isuien Garden --- Traditional Japanese garden of nearly three acres. Ceremonial Tea House

Ending Point

At your hotel in Nara or JR Nara 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, hotel pick-up in Nara city

What‘s not included

transportation fee(you and guide), lunch, dinner(if the tour is extended), entrance fee, etc...

Tour Important Information

Entrance fee:

Todaiji Temple: 500 yen

Kasuga Grand Shrine: 500 yen

Isuien Garden: 900 yen

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

(135 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

Brandon M.

5 / 5

Sep 1, 2026

One day tour of Osaka

Sep 1, 2026

Osaka

7 hours

“Wonderful Experiences with Makoto”

Makoto met us at our hotel prompt and on time. He was prepared with a lot of information regarding our planned destinations with the history. He was so well prepared and willing to share his vast knowledge of Japan, it was a real joy to spend the day with him. His personality really shined while speaking of the history of the castles, shrines and even the Matcha ice cream! We enjoyed 3 days with Makoto even during the unusual heat wave in August. Thank you Makoto for the wonderful experiences in Japan!

Makoto Y.

Dear Brandon, Thank you very much for your nice review comments. I also had a wonderful time spent with you in these three days. You are so keen to learn about Japanese history and culture. I am so happy to introduce you of the old Nara and deer, which is my home town city. I hope you come to visit Japan again. Thanks again for your choosing me of your guide this time. Makoto

Hannah G.

5 / 5

Aug 24, 2026

Half Day Kyoto Tour

Aug 24, 2026

Kyoto

4 hours

Customized

“What a star - amazing adventures!”

From start to finish Mak was the best tour guide - a complete professional! Even when we first met, he gave us information sheets to read through about where we would be heading! We had such fun in both Kyoto and Osaka with Mak and would definitely meet up again when we return to Japan in the future!!! He led us with ease around the city, and nothing was too. much for Mak even in the heat! Made everything enjoyable - even adapting the tours to suit the kids and took into account their best interests and what they would like to do! Mak even amended the tour if we made last minute changes and was very happy to do so! He went out of his way to make our experience an unforgettable one. His English was very good too and so we had no issues with language barriers - everything was just perfect!!! He WILL make your experience of Japan an even better one!!! Thank you Mak for everything!!!! Memories made and never to be forgotten!!

Makoto Y.

Dear Hannah Thank you for your nice comments. I also enjoyed very much with you as it was unique timing of OBON, when the spirit of ancestor was coming back in the middle of August. I used to stay in England and my memory of England seems to come back also. You have very nice children, and I enjoyed to talk to them. Anyway it was so nice memory of you, and thank you very much for your choosing me of your guide. I hope we can meet again someday. Makoto

Judy F.

5 / 5

May 21, 2026

One day trip of Horyu-ji Temple

May 21, 2026

Nara

4 hours

“Wonderful tour with Mr Makoto Y.”

Great experience with Mr Makoto today. He was kind enough to meet our train, and use his personal car to drive us around. His knowledge of the areas was outstanding. He personally created brochures for our tour that helped us understand and gain an appreciation of the culture, the important time frame in history of Buddhism in Japan, and the importance of preserving and appreciating the many National Treasures of this area. Excellent Thank you Mr Makoto Best regards Judy and Craig

Makoto Y.

Dear Judy and Craig, Thank you for your nice comment. I have enjoyed guiding you very much as you are so keen to learn about Japanese history and culture. Especially I am happy to introduce Houryuji temple, asset of my home town. I hope you have nice time in Japan and nice trip back to U.S. Thanks again for choosing me of your guide. Makoto