Discover the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of Nara. Explore ancient shrines, iconic temples, and scenic parks — the highlights of what Nara has to offer!
This is a model course and can be customized to your preferences after booking.
Pace: Moderate, with a mix of walking and train/taxi.
Best for: Culture lovers, history fans, and also first-time visitors.
Tour Style: A blend of iconic landmarks mixed with local experiences.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Kintesu Nara Station at the Gate 近鉄電車・奈良駅
- We will meet at Nara station (奈良駅)of the gate of Kintetsu Railway(近鉄電車).
Nara Park(奈良公園)
A large, picturesque park where you can interact with the friendly, free-roaming deer. You’ll also have the chance to feed them some special deer biscuits (available for purchase).
Kasuga Taisha Shrine(春日大社)
A UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its peaceful forest setting and beautiful vermilion-colored buildings.
Todai-ji Temple(東大寺)
Home to the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), one of the largest bronze statues in the world, set in the grandest wooden structure on Earth.
Gango-ji Temple(元興寺)
A tranquil site housing Japan’s oldest surviving temple structures, offering a glimpse into Japan's ancient Buddhist traditions.
Naramachi District(奈良町散策)
Wander through the charming streets of this historic merchant district, which preserves the traditional atmosphere of old Nara. (If we have extra time.)
Kintetsu Nara Station(近鉄奈良駅)
Ending Point
Kintetsu Nara Station
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
〇 Guided tour with cultural and historical insights
〇 Interesting discussions about Japan’s traditions and cultural differences
〇 Some ideas and Advices how to spend time in Kyoto/Osaka/Nara/Tokyo (Where to go, What to eat, What to do)
×Transportation fees (taxi/train)
(The total transportation fee will be under 5,000 yen.)
×Meals and drinks
×Entrance fees (you and your guide)
(usually around 500 - 1500yen / Temple)
e.g.
Todai-ji: 600 yen
Kasuga Taisha: 500 yen
Yakushi-ji: 500 yen
Kofuku-ji: 500 yen
Horyu-ji: 1,500 yen
*Wear comfortable shoes: The tour involves a lot of walking. (Please feel free to make walking less).
*Weather: The tour runs in all weather conditions. Bring an umbrella or raincoat if needed, and dress appropriately for hot or cold weather.
*Cash: Some places do not accept cards, so bring cash.
Hotel Pickup: Available with an additional charge depending on location. Please ask before.
For Kids:
*The tour involves walking, stairs, and slopes. A lightweight stroller may be useful.
*Child-friendly food options are available. Notify in advance of any allergies.
*Restroom breaks will be planned, but facilities may be limited in temple areas.
Feel free to ask for any specific adjustments!
Depends on other schedule, I can be more flexible. I can be more flexible if can know the schedule before.
Hello! My name is Kazu, a tour guide from Kyoto. I was born and raised here, studied in Osaka, and became fluent in English after studying abroad in Canada. My experience there made me appreciate Japan’s beauty and cultural differences, inspiring me to share Kyoto with people from around the world.
I started as a volunteer guide for friends but now work professionally to show more people Kyoto’s charm. On my tours, I’ll take you to great spots and share insights into Japanese culture, customs, and the unique mindset of Japanese people. I look forward to guiding you!
Steffen F.
“Family sightseeing in Kyoto on a hot summer day”
We had a fantastic day with Kaz visiting some of Kyoto‘s most exciting sites like Kiyomizu Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine and Sanjusangendo Temple. Kaz was very knowledgeable about the sites and Kyoto history and made the tour an excellent experience for the whole family. My teenage daughters enjoyed hearing about contemporary Japanese culture along the way. It was a hot day and she allowed for plenty of refreshment stops and a tasty lunch. We also managed to sample some local specialties. To finish it all off at the end of the day she shared some tips about Gion and local restaurants with us. Altogether a brilliant day for the whole family. We highly recommend a tour in Kyoto with Kaz. Steffen, Anna, Amelia & Phoebe, London, UK
Laura K.
“Wanted more of a Guide, Got a local who speaks English”
I was looking for more a guide led experience, where she would tell us about the sights we were visiting and other interesting things about Japanese culture. I did get a few stories but I would have liked more. It felt more like I had a local who speaks English for companionship.
Kazue K.
Dear Laura, Thank you very much for taking the time to share your honest feedback. I truly appreciate your thoughts and am sorry to hear that the tour did not fully meet your expectations. During the tour, we had many conversations about cultural differences between Japan and other countries, and I truly enjoyed discussing these topics with you. I thought we were sharing and enjoying those cultural exchanges together throughout the day. However, I completely understand that you were expecting a more structured, guide-led experience with more detailed information about the sights. Your comments are very helpful, and I will sincerely take them as a chance to improve my tours. I will make sure to provide more stories and cultural insights for my future guests, so they can enjoy a deeper and more informative experience. Still, I hope you enjoyed some parts of Kyoto and had memorable moments from the day. Thank you again for your valuable feedback, and I would be happy to welcome you again if you ever return to Kyoto.
Megan M.
“We had a perfect day! Highly recommend Kaz!”
Thank you Kaz for our perfect day. This was our first visit to Kyoto and our fifth/last day. We wanted to visit Rokuon-ji Kinkaku (Golden Pavilion) but we also wanted to see some different things with a more local experience. Kaz was so patient with us as we decided on our day and then she found us the most wonderful little art gallery, textile museum and coffee place. We enjoyed her company so much that by the time we were strolling through shopping arcades after lunch, we were chatting like old friends. A perfect day to end our stay in Kyoto and we learned a lot about this beautiful city. A memorable day for us!
$303/ per group