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GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
Nara Private Tour - This is the Great Buddha seen from the right side.
This is the Great Buddha seen from the right side.
Nara Private Tour - This is the front view of Todaiji temple.
This is the front view of Todaiji temple.
Nara Private Tour - These are tame deer at Nara park.
These are tame deer at Nara park.

Tour of the Great Buddha of Nara

Art, Culture, & Historical
Nara Tour Guide - Tatsuhiro N.

Joined 2014

Tatsuhiro N.
4.60 / 5
(73 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
Nara
Japanese (Native), English
4 hours
Private tour (only you and Tatsuhiro N.)
Up to 15 people

(Highlights)

The Great Buddha of Nara is a magnificent structure weighing some 500 tons. Originally built in 752 AD, the stature is 15.9 meters high excluding the pedestal and its face 4.8 meters long. Subsequently, it was damaged by natural disasasters, fires and wars and was repaired several times. It was completely rebuilt in the Edo period (1603-1867). You will be amazed at the splendid image of the Great Buddha calmly seated on the pedestal with the look of a perfect repose and passionless calm. His right hand shows mercy and left hand, the wisdom of the universe. The building housing this huge image, The Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji Temple, is the largest existing wooden structure in the world, having an area of 54 meters by 49 meters and a height of 45 meters. It was burned down by a fire twice, but was rebuilt in the Edo period.

(How to enjoy)

You will be amazed at how huge the Buddha image is. Immerse yourself in the solemn atmosphere it creates amid the odor of burning incense, wonder at the ancient technology and the wisdom and the devotion of people. After all, you will never end up not being deeply impressed with the aura the "Daibutsu-sama" Great Buddha emits. Everywhere around the Great Buddha Hall, in the meantime, you can enjoy mixing with tame deer which do you no harm but ask you for food, "shika-sembei", which is being sold at the nearby stalls for 150 yen a pack containing some 50 grams of the deer food. You will feel very happy feeding, stroking and hugging the cute animal whose number exceeds, perhaps, 100.

(Others)

The transportation fare between Kyoto and Nara on a Kintetsu train is 620 yen (plus 510 yen if you take a limited express train). The entrance fee to Todaiji temple is 600 yen.

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

The Great Bhddha of Nara

Wakakusa-yama park. You can sit on the soft grasses and overlook the city below.

Ending Point

At your hotel

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 Kyoto area

What‘s not included

transportation fee (you and guide), lunch, dinner, entrance fee, hotel pick-up in areas beyond Kyoto area

Tour Important Information

Important message from the supplier

I would like at least 7 days notice before a booking.

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
Nara Tour Guide - Tatsuhiro N.

Joined 2014

Tatsuhiro N.
4.60 / 5
(73 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Tatsuhiro N.

It took me some 20 years to be qualified for this job and I feel honored for being able to help tourists from abroad understand our nation and culture. Japan is a beautiful country with a long history, tradition and rich cultural heritages, having various features in each of the four distinct seasons. Although there are now many visitors from abroad, mainly from Asian countries, they are mostly interested in shopping taking advantage of cheaper yen rather than understanding our people and culture. Kyoto and Nara are the two cities best known by foreign tourists, but not all the aspects of Japanese culture are concentrated there. If you visit the countryside other than these two cities, you will never fail to see the beautiful natural surroundings and people who will warmly welcome you. I wish to work as the bridge between Japanese people and tourists from all over the world.

Reviews

Excellent gentlemanly service

Hiru showed my family around Kyoto for a day. It was extremely hot and he tried his best to make the visit as easy as possible for us. We learnt several interesting facts on history, Buddhism, Shintoism and Kyoto itself. I would recommend fully this experience, the only thing I would say is that if you suffer from the heat or periods of standing and walking then this tour could be challenging for you to complete.

Jack H.

Tatsuhiro N.

Hi Jack-san, Thank you very much for giving me a full mark. I am greatly encouraged by your favorable comment and I will keep your advice in mind in my future job. Best regard, Hiro

Premium tour of Kyoto - Wodnerful!

Tatsuhiro was a wonderful tour guide for our first time in Kyoto. Very accommodating and considerate. Tatsuhiro was very informative on the subjects and historical sites we visited. It was a wonderful experience, definitely recommend!

Brandon W.

Tatsuhiro N.

Hi Brandon-san, Thank you very much for your favorable comment. Nothing is more encouraging and inspiring than receiving a high mark from my customer for the job I have done. I wish you will have enjoyable days ahead. Above all, a good health. Regards, Hiro

Want to Personalize?

$104/ per group

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