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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

(130 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

(130 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

Sam F.

5 / 5

Apr 15, 2026

One day trip of Nara Park

Apr 15, 2026

Nara

6 hours

“Makoto gave us a splendid tour of Nara Park ”

My husband and I spent his birthday in Nara with Makoto, who was a pleasure to be with. Our guide skillfully set a strong pace to allow us to see and enjoy the sights on our itinerary while also threading the needle through the crowds. I am collecting goshuins, special stamps with calligraphy found at temples and shrines, and Makoto helped me locate the goshuin stations within the temple complexes. This is a fun keepsake of any trip to Japan and you can purchase a designated accordion notebook at your first religious sight. Makoto brought some very helpful educational papers for us to keep, helping us better understand the important history of this ancient capital and root of Japanese Buddhism. He also explained what we were seeing along the way and told us about the very colorful and interesting festivals, which even involve monks carrying a fiery torch of burning spruce through a wooden temple complex at night while crowds watch the sparks fly. Nara is full of ancient rituals that mystify the foreign visitor. Nara Park is a lovely and relaxing place to spend a day. We saw the Kofukuji Temple, the National Treasure House of Buddhist statues, the Todaiji Temple with the enormous wooden Buddha, the thousand beautiful lanterns at the Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Don't miss the dark room where it simulates night and the lanterns are all aglow. Of course we had the opportunity to meet, pet and even feed wafer crackers to the sacred deer, whom Makoto asked to bow. Many of the deer would oblige by nodding their heads. Makoto has a a good sense of humor -- he bought my husband a headband of deer antlers as a birthday present so of course Sam had to wear them through the park. Very cute! Makoto also arranged a gift of deer origami for him. We highly recommend Makoto as a knowledgeable and skillful.guide. He selected a very tasty Japanese restaurant for lunch. Our final stop in the park was a quiet garden where we took a few minutes to contemplate a Zen rock garden.

Makoto Y.

Dear Sam and Pringle, Thank you very much for your nice comments and message about Nara tour. Nara was the end of Silk Road and this is the reason why we see many mysterious sight, statue, and events. Still the background can not explain sometime. This is kind of ancient romance, which we could share in the tour. Therefore, I also enjoyed very much to guide you, who has keen interest in Nara. I have to apologize that I could not prepare the blossoming of wisteria this time. Please come back to Nara again. Thanks again for your choosing me of your guide. Please have a nice trip back to U.S. Makoto

Peter J.

5 / 5

Apr 7, 2026

Kyoto Half Day Tour

Apr 7, 2026

Kyoto

3 hours 40 mins

Customized

“A Perfect Taste of Kyoto in Just a Few Hours! ”

The Kyoto Half Day Tour was an absolute delight! Makoto was knowledgeable, friendly and shared fascinating insights about each landmark we visited. The most efficient tour for visitors with limited time. Highly recommended!

Makoto Y.

Dear Peter, Thank you so much for your wonderful review. Yes, it was limited time frame to see Kyoto, but because of your nice cooperation to travel to Kyoto quickly, we could make a trip so effectively. Thank you for your cooperation. I have enjoyed guiding you as you are so keen to learn Japanese cultures. I hope you come back to visit Japan again. Thanks again for your choosing me of your guide. Makoto

Hayal G.

5 / 5

Mar 26, 2026

One day tour of Osaka

Mar 26, 2026

Osaka

7 hours

“Excellent day in Osaka”

We had a wonderful day in Osaka with Makoto San ! He explained us in detail Japan' history and showed us very interesting places in Osaka city. Thank you for the wonderful day,

Makoto Y.

Dear Hayal, Thank you for your nice comment. I also enjoyed guiding you so much today as you have nice sense of humor. The name of shopping arcade is Tenjinbashisuji street, and the festival will be taken place in July. You may consider to come back Osaka again. It is wonderful festival. Please have a nice trip back to your home, Makoto