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Bustling Osaka & Ancient Nara Full Day Private Tour
In this tour we will visit must-see places in Osaka and Nara.
Nara used to be a capital of Japan in the 8th century. We'll visit Todaiji Temple, housing the gigantic Great Statue of Buddha, and Kasuga Grand Shrine. Let's go see nearby fancy Naramachi area, if time permitting.
Osaka Castle was built in the 16th century. Let's go up to the top of the castle tower. You will feel as if you were a shogun. We also visit bustling Dotombori Downtown Osaka.
Meeting Point
At your hotel in Osaka
Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle was initially built in the 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the most powerful/popular feudal lords in Japan. From the top of the castle tower, you will be able to enjoy a magnificent view. I bet you will feel as if you were a lord.
Nara Todaiji Temple
Todaiji Temple, a World Heritage Site in Nara, was built in the mid 8th century. Its main hall is regarded as one of the largest wooden buildings in the world, and houses the Great Statue of Buddha, the largest in Japan.
Kasuga Grand Shrine
You will also walk about in Nara Park nearby, which still keeps the very Japanese quiet and elegant atmosphere. If you feed the wild deer in the park, you will make good friends with them. They are out for tasty deer-crackers all the time.:)
Dotombori Downtown Osaka
Dotombori is a downtown of Osaka. As you may know Osaka has been regarded as a big food city in Japan. Let's stroll around Dotombori and near by Kuromon Market. I suggest you try Osaka's specialties like Tako-yaki or grilled octopus dumplings, Okonomi-yaki or Japanese style pancake, fresh sea food, and you name it.
At your Hotel in Kyoto, Osaka or cruise port (Osaka/Kobe)
Send off
Ending Point
At your hotel in Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe areas
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Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee, hotel pick-up
transportation fee (about 3,000 JPY per person, you and guide), entrance fee (1,800 JPY per person, you only), lunch (you only)
Tour Important Information
This tour is subject to change due to congestion especially in the tourist season.
We will walk for a couple of hours in this tour. So sneakers might be recommended.
Plus please take out insurance in preparation for an injury.
Important message from the guide
I can also guide you in Hiroshima (Peace Memorial Park, Miyajima), 1-day tour. My transportation fees to/from Hiroshima cost about 20,000 JPY, return.
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
Osaka Tour Reviews
“Perfect introduction to Kyoto ”
Ahogo met us at our hotel promptly. Since our tour was utilizing public transportation he had travel cards ready for us to use, the cost to be settled at the end of the tour. He had the stops well planned by area in order to avoid too much crisis crossing around the city. Ahogo gave us very in-depth explanations of the correlation between Shinto and Buddhism, and showed deep knowledge of historical events. He is a soft spoken man with great passion for sharing information about his country. His command of English is perfect and was always eager to share his knowledge with us. We definitely recommend you book with Shogo.
Shogo K.
(30 reviews)Dear Gigi, Thank you for the wonderful review. I'm so grateful to know that you enjoyed exploring inner reaches of Kyoto's historical sites. Because of your thoughtful cooperation and early blooming cherry blossoms coming out, I felt as if I were strolling in a beautiful paradise with good and old friends of mine.:) Many thanks to you, Gigi, your generous husband, and lovely friends.:) From "Henpecked"
Simona I.
Bustling Osaka & Ancient Nara Full Day Private Tour
“Very knowledgeable guide”
Shogo was an excellent guide. We enjoyed very much the itinerary prepared for us and the fact that he provided short documents for us to refer to for the trip. Very good! Thank you Shogo
Shogo K.
(30 reviews)Dear Simona, Thank you for the lovely review. I'm so grateful. Indeed it was a fun two-day tour in Osaka and Nara. It's always my great pleasure to do tours with such a cheerful and beautiful sisters, especially guiding with hand in hand among a herd of dear. Looked a bit envious of me? Again thank you for everything. Warmest regards, Shogo
Angus M.
Bustling Osaka & Ancient Nara Full Day Private Tour
“Very Hot Day”
The weather was very hot in Osaka and we had a good visit to Osaka-Jo. We then took the train to Nara, all well planned but there everything declined. The guide lost his way around the town and appeared ill prepared for this section of the tour. After wandering for some km we eventually found the restaurant but with the heat and exhaustion from the additional walking we abandoned the remaining part of the tour which was very disappointing.
Shogo K.
(30 reviews)Dear Angus, Thank you for writing a review full of useful suggestions. Indeed with heat wave into a third straight day across the country, Nara was sweating as well. We were having to take caution to not get dehydrated. We went rather slowly than usually and taking a water break/shade frequently, for which I think we might have lost enough time in Nara. Meanwhile, I understood early on that my guests' priority is Japanese cuisine. I booked a good restaurant for lunch with their consent. The lunch basically lasts as long as at least 1.5 plus hours. After arriving in Nara, I was focused on how best to get to the restaurant to save time for sight seeing. I tried taking a shortcut through historic Naramachi district, in vain. We accordingly ended up losing time for visiting a temple/shrine, and making them get exhausted. I'm very sorry for that. I felt like I learned a lesson ....."If you run after two hares, you'll catch neither." Hopefully my guests caught one of the best ever "hares" at the restaurant.:) Thank you so much for your huge patience and understanding. Best regards, Shogo
