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Visiting Nara from Osaka ～truly the must-see place in Japan～

Isuien Garden

Deer near Mizutani tea house

Playing with deer

The Great Buddha Statue

Todaiji Temple

Kasugataisha Shrine

Visiting Nara from Osaka ～truly the must-see place in Japan～

Day Trip

Joined 2023

Shuji O.

4.94 / 5

(71 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Osaka

English

8 hours

Private tour (only you and Shuji O.)

Up to 8 people

Nara: the must-see place in Japan.

Nara was the capital of ancient Japan before Kyoto became the capital.

In the Nara era, Buddhism played an important role in stabilizing the country. So you can see many big old temples there. Many of these are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites and are concentrated in a small area. So, if you have only one free day to spend in the Kansai area, I highly recommend visiting Nara.

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 you hotel lobby

09:00 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel in Osaka

09:20 AM

Namba Station, Osaka Station, Tennoji Station

There are two train services from Osaka to Nara

10:10 AM

Kasugataisha Shrine

It's wonderful. You will experience the ancient atmosphere here. You will learn something about Japanese culture.

You'll see a wedding ceremony here if you're lucky (I'm often fortunate).

10:50 AM

Nara Park

There are many friendly wild deer in the beautiful natural pard. You can feed them.

11:20 AM

Sangatsudo Temple

Buddhism has a long history in Nara. Sangatsudo has unique Buddha statues such as the Fukukenjaku-kannon. Please enjoy my presentation.

11:50 AM

Nigatsudo Temple

You can enjoy the view of Nara city from there. You will find the stage used for the dynamic "omizutan" ritual held in February.

12:30 PM

Lunch

Lunch at a casual local restaurant near Nigatsudo Temple

01:20 PM

Downhills to Todaiji Temple

Let's go down to the most important area of Nara

01:50 PM

Todaiji Temple and Great Buddha Statue

You will see two of the most important sites here. The largest Buddha statue(Great Buddha) and the largest wooden building(Todaiji) in the world are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. You can take photos inside.

02:30 PM

Nara Park

You will play with many lovely deer.

03:00 PM

Kofukuji Temple and it's museum/ or another part of Nara Park

You will see the most popular statue in the Tofukuji Museum.

If you prefer, you can walk in another part of Nara Park and old Naramachi town.

04:00 PM

Nara Station

Take a train from Nara Station

05:00 PM

Ending point

Your hotel or where you never get lost

Ending Point

At you hotel lobby or the 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

What‘s not included

-Transportation fee (you and the guide) about 2000~3500 yen/per person (train, bus)

-Lunch (you and the guide) about 2000~4000/per person

-Admission fees (you only) 2000yen/per person

! When you start from Kyoto, I will ask you 50,000 JPY

Tour Important Information

We walk about 2 miles down hills,

There are nice train services between Nara and Osaka. If you like, you can choose a nicer train service between Namba to Nara with a 520 yen additional fare.

Available in the all year around

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 2023

Shuji O.

4.94 / 5

(71 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Shuji O.

Hi, I am Shuji, a licensed tour guide living near Kansai International Airport.

I taught world history in high schools for four decades. So, I can explain Japanese culture or history in an easier way tailored to you who have different cultural and historical backgrounds.

I also practiced Kendo, Japanese fencing, for more than four decades, and now I enjoy growing vegetables and going fishing. Therefore, I can also share some Japanese culture and its nature.

I have traveled to more than 25 countries and all over Japan. I’m also passionate about photography and know many photogenic places in Japan.

If you prefer to go off the beaten track, I can take you to hidden gems, including some cozy restaurants. Of course, I also know how to enjoy the crowded, most popular tourist sites. I am here to make your trip stress-free. See you soon!

Reviews

Tom B.

5 / 5

May 25, 2026

Half-day eastern Kyoto must-sees and a hidden gem

May 25, 2026

Kyoto

4 hours

“Shuji is an extraordinary guide, do not miss out on this opportunity”

Shuji is known and respected in Kyoto and his decades of experience shine through in his explanations. He led us on a beautiful downhill course beginning at Kiyomizu Temple. Each time he said "and around this corner, you'll find another world," we were truly in another world. We will always be grateful to him.

Shuji O.

Thank you very much for the great review! Yes, there are so many wonderful things in Kyoto. We discovered amazing places just by turning the corner. It was like entering a different world! But I'm sorry, I made you walk so much when you were jet-lagged. I hope this trip will be a good memory for your family!

Lauri S.

5 / 5

May 24, 2026

Visiting Nara from Osaka ～truly the must-see place in Japan～

May 24, 2026

Kyoto

8 hours

“Beautiful day in Nara”

A bit crowded but we'll worth seeing. Another excellent day with Shuji.

Shuji O.

I feel happy whenever I visit Nara. The deers in Nara are always friendly. They look like old friends of ours. We could see things that were much older than Kyoto. Every old building is unique. We were very happy on that day with you all. Thank you! Shuji

Lauri S.

5 / 5

May 24, 2026

Kobe waterfront & Nunobiki Herb Gardens and Ropeway (from Osaka)

May 24, 2026

Kyoto

9 hours

“Kobe - Beautiful City So Worth Exploring”

I organized a one week tour for a group of friends staying one week on Kyoto. Not sure of what to do Shuji O. our guide recommended Kobe. Such a surprise and so worth seeing. Imagine taking a tram to the top of a hillside and then walking 4 levels down to see beautiful gardens, a tea room, instrumental areas in how to make perfume with flowers and herbs. How about creating a kitchen garden, a medicinal garden and tea garden. Classical music playing, a wonderful restaurant for lunch in a house of glass. A total of 16 days in Japan and this was my favorite day. Shuji is an expert at finding the hidden gems of the greater Kyoto area. He met us in our hotel and seamlessly connected the train system to Kobe. With skill and patience he navigated Kobe to bring us to the Herb Gardens and Ropeway and then on to the waterfront to see the living museum of the great earthquake of 1995 that killed thousands in Kobe and the restoration efforts to build this beautiful city. If you are lucky enough to book Shuji O. have him take you here. It's such real treasure of Japan.

Shuji O.

Thank you for the wonderful, fragrant sachets that you secretly gave me along with the other gifts! We had such a happy time in Kobe that I changed my itinerary quite a bit. Instead of eating Kobe beef, we enjoyed lunch at a scenic restaurant in a garden. That restaurant was amazing! I'm often asked when the best season to visit Japan is. Maybe May is the best season, not during the cherry and the autumn foliage season. Thank you for your wonderful reviews!