Name: Nara Guided Tours
Brand: GoWithGuide
Rating: 5.0 (181 reviews)

Japan

Nara

Our local guides are ready to help you plan, customize and realize your ideal tour in Nara. All GoWithGuide guides are real locals who know the area on a deep and personal level, and they can’t wait to share their knowledge with you.

When traveling, everyone wants to get the most bang out of their buck. How to do that? Ask the right person to be your tour guide, of course! As opposed to fixed itineraries that are too formal and geared towards large groups, arranging a trip with the help of a local guide will mean the trip will be about what YOU want to see and do.

Go ahead and send a message to one (or several!) of our local guides. They would love to show you their Nara!

Local Tour Guides in Nara

When unable to travel, bring travel to the comfort of your house! Sometimes it is difficult to physically travel to your destination, that’s where virtual guided tours become a perfect alternative.

You can find all sort of activities and tours offered by GoWithGuide’s local guides: cooking classes, history lessons, walking tours, interaction with locals, exploration of the wilderness.. and much more! So let our local Nara guides share their part of the world with you.

Connect with the guide virtually, and then simply to sit back, relax with your favorite beverage and enjoy the tour!

Nara Virtual Tours & Experiences

Whether it’s your first time to Nara or you are back to discover more, a good tour guide can make all the difference. Enjoy the best of what Nara has to offer, without all the fuss of planning everything by yourself!

You can pick your favorite itinerary from the Nara tours offered by our local guides, but feel free to ask for customizations based on your preferences. We want to help travelers get the most out of their trips, and we believe a good tour with a local guide is the best way to ensure that.

There is so much to see and do in Nara, and the best way to get the most out of your time there is to have a local expert with you. GoWithGuide is committed to delivering unforgettable tour experiences, so let us help you create your next favorite memory.

Nara Private Tour Guide

Travel like a real local. With our lineup of varied tours we want to help you customize and realize your ideal tour in Nara. Our guides can arrange for you to visit areas specific to your interests, so there will be no filler in the itinerary!

Browse all the tours we offer in Nara, and find the perfect one for you. The tours come in a variety of categories and lengths, so chances are you will be able to find the tour for you. Looking for something you couldn’t find in our lineup? Go ahead and send a message to one of the guides, they will create your tour for you!

Teaming up with a local guide and getting their help in planning the itinerary is the smart way to travel, so let them sort everything out for you.

Private Tours in Nara

Are you in need of transportation on your trip to Nara? On this page you can find pick-up, airport transfers and chauffeur (Private car charter with professional drivers).

We meticulously check all drivers and Car Companies you find on this page to make sure they have all the necessary documentation and qualifications to run transfer services for their area. Choose from the available listings, or message one of the suppliers directly to inquire about their services.

Having reliable and good quality transportation is an important but often overlooked part of planning a trip. Let our Nara car & van service providers take care of transportation for you, so you can enjoy your sightseeing!

Nara Private Cars, Van & Transfers

(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.

Tour of the Great Buddha of Nara

Nara was an ancient capital of Japan(710~794), and the terminal destination of Silk Road, a trading road connecting the West and the East. Influenced by international culture, a great number of treasures,  including historical structures, Buddhist statues and artifacts, miraculously remain here. 

Especially, the quality of Buddhist statues is marvelous!  For example, Nio-zo, A pair of statues of Guardian Deities in Todaiji temple has a lot in common with Statue of David by Michelangelo. I will guide you to see such world-class masterpieces.

Furthermore, I will take you to Nara-machi, an old merchants' town. We will drop by shops of local special products, such as hemp cloth,  tea, Indian ink stick, sake(rice wine). 

 

Dear deer Nara!  ~Nara Park & Nara-machi~

Asuka Walking or Cycling Tour

Let’s explore and get to know all the iconic spots around Nara Park!

ou can enjoy the atmosphere of the historical trail where many Samurai walked. Through the trail you can also enjoy the old days of Nara,  natural habitat, rural lifestyle  of the people. You may encounter with some animals mainly birds.  

Walking along historical trail of Nara(1):Samurai road

-Yakushi-ji Temple has old history back to Fujiwara-kyo period.(a former capital of Japan.
-Temple was built in 680, but has been moved to the current location at Nara period.
-All buildings, with the exception of the East Pagoda, were destroyed by fire and natural disasters several times durin 16th century.
-Since 1967, major restoration project has been carried out, and new Kondo(Main Hall), Saitou(West Pagoda), Koudo(Lecture Hall)
 have been newly built.  We can feel that the original temple at Nara period based on these restored buildings. It's so colorful.
-We can see new wall paintings indicating "Silk Road" and learn how the culture has been transferred to Japan including Buddhism.

-Toshodai-ji Temple was built by famous Chinese priest Ganjin, Jian Zhen in 759.
-In the early 8th century, there were no formally trained Buddhist priest in Japan.
-Ganjin was invited by Japanese emperor as a Buddhist teaching master to come to Japan and provide Buddhist doctorines.
-He took 12 years to come to Japan after five time attempts to cross the ocean, and eye disease blinded Ganjin during these attempts.
-Buddhism statues at Toshodai-ji were crafted under the direction of Ganjin, and therefore these have a distinct Tang Chinese style.

-Essentially we can compare the new temple(Yakushi-ji) and old temple(Toshodai-ji) at the same tour.

In case when we visit Mausoleum of Emperor Suinin;
-Mausoleum of Emperor Suinin has beatiful Keyhole-shaped tumulus surrounded by water trnch.
-This tumulus has a length of 277 meters and was built in late 4th century.
-This tumulus was built much earlier than Nara period, but it is well maintained, and we can understan the typical old tumulus.    

Nara Yakushi-ji /Toshodai-ji Temple --- World Heritage

Dans ce tour, vous pourriez visiter deux temples bouddhique et un sanctuaire shintoïste, qui datent du 8e siècle. C’est un tour plein de charme J’espère que ce sera une excellente expérience pour vous！

Demi-journée de Visite à Nara

Customer can have some undertandings on the history in ancient Nara. The customers will also understand the Japanese culture in those days were much influenced by those not only from China, Korea but also  from Hindi Persia and even from Greece.

Tour for the East end of Silk Road, Nara

-Horyu-ji Temple contains about 2,300 important cultural and historical structures and articles including nearly 190 items of Natuinal Treasures or Important  
 Cultural Propaerties. It is miracle to have these well reserved for such long period.
-Among these buildings, statues, and articles, we can see the effect of Western cultures such as Greece, China, India, and korea, which have been transferred
 through the Silk Road.
-This cultural transfer can be seen at Fujinoki Kofun tumulus also in the harness and horse fittings.
-Prince Shotoku built the Horyu-ji Temple in order to inroduce and expand Buddism in Japan, and he is called as "Father of Japanese Buddhism".
-The spirit of Prince Shotoku can be seen through the temple, and especially in the first Japanese constitution called the 17-Article Constitution.
-The key point of his spirit is "WA", which means harmony in life, and world.


One day trip of Horyu-ji Temple

You can visit many places where mentioned in the Japanese first history book, Kojiki published in early 8th century. As the ancient history book mentioned the historical events but mixed with myth, .careful anthropological studies have to be needed to distinguish these two. For example, although it was told that Jinmu emperor is the first emperor of Japan, anthropological study is clarifying that the first to 9th emperor can be in the myth and 10th emperor Sujin and Jinmu might be the same person. You can visit the tomb of Sujin in the tour. Another topic is the Japanese shaman, HImiko in Yamatai koku who ruled old Japan mentioned in the Chinese history book in 3rd century. There is an academic augment where Yamatai koku was located and not yet settled. As many copper mirrors which were mentioned in the historical book of the Wei Dynasty, were found in the makimuku area. Such scientific finding is the base that Yamatai koku might be located in Makimuku, You might visit Hasihaka tomb which can be the tomb of Himiko. The tour,therefore can explore the Japanese myth and old history.    

Walking along historical trail of Nara (4)

The tour can enjoy the atmosphere in old Nara. You can also enjoy the relax walking through local trails visiting historical spots and surrounding environment in the modern times. You can also communicate with local people who are mainly working in agriculture businesses. 

Walking along historical trail of Nara(3)

Uji-tea plantation visit

Walking along the local trails through the local communities,  you can enjoy the local activities including selling local products at the stales. you can also enjoy the natural forest where you may encounter birds. Two temples will provide you the local religion (Jyodo branch of the Buddhism) and beautiful Buddha images. 

Walking along historical trail of Nara(2): 

You will enjoy organic farm experience. Choose some seasonal activities from among the farmer's recommendations. For example, choices in the middle of September are as follows.
・Hiking through terraced rice fields with various types of scarecrows standing along the footpaths
・Picking chestnuts
・Harvest of Makomo "old rice"
・Tea making from Lotus leaves
・Playing in Asuka river 
etc.


Organic farm experience in Asuka, Nara

Ai-zome, or indigo dyeing used to be very familiar with ordinary Japanese people, especially in Edo Period(16C to 19C). The beauty of the color is highly valued as "Japan Blue". Now it is well-known as the logo of "Tokyo Olympics in 2020". You will try dyeing with the handkerchief and the bandanna,etc.. "Konya", the studio, is located in Yamatokoriyama city, a castle town, and  you will touch the atmosphere of the old merchant townscape around there.     
Yakushiji-Temple(710) is one of the world heritage site"Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara". The principal image is Healing Buddha, or doctor Buddha. You will also see Sun and Moon Bodhisattva,or day and night attendant nurses. They always welcome you with great mercy. 

Indigo dyeing experience and  Yakushi-ji temple visit

You will enjoy Japanese traditional calligraphy with authentic stationaries. Next one of the traditional handcraft masters will tell you the story of India ink stick. Then you will make your own ink stick. Lastly it is put into a fancy wooden box and given to you. After the experience, you will enjoy walking up Sanjo shopping street looking around traditional handcrafts which are unique to Nara.

A traditional handcraft tour ~India ink stick~ 

Essential Nara: Half-Day

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Top Nara, Japan Private Tours and things to do: Visit Nara, Nara with Local Guides. Check reviews, photos, request an itinerary, plan a day trip or walking tour.

Half day Nara Private Tours

Tour of the Great Buddha of Nara

Tour of the Great Buddha of Nara

Dear deer Nara! ~Nara Park & Nara-machi~

Dear deer Nara! ~Nara Park & Nara-machi~

Asuka Walking or Cycling Tour

Asuka Walking or Cycling Tour

Let’s explore and get to know all the iconic spots around Nara Park!

Let’s explore and get to know all the iconic spots around Nara Park!

Walking along historical trail of Nara(1):Samurai road

Walking along historical trail of Nara(1):Samurai road

Nara Yakushi-ji /Toshodai-ji Temple --- World Heritage

Nara Yakushi-ji /Toshodai-ji Temple --- World Heritage

Demi-journée de Visite à Nara

Demi-journée de Visite à Nara

Tour for the East end of Silk Road, Nara

Tour for the East end of Silk Road, Nara

One day trip of Horyu-ji Temple

One day trip of Horyu-ji Temple

Walking along historical trail of Nara (4)

Walking along historical trail of Nara (4)

Walking along historical trail of Nara(3)

Walking along historical trail of Nara(3)

Uji-tea plantation visit

Uji-tea plantation visit

Walking along historical trail of Nara(2):

Walking along historical trail of Nara(2):

Organic farm experience in Asuka, Nara

Organic farm experience in Asuka, Nara

Indigo dyeing experience and Yakushi-ji temple visit

Indigo dyeing experience and Yakushi-ji temple visit

A traditional handcraft tour ~India ink stick~

A traditional handcraft tour ~India ink stick~

Essential Nara: Half-Day

Essential Nara: Half-Day

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