Private Tour
Discover Ancient Nara: Private Car Tour from Kyoto or Osaka
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
After enjoying sightseeing in Kyoto or Osaka, why not visit Nara?
This ancient city, rich in nature and history, offers a unique kind of charm.
For a smooth and comfortable tour, you’ll be accompanied by two staff members: a dedicated driver and a friendly guide.
Depart from your hotel in Kyoto or Osaka
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Visit Todai-ji Temple to see the Great Buddha
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Stroll through Nara Park, feed the deer, and take photos
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Enjoy lunch at a lovely local Japanese restaurant
Other dining options available on request
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Explore the Naramachi area
Walk through traditional townhouses and browse local shops
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Visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine
A historic shrine set in a sacred forest preserved for over 1,000 years
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Drive to Mount Wakakusa summit
Enjoy panoramic views and photos with the deer
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Return to your hotel in Kyoto or Osaka
★ Optional experiences if time allows:
Afternoon tea at the historic Nara Hotel
Casual matcha experience
Local Nara sake tasting
Seasonal activities like strawberry picking
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Nara Park
You can take commemorative photos with the deer and feed them to build a friendly connection.
Todai-ji Temple
When visiting Nara, you’ll definitely want to see the Great Buddha. Our guide will provide an explanation of the history of Todai-ji Temple.
What‘s Included
In-person English Guide
Bottled water
Air-conditioned vehicle
Admission fee for temples（Todaiji ¥800）
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
For 3+ People (Guide & Driver)
Pickup included
Up to 2 People(Guide & Driver)
Pickup included
Reviews
52 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great family day in Nara!
Vanessa H,,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Sho and driver Riki took amazing care of us during our day in Nara. Sho was kind, personable and shared a lot of interesting information with our family. He encouraged us to try new things and connected with our teenage son over a shared love of anime. Thank you so much for creating such a memorable experience!
Fantastic Private Nara Tour with Sho, Perfect for Families with Kids
amirk190,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful time on this private car tour of Nara, and it ended up being one of the best days of our trip. Everything was smooth and comfortable, and the pacing felt just right. We were able to see the main highlights without feeling rushed, and having a private car made the day so much easier. Our guide, Sho, was fantastic. He was very friendly, easy to talk to, and flexible based on what we wanted to do. Most importantly, Sho was amazing with our very active 5-year-old. He was patient, kind, and genuinely engaged with our child, which made the whole experience much more enjoyable for our family. He helped keep our kid interested and happy throughout the day, and that made a huge difference. Highly recommend this tour, especially for families traveling with young kids.
Great experience with Sho-san
Jeffrey H,,Dec 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had the pleasure of traveling with Sho-san. He was very pleasant, knowledgeable and flexible on what interested us. It was like traveling with a good friend.
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ 4/5 — Great Nara Tour With an Incredible Guide (But Upgrade That Car!)
Kimberly D,,Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00We did a Nara day tour and overall had a fantastic time — mainly thanks to our guide, Sho. He texted us the night before and again in the morning with clear directions and updates, which we really appreciated. Let’s get the only downside out of the way: The car. It was older, had a bit of a funky smell, and the driving was… not the smoothest. Lots of sharp braking and jerky swerves. For an hour-long ride, a more comfortable vehicle with reclining seats would make a big difference. But once we arrived, everything else was great. My friend and I had a very late party night (don’t judge, lol), so we showed up moving at half speed and wanted to adjust the itinerary to make the most of our energy — and get back a little earlier. Sho was super understanding and flexible. He walked us through the different options and happily customized the tour. He even made a quick convenience stop so we could grab water. Nara Park was adorable — the deer are cute, but beware: the males get bold and will absolutely try to nibble your bag. You’ve been warned! Todai-ji Temple was next, and the scale is unreal. The massive Buddha and the temple’s overall presence were breathtaking. The late fall colors across the grounds made everything feel warm and magical, even with the cold and light rain. We chose to skip the shrine and headed up to Mt. Wakakusa instead, where we got a beautiful panoramic view of Nara painted in full fall colors. After that, we swung into town for fresh, warm red bean mochi, which was the perfect cozy treat before heading back. We were back at our hotel by 2 p.m., ready for the nap we desperately needed after our night out. Bottom line: Sho was an excellent guide — friendly, communicative, flexible, and genuinely invested in making sure we had a great day. If the tour company upgrades the car situation, this would be an easy 5-star experience. Highly recommend the tour and highly recommend Sho!
The perfect guide and the perfect day
Katherine D,,Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Ami our guide was very attentive and helped us navigate the persistent deer. We had a lot of fun bowing at the deer and weee absolutely blown away by the sacred sites, seeing a traditional home, a beautiful garden, a sweet shop and a lovely forest. Thank you Ami for showing my daughter the calligraphy books and for being wonderful company.
Perfect guide and driver
Ronald M,,Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00A great day in Osaka and Nara mainly thanks to our guide Towa and our driver. They were very supportive and helpfull.
Nara Adventure
jess k,,Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Wonderful visit of all Nara with Ami. From deer to shrines/temples to mountain views and traditional houses, Ami expertly guided us through all.
Nice person and helpful...
Ali K,,Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Nice person and helpful in so many ways She went out of her way in so many occasions to help us even before tour
Highly recommended
Danel M,,Sep 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Ami is super nice and knowledgeable. She took us to beautiful places, including less-crowded temples and even a gluten free lunch!
Amazing experience
Shivanshu C,,Sep 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Ami was the best guide that we had during our entire Japan trip. She is very knowledgeable and shares a lot of insights with you. The itinerary is flexible and she allows you to enjoy at your own pace. She took us to many interesting places in Nara. I highly recommend seeing Kyoto and / or Nara with Ami.
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