Private Tour
Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
Explore Nara with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual guide! Your guide will help you efficiently enjoy a half-day walking tour of Nara and introduce both modern and traditional sides of this dynamic and ancient Japanese city.
Nara's proximity to Kyoto and Osaka, and its rich collection of traditional sites, make it an ideal destination for a day trip from either of its larger neighbors. Your private guide can help you efficiently enjoy a half-day walking tour of this ancient Japanese city.
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Nara
Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'What to expect' list
Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
Private Vehicle
You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Todai-ji Temple
Todaiji (東大寺, Tōdaiji, "Great Eastern Temple") is one of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara. The temple was constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan and grew so powerful that the capital was moved from Nara to Nagaoka in 784 in order to lower the temple's influence on government affairs. Until recently, Todaiji's main hall, the Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall), held the record as the world's largest wooden building, despite the fact that the present reconstruction of 1692 is only two thirds of the original temple hall's size. The massive building houses one of Japan's largest bronze statues of Buddha (Daibutsu). The 15 meters tall, seated Buddha represents Vairocana and is flanked by two Bodhisattvas.
Nara Park
Nara Park (奈良公園, Nara Kōen) is a large park in central Nara. Established in 1880, it is the location of many of Nara's main attractions including Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, Kofukuji and the Nara National Museum. It is also home to hundreds of freely roaming deer.
Options
Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Pickup included
Reviews
214 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Beautiful combo of Nature and history in Walking distance
Ariel0402,
Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience with Shigeru today. Great tour guide, the descriptions were easy to understand. The tour guide picked some great places to show us. To plan it on our own would have been exhausting and unproductive. Every temple visited was better than the last. I would recommend this to couples, parents with kids, or individual travelers alike. Well worth the price of admission.
Beautiful fall day in Nara with amazing Guide.
JJ S,
Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a wonderful day long tour of Nara with an excellent guide: Yoshii. We saw temples and shrines and beautiful gardens - but more than that, we learned so much from Yoshii about the history and culture of Japan.
Amazing day tour of Nara’s sights!
straightjj,
Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Yoshii was an excellent guide, he curated the tour and shared an abundance of Japan”s history along the tour. We were able to see multiple shrines and temples, and we learned so much about Japan’s traditions and history along the route. Yoshii is one of the best guides we have ever had in a tour, his knowledge and passion for Japan made this one of our best days in Japan.
Lovely day at Nara, well worth the train journey from Osaka
EuroCC,
Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very good tour with Bell which was organised for us by Gluten Free Tours Japan (https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g499623-d26789750-Reviews-Gluten_Free_Tours_Japan-Daylesford_Victoria.html) and included a visit to a gf restaurant for lunch. Bell was lovely and it was great to not have to navigate as she took the lead.
Tailored Nara guide with Junichi!
Daniel G,
Nov 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ever since my wife and I were planning our trip to Japan, everyone who travelled here told us to see Nara and we were only able to squeeze in a day trip to see it, but this experience was amazing and one of the highlights of our trip. It was possible only because of our amazing guide Junichi, who hand-crafted an itinerary based on our interests and who was not only extremely knowledgeable about Nara's history, but also enthusiastic in sharing it. He mentioned that this brings him joy to share his experiences and culture with others, which was readily apparent throughout our excursion. My wife and I will always look back fondly on the temple sights, feeding the deer, enjoying tasty udon noodles, walking the beautiful temple grounds and forest, the sake tasting, but most of all doing it with Junichi. If you decide to spend some time in Nara, spend some of it with Junichi!
Junichi rocks! Great day in Nara
erindE810GC,
Nov 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I had a wonderful time with a fantastic guide, junichi. We absolutely loved Nara and had a day we won’t forget. Junichi also has a contagious enthusiasm and love for what he does. He orchestrated a magical day- from feeding deers, sake tasting, frolicking through a park, a yummy lunch- everything was amazing. He also took amazing pics. What a joyful human who made our day truly special. We will tell everyone to come to Nara and do this tour
Trip to remember
ashoken n,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00One of our best trips in Japan. The guide was outstanding and highly knowledgeable and friendly. She made this trip truly memorable
Amazing experience
Inspire56320964620,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ken was very good with his job. He did a great job explaining us about the major places in Nara. My partner and I had a great time with him. Highly recommend
Nara is not to be missed.
Phillip U,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We went to Nara on our own at the end of a 2 week long guided trip through Japan. I have to say that the Todaiji Temple was the most impressive historic structure we saw on the trip. The other sites in Nara are also high up on the list of things to see in Japan. It made it all the more impressive to see the Temple and the rest of Nara with a knowledgeable guide, which we had through Viatour.
Lovely tour through Nara!
F9999ZPgemmap,
Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Junichi was our guide today and kindly showed us around Nara. He explained us tons about the area, shrines, temples, gardens and japanese culture. We really enjoyed. Thanks Junichi!
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Operated by Japan Guide Agency