Private Tour

Nara 8hr Private Tour - Kyoto DEP. with Licensed Guide

Overview

Available languages

Japanese

English

8 hours

Mobile ticket

Explore Nara with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual guide! Your guide will help you efficiently enjoy a full-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 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 full-day walking tour of this ancient Japanese city.

You can start your day at your hotel in Kyoto. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize Nara day tour that's best for you!

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

A guide will be designated to them after the booking is made

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 Kyoto

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.

30 minutes • Admission Not Included

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.

30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Nara 8hr Private Tour - Kyoto DEP. with Licensed Guide

Pickup included

Reviews

4.90

114 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

107

Very nice guide!...
Sansane O,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00
Very nice guide! Now, No one in the organisation to ensure you nice experience. They are there to take our money and ask for our opinion, even before the booking. Confusing site
Full day guided tour at Nara
pberckma,
Sep 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We enjoyed a full day at Nara guided by Noriko who started by collecting us at Kyoto station. Nice introductions and we liked the conversations. Throughout the day Noriko provided excellent information and we were able to beat the crowds by using some alternative routing. She helped us to introduce to the owner of a local Calligraphy store which was highly appreciated. We can strongly recommend booking the tour with Noriko and it was a pleasure spending the day in Nara. Paul & Lut Belgium
Interesting day with very good guide
Arcaparis,
Aug 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Interesting and busy day. Our English-speaking guide Tatsuya Ito was very pedagogical and extremely kind to us. We walked back to the station by local bus to the major points of interest of Nara. Kyoto Nara round trip was made by train from Kyoto (prefer express trains if schedules are suitable for a small fee).
Awesome Nara daily trip experience with JGA guide
209cosmina,
Jul 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a wonderful full-day tour from Kyoto to Nara with our guide, Ichiro-san. From start to finish, he was kind, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable. He explained everything in great detail and made the entire experience smooth and engaging. Ichiro-san took care of all the logistics, including train connections and a quick taxi to save time, which made the day stress-free. We also enjoyed a fantastic lunch with delicious local specialties — one of the highlights of the day! Overall, it was a perfect mix of culture, history, and nature, made even better by Ichiro’s warm personality and deep knowledge. Highly recommended!
Fun day in Nara
Bamatraveler1,
May 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
We saw everything we wanted to see on our tour and the guide was good even though he was a little on the quiet side. He was very timely and flexible when we wanted to drop one of the previously requested sites and add a saki tasting. He expertly led us through the train stations and the bus stops to get to our destination. We all enjoyed our visit to Nara.
Best destination and the best guide of Japan Mr Junichi
Joao V,
May 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
An unbelievable experience at a destination unmatched all over the world. I must say we were lucky to have the guide Mr Junichi who was wonderful. Super friendly, cult and fun, he taught us a lot about Japanese culture and about Nara, his hometown. We couldn't have had a better guide!
Wonderful tour!
Carol P,
May 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Haru was a wonderful tour guide. Very professional and always prepared with information about each site. We probably saved two hours of our time by hiring a tour guide who knew exactly where to go and how to get there, but the added information was even more valuable.
Fun in Nara
368kendalj,
May 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Hiro did a great job guiding us through Nara. Leading up to the trip he was easy to communicate with and he helped us customize the itinerary. He met us right on time at the hotel and helped us navigate through the train/bus stations. He was flexible with the schedule as it was raining when we arrived and he added a Sake tasting experience for us to get a break from the rain. He took us to a museum of the old houses of Nara and then walked with us through the deer park. Hiro planned a wonderful lunch and was very accommodating to my food allergies. We got to feed and interact with so many deer! We wandered through a beautiful garden and then back through the deer park on our way to the bus and train stations. Hiro did a great job with us!
One day in Nara with Hiro san
alexandervK1045QB,
Apr 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Hiro San has prepared a very insightful tour in Nara! He have sent us the schedule beforehand and organized everything in advance. Highly recommend him!
Ken is incredible!
Ambassador49884988,
Apr 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Ken is the absolute perfect guide. His English is perfect. His knowledge is encyclopedic. He is kind and patient. He is energetic. He sent me an itinerary personalized to our interests the day before and was promptly waiting in the hotel lobby with his sign. My husband and son had the best day with him exploring Nara landmarks . We couldn’t not have asked for a better experience.