Bestseller

Nara Early Morning Tour (Kyoto or Osaka Departure Available)

4.92

4.9(1,024 reviews)

4 hours 30 minutes

English

Mobile ticket

Show all 35 photos

Overview

Available languages

English

4 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

Nara becomes extremely crowded in the afternoon, making photos difficult. In our tour, we visit the main sites—Kofuku-ji, Todaiji, Nara Park, and Kasuga Grand Shrine—before the crowds arrive.

⬇︎PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY⬇︎

* Please arrive 10 minutes early. Late guests cannot be accepted and no refunds will be given.

* For the Kyoto/Osaka Station Pickup option: the one-way train fare to Nara is included. The return ticket is not included.

*This tour has up to 12 guests.

*In this tour, we will walk about 10,000 steps. (stairs and hills included)

*We will be using the public train (not a private vehicle) to go from Kyoto/Osaka to Nara which each takes around 1 hour.

* Tour duration:

– Kyoto/Osaka Departure: 4.5 hours

– Kintetsu Nara Station Meeting: 3.5 hours

Please provide a phone number that is reachable in Japan and on WhatsApp so that we have a smooth interaction before the tour date. Travel agents must enter the guest’s phone number, not the agency’s.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

We will walk about 10,000 steps during this tour.

Not recommended for guests over 75.

Guests under the age of 6 cannot join.

What To Expect

Kofuku-ji Temple

Kofuku-ji Temple was established in Nara at the same time as the capital in 710. It is famous for it's five-storied pagoda, the second tallest wooden pagoda in Japan just seven meters shorter than the five-storied pagoda at Kyoto's Toji Temple. See this temple for yourself at sunrise!

30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Kasuga Grand Shrine

Kasuga Grand Shrine is famous for it's lanterns, which have been donated by worshippers. There are approximately 3000 stone and bronze lanterns, standing as one of Japan's most historical shrines. It holds significance as the sacred grounds that inspired the presence of deer in Nara Park.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Kintetsu Nara Station Meet Up

Kintetsu Nara Station: We will meet you at in front of the Gyoki Bosatsu statue near Exit 2 or East Exist of Kintetsu Nara Station. (NOT JR Nara) Duration: 3 hours Starting point: Kintetsu-Nara Station, Japan, 630-8215 Nara, Nishimikadochō, 東向中町29

Kyoto Station Pickup

Kyoto Station Pickup: We will meet at Kyoto Station Central Ticket Gate, the northern side of the station where you can see Kyoto Tower outside. Starting point: Kyoto Station, Higashishiokoji Kamadonocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8216, Japan

Osaka Station Pickup

Starting point: Osaka Tourist Information Center, Japan, 530-0001 Osaka, Kita Ward, Umeda, 3-chōme−1−１ JR大阪駅中央コンコース

What‘s Included

Transportation Fee from Kyoto/Osaka to Nara (Only if you select the option)

English-Speaking guide

Food and Drinks

Transportation Fee for returning from Nara to Kyoto/Osaka

Todai-ji Temple

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.92

1,024 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

982

Fun Deer Feeding and History Tour in Nara
emmasZ7657FV,Jun 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our tour guide Moe was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic! She did a good job introducing the history of Todaiji temple. We really enjoyed the deer feeing part - that was a lot of fun!
First time in Nara
T7734IPbrandons,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great experience leaning from Momoka, she was very patient and helpful.
Go to Nara!
amandabU2904MU,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Nara was beautiful! The amazing, huge, wooden temple with the gigantic Buddha and the guardians was one of Highlights of our trip to Japan! Our guide, Moe, was the best! She was fun, personable and her English was perfect! She took super pictures too so we have awesome memories! The deer were pretty and when they bowed it was darling. Caution: When you buy the deer cookies to feed them, they become very brave and demanding and some even bite.
This was the best...
Taylor B,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
This was the best experience. Our guide Itsuki was so knowledgeable and we had the greatest time. I would honestly recommend this tour to anyone. The temples and deer park were so amazing to see and I’m glad we decided to book this tour.
Tour with Ko was the best!
Peter F,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
This was such a fun tour! Our guide, Ko, was very knowledgeable and helpful. He had a great personality making it an all around great experience.
Very Knowledgeable
Eduardo H,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Aki Toide was very knowledgeable about Nara, she comunícate very well in English Also she always was concerned how we were doing, if it was at a good paced and if we were ok
Recommended
Keegan W,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Aki was great -- what a smart, kind young lady!
Amazing day experience
timoz425,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had an amazing day, the places we visited were really cool and well explained by our tourguide ( Airi)! The time of the tour was good and not to crowded which gave us better photos to take.
Day trip to Nara from Kyoto
L C,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Morning tour was very good. Quick trip from Kyoto. Our tour guide, Ko, was very friendly, knowledgeable and spoke great English. Ko had significant knowledge of the history of Mara which he shared. He was very helpful with logistics to and from Kyoto.
Just like a studio Ghibli movie
nikolettaa325,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was such a fantastic experience! Momoka is so kind and she knows a lot about Naras history. Nara is now my favorite place! It was beautiful. Thank you!