Nara Early Morning Tour (Kyoto or Osaka Departure Available)
Overview
Available languages
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 train 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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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!
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.
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
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)
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-chōme1１ JR大阪駅中央コンコース
Reviews
655 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great walking tour in Nara
Greg D,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Kevin was a very friendly and knowledgeable guide! Great experience walking around and learning the rich history.
Nara half day tour
yensyr2026,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Family was extremely happy with this tour and It was an amazing day with Momoka, Very informative, clear instructions prior to the tour. WhatsApp communication was awesome. The free hand warmers were a nice touch especially as it kept me warm during the day on a very cold winter day. I commend her for staying with us even after the tour ended to have an amazing authentic Japanese Cuisine experience. And alot of helpful tips and suggestions.
Our guide was amazing!...
Kendra W,,Jan 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide was amazing! Futaba kept in constant contact with the meet up destination. She was knowledgeable about the whole tour! I loved the quizzes and learning about the Japanese culture. My son and I had a great time!
10/10 would recommend...
Derik C,,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.0010/10 would recommend this tour. Many breathtaking sights to see. Very easy process. Our tour guide, Soichiro Toide was super friendly, welcoming, extremely easy to talk to, also he had so many wonderful recommendations outside of just the tour.
Nara Tour
patrickkB9267UC,,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour with knowledgeable tour guide Kevin. Deer were amazing as well as the history and temples & shrines, must do tour!
Once in a lifetime tour....
Martin P,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Once in a lifetime tour. From being “attacked” by the dear who wanted lots of treats to seeing incredible buddhist temples, the experience was something that we would never get anywhere else. Our tour guide was super knowledgeable and very outgoing, constantly asking us questions and showing us places that interest him. Was a great experience.
History, Culture, and Happy Deer in Nara
Ele931,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This half-day walking tour of Nara was truly special and one of the highlights of our trip. The pace was pleasantly slow and unhurried, allowing us to really take in the city while gaining a deeper understanding of its culture and history. It was a thoughtful and insightful experience, perfect for anyone who enjoys exploring a place on foot and learning along the way rather than rushing from site to site. One of the most memorable moments was feeding the deer in Nara Park, which was great fun and especially loved by the kids in our group. It added a joyful, hands-on element to the tour and made the experience even more memorable for the whole family. Our guide, Momoka, was wonderful. She was warm, attentive, and knowledgeable, and she made sure everyone felt comfortable and engaged throughout the walk. Thanks to her care and enthusiasm, we had a truly enjoyable and enriching time exploring Nara.
Great Guide with Expert Knowledge
MeganAlexandra24,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were so impressed with our guided tour of Nara with Soichiro Toide. Our guide met us at the station and led us to Nara in great ease. He was extremely knowledgeable and informative of Japanese culture. Any questions we had he was able to explain them in great detail. We absolutely loved our experience! 10/10
The deer are a hoot.
O1590QAbrandonl,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This trip is well worth it for two reasons: the bowing deer are a hoot (never experienced this before) and the enormous wooden temple is a wonder. A lot of walking so come rested. Our guide Kevin was informative and took great care of us.
Early Morning Nara Visit
amodt30,,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I joined a morning tour of Nara Park with Futaba as my guide, and even though I was traveling solo, I was grouped with two other families. From the very beginning, Futaba made sure I felt completely included and comfortable. She’s warm, easygoing, and very knowledgeable, which made the experience one of the real highlights of my trip. The tour itself ran for a few hours in the morning, and including the train journey to and from Kyoto, it’s definitely worth dedicating the first half of your day. The ticket to Nara was included as part of the tour, while the return ticket back to Kyoto was not—but this was clearly explained in advance and very easy to manage. We explored Nara Park together and met the famously confident (but charming) deers, and then visited the Great Buddha at Tōdai-ji. Futaba shared just the right amount of history and cultural context—always interesting, never overwhelming. We even took a less crowded route so it was very easy and calming in morning to experience everything. She also added a few fun quizzes along the way to keep everyone engaged, which made the tour feel interactive and lively. She even offered to help with photos, which I appreciated—even though I’m not really a photo-taking person. What really stood out, though, were her thoughtful local tips and genuine passion for the area. She matched the pace to suit everyone in the group and made sure both the families and I, as a solo traveler, felt included throughout. If you’re visiting Nara and want a guide who is kind, engaging, and truly enthusiastic about what she does, I’d highly recommend Futaba. Whether you’re solo or with a group, she’ll make the experience relaxed, memorable, and effortless.
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