Nara Early Morning Tour (Kyoto or Osaka Departure Available)
Overview
Available languages
4 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Nara gets very crowded during the afternoon and it could be hard to take great photos. Therefore, in our tour we go to the main sites of Nara (Kofuku-ji Temple, Todaiji Temple, Nara Park, and Kasuga Grand Shrine) before the crowd comes.
⬇︎PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY⬇︎
*Please be at the meeting spot, 10 minutes early than the scheduled time. Since we have other groups in the tour, we CANNOT accept any late guests. and will not be given a refund.
* For guests that book the Kyoto/Osaka Station Pickup option, the fee from Kyoto/Osaka to Nara Station is included in the tour but the fee on the way back 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.
*Please note that the 4.5-hour tour duration applies only to the Kyoto and Osaka Station Departure Option. For the Kintetsu Nara Station Meet-up, it is 3.5 hours.
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‘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
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.
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
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
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
Reviews
608 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Thanks Daizen!
JodieV74,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an easy way to see the famous sights in Nara-we met our guide , Daizen, at the train station. He then escorted our little group (8) to Nara and to the temples, giant Buddha and deer park. Daizen is personable and knowledgable- sharing history and perspectives on what we were seeing. He also generously offered recommendations on restaurants and activities to do on the rest of our trip.
A Perfect Day in Nara
476aasham,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I had the most wonderful day exploring Nara with our guide, Seishiro. From start to finish, he made the experience everything we could’ve hoped for and more. Seishiro was incredibly knowledgeable, sharing fascinating insights about Nara’s history, culture, and temples in a way that was easy to understand and genuinely engaging. He struck the perfect balance between being informative and personable; he was friendly, down to earth, and so relatable. It truly felt like spending the day with a good friend who happens to know everything about the area! Our small group of four made for a relaxed and intimate experience, and Seishiro made sure everyone felt included and comfortable throughout the day. We visited beautiful spots, learned so much, and laughed a lot along the way. If you’re visiting Nara, I can’t recommend Seishiro enough. His warmth and expertise for what he does made this tour an absolute highlight of our trip!
Early morning tour Nara
Allison M,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00our early morning tour of Nara was exceptional. Our guide Futaba was an extraordinary! She made the experience 10/10.
Very nice morning in Nara Park
292kayleighd,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful tour with our guide Futuba in Nara Park. The park has many beautiful things to look at, with ofcourse the deer as main attraction. Futuba was very nice and could help us very well, offering to take our pictures everywhere and showing is how to bow, pay respect to shrines and buy the fortunes. Also, she could tell us a lot about the place and could answer every question we had. We had a very good trip!
Way more than just deer.
Stephen K,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Fantastic tour of Nara park, the temples and shrines, and of course the deer. My tour guide Natsuho was amazing. The other party never showed up it was basically a private tour and she was entertaining, polite, knowledgeable, funny, and attentive. Everything you could ask for in a guide. The tour takes you through the park with the deer which in itself might be worth the trip. The real star is the giant Buddha which is one those rare sites that lives up to the hype. Go enjoy Nara!
Highly Recommend if You’re Looking for a shorter Nara tour!
jazzy2788,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00After doing an all day Kyoto tour, I was looking for a Nara tour and so glad I found this one. This was an excellent tour! Futaba was a very knowledgeable guide and we had such a great time! Highly recommend for a walking tour in Nara.
Koichiro was a wonderful...
Kenneth S,
Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Koichiro was a wonderful guide. He not only knew so much and guided us through a great day, he was also curious and genuinely interested in the participants of the group. Without this tour our experience would not have been nearly as rich.
Nara don’t miss it , beautiful place
T9637XXadrianag,
Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Koichiro was excellent guide answering our questions and giving a very good explanation of Nara , his English was very good I highly recommend this tour ! Don’t miss it Is a pearl
Nara daytrip
b0nh0miai,
Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Futaba was the best guide ever. She’s is so sweet and patient and makes you fall in love with Nara. I would definitely recommend booking with her. Amazing
This Nara tour is a must!
455jadens,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Saki was a lovely guide who made our Nara tour even more fun than it otherwise would have been! She walked us through all the major sites in the area and was extremely informative. She was full of insight and local perspectives on the Shrines and temples in and around Nara park. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting more than just your typical walkthrough of Nara! Thank you so much Saki!!!
Related Experiences
Operated by GuideMe Japan