Nara Early Morning Tour (Kyoto or Osaka Departure Available)

Name: Nara Early Morning Tour (Kyoto or Osaka Departure Available)
Price: 12500 JPY
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.93 (915 reviews)

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.

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!

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

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) Duration: 3 hours 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-chōme−1−１ 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

4.93

915 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

878

A very pleasent experience
ZiElad,May 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Our tour guide was Josh, He was very knowledgable and always had intersting things to say. My wife and I had a great time, feeding the deers was awesome.
Brilliant tour & guide
thomascW5550GI,May 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a brilliant walking tour with our guide Daiki, who was a super friendly and informative guide! The trip went wonderfully, the deer were very cute, and the Buddha statue and temple were incredible. Thank you Daiki-san!
Totally worth it!
Marissa M,May 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Aki was a fantastic guide. She’s incredibly knowledgeable and fun. The Nara tour was definitely one for the memory books. So worth it!
Nara tour experience with Moe
darcot2026,May 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was an amazing tour. Our guide MOE was amazing. She gave a lot of information. She knew al the best photo spots and also for after the tour she gave us also the best places where you could eat.
A very en-deer-ring trip to Nara
Adrian C,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Nara is such a wonderful place to visit, the deer temples and shrines are spectacular, however the deer are the real stars of the show. You can obviously visit on your own and find your own route, however it was great to have our guide Moe to navigate to the best parts and give us the info and insights. She also made the journey from Osaka to Nara effortless on our behalf. I would definitely recommend GuideMe Japan and Moe!
We had a lovely time with...
Sara M,May 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00
We had a lovely time with our guide, Airi. It was quite fun interacting with the Nara deer and learning about the history of the former capital.
Nice start to the day
KELLIE T,May 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Nice way to spend the morning, would definitely recommend to avoid most of the crowds.
A Great Tour to See Nara
Julian B,May 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Our first time in Nara, so we chose a short easy tour to see the sights. This was perfect, to the see temples and deer! Josh our guide was very knowledgable and made the tour really interesting. Definitely a great choice if you have limited time and want to see the main sights. Josh was so helpful by recommending a Katsu restaurant near Nara station, the food was amazing!
Morning tour of Nara
R4939RTneilp,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Excellent tour with lots to see - 2 shrines, the Great Buddha Hall and of course the deer. Seishiro was an excellent guide with plenty of local knowledge and historical facts.
Go early morning and beat the crowds
Wudd,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Wanted to see the Nara deers, temples and shrine and was not disappointed. Go early to avoid the crowds, be prepared for some up hill walking but at a steady pace. Finally be ready to marvel at the temples and shrine. Thanks to AyameF our fabulous guide we were able to develop a good understanding of the two main religions in Japan and how they influence people’s lives. Her excellent English helped in this, as did her willingness to enlighten us. A good time well spent. Thank you AyameF and GuideMe Japan.

From ¥12,500

4.93

(915 reviews)

Free cancellation

Check availability

Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour

Related Experiences

Operated by GuideMe Japan

Nara Early Morning Tour (Kyoto or Osaka Departure Available)

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

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

30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Kasuga Grand Shrine

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

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

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

Kyoto Station Pickup

Reviews

4.93

915 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

878

A very pleasent experience
ZiElad,May 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Our tour guide was Josh, He was very knowledgable and always had intersting things to say. My wife and I had a great time, feeding the deers was awesome.
Brilliant tour & guide
thomascW5550GI,May 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a brilliant walking tour with our guide Daiki, who was a super friendly and informative guide! The trip went wonderfully, the deer were very cute, and the Buddha statue and temple were incredible. Thank you Daiki-san!
Totally worth it!
Marissa M,May 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Aki was a fantastic guide. She’s incredibly knowledgeable and fun. The Nara tour was definitely one for the memory books. So worth it!
Nara tour experience with Moe
darcot2026,May 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was an amazing tour. Our guide MOE was amazing. She gave a lot of information. She knew al the best photo spots and also for after the tour she gave us also the best places where you could eat.
A very en-deer-ring trip to Nara
Adrian C,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Nara is such a wonderful place to visit, the deer temples and shrines are spectacular, however the deer are the real stars of the show. You can obviously visit on your own and find your own route, however it was great to have our guide Moe to navigate to the best parts and give us the info and insights. She also made the journey from Osaka to Nara effortless on our behalf. I would definitely recommend GuideMe Japan and Moe!
We had a lovely time with...
Sara M,May 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00
We had a lovely time with our guide, Airi. It was quite fun interacting with the Nara deer and learning about the history of the former capital.
Nice start to the day
KELLIE T,May 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Nice way to spend the morning, would definitely recommend to avoid most of the crowds.
A Great Tour to See Nara
Julian B,May 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Our first time in Nara, so we chose a short easy tour to see the sights. This was perfect, to the see temples and deer! Josh our guide was very knowledgable and made the tour really interesting. Definitely a great choice if you have limited time and want to see the main sights. Josh was so helpful by recommending a Katsu restaurant near Nara station, the food was amazing!
Morning tour of Nara
R4939RTneilp,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Excellent tour with lots to see - 2 shrines, the Great Buddha Hall and of course the deer. Seishiro was an excellent guide with plenty of local knowledge and historical facts.
Go early morning and beat the crowds
Wudd,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Wanted to see the Nara deers, temples and shrine and was not disappointed. Go early to avoid the crowds, be prepared for some up hill walking but at a steady pace. Finally be ready to marvel at the temples and shrine. Thanks to AyameF our fabulous guide we were able to develop a good understanding of the two main religions in Japan and how they influence people’s lives. Her excellent English helped in this, as did her willingness to enlighten us. A good time well spent. Thank you AyameF and GuideMe Japan.