Nara Early Bird Tour (Kyoto Departure Option Available)

Overview

Available languages

English

4 hours

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 Station Pickup option, the fee from Kyoto 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 to Nara which takes around 1 hour.

*Please note that the 4-hour tour duration applies only to the Kyoto Station Departure Option. For the Kintetsu Nara Station Meet-up, it is 3 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.

Cancellation Policy

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

What‘s Included

Transportation Fee from Kyoto to Nara (If you select the Kyoto Station Departure Option)

English-Speaking guide

Food and Drinks

Transportation Fee for returning from Nara to Kyoto

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!

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

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

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

Reviews

4.90

372 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

353

Really great day!
Nish K,
Jun 20, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Kazuma (our guide) was knowledgeable and friendly! We learned a lot about the history of and culture of Japan.
Very nice trip to Nara....
rakeshlnotani,
Jun 20, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Very nice trip to Nara. Our tour guide was very friendly and had planned our trip very well. Great experience.
Shin was the best guide ever!
Alec W,
Jun 17, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Shin was awesome! As a younger and more energetic guide, he kept our attention throughout the entire tour. As a Nara native, he was extremely informative and helped us to better understand the history of such a beautiful city.
Excellent tour for the family
irena g,
Jun 17, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Koichiro was a great guide. Met us in Kyoto Station and guided us through Nara. Very knowledgeable and friendly with great English skills. We loved the shrines and temples but feeding deer was the favorite part!! Moderate amount of walking - very fun.
Futaba was our tour guide...
Cristina C,
Jun 12, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Futaba was our tour guide in Nara and she was fabulous! She was very knowledgeable and caring about Nara. The tour itself hits the top places to visit in Nara, especially interacting with the deer. Came during June and got to see the little fawns. Highly recommend this tour especially if you enjoy long walks and nature. Thank you Futaba for the excellent tour and lunch recommendations.