Nara Early Morning Tour (Kyoto or Osaka Departure Available)

Name: Nara Early Morning Tour (Kyoto or Osaka Departure Available)
Price: 9200 JPY
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.93 (667 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 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!

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

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

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

4.93

667 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

640

Beautiful morning in Nara
C5493EAamandas,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Futaba was wonderful. The early start avoids the crowd. Highly recommend. Thanks Futa - the ramen recommendation was perfect
Family trip to Nara
42klm42,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our family loved this private tour of Nara starting in Osaka. Our guide, Momoka, was fantastic - very patient, kind & knowledgeable. She even provided hand warmers for us as it was a very cold day! She adjusted the itinerary to allow for tired kids & took great photos for us. The historical sites in Nara are incredible & having Momoka to guide us made it even more enjoyable. Highly recommend!
Great tour... fantastic guide!
Jet T,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
We visited Nara and learned so much about the history of the former first capital of Japan. We first visited a Shinto shrine and then a beautiful walk through a park full of wild deer to the majestic Todaiji Temple. You can buy biscuits to feed the deer and they will bow to earn their treat. Our guide, Ayame, was so knowledgeable, friendly and a delight to be around. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the tour and Ayame to anyone considering this trip.
Our trip to Nara was...
Leanne E,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Our trip to Nara was fantastic. Definitely highly recommend. Our tour guide Ginko was so lovely. He was very informative. We would have missed a lot if we didn’t have a tour guide.
We really enjoyed this tour.
lindyr2026,,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We really enjoyed the tour in Nara. Our guide, Kai, was very friendly and showed us the most beautiful parts of the place. He also explained the history and customs of Nara.
Highly recommend
Veronica C,,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
This was such a nice experience. The crisp, quiet morning really added to the peacefulness of the forest walk and temple visits. Our guide was Koh, and he was fantastic. He was knowledgeable about the temples, patient with my endless history questions and made meeting up/traveling by train so easy.
Best tour of Nara
am liez307,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our guide was Itsuku and we can say without doubt that this was one of the most amazing tour we have ever had. We explore most of Nara park and its monuments. Itsuku gave us a lot of information and we learnt so much on Japan’s religion and beliefs, knowledge that allowed us to better appreciate our trip and the monuments we visited after that tour. Itsuku was very kind and helpful, we highly recommend that experience.
Great overall experience
SomanshuK1,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our half day Nara trip was amazing and very informative. Our guide Futaba shared historical significance of the places we visited. She was friendly and welcoming. Thank you for showing us arounc and making our tour memorable
Great tour to Nara
Anthony B,,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
We had a great tour to Nara. Itsuku is a wonderful guide with amazing knowledge of Japan history and culture that he shared with us. He was very patient and answered all are questions.
Interesting history alongside funny deer
Aleco140,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Futaba was our tour guide and she was friendly and knowledgeable, she answered all of our questions including where to eat afterwards. After seeing crowds later the early start was worth it