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
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
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
626 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great tour with a great guide
Kevin M,,Dec 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Haruka was a great guide. I had a really enjoyable time learning about the history of the places of interest we visited. It never felt rushed and there was plenty opportunities to ask questions, take photos and enjoy the locations. I’d highly recommend the early tour to avoid the crowds.
Excellent tour and guide
Sandhya P,,Dec 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Natsuho was wonderful and knowledgeable. I had a lovely half day visiting and learning about Nara. She was energetic, patient, helpful and kind, and went out of her way to stop at places that she thought I might like. I definitely recommend her.
Nice Tour!
Ricardo Z,,Dec 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is a super nice and chill tour, very tranquil with lots of walking, but it doesn’t feel too heavy since we stopped often to check out the different temples. It is perhaps a tour that you can do yourself, and save some money, but it’s really nice to have the convenience of having a tour guide, guiding you and sharing some interesting facts along the way. Momoka was great, she was full of positive energy.
Great experience, recommended.
33lissethc,,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We have a great experience with Saki in Nara , she gave us a lot of información. Thanks Saki . We recommend this experience a lot
Lovely tour of Nara
Maps559540,,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful tour of Nara with Saki. She was so friendly and knowledgeable, and the day was really well paced. It was great seeing the major sites and we learned lots of little details we would’ve missed on our own. A really lovely experience — highly recommend!
Nara Early Bird Tour
reesf2025,,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did this tour from Kyoto and it was brilliant. Our guide Satoshi was amazing - very knowledgeable which allowed you to really understand the history of what you were seeing. Getting there early also meant you beat the crowds. Satoshi’s English was also great. Thank you
Amazing tour through Nara
stevenhA6504VB,,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a four hour tour through Nara! This is a must do for touring Japan! We had Saki as our tour guide, she was very polite, nice, and knowledgeable! She gave us recommendations on food and helped us with the metro system as well, she went above and beyond! Highly recommend this tour! The deer were so much fun!
Shin was a fantastic and...
Jennifer n,,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Shin was a fantastic and knowledgeable tour guide. He made all of the members of out group feel comfortable.
Beautiful city & great tour guide
tamarao804,,Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Momoko was a wonderful tour guide! She brought us to some beautiful locations in Nara. She helped us navigate through Nara Park and assisted us with feeding the deer especially wren they started swarming me! She was incredibly well informed and gave us good food recommendations for lunch. Loved this tour & guide!
Great Experience
TingWei L,,Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide Lin was very knowledgeable and engaging. She was bright and friendly, and she happily answered all our questions.
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