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.
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
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
Reviews
551 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Nara early morning with Itsuku
Suzie F,
Oct 14, 2025
- Viator
5.00Itsuku was nice and knowledgeable. My husband learned many things about the Temple and the Shrine that we visited. We also learned about the dears and their habits. The tour was very enjoyable.
great tour
Mariana A,
Oct 13, 2025
- Viator
5.00We had a great experience. Hina was great, always attentive to us and helped us leave our luggage at the train station. The tour was short, but we saw everything mentioned.
Nara half day trip
Mivelessa R,
Oct 9, 2025
- Viator
5.00Great experience in Nara today with Futaba. She’s a very knowledgeable tour guide that provided us with amazing facts about the Nara area. Highly recommend her.
Best travel experience
Danko K,
Oct 9, 2025
- Viator
5.00Futaba was a great travel travel guide. She was personable and very accommodating. She made sure we were comfortable and taken care off. Her guides were very informative. I would love to go to her tours again. Arigato :)
A relaxing tour
Wayne H,
Oct 8, 2025
- Viator
4.00An early morning tour, so consider having breakfast before the start. The walking rate allowed stops for discussions, which made the whole experience quite relaxing. The tour guide did a good job in managing the group and was helpful in the explanations of the different artifacts.
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