Private Tour

One-Day Walking Tour of Amazing 8th Century Capital Nara

Overview

Available languages

English

8 hours

Mobile ticket

Nara was the capital of Japan in the 8th century prior to Kyoto and is located within an hour’s train ride from Osaka or Kyoto. In this tour we will stroll around a 19th century town area in the morning, and then visit a solemn shrine hidden in the forest and a huge temple, both of which were founded in the 8th century. In addition to that, we will have interesting encounters with the wild but friendly deer roaming around Nara Park.

In this tour you will be able to appreciate the difference between Nara and Kyoto, the development of culture, architecture and lifestyles in these two periods in Japanese history.

We will pick you up at Osaka or Kyoto so there will be no problems with the transfer to Nara.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

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

What To Expect

Naramachi

We will start our tour by visiting Naramachi area which was originally founded as temple town in the 8th century and turned into a merchant town. Traditional-style latticed houses 100 years old and more are preserved well here. We will actually enter one of them once owned by a wealthy merchant and explore its luxurious interior. It tells a tale of how Japanese people used to live a hundred years ago. On the other hand, you can also find some new shops among the old houses operated by young, present-day merchants selling cute accessories. Enjoy the combination of 19th and 21st century culture.

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Kasuga Grand Shrine

This shrine was founded in the 8th century by the Fujiwara clan which was the most powerful aristocratic family in Japanese history. Even today the head priest of Kasuga Grand Shrine is a descendent from that family. The deity enshrined here was invited from Ibaragi, some 500km away and came all the way riding on the back of a deer. That’s why the deer in Nara are regarded as the messengers of the deity and have been treated very well.

1 hour • Admission Not Included

What‘s Included

Professional Guide

Public Transportation Fare

Entrance fees to Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Options

Starting from Kyoto

Starting point:
Kyoto Station, Higashishiokoji Kamadonocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8216, Japan

Starting from Osaka Namba

Reviews

5.00

15 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Satomi was knowledgeable...
Nicholas R,,May 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Satomi was knowledgeable and extremely flexible. I diverted our trip to the Nara National Museum, for which she hadn't prepared at all, and she was still able to help me around and give insight into the exhibits. She even helped us find a good spot for dinner after the tour. Highly recommend.
Great
GLENDADELGADO L,,Jun 17, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
Emi Rigano was great. She was flexible and took care of us. We did not realize that this was a personalized tour. We hope to have the tour decription more detailed and precise for future travelers 😊. Overall, it was a pleasant and relaxing tour with Emi's help.
Excellent
Road07428130391,,May 16, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It has been a excellent and productive day and it’s all thanks to Tomoko who accompanied me from Kyoto station to Nara where I visited the amazing 8 th capital which was wonderful than to temple and shrines and thanks to Tomoko again who took time out to accompany to inari shrines which was mesmerising. Tomoko is very knowledgeable and at every point she explained about the Japanese culture and deity’s and their significance. A great learning experience I must say. I highly recommend Tomoko for this tours and definitely I’m coming back. Thanks Arigato gozaimashita
Great day and great tour
445patriced,,May 14, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This tour was amazing. Tomoko was very knowledgeable of Japanese history and she was very accommodating to my husband who has a bad knee. I guess our favorite part of the day was the Todai.Ji temple and all the deer. We also loved walking through the old town and learning more about the traditional architecture.
Fantastic tour
Patrice D,,May 14, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
This tour is a must do. Our guide Tomoko was very knowledgeable about Japan history. I much appreciated how accommodating she was for my husband who has a bad knee. There were so many great experiences, that it’s hard to pick a favorite.
Learned more about the...
Phil C,,Mar 23, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
Learned more about the old capital of Japan. Nice to see Deers roaming around and it's significance of this place.
Thank you Tomoko
Curiosity16283848794,,Mar 21, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was an amazing tour . I took around 100 pictures . We tested Sake , saw incredible Tempels and fed the Deers. I had a lot of fun.
An enjoyable day trip to Nara
Peter O,,Dec 17, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00
Our guide, Fumiko was an exceptional guide. She was very informative and her knowledge of Japanese culture and history made our tour enjoyable. Fumiko answered all our questions and was helpful to us on gaining insight on the places we visited. She was promptly on time, professional and made sure of our safety the whole time we were together. Her recommendations on food and places to see were spot on along with other tips.
Noriko is a star
John H,,Oct 13, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00
We absolutely loved Nara. Feeding the deer was unique experience but see the largest wooden structure and the enormous Buddha was my particular favorite 😍 Thank you to our guide Noriko - she was amazing and fun!
Noriko Nara Tour
Jorge G,,Jun 17, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00
Nara was our favorite place in Osaka. Our native guide Norika made our tour so very special. She picked us at the hotel and it was a fun-filled day. Norika is a knowledgeable, patient, sweet and lovely guide. The best walking tour guide we had in Japan. She went above and beyond to give us a cultural experience. She took us the breathtaking Nara Park, Kasuga Grand Shrine, Todai-ji Temple, and areas around Nara. She was extremely entertaining for my kids. Shin'ainaru Noriko-san, wasurerarenai tsuitachi o arigatō.