Private Nara Tour and Sake Tasting (Departing from Kyoto/Nara)
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Discover the best of Nara on our PRIVATE morning tour, before the popular spots get crowded! Meet the friendly deer, admire Japan’s largest Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple, and enjoy a sake tasting to experience local flavors. Explore Japan’s first capital in a fun, relaxed, and efficient way — perfect for a half-day trip from Kyoto or Osaka!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
The tour duration depends on the departure point—around 6 hours from Kyoto and about 4 hours from Nara. If you opt for the sake tasting, please allow an extra 30 minutes.
This tour is designed as a WALKING experience, using public transportation and plenty of time on foot to explore Nara.
If you are late for the meeting time, you will not be able to join the tour or receive a refund.
What To Expect
Kofuku-ji Temple
Kofuku-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Nara, is renowned for its iconic five-story pagoda, the second tallest in Japan, and its rich Buddhist heritage.
Todai-ji Temple
Todai-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of Japan’s most iconic landmarks. It is home to the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world, and its massive wooden hall, the Daibutsuden, is the largest wooden structure of its kind. A symbol of Nara's rich history, the temple offers a profound cultural and spiritual experience.
Options
Meet at Kintetsu Nara Station
Duration: 4 hours: Our private tour offers a personalized experience with flexible schedules and relaxing breaks, letting you enjoy every moment Starting point: Kintetsu-Nara Station, Japan, 630-8215 Nara, Nishimikadochō, 東向中町29
Pick up at Kyoto Station
Duration: 6 hours: Our private tour offers a personalized experience with flexible schedules and relaxing breaks, letting you enjoy every moment Starting point: Kyoto Station, Higashishiokoji Kamadonocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8216, Japan
What‘s Included
Entrance Fees: Todai-ji Temple (800yen)
Passionate Local English-Speaking Guide
Professional Photos will be Taken During the Tour/Experience!
Public Transportation Fare: Applicable only for departures from Kyoto.
Sake Tasting Fee: Applicable only to those who wish to participate.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
61 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Tour with Ikki
isabellarI1173HZ,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ikki was an amazing tour guide and my family and I had the best time! Seeing the deer and getting to interact with them was the best part! Lots of walking so be prepared! Would definitely come back again!
Great trip to Nara with an awesome guide.
MDamonS,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour of Nara. Beautiful area. Ikki has a great eye for photos helping capture memorable pics of our trip. Also knowledgeable and a great communicator. Lastly fantastic spirit and energy giving our family an amazing tour.
Great trip with Ikki
R6607OUmitchells,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great tour with Ikki. He was super knowledgeable and fun, and he took great pictures of us! I would recommend going to Nara with him, he’s a blast.
Spectacular Day in Nara
stacieds2026,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our family had a fantastic day with Ikki! He is an eloquent, charming and polite young man, who was easy to communicate with ahead of time, and planned out great day in Nara. He met us at the Kyoto train station with easy instructions to find him. Nara is beautiful and worth a trip from Kyoto without question. Ikki knows the best spots to go and the fact that he brings his own camera and takes photos and videos was spectacular! We have our family Christmas card shot for this year! I couldn't recommend him more. Thanks Ikki for a great day! You were our favorite!
The best day in Nara!
G8177KVmarad,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My boyfriend and I recently went on this tour, and it was such a highlight of our trip. Our tour guide, Ikki, was incredibly knowledgeable. Even more, he was such a kind and fun person to spend the day with. Could not recommended this experience enough.
Best day of our trip
Harrison H,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had such an amazing time. Ikki was a fantastic guide. He had so much knowledge to share with us and he was a great photographer.
Nara and Sake tour
F4133TJtommyk,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful time with our guide Mariko, she was wonderful and very knowledgeable. The deer of Nara were very fun to see and feed. We would definitely recommend this tour and tour guide!
Fantastic Tour of Nara
Shelley W,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide Ikki went above and beyond to give us the best day in Nara. We didn’t expect much more than deer and sake on this tour, and were amazed at how much Nara has to offer. Ikki brought to life the unique history and culture of this beautiful city and the ancient temples of Nara Park. He speaks perfect English (which he learned as an exchange student in the U.S.) and was happy to answer all our questions. We were so glad to have him as our guide! Ikki took photos of us throughout our tour and sent us 140+ pictures the next day via WhatsApp. He also sent us recommendations for restaurants and sites to visit for our next stop in Kyoto. I’ve taken dozens of tours but never felt as well cared for as I did with Ikki and Otaku Hopper. I would give 100 stars if I could!
A Perfect Day in Nara — Thanks to Ikki-san!
davidjM8513YG,May 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing day in Nara with our guide Ikki-san. The tour was the perfect balance of history, culture, hidden details, and fun for our whole family. He was incredibly kind, knowledgeable, patient, and made the experience feel personal instead of rushed or scripted. The deer, temples, and atmosphere of Nara were unforgettable, but what really elevated the day was Ikki himself. He also took some fantastic photos throughout the tour — honestly some of our favorite family pictures from Japan so far. If you are visiting Nara and want a guide who genuinely cares about giving you a memorable experience, we highly recommend Ikki-san. Arigato gozaimasu!
Fun day exploring nara!
deborahk569,Apr 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour covers all the highlights of Nara. Our tour guide, IKKI-San , was VERY knowledgeable and was able to answer any of our questions. The best part is he brings his own camera and captured all of our special moments which took stress out of us trying to capture these special memories. IKKI-San prioritized our experience and ensured that we had the best time possible. The highlight of the tour is the deer. IKKI-San showed us the best spot to feed the tour. We don’t want to give it away so make sure to book the tour to find out! You won’t regret booking this tour!
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