Nara Prefecture Tours

If you don’t speak Japanese, it can be hard to navigate Japan like a local. This tour of Nara, Japan’s ancient capital, is designed to  help you do just that. Leave the crowds of Kyoto behind and discover the peaceful city of Nara: its temples, shrines, traditional houses and divine deer. Explore the backstreets and alleys of the merchants district, and try authentic street food.

Maximize your time in Nara with a private walking tour that puts you in touch with the real city—via a local who loves it. It’s simple: explain your travel wants, meet your Nara local, and enjoy a tour that puts Nara at your feet. Learn ways to get around, places to see, and hidden local hotspots, and get the info needed to get the most from your visit.

Explore Nara with a nationally-licensed and experienced multilingual guide! Your guide will help you efficiently enjoy a half-day walking tour of Nara and introduce both modern and traditional sides of this dynamic and ancient Japanese city. Nara's proximity to Kyoto and Osaka, and its rich collection of traditional sites, make it an ideal destination for a day trip from either of its larger neighbors. Your private guide can help you efficiently enjoy a half-day walking tour of this ancient Japanese city. You can start your day at your hotel in Osaka, Kyoto. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a four-hour tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

This tour helps you uncover the best of Japan’s ancient capital—Nara in half a day. Visit multiple temples, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Todai-ji Temple, and Kofukuji Temple. Learn about the semi-tame deer that freely roam Nara Park, and visit a sake brewery too. You’ll save hours researching Nara’s highlights by having a guide to lead the way and take you to a shortlist of the city’s best sights.

This is the perfect tour for first-time visitors to Nara who want to get a good overview in a short space of time. You won’t have to worry about navigating as a guide takes you around a shortlist of Nara’s best sights. See the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Todai-ji Temple, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, visit the traditional houses of Naramachi, and see the city’s many semi-wild deer.

This is a Nara private tour using by public transportation from Kyoto. The guide will pick you up at the hotel. No problem with train and bus transfers, as the guides are with you! The destinations of the tour includes Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha, deer park, and other UNESCO World Heritage Site temples! For details of the tour, you can look at the what to expect section and inclusions excursions section of this web page.

Discover a town famed for its Edo-style castles and orange goldfish on a half-day tour of Yamato-Koriyama from Nara. In a small group limited to 9, you’ll visit town highlights such as Koriyama Castle and a Goldfish Museum before stopping for a snack at K Coffee, a cafe that features fish tank converted from a phone booth. Plus, you’ll visit a goldfish farm to learn more about the popular pets.

Come with me to discover Yoshino, in the South of Nara prefecture! Surrounded by nature and inside mountains, Yoshino is the place to visit especially during the beautiful sakura season, better between April 13~15. But even out season, Yoshino is a high place of History, mostly with Kukai, Buddhist monk from the 9th century the Southern Imperial Court of Japan (14th century).

Located in the southern part of Nara Prefecture, "Yoshinoyama" is known as one of the most famous cherry blossom areas in Japan. Yoshino mountain is covered with 30,000 cherry trees blooming in the spring. Its elegant and elegant landscape continues to attract many people, from ancient times to the present age. From ancient times, Yoshino cherries held a special place, even as a sacred ground for an examination of the path connecting God and nature. In the old days, it was written numerous Japanese texts how beautiful a sight it was that the Emperor of that time and all cultural people loved. This tour is about 5 hours of walking along the mountain path of Yoshino while thinking about the history of eternity. There are no steep slopes, but the entire journey will be about 8 km, so it's a tour for those who are ok with walking. Follow along with the local guide that lives in Nara, learning the way the people of the Asuka and Nara period went about Yoshino exploration.

Join the highlights Tour at Nara Cycle Tours and meet other travelers, or do it in private and your guide can make this day special for your own group.

Nara has many tourist attractions to visit. But surely you have no time? Rental bicycles are the best way to get around the sights efficiently. With a bike you can drop in anywhere you like. You can move around comfortably while looking at the beautiful city, without worrying about traffic jam like a car. ■All bicycles are maintained by mechanic. ■You can rent a bike for up to 24 hours at one day price ■Returnable after closing ■There are also many other types of bicycles, such as regular bike or kids bike. Please check our website for details. ■The number of small e-bikes (22 inches and 24 inches) is limited. If you need small e-bikes, please confirm by email to our shop in advance. ■Child seat is available for free. But please note that only children weighing less than 22 kg can sit in it.

Kansai WIDE Area Pass is valid for unlimited travel in the valid area on the map ･ Valid trains are below; - Non-reserved seats on Bullet Train "SANYO SHINKANSEN" (Shin-Osaka⇔Okayama) ･ The pass can be used for non-reserved seats on the "Hello Kitty Shinkansen". - Non-reserved seats on Express Trains HARUKA, KUROSHIO, THUNDERBIRD, KOUNOTORI, SUPER HAKUTO, SUPER INABA, etc. - Special Rapid Services, Rapid Services, and Local trains on JR-WEST Conventional lines * For reserved seats, please purchase a Limited Express Reserved Seat Ticket from a JR-WEST Ticket Office or other location before boarding.

Nara is the ancient capital of Japan prior to Kyoto, and the Japanese dynasty started from this area. In this tour, you will visit representing sightseeing and photo spots in Nara. This tour is designed to enable you to enjoy spots in a completely relaxed way while strolling around early in the morning with fresh air and fewer tourists. Nara is the only place in the world where about 1,300 wild deer roam freely. You can get really close to those cute animals and feed them while they bow begging for deer crackers. Let's experience ancient Japanese culture and enjoy the site of adorable animals.

Hiking tour in Mt. Kasuga Primeval Forest, surrounded by beautiful nature, various plants and animals, and amazing picturesque views. Mt. Kasuga Primeval Forest is located in the main area of Nara City and very close to Nara Park. It has remained untouched for thousands of years and has been carefully protected as the sacred forest of the Kasugataisha Shrine. There are over 800 types of trees, wild animals, rare birds and insects. Takisaka-no-Michi path, one of the famous hiking courses in the forest, passes a waterfall and small caves carved with Buddha figures. It is said to be a training path for monks in Nara and you can see the objects of faith along the way. The path leads to Yagyu Village known as the birthplace of the Yagyu Shinkage School of swordsmanship. The statue of Kubikiri Jizo appears along the way. It has been sliced at the neck by a sword. According to folklore, it was used by the master swordsman to test his blade.

Many regard Japan with temples and Buddhism, so why not visit the places regarded as the origin of Japanese Buddhism? We will visit Asaka, Nara. Asaka was the first place where Buddhism was introduced from China around the 7th century, there are temples with over 1000 years of history. Every temple is full of charm, rich in nature, and somewhere the Buddha is older than the Great Buddha of Nara. Which temple will you like the most? Your otomo tour guide will explain the sights one-by-one to you! Don't forget the electric bike! You can enjoy the scenery of a Japanese hometown by a paddy field. Cycling around the former capital by bike, maybe the start of a historic tour!

･ Kansai-Hiroshima Area pass is valid for unlimited travel in the valid area on the map ･ Valid trains are below; - Non-reserved seats on Bullet Train "SANYO SHINKANSEN" (Shin-Osaka⇔Hiroshima) ･ The pass can be used for non-reserved seats on the "Hello Kitty Shinkansen". - Non-reserved seats on Express Trains 'HARUKA, KUROSHIO, THUNDERBIRD, KOUNOTORI, SUPER HAKUTO (Kyoto⇔Kamigori) etc.' * A separate fare is required for traveling on SUPER HAKUTO (Kamigori⇔Tottori) and SUPER INABA (Kamigori⇔Tottori) - Special Rapid Services, Rapid Services, and Local trains on JR-WEST Conventional lines - JR WEST MIYAJIMA FERRY (Miyajimaguchi⇔Miyajima) * For reserved seats, please purchase a Limited Express Reserved Seat Ticket from a JR-WEST Ticket Office or other location before boarding.

I lived three years in Nara and I am a registered Interpreter Guide for Nara Prefecture. I can even close my eyes and guide you! Hehe. In this tour, we will discover Katsuragi City, through its district Taima. Wonderful! One of the ancient capitale of Old Japan, tradition like Buddhism and sumo, nature... You will know more about this city and Japan's History.

-Time to start the Nara historical walking tour- We will explore a Japanese old town that is extremely different from what we know of metropolitan Tokyo. Walking between the historical buildings, we can go inside a merchant's house and see how the people around here lived. -Continue to walk to a secret spot, which has been hidden for centuries- Welcome to a hidden Japanese pyramid. Let's take a break from walking(or hiking) as you observe this mysterious structure in the middle of a quiet town. -Walk inside Nara park and interact with cute wild deer- Explore the beautiful red shrine housing hundreds of lanterns and go see a huge temple with a great Buddha statue. Around here, you can interact with some wild deers. You will see how "polite" they are! Magical Trip is a local tour operator with the TripAdvisor certificate of excellence that offers various types of small-group tours throughout Japan! Check out our Trip Advisor Page for more tours and our reviews!

Nara has flourished as a central city of Japan more than 1,000 years ago so it still has many remains and streets with ancient atmosphere! You will visit those streets on this tour, but also a café where you can play with owls and a spot where you can make your own plastic food model! You will also rent a “kimono”! Imagine the pictures you will take on historical streets wearing a “kimono”. No doubt that it will be the best souvenir for yourself of this tour! Talking about souvenirs for yourself, you will also make an Incense and an accessory made from deer horn! Don’t forget to book your tour to discover Nara and walk around the city in a “kimono”, with your otomo guide!

You will visit three world heritages of the eight in Nara on this tour! If you like Japanese architecture, history or art you better book this tour right now! Each of the spots you will visit has interesting features such as a three-storied pagoda which looks like to have six stories and a small five-storied pagoda stored in a room. If you are lucky, you can take pictures of the illuminated five-storied pagoda with deer around it! To visit all those spots, you will have to use public transportation which is troublesome in a foreign country, but you have your otomo guide on this tour who will take you around! Don’t forget to book your tour to visit the world heritage with your otomo guide!

Enjoy meeting the local folk living in Totsukawa Village. Experience the Bon Odori Musashi O-Odori dance which has been held for more than 300 years. The Musashi O-Odori is a dance which has been passed down from generation to generation, and has been designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. You can wear the actual Bon Odori costumes for the traditional dance, and hear lectures given by locals. A great opportunity to meet and enjoy the company of the friendly locals in Totsukawa.

Kashihara-jingu shrine is quite new (1889) and was built during Meiji imperial restauration. The emperor wanted his power to be reaffirmed and so built this shrine, even giving some buildings from Kyoto imperial palace, in the very place where were held the first imperial government (660 BC). Emperor Jinmu is enshrined in this place. After visiting Kashihara-jingu, we go to Imai-cho, Japanese traditionnal city. At first, temple town, it became a trade city during Edo period. Its architecture did not change and now, we still can visit this town as it was during Edo. Visiting Kashihara, we can know more about Japanese History while having a great time outside.

Learning calligraphy is a practical hobby of learning aesthetic expressions through letters and beautifying life. By expressing the unique beauty that enriches your heart, you will improve your quality of life. In addition, the work of concentrating and writing letters neatly leads to a training to improve personality. Japanese calligraphy begins with the introduction of Chinese kanji, but it is a precious culture that sublimates Japanese language into aesthetics through letters. Please experience the aesthetic appearance of the characters that have been handed down for many years in a traditional Japanese town.

In Old Japan, many enjoyed a visit to the temple via a long, crowded highway where the town flourished around it. It is in Nara this atmosphere remains to this day! Firstly, we will visit "Hase temple." Drop by an old liquor shop or Japanese confectionary shop to experience the travels of the past. Go up the 399 stairs of Hase temple where a dynamic view and main hall awaits! The view from the theatre is super, there is also no doubt you will be overwhelmed by the size. Later we will visit Odamo, a castle town that flourished along the Ise road to Ise-Shrine. There are several old stores, including sake breweries, Japanese confectionary stores and old private cafes. A great atmosphere!