Top Nara Prefecture Outdoor Activities

 Let's enjoy the city of Ikaruga, a world heritage town by bicycle! If you are within the usage time, you can freely stroll around your favorite places. In Ikaruga-cho, there are many attractions such as Horyu-ji and Hoki-ji, which are world heritage sites, as well as Horin-ji, Yoshida-ji, Fujinogi tumulus, and Tatsuta-gawa. Luggage storage during the rental cycle is free of charge, so you can enjoy cycling casually with your hands. All bicycles are equipped with shifting gears, so you can easily go uphill! An electric bicycle (one) is also available, so please choose according to your preference. ◆ ◇ Lending location ◇ ◆ ・ Nara Ikaruga Tourism Waikaru (Free parking and luggage storage available) ◆ ◇ Use time ◆ ◇ 9: 00-18: 00 ◆ ◇ Price ◆ ◇ 1,500 yen a day In addition, there are plans for 1 hour (300 yen), 2 hours (600 yen), 3 hours (800 yen), and 5 hours (1,200 yen). ◆ ◇ Return ◆ ◇ Final return is 18:00 (on time) ☆ Guidance of neighboring facilities ☆ Horyuji Temple Hours: 8: 00-17: 00 (16:30 in winter) Admission fee: General 1,500 yen / Elementary school student 750 yen Horinji Temple Hours: 8: 00-17: 00 (16:30 in winter) Admission fee: 500 yen for adults / 400 yen for middle and high school students / 200 yen for elementary school students Hokiji Temple Opening hours: 8: 30-17: 00 (16:30 in winter) Admission fee: General 300 yen / Elementary school student 200 yen Yoshida Temple Opening hours: 9am to 6:30 pm Admission fee: Adults (high school students and older) 300 yen / Junior high school students 200 yen / Elementary school students 100 yen You can also experience making a red stamp book at Yoshidaji Temple. For details, see the following page. ※ Please confirm before you leave ※ (1) Bicycles are thoroughly inspected, but please check by yourself before departure. (Brake, transmission, pedal, tire pressure, etc.) ② When you leave your bicycle, be sure to lock it. ③ In case of theft or damage, please pay our actual expenses. ら Please return the key to the counter when you return. ら Please call 0745-75-8055 if you have any troubles such as puncture or breakdown.

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!

Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage, Mt.Yoshino in Nara has many shrines and temples to see. It is a spiritual place where the monks used to practise to gain enlightenment. In this tour, you will climb Mt.Yoshino and see World Heritage sites such as "Kinpusan Temple" with its large Buddha statue, and "Yoshino Mizuwake-Jinja" hidden in the mountains. Don't miss the spectacular view from the top! If Spring, the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom and you will see a view like no other. Want to get away from the busy city, and experience serenity? This is the plan recommended for you, you will feel refreshed after seeing the vibrant nature and historic shrines.

Have you ever heard of Asukamura? It is a historical area which has many remains and is even more mysterious than the famous Nara area! You will discover this area on this tour and visit many rare spots such as an ape and a turtle made from stone, a remain which is said that a demon used to live at, and a huge remain maid from stone. Once you see those remains, you will be overwhelmed and can't stop thinking who made it for what sake! You will ride a motor-assisted bike to visit all those spots through the countryside with fields and rice fields which will make you feel you are in Japan! Don’t forget to book your tour to visit mysterious remains, with your otomo guide!

How about visiting the oldest five-storied pagoda in the world and world heritage, Horyuji Temple with your otomo guide? Horyuji Temple has brought the dawn of Japanese Buddhism and is the oldest world heritage in Japan. There are many historical Buddhist image and structures that will make you excited and overwhelmed! The five-storied pagoda there is the oldest one in the world, but its quake-proof technique of the structure is the same as used in TOKYO SKYTREE! You will also visit an ancient tomb, a unique temple, the countryside with fields and rice fields, and a café peculiar to a historical city! Don’t forget to book your tour to visit the oldest world heritage in Japan!

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.

Being refreshed and comforted in the cobalt colored pool fed by the waters of a river in an unspoiled gorge. Dorokyo Gorge in the Yoshino Kumano National Park. The river gorge with its cobalt blue pools, created by natural forces over many thousands of years, is a sublime sight. You'll have a special trip down to the beautiful Dorokyo George on the Kawasemi riverboat. Passengers are usually not allowed to get off the boat, but this plan will allow you to land on the bank where you can have a bento lunch box featuring local delicacies.

In this tour, you will visit a hidden spot "Kousegawa Valley", which is at the upper stream of famous Mitarai Valley. An experienced canyoning instructor from the local tour company "Wild Wind" will take you to full-fledged canyoning such as sliding down, jumping off, and climbing a waterfall or a mountain. Refresh yourself to your heart’s content at these hidden mountain streams. After canyoning, you unwind yourself in a hot spring. A ticket for "Ten-no-kawa Hot Spring" is included, where spring water is re-boiled using a firewood boiler. This hot spring offers you very relaxing time.  Upon your request, it is possible for you to skip activities such as sliding down, jumping off, and climbing. You can enjoy the tour even if you are not athletic or a good swimmer. Please feel free to consult us.

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 city bike or kids bike. Please check our website for details. ■Child seat is available for free. But please note that children weighing less than 22 kg can sit in it. ■There are only a few small electric bicycles (22-inch), so if you need a smaller size please email us in advance.

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.

This bike tour is based on our most popular tour, Nara Highlights, but without Yoshikien Garden and reserved for families with kids. Either your children can ride a bike or not, we are here for you. Explore Nara, the park, visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine and its thousand lanterns, the Kikuichi traditional Japanese knife shop With a guide who will keep you safe and will show you the city in a very unique way. Welcome to Nara with our Family Bike Tour. As it is a private family tour, you can be sure that your guide will take extra care of your group, adjust and adapt the tour based on your preferences.

Explore Nara away from all tourists, on a bike, reach the top of Wakakusayama Mountain, explore a lost temple in the forest, admire hidden Buddhist statues carved in stone... A tour that mixes sport, nature and Japanese history for a very unique experience and amazing memories.

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.

You can see Japanese old temples and lots of small statue statues in the wood. You can see the view of Nara, Osaka and Kyoto .. Then we take a hiking course to Ikoma Amusement Park and enjoy the view from the summit. On the way we will have a lunch. The final point is Makioka Shrine. We can talk about the cultural difference between yours and Japan. The guide is experienced trekking guide in Nepal, living in Japan. The course is for beginners, primary school students also can go. Walk from Kintetsu Ikoma Station to Hozan Temple. After visiting the temple, climb the hiking trail. After seeing the scenery of Nara, Osaka and Kyoto at Yamakami Amusement Park, we ran for lunch through the Japan's oldest highway, Akari. Get off in the nature, pass through the Ichioka Shrine, and dissolve at the Hiraoka Station.