Top Nara Sightseeing 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.

Stroll through 3 of historic Nara’s most iconic landmarks with a professional, English-speaking guide. Get to know the temples and scenic gardens of Nara. Meet your guide at the JR Nara Station, and walk at a relaxed pace to visit Kasuga-Taisha Shrine, the Great Buddha in Todaiji Temple, and Kofuku-ji Temple. Meet the divine deer of Nara along your way.

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.

Nara was the capital of Japan from 710 to 794 when it was relocated to Kyoto, and the entire town is now registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara". In the vast Nara Park where deer roam, there are historical temples and shrines such as Todaiji Temple where the Great Buddha is enshrined, Kofukuji Temple with many national treasures, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine with vivid vermilion. This is a virtual tour via ZOOM that allows you to experience the feeling of traveling in Nara while at home. An English-speaking guide will take you around the city of Nara while taking a walk, and you can enjoy the scenery of the beautiful city of Nara. This tour is livestream, so there is also time to enjoy a conversation with the guide. Have a nice livestream virtual tour of about 1 hour.

Nara's charm is not only deers but also its traditional country lifestyle, which has been inherited from generations to generations.Half a day off-the-beaten walk to an oldest road "Yamanobe no michi" will lead you to deep cultural understanding on satoyama villages. You will come across small farm stands and people's life.

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.

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.

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.

Explore Nara with a nationally-licensed and experienced multilingual guide! Your guide will help you efficiently enjoy a full-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 full-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 six-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.

Have a once-in-a-lifetime experience with amateur wrestlers in Katsuragi, a birthplace of Sumo! According to Japan’s oldest historical record, the first Sumo was held in Katsuragi City, Nara.Kehayaza, the Sumo Museum of Katsuragi City, opened in 1990.There is a sumo ring which is the same size as regular tournaments. Special thing in Kehayaza is anyone can step onto the sumo ring here.This program will provide you a special chance to learn sumo terms, manners, sumo-themed songs(Sumo-jink), practice schedule and watch real match by amateur sumo wrestlers.In addition, one of the highlights of this program is you can take part in the sumo practice and match with sumo costume or mawashi, a loincloth.Here is the perfect place to enjoy the special Sumo program you have never experienced!

This is a full-day custom tour ideal for small group. After selecting your preferred choice of transportation from an alphard, van or bus, your group will explore the the city of Nara and Uji, and visit the must-see sights at your own pace, and customise the day to see only what you want to, all with the help of a guide/driver. Design your own itinerary and experience the region’s nature and culture.

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.

This private and customizable tour for Nara is perfect for guests who would like to have their own itinerary planned based on their interests and preferences, allowing guests to experience the city at their own pace.

This is a walking tour with your private tour guide who have lived Nara more than 10 years and have worked at tourist information center before.

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. Though it’s not so popular and busy comparing to Kyoto, there are several things you can’t miss while you are in Japan such as friendly wild deer, huge Buddha and a shrine with thousands of lanterns. In addition, as Nara is a home of present-day sake, you can try variety of Japanese sake with nibbles.

In the morning, visit the “Heijo Palace;” one of the World Heritage site “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.” This is the remains of the ancient capital of Japan. Some of the architecture has been reconstructed in the same scale and style from ancient times; such as “Imperial Audience Hall” where various rituals were conducted, “Suzaku-mon Gate” which was the front gate to the palace, and “Suzaku-oji Avenue” which was the main street of the ancient capital. Let’s explore and think about the people who built the Japanese capital more than 1,300 years ago, and experience some of ancient lives and cultures.  In the afternoon, you will visit a castle town “Yamato koriyama” prospered in and after the 16th century. Enjoy strolling through the castle town, where traditional Japanese streetscapes and lives still remain.

Nothing better than to discover Nara by the explanations from an -almost-local person! The first fixed capital of Japan, a high city of tradition and history, you will learn more about the history of this city and Japan. I lived in Nara for 3 years and it is my favorite place in Japan. You will discover an ancient capital which became a calm countryside city. Nothing to hurry, nothing to worry!

Visit the “Heijo Palace;” one of the World Heritage site “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.” This is the remains of the ancient capital of Japan. Some of the architecture has been reconstructed in the same scale and style from ancient times; such as “Imperial Audience Hall” where various rituals were conducted, “Suzaku-mon Gate” which was the front gate to the palace, and “Suzaku-oji Avenue” which was the main street of the ancient capital. Let’s explore and think about the people who built the Japanese capital more than 1,300 years ago, and experience some of ancient lives and cultures.

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.

An exclusive tour for all the romantics of the world! Together with the professional local guide, you will visit the most romantic places in the city. What could be more romantic than exploring Nara’s serene and tranquil parks, temples, and shrines, while beautiful wild deer pass by? You will feel spellbound in a charming atmosphere. What is considered as one of the best places to have a date in the city? You will be surprised how many historical love stories are hidden in the streets, buildings, parks of the city. From heartbreaking and tragic, to the hilarious or spicy ones. Enjoy a hugely romantic getaway in one of the world’s most beautiful, interesting and historic cities of Japan. Tōdai-ji temple is one of the most visited Temple in Nara by people looking for blessings in their marriage or love life. Did you know the Great Buddha Hall in Tōdai-ji Temple is the largest wooden structure in the world? This tour is especially recommended in the Saint Valentine period!

Together with the professional guide, you will visit the most charming places in the city. Well known for its roaming deer, the ancient capital of Japan is a wonderful place to visit, filled with history, nature, and fresh air aplenty. With a great combination of shrines, temples, parks, and amazing views, it makes for a stress-free wandering experience. Where is the largest bronze Buddha statue in the world found in Nara? You will have a chance to explore the city while hearing fascinating facts and legends. Did you know deers found on Nara Deer Park are believed to be the messengers of the gods in the Shinto religion? If you bow to the deer (with senbei in hand), they might just bow back! You will be surprised how many stories are hidden in the streets, buildings, and corners of Nara. Your charming guide will tell you what is special and unique about living in this city. Perfect for those who are visiting the city for the first time and want to get the most of it!

Are you excited to hear there is a 1300 years old remain under reconstruction? If yes there is no way to skip this tour! Its been more than 60 years since a research team started digging and reconstructing Heijo Palace but it is said that only one-third of it is revealed so far. But in 2018 a memorial park was built where you can visit reproduced huge buildings by bikes and Segway! You will also a dynamic video showing the ancient days on a five dimension screen in a VR theater. You can enjoy the thousand-year-old remain and the latest technology at the same time on this tour! Don’t forget to book your tour to visit a famous remain, with your otomo guide!

Don’t miss the famous Buddhist image of Todai-Ji temple and the three thousand bamboo lamps at “Kasuga-Taisha” if you come to Nara! We will take you there and give detail explanation about them on this tour. You will first visit the popular hall of the great Buddha which is a national treasure and world cultural heritage. “Nigatsu-do” which is located behind Todai-Ji temple is not so popular, but the view of the whole city from there is superb! After hiking through a forest with wild deer and visiting a famous Japanese sword shop, we will get to “Kasuga Taisha”. The three thousand bamboo lamps there is beyond description! Don’t forget to book your photogenic tour!