The 10 Best Historical & Heritage Tours in Nara, Kinki

May 21, 2021 Leida Jutras

Thirteen hundred years ago, Nara (then Heiju-kyu) was the imperial capital of Japan. "Old Japan" is still easy to spot here, from Great Buddha Hall to traditional ryokans and the serene Isuien garden. Travelers rave about walking tours of Nara, particularly in the historic Naramachi merchant area.
Restaurants in Nara

1. Nara Day Trip from Osaka with a Local: Private & Personalized

Osaka, Japan City Unscripted Osaka
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Explore picturesque Nara on a private and personalised experience. Your Local Host will show you Nara’s highlights like the Todai-ji Temple as well as revealing hidden gems and the most beautiful spots in the city. Visit stunning Shinto shrines, sacred Buddhist sites and stroll through peaceful gardens and along forest paths, as well as enjoying authentic Kansai cuisine. A day in Nara will feel like a holiday from your holiday!

Inclusions: Private and personalised experience, 9 hours with a host (including travel time to and from Osaka), Tickets to:Isui-en Garden, Todaiji-Temple, Kasuga-Taisha Shrine, Kofuku-ji Temple, Nigatsu-do, Walking experience (other transport can be arranged at an additional cost)

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Tickets to any attractions other than the ones mentioned, Bicycle rentals, Transportation costs (Japan Rail Pass holders can travel free on the JR), Gratuities

Reviewed By Renaiika

Our guide Haruhi was very nice and told us a lot about specific characterics from Osaka. We tried Okonomiyaki, Takoyaki and Kushikatsu which was all very tasty. She also showed us some secret passages in Osaka and gave us tips where we could spend time Osaka on our next days. The only thing that I was missing was to try out some other foods that are maybe not too known too. But in overall we had a lot of fun!

2. Day trip to Nara from Osaka or Kyoto, World Heritage Sites and deer park tour

Japan Wonder Travel
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Nara locates East of Osaka city and South of Kyoto city. It take app. 1 hour from both cities by public transportation. You can explore Nara as a day trip with a professional friendly guide. Nara is ancient capital city before Kyoto. There are a lot to see!! Especially, around Nara Park. You could see very friendly (and hungry) free-roaming deer, amazingly huge Buddha Statue, very old shrine wiz 3000 lanterns, and second tallest five-storied pagoda. Since this tour is private, if you have any request, it is possible to customize the itinerary.

Inclusions: Hotel meetup, Local guide, Gratuities

Exclusions: Entrance fees (for you & guide), Lunch (for you & guide), Transportation to/from attractions (for you & guide)

Reviewed By dandelionbreak2014

Yumiko was our guide for the day. We were very fortunate to have her lead the way as she is knowledgeable, friendly and experienced. She was well-organised and even taught us useful Japanese phrases which we used in subsequent days! Mount Fuji was visible the entire day, so we felt extremely blessed and happy to have seen the sacred mountain from different locations and at different timings. I highly recommend Yumiko to any person interested in visit Fuji or any other part of Japan!

3. Nara Half-day Private Tour Osaka/Kyoto departure with Nationally-Licensed Guide

Japan Guide Agency
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

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.

Inclusions: Free Photos, Hotel Pick up and Drop-off, Licensed Local Guide

Exclusions: Other personal expenses, Lunch - Lunch (for yourself and your guide), Entrance fee (for yourself), Private Vehicle, Transportation fee (for yourself and your guide)

Reviewed By Cwshaman

The flexibility to chose locations that suited our wants and abilities was great. Hiro San was very quick to put together an itinerary that accommodated a family with a stroller-baby (no monkey park due to long unpacked walking paths). Taking in the beautiful temples and view of the Kyoto from the west was breath taking and the guide was able to explain many things we as new Japanese learners could not read or know through cultural knowledge. Overall a great experience, a wonderful and lively guide, and some great memories.

4. Private Nara Deer and Sake Adventure - Easy Day Trip from Kyoto or Osaka!

Lawson, 3 Higashimuki Nakamachi, Nara, 630-8215, Japan Mardi Robinson
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Explore Nara's scenic beauty and sake on this all inclusive, private tour. A convenient day trip from either Kyoto or Osaka, Nara is a must see on any traveler's list. From the numerous wild deer that roam free in the streets to multiple UNESCO world heritage sites like the giant Buddha at Todaiji, explore both the famous sites and the places that lie just a little off the beaten path. End your day with a one of a kind Japanese sake rice wine brewery tour and tasting in Nara's old town merchant quarters surrounded by medieval townhouses and storefronts. All entrance fees, the sake tasting, and a snack are included in the price so no need to fret about any hidden fees.

Inclusions: Temple admission fees, Sake brewery admittance and sake tasting, Your very own entertaining, private guide who is fluent in English and Japanese, A small snack or sweet

Exclusions: Taxis and train fare, Food and drink outside of the sake tasting and snack

Reviewed By djboote

We had a lovely, informative walking tour and sampled food at two standup bar/restaurants and at a couple of street shops. We had a great evening and learned a lot!

5. The Essence of Nara Cultural Tour: Big Buddha, Bambi and Backstreets

Kintetsu-Nara Station, Japan, 〒630-8215 Nara, Nishimikadochō, 東向中町29 Kyoto Urban Adventures
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5.0 based on 20 reviews

Explore the ancient capital of Japan with us and discover a peaceful city, brimming with dazzling temples, shrines, imperial tombs and machiya houses built in the traditional style. We’ll meet divine deer roaming the streets, grab some tasty street food, chat with locals about living and working here and show you our favourite hidden gems in the alleys of the old city. All this at your own pace, without the hassle or the crowds of a typical day in Kyoto. What are you waiting for?!

Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, Entrance fees for all the sites mentioned, Local snacks

Exclusions: Additional food and drink, Gratuities for your guide

Reviewed By Ebayasianf

I booked a virtual tour of Kyoto's traditional Higashiyama neighborhood from Amazon Explore. We had the pleasure and good fortune to have Akemi as our tour guide. She spoke good English and was very accommodating to our requests for pictures, shopping, and information. We truly felt the Japan experience and enjoyed it so much, we want to do more travel explore segments. We had been to Japan but somehow missed this beautiful neighborhood. Akemi engaged the local people and introduced them to us and they would take the time to say hello! We saw geishas and couples getting married. Then Akemi helped us look for souvenirs, which we have already received back in the U.S.! The best part was Akemi writing on a monkey wish souvenir and hanging it at the temple. We are planning a trip to Japan and were so impressed with Akemi, we definitely will try to contact her for tour services and thank her in person for such a wonderful experience.

6. 3-Day Kyoto and Nara Rail Tour by Bullet Train from Tokyo

JP Tower, 2-chōme-7-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan JTB Sunrise Tours
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4.4 based on 136 reviews

Venture by bullet train from Tokyo to the historical sites of Nara, and enjoy 2 night stay in Kyoto – the heart of Japanese culture! On this three day trip, visit top attractions including five UNESCO World Heritage Sites – from Nara’s Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Shrine to Kyoto’s Golden Pavilion Temple, Nijo Castle and Kiyomizu Temple. Enjoy a morning and afternoon sightseeing tour of Kyoto with a professional guide, who will take you to the Imperial Palace and Fushimiinari Taisha Shrine.

Inclusions: Lunch, Lunch, Accommodation in Kyoto, Professional English-speaking guide, Round-trip bullet train between Tokyo and Kyoto

Exclusions: Baggage handling, Gratuities, Breakfast / Dinner, Hotel Pick up and Drop off

Reviewed By mm0711

The tour was just like a live stream. You will get on a rickshaw and your friendly driver will show you around in Kyoto. After the ride, your guide will walk with you and take you to the beautiful bamboo forest and Tenruji Temple. You will also meet monkeys at the park in Iwatayama! The only thing I was disappointed about was I couldn't taste the Shojin Ryori or Buddhist vegetarian meal that our guide Mickey-san showed and explained. I should be on the real tour!

7. 3-Day Mt Fuji, Kyoto and Nara Rail Tour from Tokyo

Keio Plaza Hotel, 2-chōme-2-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-8330, Japan JTB Sunrise Tours
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4.4 based on 154 reviews

See the iconic highlights of Japan on a 3-day guided tour to Mt Fuji, Kyoto and Nara. Visit revered Mt Fuji, take a boat cruise on Lake Ashi and an aerial tram ride up Mt Komagatake. Head to Kyoto on the bullet train and take in the beautiful city on a morning tour to the Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle, and Kyoto Imperial Palace. Then see Nara’s famous sites including Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Nara Park (Deer Park). Stay two nights in Kyoto with optional return to Tokyo.

Inclusions: Lunch, Lunch, 2 nights accommodation, Hotel pickup (select hotels only), Luggage delivery (1 piece, one-way tour option only), Bullet train ride(One-way or Round trip)

Exclusions: Baggage Handling (round-trip), Hotel drop off

Reviewed By mm0711

The tour was just like a live stream. You will get on a rickshaw and your friendly driver will show you around in Kyoto. After the ride, your guide will walk with you and take you to the beautiful bamboo forest and Tenruji Temple. You will also meet monkeys at the park in Iwatayama! The only thing I was disappointed about was I couldn't taste the Shojin Ryori or Buddhist vegetarian meal that our guide Mickey-san showed and explained. I should be on the real tour!

8. Kyoto and Nara 1 Day Trip - Golden Pavilion and Todai-ji Temple from Kyoto

JTB SUNRISE TOURS DESK KYOTO, Japan, 〒601-8003 Kyoto, Minami Ward, Higashikujō Nishisannōchō, 31 B1F AVANTI JTB Sunrise Tours
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4.4 based on 343 reviews

Explore the cultural treasures of Kyoto and Nara on this full-day tour from Kyoto. In the morning, visit UNESCO World Heritage sites Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji, as well as Kyoto Imperial Palace. Then travel to Nara to visit World Heritage–listed Todai-ji temple complex (including Great Buddha Hall) and Kasuga Shrine. Plus, see the famous wild deer that roam Nara (you can even feed them!) and enjoy a Japanese and Western-style lunch buffet. It's a packed day, but by the end you'll have seen some of Japan's most important ancient landmarks.

Inclusions: Professional English guide, Air-conditioned vehicle, Lunch

Exclusions: Gratuities, Entrance to Treasures Hall and Manyo Botanical Gardens at Kasuga Shrine, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Reviewed By mm0711

The tour was just like a live stream. You will get on a rickshaw and your friendly driver will show you around in Kyoto. After the ride, your guide will walk with you and take you to the beautiful bamboo forest and Tenruji Temple. You will also meet monkeys at the park in Iwatayama! The only thing I was disappointed about was I couldn't taste the Shojin Ryori or Buddhist vegetarian meal that our guide Mickey-san showed and explained. I should be on the real tour!

9. 2-Day Kyoto and Nara Rail Tour by Bullet Train from Tokyo

JP Tower, 2-chōme-7-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan JTB Sunrise Tours
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4.0 based on 22 reviews

Venture by bullet train from Tokyo to the historical sites of Nara, and enjoy an overnight stay in Kyoto – the heart of Japanese culture! On this two-day trip, visit top attractions including five UNESCO World Heritage Sites – from Nara’s Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Shrine to Kyoto’s Golden Pavilion Temple, Nijo Castle and Kiyomizu Temple. Enjoy a morning and afternoon sightseeing tour of Kyoto with a professional guide, who will take you to the Imperial Palace and Fushimiinari Taisha Shrine, including daily lunch and a stop at the Deer Park.

Inclusions: Lunch, Lunch, Overnight accommodation, Professional English-speaking guide, Round-trip bullet train between Tokyo and Kyoto

Exclusions: Baggage handling, Gratuities, Break fast / Dinner, Pick up and Drop off

Reviewed By mm0711

The tour was just like a live stream. You will get on a rickshaw and your friendly driver will show you around in Kyoto. After the ride, your guide will walk with you and take you to the beautiful bamboo forest and Tenruji Temple. You will also meet monkeys at the park in Iwatayama! The only thing I was disappointed about was I couldn't taste the Shojin Ryori or Buddhist vegetarian meal that our guide Mickey-san showed and explained. I should be on the real tour!

10. Kyoto and Nara 1 Day Bus Tour

VIP Lounge Kyoto, Japan, 〒601-8417 Kyoto, Minami Ward, Nishikujō Toriiguchichō, 6−番地 1F VIP Japan Tours
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3.5 based on 27 reviews

This tour will take you to see the famous 1000 vermilion gates at Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine, Arashiyama, UNESCO world heritage site Kinkaku-ji temple and Todaiji & Nara park. Enjoy an easy and relaxing bus ride, see famous sites in 2 cities in 1 day without the hassle of changing trains and getting lost. The best time to see the Autumn colors in Arashiyama starts from Nov 20th.

Inclusions: Live commentary in English or Chinese, All taxes, fees and handling charges, Roundtrip bus fare

Exclusions: Lunch (There are many restaurants in the area to choose from, including Halal and vegan), Entrance fee to Todaiji temple 500yen (optional)

Reviewed By flighty3

So much fun!!! Our guide had so much trivia to share with us each place we went. A perfect tour to see Fuji and some wonderful spots in the region.

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