Top Things to do in Nara
What to do and see in Nara, Kinki: The Best Cultural Tours
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
Overall Ratings
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. Nara private tour from Osaka (Shore excursion available from Osaka or Kobe port)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Nara was an ancient capital of Japan from 710 to 784. You'll explore peaceful shrines, Great buddha hall in Nara park and amazing Japanese garden called Isuien. Nara has beautiful natural scenery, good traditional food, cultural and historical sites. Several historical sites have been resistered on UNESCO's World Heritage List. One of the most exciting things is deer in the park. They are so tamed and cute. Our professional friendly tour guide will show you the best route and some places that is hard to find for the first time visitors. Why don't you have a great day in Nara with us?
Inclusions: Professional guide, Hotel/port pickup, Drop-off at designated area, Private tour, Lunch
Exclusions: Transportation fee (2,000-3,000JPY per person for public transportation, 60,000JPY for a private van, Gratuities, Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Reviewed By Cheryl S
We loved our Kyoto tour! Our guides Aki and Minako made it so special, the whole tour guide team even came on the call to sing Happy Birthday for my daughter. They also made a lovely personalised video for her birthday. The entire experience was so interesting and enjoyable. Definitely recommend!
3. Day trip to Nara from Osaka or Kyoto, World Heritage Sites and deer park tour
Overall Ratings
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!
4. Nara - Heart of Nature Bike Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
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.
Inclusions: Water refill available. Please ask your guide, A morning snack provided for each guest when at the top of Wakakusayama, Use of bicycle, Bike gear, including helmet, cycling sunglasses, Please tell us about any diet and/or food restrictions when booking a tour., All Fees and Taxes
Exclusions: Any shopping extra, souvenirs, snacks, drinks and lunch beyond the budget for the tour
Reviewed By Housam O
Had so much fun! riding a nice bike between the beautiful nature ???? the departure place is very near to the station so it's very convenient prices are including the entry tickets to Todaiji Temple highly recommended for take a trip in Nara ????
5. Nara Half-day Private Tour Osaka/Kyoto departure with Nationally-Licensed Guide
Overall Ratings
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.
6. The Essence of Nara Cultural Tour: Big Buddha, Bambi and Backstreets
Overall Ratings
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.
7. Nara - Highlights Bike Tour
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 25 reviews
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.
Inclusions: Use of bicycle, Helmet and other bike gear, Bottled water, All Fees and Taxes
Exclusions: Any extra fees such as souvenir, extra food and drinks
Reviewed By P6113CS_
I had an amazing time biking in Nara☆ Thank you so much for everything you have done for us＼(^o^)／♪♪
8. Kimono rental in Nara Park ( Deer Park) On the town course
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 3 reviews
Kimono Rental Leisurely Stroll in Nara in Kimono. Kimono rental service. You can rent Kimono and take a leisurely stroll in Nara. Please come as you are , there is no preparation necessary.
Inclusions: kimono, obi ( kimono belt), tabi socks,zori sandal and kimono bag
Exclusions: Hair arrangement and makeup service, Tour Guide while strolling around the town, Gratuities, Transportation to/from the store
Reviewed By Shinnosuke88
Nice kimono experience, staff was really helpfull and polite. Very recommended kimono rental for tourist. ;)
9. Kyoto and Nara 1 Day Bus Tour
Overall Ratings
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.
10. Day Trip by Bus from Osaka/Kyoto to Kyoto and Nara
Overall Ratings
3.3 based on 8 reviews
This is an affordable yet culturally-enriching bus trip to Kyoto and Nara. The tour stops at Kyoto Arashiyama and Nara park. Scenic ride aboard the Randen tram to see local life. With several convenient pickup points at Kyoto Station or in Umeda, Nippombashi, Namba, this 9 hour tour will be a great addition to your trip to Japan.
Inclusions: Local taxes, Beef Shabu-Shabu or Buffet lunch (if meal is selected), Leaflet of detailed Itinerary and tour point description, Round-trip bus fare, Pickup at designated meeting points, Accompanied by English speaking tour guide, Randen Train Ticket, JR and Kintetsu Train tickets (Kyoto departure only), Drop-Off near Namba Station (Umeda, Nippombashi, Namba Ocat departures)
Exclusions: Drinks, Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Infant meals
Reviewed By adarosle
It was a pleasant experience (: Tour guide was very friendly and helpful in taking photos and explaining about the history of each place in detail. Would definitely recommend! However, i felt that it was a bit rushing perhaps the interval for each site could be extended a bit longer.
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