Nara Full-Day Private Tour: Government-Licensed Guide From Osaka/Kyoto
5.0
63 Ratings
Nara
Experience a full-day private tour of Nara with a government-licensed guide from Osaka/Kyoto. Explore the ancient city's traditional and modern sides in this customizable tour!
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Todai-ji Temple - Todaiji (東大寺, Tōdaiji, “Great Eastern Temple”) is one of Japan’s most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara. The temple was constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan and grew so powerful that the capital was moved from Nara to Nagaoka in 784 in order to lower the temple’s influence on government affairs.
Until recently, Todaiji’s main hall, the Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall), held the record as the world’s largest wooden building, despite the fact that the present reconstruction of 1692 is only two thirds of the original temple hall’s size. The massive building houses one of Japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha (Daibutsu). The 15 meters tall, seated Buddha represents Vairocana and is flanked by two Bodhisattvas.
What's Included
- Meet up with guide in Osaka/Kyoto
- Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
- Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from ‘What to expect’ list
What's Not Included
- Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
- Private Vehicle
- You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
- Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.
Additional Information
Explore the charm of Nara with a certified multilingual guide who is well-experienced and government-approved. They will effectively guide you through a day-long walking tour of Nara, acquainting you with the modern and traditional aspects of this vibrant, historic Japanese city.
Nara sits near Kyoto and Osaka, and its rich heritage makes it an ideal place for a day trip from either city. The personalized assistance of your private guide will make your day-long exploration of this ancient city even more rewarding.
Begin your day at your hotel in Osaka or Kyoto. Tell us what you hope to see and do, and we’ll tailor the best Nara day tour for you!
Note1: Please choose your must-visit locations from the list provided in the tour information to create your own itinerary.
Note2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter qualification is granted by the Japanese government and necessitates a firm understanding and knowledge of Japanese culture and history.
- This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.
Location
Todai-ji Temple
406-1 Zoushi-cho,
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(63 Ratings)
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Nikki94086
Apr 21, 2024
Wonderful time at Nara - Mr Junichi is an awesome tour guide. My wife and I had a great time in Nara. We will recommend him to our family and friends any day. Since I booked it, he has been very prompt and reached out to me by email, asking my preferences and what I would like to do in Nara. He made sure the itinerary was customized to meet my requirements. He is very thorough and detail-oriented. He explained to us the history/culture of the temples we visited in Nara very well. He is a very friendly and cheerful guide. He was born and raised in Nara. So, he had a lot of inside stories to share, which was really lovely to hear. If someone likes Tofu, he knows the perfect place for you to have your lunch. Absolutely unforgettable. Depending on what you like, he can change the itinerary to fit your needs. He is very adjusting and considerate of your choices even during the trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nikhil_a
Apr 21, 2024
Wonderful time at Nara - Mr Junichi is an awesome tour guide. My wife and I had a great time in Nara. We will recommend him to our family and friends any day. Since I booked it, he has been very prompt and reached out to me by email, asking my preferences and what I would like to do in Nara. He made sure the itinerary was customized to meet my requirements. He is very thorough and detail-oriented. He explained to us the history/culture of the temples we visited in Nara very well. He is a very friendly and cheerful guide. He was born and raised in Nara. So, he had a lot of inside stories to share, which was really lovely to hear. If someone likes Tofu, he knows the perfect place for you to have your lunch. Absolutely unforgettable. Depending on what you like, he can change the itinerary to fit your needs. He is very adjusting and considerate of your choices.
Review provided by Viator
Trek55024979415
Apr 20, 2024
Nice day at Nara - Our guide was Junichi, we had a lot of fun. He took us first to Nara Park, he has a lot of knowledge of all the places, his english is very good.
He took us to lunch to a very nice place of noodles.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Juliaso9474th
Apr 7, 2024
Great day - Toshi was an excellent guide and very knowledgeable on the area. We had a great day. There was such a lot to see but we managed it in the time allotted and still had time for tea.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
285almaf
Apr 5, 2024
We love Junichi from Nara!! - We arrived in Kyoto and were so excited to see Nara. Junichi picked us up from our hotel, having woken up way earlier to travel over an hour to Kyoto from Nara just to turn around and take us back : ) He was awesome, knowledgable, and kind. Junichi was the best guide we had on our trip. He grew up in Nara and so he had so much to say and teach us about his hometown and we learned history and the whys and wheres of each point in Nara. I would recommend him to everyone - actually recommended him to a couple we met in Takayama a few days later and Junichi was already booked. He is a popular guy and if you are lucky enough to get this fine gentleman, then I'd jump on the opportunity to learn from him.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dberlin101
Apr 4, 2024
YUKA was an excellent... - YUKA was an excellent guide. Very knowledgeable and accommodating. We spend the day in Nara with her and enjoyed it a lot. I highly recommend it . You will not be disappointed.
Review provided by Viator
Travel830384
Apr 4, 2024
sightseeing with Momoyo Kanagawa - We had a tour with Momoyo Kanagawa..
She was fantastic!!!!!!..Profesional, ..
very kind with perfect english!
Highly recommend :-)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Edward_q
Apr 4, 2024
Best tour of our 2024 Japan trip! - This day tour of Nara with Taku was a real highlight of my Japan trip this year!
It was a really lovely day weather-wise with low crowds and we were able to see the important shrines and some other great spots around Nara park and the Todaiji temple. Taku shared some very informative historical information as well as some fun additional tid bits, but was also very responsive to our own wishes showing us some wonderful downtown spots and helping us communicate with the staff in shops we visited.
Review provided by Viator
Jessicakw2143aq
Apr 3, 2024
Rainy day, great day - Junichi took us on a rainy day through the best of Nara. Lucky for us there were not many people and the deer were very hungry so we got many funny pictures and videos with them.
Hearing of Junichi’s experience growing up in Nara and all the history here was amazing on top of all the beautiful views, shrines and temples.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marcandregosseline
Apr 22, 2024
Nice guided tour - Nice tour of Nara. Good to have a guide to find your way given the numerous sites to see. Helpful although limited information provided by the guide overall.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
