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10 Walking Tours in Nara That You Shouldn't Miss
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.
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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. 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 ????
4. 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.
5. Private Nara Deer and Sake Adventure - Easy Day Trip from Kyoto or Osaka!
Overall Ratings
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!
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. 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. ;)
8. Cooking Japanese rice in traditional oven at Shikano-fune, Kamado
Learn and enjoy the experience on how to make a rice balls cooked by Japanese traditional oven with firewood.
Inclusions: Full set of materials and equipment, Snacks
Exclusions: Personal expenses
Reviewed By Muhammad Hilmi M
Spend 1/2 day here. once you reached the station, exit and take the 1 day pass that cost your Y500. Alternatively the tickets to NARA dear park is Y210 each way. The deer wont disappoint you as there's plenty of them. After Oct 2019, the cost of biscuit to feed the deer is Y200 instead of Y150. Plenty of temples around but you need good legs. Alternatively you can take the rickshaw for a small fee. For the muslims, there's a good halal outlet, PY Halal that offers 100% muslim food and the owner is pleasant. There an attached prayer room in the same restaurant. You wont miss it as it is where the shopping area is located.
9. Nara Like a Local: Customized Private Tour
Get to know the city through the eyes of a passionate local. With no set itinerary, you can customize the tour or leave it up to the local for an insightful introduction to the city. Make travel about the people you meet not just the places you see.
Inclusions: Local guide ("Lokafyer", Customized private walking tour
Exclusions: Personal expenses, Tips and gratuities (optional), Optional activity costs, Food and drinks, Transportation to/from attractions (It’s a walking tour, car transportation isn’t included)
10. Discover Traditional Nara Walking Tour (Half day)
This tour visits three must-see spots in deer park, Nara. Kasuga-taisha shrine - praised for its beautiful vermilion constructions and three thousand of stone lanterns and hanging lanterns, Todai-ji temple - renowned for its Great Buddha originally created in the eighth century, and Kofuku-ji temple - closely related to Fujiwara family, a noble family once at the summit of its prosperity. This tour is recommended not only for first-time visitors to Nara but also for repeat visitors to discover new charms of Nara.
Inclusions: Guide in English, Public transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions: Lunch, Drinks, Shopping expense, Other personal expense
Reviewed By Muhammad Hilmi M
Spend 1/2 day here. once you reached the station, exit and take the 1 day pass that cost your Y500. Alternatively the tickets to NARA dear park is Y210 each way. The deer wont disappoint you as there's plenty of them. After Oct 2019, the cost of biscuit to feed the deer is Y200 instead of Y150. Plenty of temples around but you need good legs. Alternatively you can take the rickshaw for a small fee. For the muslims, there's a good halal outlet, PY Halal that offers 100% muslim food and the owner is pleasant. There an attached prayer room in the same restaurant. You wont miss it as it is where the shopping area is located.
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