• Nara Park - Stroll through Nara Park, famous for its free-roaming deer that are considered sacred messengers of the gods in Shintoism. You can feed the friendly deer with special crackers sold in the park, but remember to be gentle as they can get quite enthusiastic! In the park you can buy various snacks and souvenirs, or stop at a traditional tea house.
• Yoshikien - Yoshikien Garden is a traditional Japanese garden that contains a tranquil moss garden, Japanese style pond and a tea ceremony area. The garden is a beautiful place of peace and quiet which provides a peaceful retreat from the bustle outside.
• Todai-ji Temple - Todai-ji Temple is one of Japan’s most famous and historically significant temples. Home to the Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden), the world’s largest wooden building, Todai-ji houses a massive bronze statue of Buddha which is over 15m tall and contains 130kg of pure gold. Marvel at the intricate architecture and explore the surrounding temple grounds, which are equally breathtaking.
• Kasuga Grand Shrine - Walk through the park to Kasuga Taisha Shrine, an iconic Shinto shrine renowned for its thousands of bronze and stone lanterns. The serene forest path leading to the shrine is lined with ancient stone lanterns, creating a mystical atmosphere. Inside, the shrine is adorned with numerous bronze lanterns donated by worshippers over the centuries.

In April/May you can visit the adjoining Kasuga Taisha Shinen Manyo Botanical Garden which houses many varieties of wisteria flower.

• Naramachi - Explore Naramachi, Nara’s historic old town merchant district. Wander through narrow streets lined with traditional wooden machiya houses, many of which have been converted into charming shops, cafes, and museums.

Some of the places you may visit include:

The Naramachi Koshino-ie House

The Herbal Medicine Shop Kikuoka (Kikuoka Kanpo Yakkyoku) which dates back to 1184 and is run by the 24th generation of the same family.

If you have a sweet tooth, pay a visit to Nakanishi Yosaburo, a traditional sweets shop that has been in business for over 150 years. They sell Japanese sweets called “wagashi”, perfect for accompanying your cup of green tea.

You can also see sweets being made at Nakatanido, where their high speed mochi pounding displays are an entertaining sight.

Due to its many forests and pure clear water, Nara is renowned for its high quality sake. Visit the Harushika Sake Imanishi Seibei Brewery to learn about how sake is brewed try five different types of local sake.

• Entry to temples listed
• English speaking guide
• Hotel pick up/drop off if in Nara City

• Lunch

Back in the year 710, Nara was the first permanent capital of Japan, making it a treasure trove of historical and cultural significance. It is home to some of the country’s oldest and most revered temples, including Todai-ji, with its towering Great Buddha, and Kasuga Taisha, famed for its enchanting lanterns. This half-day private guided tour is perfect for those who want to see the old grandeur of Nara during their trip to Japan. It’s just one hour away from Kyoto and Osaka so can be done as a day trip, or you can choose to sleep in Nara and further explore the prefecture. The tour will take you to all the highlights of this historic city, from its majestic temples and shrines set amongst the deer filled Nara Park, to its charming old town area. We will also take you to several off-the-beaten-track spots such as a sake tasting store and secluded garden.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.