6 Tours in Nara Worth Booking

1.World Heritage Kyoto & Nara Uji Authentic Matcha Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,573 reviews · from $129Our pick

Travel from Kyoto to Nara and Uji by air-conditioned coach with an English-speaking guide such as Nanami, Yuta, or At-Chan. See Todai-ji, Kasuga Shrine, Nara Park, Byodoin Temple, and Heijo Palace, then prepare and drink matcha at a historic Uji tea shop. Japanese lunch is optional.

“Yuta was a very professional and informative tour guide who went the extra mile to make the trip great and also to take an interest in our trips to Japan, adding any recommendations as appropriate. The tour was well paced and the bus was really comfy. I would definitely recommend this with Yuta as a guide!”

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2.Nara Half Day Trip Walking Tour (Private Option Available)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 937 reviews · from $105

Spend about five hours walking through Nara with a guide such as Shin, Yuki, Miyabi, or Eri. Visit Kofuku-ji, Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, Nara Park, and Naramachi, meet the famous deer, enter a merchant’s house, and enjoy a traditional Japanese lunch. The group is capped at eight, with a private option available.

“Amazing tour!! Shin was an awesome tour guide. Very knowledgeable, kind, incredible personality. Can't express my gratitude for his time and for sharing with us all the history of Nara. If I need to rate him and the whole experience, it will be 20 out of 10, 5 star. He even took me to get a Furoshiki. Thank you Shin! Be careful with the deers, they are very pushy, specially in the morning😁, but they are very courteous and will bow for you.”

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3.Nara Early Morning Tour (Kyoto or Osaka Departure Available)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 676 reviews · from $61

Start early in Nara with an English-speaking guide and a group capped at 12. Walk from Kofuku-ji through lantern-lined Kasuga Grand Shrine and deer-filled Nara Park to Todaiji’s Great Buddha. Kyoto or Osaka transport can be added, but your return trip and Todaiji admission are separate.

“Good tour, it was only 4 of us total. It’s a chill laid back tour, nothing too crazy… it’s worth noting that transportation back is on your own, which it wasn’t a big deal for me. Momoka was my guide she was great 10/10”

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4.Nara and Uji Day Trip with Deer Park and Hot Spring

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 302 reviews · 10 hours · from $57Best value

Spend 10 hours visiting Nara Park, Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, and Uji from Osaka, with an English, Japanese, or Chinese-speaking guide. Feed deer with provided crackers, sample matcha treats, see Byodo-in Temple or the Tale of Genji Museum, then relax at Genji no Yu. Admissions, meals, and the hot spring fee cost extra.

“Thank you Vivi for a great time! We had so much fun in Nara Park and we could relax & chill in hot springs.”

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5.Kyoto/Osaka: Kinkakuji, Bamboo Forest, and Nara Deer Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 265 reviews · from $69

This roughly nine-hour English-guided trip links Arashiyama’s bamboo grove, Kinkaku-ji, and Nara Park by coach from Kyoto or Osaka. Expect a traditional lunch if selected, entry options for Kinkaku-ji and Todai-ji, and guides such as Eiko, Yuki, Jewel, or Maki depending on the date. The schedule is full, so bring good walking shoes.

“I enjoyed all the spots. The guide was very kind and informative on where I could find things. She told us even about the local stories about some sacred sites.”

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6.Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews · from $155

Meet a licensed English-speaking guide at Nara Station and spend six hours exploring three or four chosen sights on foot. Pick from Todaiji, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha, Horyuji, Naramachi, gardens, museums, and more. Guides such as Junichi, Ken, Toshi, Rie, and Hiro tailor the day to your pace and interests. Entry fees, meals, and transport cost extra.

“Junichi is the best! Our group of 5 joined him on a 6 hour private Nara tour and we are so glad to have booked. Our group typically likes to see things at our own pace and on our own time, but we wanted to learn more about the area anRead more”

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