Nara Park Classic Tour: Explore All Must-Sees in 3 Hours From JR Nara
4.9
60 Ratings
Nara
Join our Nara Park Classic Tour and explore all the must-see attractions in just 3 hours. Our knowledgeable guide will provide historical insights and show you the best picture spots. Don't miss out on this engaging walking tour!
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Nara Station - Our meeting spot is JR Nara Station. You will find our guide in front of the ticket gates. There is only one location for ticket gates at JR Nara Station. So just come out, and find our guide with a white NaraWalk flag.\nNote: If you find ticket gates at underground level, you are at Kintetsu Nara Station which is a station about 15 min. away on foot from JR Nara Station.\n- Todai-ji Temple - We visit the Great Buddha Hall to meet the Big Buddha. The guide will tell you stories behind the Big Buddha statue and the temple. It’s a picture spot.\n- Nara Park - Our destinations, Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Kofukuji Temple - it’s not wrong to say all of them are in the Nara Park. Depending on the season and speed of the group, we may add more spots from the Nara Park.\n- Kofuku-ji Temple - We usually end the tour at this temple. The five-storied pagoda is photogenic. After informing you with history, we are happy to give you direction for train stations, afternoon plans, and a lunch.\n(During June to September, when heatstroke is a concern, we may only visit Kasuga Grand Shrine, Nara Park and Todaiji Temple. If the temperature permits we may go to Kofukuji Temple.)\n- Kasuga Grand Shrine - Walk the precinct with the guide and most likely you can spot deer here and there. Find out why deer are freely roaming in Nara, the difference between Shinto and Buddhism and so on.
What's Included
- Bus ride from JR Nara Station to Nara Park
- Admission included to Great Buddha Hall
What's Not Included
- Meals and Drinks
Additional Information
Embark on an informative walking tour, illuminating the prime attractions of the Nara Park area. Spare your attention from smartphones or guidebooks, and take in the captivating city. Rest assured, our guide will inform you about historical details, photogenic spots, deer encounters, and more. Expect the tour to conclude by 1 pm, leaving you ample time for independent exploration.
Please note that this is not a private experience, but a group tour involving multiple guests.
We value punctuality and do not await latecomers. In case you fail to appear on time at the designated spot, regrettably, you won’t be able to participate in the tour.
- The tour route includes steps and a gravel path where you would need to carry or need a harder push for your baby stroller.
- If you are arriving at Kintetsu Nara Station, please come to JR Nara Station. We cannot meet or pick you up at Kintetsu Nara Station, since this is not a private tour. We take a bus from JR Nara Station, and we do not stop at Kintetsu Nara Station.
- The tour starts punctually. As this is a group tour, we do not wait for those who cannot or does not appear on time at the meeting spot. If you arrive late, unfortunately you cannot join the tour.
Location
Nara Station
*Meet your guide in front of the ticket gate at JR Nara Station. JR Nara Station has only one ticket gate. Just come out, and find a NaraWalk guide with a white flag!
*There are two "Nara Station" in Nara. Please come to JR Nara Station, not Kintetsu Nara Station.
*If you have arrived at Kintetsu Nara Station, please come to JR Nara Station. This is not a private tour, and our only meeting place is JR Nara Station.
*The tour starts punctually. As this is a group tour, we do not wait for those who cannot or does not appear on time at the meeting spot. If you arrive late, unfortunately you cannot join the tour.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(60 Ratings)
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Rachelsi2715vz
Apr 8, 2024
HIGHLY RECOMMEND! - We had an excellent tour in Nara today. Reiko was very friendly and informative. I definitely recommend to everyone!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Janeli806fj
Apr 2, 2024
Excellent, extremely knowledgeable and efficient half day tour of key spots in Nara. - Yoshi-san was our phenomenal tour guide who kept us moving and built in a comprehensive half day tour of Nara. Our tour group was small just myself and my daughter and one other family which was as close to a private tour for a group tour price you can get. I would have paid double for this same tour with Nara Walk. We visited Tenrui-ji temple, Tōdai-ji temple and Yoshi-san had such great detailed explanations at every stop. She was experienced and extremely prepared to answer all questions about each stop of the way including insightful facts about the deer, the various structures around the temple, the cherry blossom trees and even gave us some great tips to stop in Namba on our way back to Osaka.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Balesh_j
Apr 1, 2024
What a wonderful tour - Motoko was our sweet and wonderful guide. She guided us through less crowded areas and explained the history and significance of each shrine and temple. Even though it was only 3 hours we never felt rushed, This tour is a must especially if you have less than half a day. We could not have done so much on our own. Motoko is really a wonderful guide
Review provided by Viator
Gwenhwyvar99
Mar 21, 2024
Nara Park tour - I was the only guest on this very cold day so I was very grateful they still ran the tour for me. I was guided by Kay (Keiko) who was an excellent guide and shared a lot of interesting information about Nara and the temples and shrines we visited. Kay took photos of me during the trip which she shared with me afterwards which I appreciated. I would highly recommend this tour if you visit Nara
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Frantz05
Mar 17, 2024
You should go to Nara - After Tokyo and Kyoto, Nara was a great place to change the scenery. Reiko did a great job guiding us through Nara. She was very helpful and patient. We were lucky enough to see a Shinto ceremony which is performed once a year. Reiko waited for us to see the whole thing and added an extra half an hour to the tour. She was incredibly generous with her time. You have probably heard this before that the deers are very aggressive when it comes to food. If they bow to you and you don’t feed them, they get frustrated with you.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bharat_p
Dec 19, 2023
The tour covered the... - The tour covered the interesting historical sites in Nara and the pacing and engagement with the group was great. Satomi was a great guide.
Review provided by Viator
Lydia_w
Nov 30, 2023
Great experience! - We had such a wonderful time with our tour guide Yoshi, she was very informative, friendly and approachable, good length tour, we saw so much, fed lots of deers and we've learned so much from our tour. Even got some really cute origami deer souvenirs to take home! Highly recommended.
Review provided by Viator
281markv
Nov 29, 2023
Wonderful tour of Nara! - I have to give this walking tour 5 stars. It was one of the most wonderful tours I’ve ever had! Very friendly guides and they are both so sweet and kind.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
237angusm
Apr 8, 2024
Nara Visit - Had a really good day with our excellent guide Reiko! Nara has both amazing temples and shrines but also the fn if feeding the mostly friendly deer!
Reiko was an excellent guide giving us lots of interesting information about the places we visited and being very helpful and considerate in general, even showing us the best vegetarian places to eat!
I would be happy to recommend Reiko and this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Led
Mar 17, 2024
Great - I think we picked the worst day weather wise. Was very cold yet we still enjoyed. The deer, the temple and just the scenery. All amazing. Hope to return when it’s better weather.
Note if you buy deer food: hide it before the deer see as they can be quite aggressive
Review provided by Tripadvisor