Nara Half Day Tour Discover Ancient Temples and Friendly Deer

5.0 (3 reviews) 5 hours Free cancellation Private tour

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3 reviews

5.0

Nara Half Day Tour Discover Ancient Temples and Friendly Deer — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Nara Half Day Tour Discover Ancient Temples and Friendly Deer, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Discover a different side of Tokyo in this charming 3-hour walking tour through Setagaya, a leafy, upscale neighborhood known for its peaceful shrines, historic charm, and the birthplace of Japan’s beloved lucky cat. Perfect for those wanting to escape the crowds and see a more local, authentic side of the city all just a short ride from central Tokyo.

・Visit Gotokuji Temple, home to over 1,000 lucky cats and the legendary origin of the maneki-neko

・Stroll through tranquil shrines like Setagaya Hachimangu and Shoinjinja, steeped in Edo and Meiji-era history

・Experience local life in stylish shopping streets and cafés, where Tokyo’s modern charm meets timeless tradition

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At a glance

Duration: 5 hours
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–10
Guide: English, Italian, French
Operated by: Trip Designer Inc.

Ages: Infants (0–4 years) · Children (5–12 years) · Adults (13–99 years)

What is included

Included

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

Not included

Not included: Lunch
Not included: Private transportation: Taxi / Private Car or Bus

Itinerary

Nara Park

20 min

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

20 min

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

50 min Admission included

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

30 min Admission included

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

one hour

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.