Kyoto Day Trip to Nara with a Local – Private & Personalized

5.0 (11 reviews) 9 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

11 reviews

5.0

Nara from Kyoto — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Nara deer — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Travel to Japan’s 8th century capital and immerse yourself in Nara’s ancient heritage and leafy green surroundings. With one of our hosts by your side, you will make the short journey from Kyoto to this city, which plays home to some of the most significant Zen temples and Shinto shrines in all of Japan. When lunch rolls around (which it inevitably does), you can enjoy authentic Kansai cuisine at a tranquil spot.

Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

Day Trips Full-day Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours City Tours

At a glance

Duration: 9 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–8
Guide: Japanese, English
Operated by: City Unscripted

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

What is included

Included

Included: Tickets to Isui-en Garden, Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga-Taisha Shrine, Kofuku-ji Temple and other
Included: Private and personalized experience
Included: Walking experience once in Nara (other transportation can be arranged)
Included: 9 hours with a host (including travel time from Kyoto)

Not included

Not included: Food and drinks
Not included: Tickets to attractions other than the ones listed above
Not included: Bicycle rentals
Not included: Transportation costs (Japan Rail Pass holders can travel free on the JR)
Not included: Gratuities (optional)

Itinerary

Kyoto Station Building

Passing by

Take a train from Kyoto Station with your host who will eliminate any travel stress by organizing your tickets - no one likes looking at train timetables when they’re on holiday

IMPORTANT: As this is a private and personalised experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences
Todai-ji Temple

Passing by

The head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples. The main hall, the Daibutsuden houses one of Japan's largest bronze statues of Buddha (Daibutsu), 15 meters tall. Another popular attraction is a pillar with a hole in its base that is the same size as the Daibutsu's nostril. It is said that those who can squeeze through this opening will be granted enlightenment in their next life.

IMPORTANT: As this is a private and personalised experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences
Nara Park

Passing by

See the iconic deer roaming through the city’s streets and parks like Nara-koen Park.

IMPORTANT: As this is a private and personalised experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences
Isuien Garden

Passing by

This garden, stretched between Todai-ji and Kofuku-ji temples is so quiet that you will feel almost outside the world in your little bubble of zen-peace.

IMPORTANT: As this is a private and personalised experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences
Stop 5

Passing by

Nara’s most celebrated shrine, it was also the tutelary shrine of the Fujiwara, one of Japan's most powerful family clans.

Kasuga Taisha had been periodically rebuilt every 20 years for many centuries until Edo period. Kasuga Taisha is famous for its lanterns, which have been donated by worshippers. The lanterns are only lit twice a year during two Lantern Festivals (February and August).

IMPORTANT: As this is a private and personalised experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences
Kofuku-ji Temple

Passing by

Don’t miss the astonishing five-storied pagoda (Japan’s second tallest wooden pagoda) and three-storied pagodas, historical landmarks of Nara.

IMPORTANT: As this is a private and personalised experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

(The host will be waiting in front of the Mister Donut)

After booking, you can adjust the meeting point to fit your preferences with the help of our Experience Planners.

End point

(The host will be waiting in front of the Mister Donut)

After booking, you can adjust the meeting point to fit your preferences with the help of our Experience Planners.

Using your ticket

We’ll be in touch within 24 hours after booking to find out more about your personality and interests so we can assign a like-minded local who will create a bespoke experience for you.