Our most recommended things to do in Nara

Kyoto and Nara 1 Day Bus Tour from Osaka/Kyoto

1. Kyoto and Nara 1 Day Bus Tour from Osaka/Kyoto

Depart from the exclusive VIP waiting rooms of Osaka or Kyoto, heading to Fushimi Inari Taisha. Designated as an Important Cultural Property, the main shrine building contains five shrines together, these five pillars of Fushimi Inari Taisha are named for the great virtues of Inari Okami that they embody. Inari Okami is known as a deity of business prosperity, the prosperity of industries, the safety of households, safety in traffic and improvement in the performing arts. The 'Senbon Torii' or 1000 torii gates are donations by individuals and companies, and you will find the donator's name and the date of the donation inscribed on the back of each gate. Then you will head to Arashiyama, which changes with the seasons and you can enjoy the scenery any time of year, with cherry blossoms in the spring, boat festivals in the Summer, red leaves in Autumn and snow white mountains in the winter. Arashiyama is also filled with temples and shrines including the match-making Shrine you can visit, during your walk through the famed Bamboo grove. There are a variety of restaurants to choose right near the Togetsukyo bridge, including vegan and Halal. Proceed to the symbol of Kyoto, Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion, also named Rakuon-ji: one of the most popular buildings in Japan. Finally, move on to Japan’s old capital, Nara: you will have the time to explore its park, cuddle the worldwide famous deer and enter the biggest wooden building of the planet, Todai-ji Temple, another UNESCO world heritage site. Here you will find yourself in front of Japan’s biggest Buddha statue, 15 meters tall.

Tokyo: Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Mobile WiFi Rental

2. Tokyo: Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Mobile WiFi Rental

Access the internet anytime, anywhere with 4G LTE mobile WiFi provided by NINJA WiFi. No longer will you have to worry about finding your way without access to maps or missing important updates from friends and family. We have everything covered with our secure, easy to use WiFi routers. You can connect up to 5 devices at once to each router. Whether you are coming to Japan for business and you need to connect multiple phones, computers and/or tablets, to the internet, or are travelling for pleasure with a group of friends or family who all want internet access, we have you covered. Pick up your mobile WiFi router in Haneda Airport Terminal 3 to start using WiFi immediately. We also offer many ways to return your device, whether it be by dropping it off at any of our counters in major Japanese airports, at our counter in Shinjuku, Tokyo, or shipping it to us from anywhere in Japan. You can drop off the device at our return box near the "JAL ABC" counter at 2F Arrivals Lobby between the hours of 11:45 PM - 6:30 AM . Please note that the counter and return box are located outside of the security gates. *If you wish to have a different return location than your pick-up location, please contact info@ninjawifi.com as soon as possible. Mobile WiFi is a 21st century necessity that makes travelling much more fun and easy. We offer flexible plans from 5 days to 30 days, so you can choose what suits you best.

From Kyoto: Guided Day Trip to Kyoto and Nara with Lunch

3. From Kyoto: Guided Day Trip to Kyoto and Nara with Lunch

Start your journey with a train ride from JR Kyoto Station to Arashiyama, accompanied by your expert guide. The bamboo grove of Arashiyama has been a popular nature-viewing destination since the Heian Period. Take a stroll through the cool Sagano Bamboo Forest and listen to the distinct rustle of bamboo leaves as you walk. Later, drive through Kyoto proper and arrive at Kinkaku-ji: the Golden Pavilion. Admire picturesque views of the grand temple reflected in the mirror-like pond it overlooks, and then wander through the sprawling garden that has retained its original design from the 14th century. After Kinkaku-ji, board your bus again and head south to Nara. Take a short walk through Nara Park, famous for the 1,200 or so wild deer that live freely within the park. These deer are famously very friendly, and allow visitors to feed them by hand. Within Nara Park you will find the Todai-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your tour guide will give you your train ticket to then go back to Kyoto Station.

From Osaka: Guided Day Trip to Kyoto and Nara

4. From Osaka: Guided Day Trip to Kyoto and Nara

Leave Osaka in the morning aboard a bus, heading inland toward Kyoto. Before arriving in the city itself, stop in the beautiful district of Arashiyama, which has been a popular nature-viewing destination since the Heian Period. Take a stroll through the cool Sagano Bamboo Forest and listen to the distinct rustle of bamboo leaves as you walk. Later, drive through Kyoto proper and arrive at Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion. Admire postcard-perfect views of the illustrious temple reflected in the mirror-like pond it overlooks, and then wander through the sprawling garden that retains its original design from the 14th century. After Kinkaku-ji, board your bus again and head south to Nara. Take a short walk through Nara Park, famous for the 1,200 or so wild deer that live freely within the park. Within Nara Park you will find the Todai-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Following your time in the historic temple, hop aboard your bus again and make the trip back to Osaka-Namba OCAT.

From Kyoto/Osaka: Kyoto and Nara Guided 1-Day Trip

5. From Kyoto/Osaka: Kyoto and Nara Guided 1-Day Trip

After meeting at the designated place in the morning,start your beautiful journey with our professional guide. Pick-up time and location: 8: 30am Nipponbashi Exit 2 9: 50am In front of the Goeido-mon Gate Lotus Fountain ▼10:00 Kyoto Recommended itinerary 1: Kiyomizu-dera Temple(Ticket fee excluded)- Nineizaka & Sanneizaka - Ishibei-koji Alley -Hanamikoji Street- Yasaka Shrine ,Tourists can choose some scenic spots according to their own preferences and physical conditions. 2: Kimono experience. Tourists who are interested can change into kimono, stroll on the ancient streets, visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Take a picture with the beautiful moment.(You can choose any kimono shops including Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Fushimi Inari Shrine. It is recommended that you can borrow from Kiyomizu-dera Temple and return to Fushimi Inari Shrine.Price excluded.) 【Kiyomizu-dera Temple】UNESCO World Heritage site & Popular tourist attraction in Kyoto. 【Nineizaka & Sanneizaka】【Ishibei-koji Alley】【Hanamikoji Street】【Yasaka Shrine】 ▼13:30 Kyoto 【Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine 】(about 70 minutes, free time) Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine is famous for its " Senbon Torii ". It attracts countless tourists from Japan and abroad every year and ranked Top1 in the survey of the world's largest travel website for three consecutive years as "the most popular tourist attraction for foreigner in Japan". Let's pray for our dear family and ourselves here. In addition, the Ema of Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine is also unique with a shape of a white fox which can be doodled into various god expressions. ▼16:00 Nara park(about 1.5 hours, free time) Nara Park is an urban park located at the foot of Mt. Wakakusa in Nara City where the famous places of interest such as Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine are located here. It is a must-see when visiting Nara. Wakakusa which located near the park is a wonderful place to overlook the scenery of Nara, and traditional events such as "Wakakusa Burning Mount." are held here every January. A leisurely stroll is the best way to visit the park. There is large herd of deer. Feeding the cute deer is also the biggest viewing point for tourists.The deer here are also very smart. If they see deer senbei in the hands of tourists, they will take the initiative to come, so be careful of the flocks of deer which may knock you down. ▼ Itinerary Recommended. 【Todaiji Temple】(Price excluded)Also known as Suzumushi Temple, it was built in 752 by Emperor Shengmu in order to enshrine the Great Buddha and serve as the head temple of Japanese temples. It is home mountain of the Huayan Sect. (Admission fee for the main hall of Todaiji Temple: Adults,JP¥600,Children,JP¥300;Admission fee for the main hall+ Museum: Adults,JP¥1000, Children,JP¥400 ) ▼ 17:30 Start to return to Osaka The drop-off address is Nihonbashi Exit 2

Nara: Half-Day UNESCO Heritage & Local Culture Walking Tour

6. Nara: Half-Day UNESCO Heritage & Local Culture Walking Tour

Meet your knowledgeable guide at the meeting point and begin your cultural half-day walking tour of Japan's first historical capital. As you walk by the shopping arcade, explore a Japanese old town extremely different from a metropolis like Tokyo. Walk between the historical buildings, and go inside a traditional merchant's house to see how people around here live in the past. Next, take a break from walking to observe the mysterious pyramid-shaped structure in the middle of the quiet town. Admire the view of the city of Nara from the hill, then visit Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Learn about the distinct Japanese religious culture as you see a huge temple with a great Buddha statue, then explore a beautiful shrine housing hundreds of lanterns. In this area, meet and feed the wild deer living in Nara Park. For over 1,200 years, locals have believed that deer are sacred divine messengers. Interact with them and see how polite they are. At the end of the tour, savor a delicious Japanese lunch dish made only using local Nara vegetables and fresh meat.

Nara: Private Tour with Private Guide

7. Nara: Private Tour with Private Guide

Discover Nara on a fully customizable tour. Nara is in close proximity to Kyoto and Osaka, and its rich collection of traditional sites make it an ideal destination for a day trip from either of its larger neighbours. Start your day by meeting your guide at your hotel or chosen location, then choose sites you wish to visit depending on your interests. Example 6-hour Itinerary: Meet your guide at the designated meeting point you chose and let the tour begin. First visit Kofuku-Ji temple, a historic site that has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover several designated National Treasures here including the Buddhist sculpture masterpiece, the Statue of Ashura. Next, head for Todai-Ji temple, a World Heritage Site that is Nara’s most famous landmark. Admire the statue of Kongo Rikishi at Nandaimon Gate and Japan’s largest Great Buddha statue. Stroll through Nara Park which is famous for its wild deer species. Enjoy the verdant natural setting of Nara while taking part in the popular activity of feeding the deer inside the park. Then discover Kasuga Taisha temple, another World Heritage Site with an impressive red main shrine. Explore the Kasuga-Taisha National Treasure Hall which contains valuable works of Buddhist art.

From Osaka/Kyoto: Private Kyoto & Nara Day Trip with Pickup

8. From Osaka/Kyoto: Private Kyoto & Nara Day Trip with Pickup

See the iconic landmarks in Nara and Kyoto in one day on a private trip with hotel pickup and drop-off from Osaka, Kyoto, or Kobe. Encounter deers at Nara Park, see a grand Buddha statue at Todaiji, visit the torri gates of Fushimi-Inari Shrine, stroll through the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and more. Meet your driver at your hotel and head to Nara Park, home to thousands of freely roaming deers. Buy some crackers to feed the deer, or grab a snack from one of the many tea houses. Walk through Nara Park and reach the Todaiji Temple or the “Great Eastern Temple”. Discover a priceless trove of history and culture at Todaiji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See one of Japan's most famous and historically significant Buddhist temple complexes. Visit the Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall) and see the majestic 15-meter-tall large bronze statue of Buddha. Next, walk through a sea of vermillion-red torri gates of the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine in Kyoto. Next up is Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), a Zen temple in northern Kyoto. See 3 floors, each with its own different style of architecture. Admire the top 2 floors completely covered in gold leaf. Finally, visit the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest together with the Arashiyama Kimono Forest. Choose to ride the Sagano Romantic Train, known during spring for scenic views of cherry blossoms and in fall for the brilliant colors of maple leaves. Cross the Togetsukyo wood bridge across the Katsura River.

Nara Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour

9. Nara Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour

Your guide will meet you at your accommodation and help you get familiar with the neighborhood, show you the best places to eat and shop and tell you about the easiest ways to get around. Choose a 2, 3 or 4-hour tour, and by the end you’ll have all the information you need to make the most of your stay. After booking you’ll be sent some questions so that you’re paired with a local guide based on your interests. The tour is completely customized so you can choose the meeting location and the starting time. During the walking tour you’ll have the option of taking public transportation or a taxi to get around the city (at your expense). Hear what it’s like to live in Nara, learn about cultural differences, local events and politics and get to know your guide on a personal level.

Nara: City Highlights Shared Group or Private Bike Tour

10. Nara: City Highlights Shared Group or Private Bike Tour

Embark on a guided cycling tour around the city of Nara. Discover some of its significant landmarks including Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Tōdai-ji, and a Knife company original shop. Meet your guide in Nara and after a short introduction and safety briefing, you will be ready to set off. Put your helmet on, jump on your bike and head off to discover the beauty of the city.  Admire the beautiful scenery of Nara Park as you ride along at a relaxed pace. See the friendly deer who roam freely within the park and take in the views of the beautifully maintained surroundings. Stop at the Todai-ji Temple and learn more about Buddhism and Shinto culture with your guide. Stroll through its grounds and gaze in awe at the 15-meter-tall giant Buddha statue. Next, head to the Kasuga Taisha Shrine to see its thousand lanterns. Then, continue to the Kikuichi store, a high-end Japanese cooking knife retailer, before heading back to the starting point.

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What people are saying about Nara

Overall rating

4.3 / 5

based on 269 reviews

The trip took us to beautiful and impressive places. We were highly impressed by our first guide Satoshi - he spoke advanced English and was quite knowledgeable and kind. The second guide Kan was very friendly and caring. The activity provider was also extremely kind and thoughtful in preparing a small surprise for my boyfriend who had a birthday on the day of our trip. The trip can be booked with a starting point Kyoto or Osaka, I think Osaka is the better option, discuss it with the activity provider.

We really enjoyed our tour to Nara. Our guide TAKU very professional, knowledgable, friendly, respectful, punctual. he’s awesome tour guide and wish all tour guide like him. Nara park so wonderful specially the closed encounter with deers, temple and big bell.

Our guide Hideo was so friendly, knowledgeable, organized and patient with us. Highly recommend this tour, we learnt so much!

Amazing and it was my memoriable trip and day in Japan. Thank you Mike (our tour guide) for making my day wonderful.

Easy to pick up at HND. Compact router easy to use and carry. Contactless drop off — highly recommended!