Nara Park: Our most recommended tours and activities

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.

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

2. 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

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

4. 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.

Nara: City Highlights Shared Group or Private Bike Tour

5. 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 the Oshikien Garden. 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.

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

6. 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.

Osaka: Kyoto,Nara Guided Day Tour get to Kyoto's spirit

7. Osaka: Kyoto,Nara Guided Day Tour get to Kyoto's spirit

Start your beautiful journey. Pick up time and location 8:30 Nihonbashi Exit 2 9:50 Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit ▼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 ★★★Kindly understand that the above itinerary schedule may be adjusted according to weather, road conditions and other reasons.

From Osaka: Guided Day Trip to Kyoto and Nara

8. 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 Osaka: 10-hour Private Customized Tour to Nara

9. From Osaka: 10-hour Private Customized Tour to Nara

Our 10-hour customizable private car tour is the best way to visit the charming and culturally enriching city of Nara. Visit the world's largest bronze Buddha statue and greet wild deer in Nara Park, the home of around 1,200 wild deer. Wander in the Nara Town Historic District, where you can get lost in ancient buildings, gardens, and temples to immerse yourselves in the most authentic Nara culture. Learn more about Nara's history and culture in Toshodai-ji Temple. With our private car and professional driver, you won't have to worry about transportation, navigation, or language barriers. Our private car tour is perfect for solo travellers, couples, families, and groups. We can pick you up and drop you off at your preferred location in Osaka, whether it's your hotel, airport, or train station. The English-speaking tour guide is optional. Our guide will provide local insights and stories about each destination, making your tour informative and engaging. Itinerary Example: 8:00 AM - The chartered driver will pick you up at your designated location. 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Departure from Osaka to Nara (journey about 1 hour). 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Visit Nara Park, including the main attractions of Nara Park, such as Todai-ji and Daibutsu-den, and admire the world's largest bronze Buddha statue. 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Visit the Nara Town Historic District, stroll through traditional streets, and admire ancient buildings, gardens, and temples such as Kasuga Taisha and Horyu-ji Temple. 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Lunch at a nearby restaurant or snack bar. Please note that lunch fare is not included in the package. 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM: Visit other attractions in Nara, such as the Nara National Museum and Toshodai-ji Temple, to learn more about Nara's history and culture. 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Visit Nara's Hankaku Bookstore and street shops for souvenirs and specialty items. 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Return to Osaka, the driver will take you back to the designated location to end the trip. Please note that the above schedule is for reference only, and the actual itinerary may change due to factors such as traffic, passenger flow and visit time. When confirming the itinerary with the charter driver, you can discuss and adjust it according to the specific situation.

From Kyoto: Nara Guided Half Day Bus Tour

10. From Kyoto: Nara Guided Half Day Bus Tour

Embark on a delightful tour of the traditional areas in Nara that are brimming with cultural and historical significance, including the magnificent Todaiji temple, the picturesque Nara park, and the renowned Kasuga Taisha Shrine. While touring the Todaiji temple, marvel at the colossal 15-meter Great Buddha statue, which is housed in the largest wooden structure in the world, and soak in the fascinating historical significance of this landmark. As you explore the scenic Nara park, don't miss out on the chance to observe and interact with the adorable and friendly deer, which have become an iconic part of the park's charm. Finally, at the Kasuga Taisha Shrine, take in the spiritual ambiance of the main sanctuary and offer your prayers and wishes to the gods. Overall, this tour promises to be an enchanting and fulfilling experience that offers a glimpse into the rich and vibrant history and culture of Nara.

Add dates

Nara Park

All activities

19 activities found
Sort by:
Page 1 of 2

Immersive experiences

Go beyond Nara Park

Explore all

Other Sightseeing Options in Nara Park

Want to discover all there is to do in Nara Park? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Nara Park

Overall rating

4.2 / 5

based on 183 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.

We had an amazing time with Shin and Miki. They were so knowledgeable and took us to all the best places and even took us to lunch and a saki tasting! They were incredible and we had the best time.

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.