Private Tour
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
Explore Nara with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual guide! Your guide will help you efficiently enjoy a half-day walking tour of Nara and introduce both modern and traditional sides of this dynamic and ancient Japanese city.
Nara's 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 neighbors. Your private guide can help you efficiently enjoy a half-day walking tour of this ancient Japanese city.
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Todai-ji Temple
Todaiji (東大寺, Tōdaiji, "Great Eastern Temple") is one of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara. The temple was constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan and grew so powerful that the capital was moved from Nara to Nagaoka in 784 in order to lower the temple's influence on government affairs. Until recently, Todaiji's main hall, the Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall), held the record as the world's largest wooden building, despite the fact that the present reconstruction of 1692 is only two thirds of the original temple hall's size. The massive building houses one of Japan's largest bronze statues of Buddha (Daibutsu). The 15 meters tall, seated Buddha represents Vairocana and is flanked by two Bodhisattvas.
Nara Park
Nara Park (奈良公園, Nara Kōen) is a large park in central Nara. Established in 1880, it is the location of many of Nara's main attractions including Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, Kofukuji and the Nara National Museum. It is also home to hundreds of freely roaming deer.
Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Nara
Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'What to expect' list
Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
Private Vehicle
You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.
Select a pickup point
Pickup included
227 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Olfert d,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
Friendly and knowledgeable guide who was fluent in English and showed us all the sites in Nara. Would definitely recommend.
zackn719,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
We did our private tour with Kamon-San, and he was a great guide to show off the sites and features of Nara! He got their early, and had a detailed and interesting schedule planned for us, including several of the local shrines and temples, allowing us to also enjoy the deer throughout our tour. He also took us to a nice local restaurant where we were able to enjoy some of the best soba and catsu curry we had all trip! Kamon-san's insights and trivia were definitely one of the top highlights from our entire trip to Japan! We would strongly recommend not just Nara but this guided tour to anyone who wants to appreciate more than just the deer!


Travel821147,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Yuka was an excellent guide. We really enjoyed Nara. The best was feeding the deer and the great Buddha Hall. Yuka shared so many interesting things about Nara and Japanese history. We learned a great deal about the temples and traditions. She was great sharing souvenir shopping information for my wife and daughter. Thank you Yuka!






Vacation623535,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Highly recommend this tour. Our guide Junichi reached out early on to ensure we knew how to book our train tickets to Nara which was incredibly helpful. He also planned the tour around the sites we wanted to see and picked a fantastic place for lunch. He was knowledgeable and entertaining. Best guide we had during our trip in Japan.
lucynM7440AT,Feb 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
We did a walking tour with our family that included 2 kids (10 & 8). Junichi was very informative and captivated their attention. We learned a lot and had a great time on this tour of Nara.
488jordanh,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Junichi was an amazing guide for our family. We had an 8-year old and a 10-year old in our group, and he was able to keep them entertained and informed throughout. His knowledge of the area, history, and local shops helped really make this experience. As a family with no Japanese language experience, I would be thrilled to go on a tour with Junichi again. Happy birthday, Junichi!


lisapH8673RE,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Absolutely amazing day despite being a freezing cold. We were there at the end of Winter and the weather was the only disappointment but you can't control the weather. Our guide Yoshi was very informative and helpful throughout the entire trip. Hard to believe the amount of deer that roam around freely. They bow to you and you can give them a biscuit specially made for them. If you are not quick enough though they will head butt you but not too hard to get your attention to give them a biscuit. The Deer at Nara are well looked after as there is a care facility for them if they were to get sick or injured.
Jeremy E,Jan 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
Very informative with a great tour guide. It was cold and windy, but we still really enjoyed seeing the beautiful landscape, the deer, and the temples.
jamesmD6661UE,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
We had a wonderful visit with Noriko in Nara. She helped us design a custom itinerary that maximized our time and depth of exploration, including a visit to Nara Park where we fed the deer, Tōdai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, and a beautiful tour of a historic Edo style home in Nara. Noriko was our third tour guide on this trip, fourth if you include ChatGPT, and without question she was the most knowledgeable. We learned an enormous amount not only about Nara, but about Japanese history, customs, and the relationship between Shinto and Buddhism. We truly enjoyed the experience and cannot recommend her enough.
meganrG3261HG,Jan 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
The 6 hour private tour of Nara was truly the highlight of our trip to Japan. ROMI was an outstanding guide - interesting, thoughtful, funny, very kind to my kids. She showed us fascinating things that we never would have found on our own! I am so so grateful💓. Do be prepared that you need cash for entrance to the temples - approximately 2000Y per person (& more for souvenirs etc).
Operated by Japan Guide Agency