Day trip to Nara, where past meets present
Day trip to Nara, where past meets present
Day trip to Nara, where past meets present
Day trip to Nara, where past meets present
Day trip to Nara, where past meets present
Day trip to Nara, where past meets present

What you'll do

Nara is home to unique features; we don’t just mean temples and shrines. Local street food is amazing because it caters to the tame deer that wander around Nara Park. Be wary, though - they’ll do anything for a bite! Your host will lead you to the city’s numerous cultural hotspots, ranging from ancient temples to one giant Buddha, giving you the inside scoop on centuries of Japanese history.

Peckish? You might find yourself slurping on the unique taste of spicy Tenri Ramen or sampling chagayu, a regional rice and tea porridge. If it’s souvenirs you’re after, pop in at Higashimuku Shopping District before heading back to the station. It’s chock full of curios and trinkets, and your host will be on hand to haggle!

Where you’ll go

Hop on a train with your local host and head straight for the culture-rich ancient capital of Nara, where thousands of years of civilization have shaped a unique and visually stunning setting. Buddhist artwork peppers the city's architecture, culminating in incredible temples, shrines, and relics, like the Todai-ji, Kasuga Shrine, and Horyu-ji, three spiritual centers with immense cultural significance.

Only eight such locations have been preserved, making Nara a unique window into Japan's tumultuous and vivid past. With its leafy avenues and famous tame deer, Nara is a true sight to behold, and your host will ensure you enjoy the finest sights, tastes, and lessons the city has to offer.

  • Private & 100% personalized tour

  • 9 hours

  • Matched to your ideal host

  • Walking tour (may use public transport)

  • Hosted in English (On request: Arabic, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish)

  • Meet at your accommodation or a central location

Experience outline

  • Take a train ride from Osaka to Nara with your host, and discover the ancient city’s best attributes
  • Delve into centuries of Japanese history and culture, all in a single day.
  • See the city’s most iconic shrines, temples and relics, with expert insight from your host.
  • Discover hidden side streets and picturesque pathways in an architecturally stunning city.
  • Feed the famous deer that roam in and around Nara-koen Park. Who doesn’t love Bambi?
  • Taste Nara’s local delicacies at an eatery hand-picked by your host.

Things to know

What’s included

  • A private and personalized experience
  • 9 hours with a host (including travel time to and from Osaka)
  • Tickets to: Isui-en Garden, Todaiji-Temple, Kasuga-Taisha Shrine, Kofuku-ji Temple, Nigatsu-do & Sangatsu-do Halls
  • One day free pass Bus ticket from JR Nara
  • Walking and Bus experience (other transport can be arranged at an additional cost)

What’s not included

  • Food and drinks
  • Tickets to attractions other than the ones listed above
  • Train Transportation costs (Japan Rail Pass holders can travel free on the JR)
  • Gratuities (optional)

Cancellation

  • Cancel 14 days before the experience for a full refund
  • Worry-free cancellation terms: book with peace of mind knowing that you can cancel for free up to a day before the experience and receive a full refund.

Photos taken by our hosts and guests

City Unscripted guests photos

Reviews

    We did a one day trip to Nara. Riley has demonstrated a very good knowledge of the history and the culture. Thanks for that great day!

    July 2019

    Istvan B

    Our guide Riley did a great job of selecting some of the highlights of Nara Park for us. He meet us at the train station in Osaka and guided us through the journey it to Nara. Then he picked a set of temples and museums that were the best highlights and conducted the tour at a good pace for the two senior citizens we had with us in our group. He also then helped my family with some language interpreting that they needed to be some very unique souvenir items in Nara market. Finally, he guided us back to Osaka and made some recommendations of other things to see. Riley was a great guide and was very good to my family all day. Overall, I would recommend this tour as a laid back way to see Nara and I would recommend Riley as an excellent guide and interpreter. City Unscripted will see my business again due to him.

    May 2019

    Stacey A

See more reviews

Meet our local hosts in Osaka. One of them will tailor this experience to your wishes!

We’ll expertly match you to your best suited host based on your interests, personality and the experience vibe you’re after.

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