Nara Afternoon Tour from Kyoto or Osaka: Todai-ji, Nara Park

About this experience

Available from Kyoto or Osaka, make the most of your afternoon with this guided tour to Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital. Accompanied by a National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter, visit the city’s most iconic landmarks in a short amount of time. Start at Todai-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site housing the Great Buddha, one of the largest bronze statues in the world. Then enjoy a walk through Nara Park, where hundreds of friendly deer roam freely. Continue to Kasuga Taisha Shrine, known for its beautiful lantern-lined pathways and deep connection to Nara’s history. The tour also includes access to the shrine’s special inner area, where you can admire traditional architecture and historic details up close. This tour is perfect for travelers who want to experience Nara efficiently in half a day.

What to expect

1. Stop 1

   [From Osaka Only] From Hotel Granvia Osaka to the bus boarding location at the Sunrise Tours Desk on B1F of Kyoto Avanti, you will be accompanied by our English-speaking staff (not a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter). First, you will travel from Osaka Station to Shin-Osaka Station using public transportation. From Shin-Osaka to Kyoto, you will take the shinkansen (bullet train) in non-reserved seating for a comfortable journey. Please note that as all train rides use non-reserved seats, seating is not guaranteed.

2. Stop 2

   [From Osaka Only] After arriving at Kyoto Station, you will walk to the Sunrise Tours Desk on B1F of Kyoto Avanti, where the tour bus departs. From there, you will board the bus and begin your sightseeing tour.

3. Stop 3 · 1h

   This Nara Period shrine is designated as a World Heritage Site. The deer of Nara Park are thought to be the shrine messengers. From 2025, the Main Sanctuary special visit area will be newly added to the itinerary. Visitors can get closer to the Main Sanctuary and view the hanging lanterns in the corridor. However, in case the special visit area cannot be entered due to events or operational circumstances, the Kasuga Taisha Museum or Todaiji Museum will be visited instead.

4. Stop 4 · 50min

   A World Heritage site. This is the symbol of the Nara Period and one of the world's largest wooden structures. Its huge main hall and bronze Great Buddha are impressive to behold. Participants will walk from the parking lot to Todai-ji Temple (about 25 min one-way). Please inform us at the time of booking if any person in your group is using crutches or a wheelchair, or has a chronic illness that makes it difficult to walk for long distances.

5. Stop 5 · 20min

   Nara Park is a spacious public park in Nara, famous for its freely roaming, friendly deer that are considered sacred.

6. Stop 6

   [From Osaka Only ] From Kintetsu Nara Station to Osaka Namba Station, you will be accompanied by an English-speaking assistant (not a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter). Public transportation will be used. All train seats are non-reserved, so seating is not guaranteed. The tour ends at Osaka Namba Station.

Tour & ticket options

Options may have different inclusions and meeting points. Choose your option when booking on Viator.

Meeting & pickup

• [From Osaka] Please meet our staff holding a JTB Sunrise Tours sign at Hotel Granvia Osaka 1F, in front of the elevator (not the 19th-floor front desk). After meeting, walk to JR Osaka Station. Our staff will guide you to the bus boarding location at the Sunrise Tours Desk on B1F of Kyoto Avanti.
• [From Kyoto] Meet your guide at the Sunrise Tours Desk on B1F of Kyoto Avanti (across from Kyoto Station’s Hachijo Exit). The meeting point is on the basement level, not the ground floor.

End point

• [From Kyoto or Osaka] The tour ends in front of Kyoto Avanti, across from Kyoto Station’s Hachijo Exit.
• Tour Ends in front of Kyoto Avanti (across from Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit)

• If you have arrived at the meeting location but have trouble finding the meeting point, you can call the local operator JTB Sunrise Tours on +81 3 5796 5454 (Operated between 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Japan time) for assistance. • In case bookings have been made separately, you may be assigned to be on separate tour buses. • You can refer to below link for specific directions: https://www.sunrise-tours.jp/en/access/avanti

Before you go

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• The order of activities and arrival times may differ depending on road conditions and congestion at destinations
• Participants will walk from the parking lot to Todai-ji Temple (about 25 min one-way). Thank you for your understanding. Please inform us at the time of booking if any person in your group is using crutches or a wheelchair, or has a chronic illness that makes it difficult to walk for long distances.
• At Kasuga Taisha Shrine, the tour will also enter the Main Sanctuary special visit area. However, in case the special visit area cannot be entered due to events or operational circumstances, the Kasuga Taisha Museum or Todaiji Museum will be visited instead.
• Refunds will not be issued in case the tour visits aforementioned alternative destinations.
• Seats may not be designated.
• Children up to 5 years old may join free of charge, but will not be provided with bus seats or lunch. If bus seats or lunch is required, please make a booking under the child rate.
• [From Osaka Only] The tour will be accompanied by an English-speaking assistant (not a National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter) from Hotel Granvia Osaka to the Sunrise Tours Desk in Kyoto Avanti B1F, and from Kintetsu Nara Station to Osaka Namba Station.
• [Compliance Policy] Images of Kinkaku-ji Temple and the Kyoto Imperial Palace are restricted for commercial use. As we are committed to strict corporate compliance, we respect these regulations and therefore do not use these images on this product page.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.