Explore more curated experiences in Nara

View all Nara tours

Full Day Nara: Temples, Knives, Deer Park and Tea Ceremony by Local Operator

Top rated
4.7
Activity provider: Japan Tour Adventure
Full Day Nara: Temples, Knives, Deer Park and Tea Ceremony by Local Operator
Full Day Nara: Temples, Knives, Deer Park and Tea Ceremony by Local Operator 2
Full Day Nara: Temples, Knives, Deer Park and Tea Ceremony by Local Operator 3
+2
more

Half-day tour in Nara, taking in On foot, Nandaimon Gate of Tōdaiji and Tōdai-ji. Run by Japan Tour Adventure, booked direct rather than through a reseller.

Highlights

  • Nandaimon Gate of Tōdaiji
  • Tōdai-ji
  • Kikuichimonjushirokanenaga honten
  • Kasuga-taisha
  • Runs 6 hours
  • Bilingual local guide

Full Day Nara: Temples, Knives, Deer Park and Tea Ceremony by Local Operator: Key Facts

PriceFrom $85.5 per person
Duration6 hours
LanguagesEnglish
Tour typeGuided Tour
BookingDirect with the local operator — no OTA markup

Full description

This is a 6-hour experience in Nara, built around Nandaimon Gate of Tōdaiji, Tōdai-ji and Kikuichimonjushirokanenaga honten. It is run by Japan Tour Adventure, an operator we book with directly rather than through a reseller, which is why we can hold your place with them before we treat your booking as final.

Gion is Kyoto's historic entertainment district, the streets of wooden machiya houses around Hanamikoji where the geiko and maiko of the Gion Kobu district still work. They are working professionals on their way to engagements, not performers for the street, and Kyoto has banned photography in the private lanes; an evening walk with a guide who explains the ochaya system is the respectful way to see it. Tea ceremony sessions in Gion teach the basic form of matcha preparation in an hour. Kimono rental for a day, with dressing and hair, is an established business around the district and is welcomed rather than resented.

The price covers Bilingual local guide, Todaiji Temple Entrance Fee, Deer cookies for the guests, Introduction to Japanese Knife History and Gangoji Temple Entrance Fee. It does not cover Food & Drinks, Lunch, Shopping and Souvenirs and Guide's Tip or Gratuity, so budget for those separately. Everything included is listed in full on this page; if something is not on that list, assume it is not in the price.

7-Eleven. We need at least one day's notice, and we confirm the date with Japan Tour Adventure before treating your booking as final. If they cannot take your date we tell you and refund you rather than leave you waiting.

Tour Itinerary

Itineraries are customisable as per your request

The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.

Starting location

7-Eleven

On foot

(15 minutes)

Nandaimon Gate of Tōdaiji

Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Sightseeing (30 minutes)

Tōdai-ji

Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Shopping, Sightseeing (45 minutes)

On foot

(20 minutes)

Kikuichimonjushirokanenaga honten

Photo stop, Visit, Shopping (30 minutes)

On foot

(10 minutes)

Kasuga-taisha

Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Sightseeing, Walk (30 minutes)

Naramachi

Visit, Guided tour, Free time, Sightseeing (30 minutes)

Gangoji Temple

Photo stop, Visit, Sightseeing (30 minutes)

On foot

(5 minutes)

Shofukutei

Break time, Photo stop, Visit, Tea, Shopping, Tea ceremony, Class (1 hour)

Arrive back at

7-Eleven

Detailed Itinerary

Starting location: 7-Eleven

On foot: (15 minutes)

Nandaimon Gate of Tōdaiji: Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Sightseeing (30 minutes)

Tōdai-ji: Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Shopping, Sightseeing (45 minutes)

On foot: (20 minutes)

Kikuichimonjushirokanenaga honten: Photo stop, Visit, Shopping (30 minutes)

On foot: (10 minutes)

Kasuga-taisha: Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Sightseeing, Walk (30 minutes)

Includes

  • Bilingual local guide
  • Todaiji Temple Entrance Fee
  • Deer cookies for the guests
  • Introduction to Japanese Knife History
  • Gangoji Temple Entrance Fee
  • Tea Ceremony led by a certified Japanese Tea Master with Matcha Tea and a handmade "Wagashi" sweet
  • Souvenir photos taken during the tour, available online

Excludes

  • Food & Drinks
  • Lunch
  • Shopping and Souvenirs
  • Guide's Tip or Gratuity

Important information

Meeting point

7-Eleven

Know before you go

  • Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Secure payment
Complete your booking safely with Razorpay. Full refund if you cancel 24h prior. Read more
Duration 6 days
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
English
Wheelchair accessible

You might also like...

Share
Main Tour Price
Starting from $85.5
$85.5
Need a custom booking or have a larger group?Contact Support via WhatsApp
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Secure payment
Complete your booking safely with Razorpay. Full refund if you cancel 24h prior. Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

7-Eleven
The price does not cover food & drinks, lunch, shopping and souvenirs and guide's tip or gratuity. Everything it does cover is listed in full on this page, so if something is not on that list, budget for it separately.
Not in the private lanes of Gion, where Kyoto has banned photography, and not close up anywhere: a maiko on the street is on her way to work. Your guide will say where a photograph is acceptable. Tea ceremony and kimono sessions include photographs as part of the session.
We confirm your booking with the operator before we treat it as final, and we need at least one day's notice. Once it is confirmed you get the meeting point, the time and a contact number for the day. If the operator cannot take your date we tell you and refund you rather than leave you waiting.
Bilingual local guide, Todaiji Temple Entrance Fee, Deer cookies for the guests, Introduction to Japanese Knife History, Gangoji Temple Entrance Fee, Tea Ceremony led by a certified Japanese Tea Master with Matcha Tea and a handmade "Wagashi" sweet, Souvenir photos taken during the tour, available online
The duration of the Full Day Nara: Temples, Knives, Deer Park and Tea Ceremony by Local Operator is typically 6 hours. We recommend arriving 15 minutes before the scheduled start time for a smooth check-in. Your guide will meet you at the designated meeting point and ensure the experience runs on schedule while remaining flexible to your pace.
For most experiences, we highly recommend an early morning start. This allows you to avoid the midday heat, bypass the largest crowds, and capture the best lighting for photography. Your guide can advise on the optimal timing based on the season and specific attractions included.
Yes, once your booking is completed via our secure payment gateway, you will receive an instant confirmation email with your tour details, meeting point address, guide's name, and direct contact information. You can also view and manage your booking through your AsiaByLocals account dashboard.
Yes! All our private tours are fully customizable. Whether you want to add extra stops, skip certain locations, change the pace, or adjust the start time — simply let your guide know in advance or on the day. We aim to create a personalized experience tailored to your interests and energy level.
We offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours may be subject to a partial charge depending on the tour type. Weather-related cancellations for outdoor and boat tours are handled on a case-by-case basis, with full refunds or free rebooking offered when safety is a concern.
Most of our experiences are family-friendly and suitable for children of all ages. However, some tours involving extensive walking, water activities, or early morning starts may be better suited for children aged 5 and above. Please check the specific tour description for age recommendations, or contact us for personalized family itinerary advice.
After booking, you will receive detailed meeting point instructions via email. Most tours include complimentary hotel pickup within the central area. For tours without pickup, your confirmation email will include the exact address, Google Maps pin, and your guide's phone number for easy coordination. Guides typically arrive 10 minutes early and will message you on WhatsApp.
We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), PayPal, Apple Pay, and Razorpay for Indian cards. All payments are processed through a PCI-compliant secure gateway with 256-bit encryption. You can also pay in multiple currencies — the price is automatically converted to your local currency at checkout.
Yes, all AsiaByLocals guides are licensed professionals who have been rigorously vetted through background checks, skill assessments, and customer reviews. Many hold government-issued tourism licenses, university degrees in history or cultural studies, and have years of experience leading tours for international travelers. Every guide maintains a minimum 4.5-star rating to remain active on our platform.
Late March to early April for cherry blossom in Nara Park, or mid-to-late November for autumn colour around Todai-ji — our pick for the best overall balance of weather and crowds. Full season breakdown in our best time to visit Nara guide.
Yes, generally — they're unusually tame from centuries of protected contact with visitors. Buy shika senbei crackers (~¥200) from a licensed vendor, and be extra cautious during October-December rutting season, when Nara city issues an annual warning about more assertive bucks. Full etiquette in our Nara deer park guide.
A 15-metre bronze Buddha cast in 752 CE, one of the largest bronze statues in the world, housed in the Daibutsuden — once the largest wooden building on Earth. History and what to look for inside is in our Todai-ji temple guide.
Both work well — about 45 minutes from Kyoto, 35-40 minutes from Osaka via Kintetsu. Train options and a realistic day schedule are in our Nara day trip guide.
A comfortable half day (about 4 hours) covers Nara Park, Todai-ji and the walk to Kasuga Taisha. Our Nara half-day itinerary breaks it down hour by hour.
Starting from$85.5