Kyoto & Nara Private Day Tour: Bamboo Forest, Buddha & Deer

One day, two ancient capitals: bamboo groves, thousands of vermillion gates, a 15-meter bronze Buddha, and deer that bow

A private day tour from Kyoto to Nara visiting four major sites: Fushimi Inari Shrine with its iconic red torii gate tunnel, Arashiyama's towering bamboo forest, Todai-ji Temple housing the Great Buddha of Nara, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine with its vermillion lanterns. Hotel pickup and drop-off included, with an English-speaking driver and air-conditioned vehicle for the full 10-hour route.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Fushimi Inari Shrine2h
2. Arashiyama Park2h
3. Nara Park2h
4. Todai-ji Temple2h

Explore Kyoto and Nara landmarks

• Visit Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
• Explore Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
• Stroll through Nara Park
• See Todai-ji Temple and Great Buddha
• Visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Museum

The experience

How do you fit Japan's spiritual heart into a single day? Start at Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, where thousands of vermillion torii gates wind up the forested slopes of Mount Inari. The pathway itself is the shrine: a tunnel of red gates stacked so densely they block the sky, each one a donation to Inari, the deity of rice and prosperity. From there, head to Arashiyama, where the bamboo grove rises in a narrow ravine so thick and tall it feels like walking inside a living cathedral. The stalks creak in the wind and block out the city noise entirely.

After Kyoto's temples and gardens, the route crosses into Nara, Japan's first capital. Nara Park spreads across 500 hectares of open ground where sacred deer roam freely. They bow when you bow, and they know the difference between a tourist with a camera and one carrying deer crackers. Todai-ji Temple sits at the park's heart, a UNESCO World Heritage site built in the 8th century to house the Daibutsuden, the Great Buddha Hall. Inside stands the Daibutsu, a bronze Buddha statue over 15 meters tall, cast so long ago that the building was constructed around it. The scale stops conversation. End the day at Kasuga Taisha Shrine, where thousands of vermillion lanterns hang from the eaves and line the pathways, turning the shrine grounds into a soft, glowing forest at dusk.

The tour runs 10 hours door-to-door. A private air-conditioned vehicle picks you up from your hotel and returns you there, with an English-speaking driver who handles the route and timing. The vehicle has WiFi aboard. You choose the vehicle size at checkout (options range from a minivan seating five to a Coaster bus for groups up to 23), so the booking scales from a solo traveler to a small group. Temple and shrine entries are your own cost, as are meals, but the transport, pickup and the route itself are settled.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• private air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi.
• English-speaking driver for the full 10-hour route.

Options for this experience

4 options

Mini van (up to 5 people)Up to 5 per booking · 5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 12:00Includes pickup

Large van (up to 9 people)Up to 9 per booking · 5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 12:00Includes pickup

Toyota Hiace (up to 12 people)Up to 12 per booking · 5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 12:00Includes pickup

Toyota Coaster (up to 23 people)Up to 15 per booking · 5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 12:00Includes pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 12:00

Book up toStart time

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteJP¥ 1,500

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Milkyway Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the vehicle size at checkout based on your group: minivans work for solo travelers or couples, while larger vans and the Coaster bus suit families and small groups. The private vehicle means you set the pace at each stop and skip the crowded group tour schedules, though the 10-hour day is fixed to fit all four major sites into one route.

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Top questions

What is the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest actually like to walk through?

Arashiyama's bamboo grove consists of towering stalks so densely planted they create a tranquil, otherworldly atmosphere where the light filters green and the sound of the city disappears. The stalks creak in the wind and the narrow paths wind through the ravine, making it feel like walking inside a living structure rather than a forest.

Can you really interact with the deer in Nara Park?

Yes. The deer in Nara Park roam freely across the 500-hectare grounds and are accustomed to visitors. They bow when you bow and will approach you, though they respond differently to people carrying deer crackers than to those with cameras. They are wild animals, not penned, so the interaction is on their terms.

How large is the Great Buddha statue inside Todai-ji Temple?

The Daibutsu, or Great Buddha of Nara, stands over 15 meters tall and is cast in bronze. It sits inside the Daibutsuden, the Great Buddha Hall, which is one of the largest wooden buildings in the world and was constructed in the 8th century around the statue itself.

What makes Kasuga Taisha Shrine different from the other stops?

Kasuga Taisha is a UNESCO World Heritage site adorned with thousands of vermillion lanterns hanging from the eaves and lining the pathways. The lanterns create a distinct visual atmosphere, especially as daylight fades, turning the shrine grounds into a glowing forest of red light.

Do I need to pay extra for temple and shrine entry on this tour?

Yes. Entry to Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine are separate costs not included in the tour price. The tour covers transport, hotel pickup and drop-off, and the route itself. You pay for admission at each site when you arrive.