Nara Private Custom Walking Tour: Todai-ji Temple & Kasuga Taisha

You build the itinerary, the guide leads you through 1,300 years of temples and shrines.

A private walking tour of Nara where you and your guide design the day together, choosing from World Heritage temples like Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha, the deer-filled Nara Park, and historic districts. Available as a 4-hour or 8-hour tour with an English-speaking guide and pickup included. You decide which sites matter most and how long to linger at each one.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Todai-ji Temple1h
2. Nara Park30m
3. Kasuga Taisha Shrine30m
4. Nara National Museum1h
5. Yakushiji Temple30m
6. Toshodaiji Temple30m

Explore Nara's historic sites and culture

• Visit Todaiji Temple and see Great Buddha
• Walk through Nara Park and feed deer
• Explore Kasuga Taisha Shrine
• Visit Heijo Palace Ruins
• Stroll historic Naramachi district
• Hike Mount Wakakusa for views
• Relax at Isuien Garden
• Tour Nara National Museum
• See Kofukuji Temple and pagoda
• Shop at Higashimuki Shopping Street
• Visit Yakushiji Temple
• Explore Gangoji Temple
• Visit Toshodai-ji Temple
• Taste sake at Imanishi Seibei Shoten brewery

The experience

This tour flips the usual script: instead of following a fixed route, you work with your guide to build an itinerary that matches what you actually want to see. Nara holds more than a dozen major sites: Todai-ji Temple with its 15-meter Great Buddha, Kasuga Taisha Shrine with 3,000 lanterns lining sacred forest paths, the grassy slopes of Mount Wakakusa, the traditional machiya houses of Naramachi, Yakushiji Temple's twin pagodas, and Toshodai-ji Temple founded by a Chinese monk in the 8th century. Your guide knows them all and can shape the day around your interests, whether that's Buddhist history, garden design, sake tasting at a local brewery, or simply time to feed the roughly 1,000 deer roaming Nara Park.

The walking happens throughout the day, so you'll want a moderate level of fitness and comfortable shoes. Admission fees to individual temples and sites are separate (Todai-ji runs 800 yen, Kasuga Taisha 700 yen, Yakushiji 1,000 yen), and your guide can help you prioritize based on your budget and energy. The tour includes pickup and drop-off, and public transportation options are nearby if you want to move between distant sites. You choose whether to book 4 hours or 8 hours. The longer option gives you room to explore deeper or add a second temple complex without rushing.

What’s included

• Customized itinerary built with your guide.
• English-speaking guide for 4 or 8 hours.
• pickup and drop-off service.

Options for this experience

2 options

4 HoursGuide in English · 7 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 14:00Lasts 4 hours; G-180 includes pickup

8 HoursGuide in English · 08:00, 08:30, 09:00 and 09:30Duration: 8 hours; G-181 includes pickup

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 14:00

Book up to19h before

AgesAdult (10 to 65 years) · Under 10: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 41 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by DeepExperience

Is this one for you?Book the 4-hour option if you want to see the main temples and Nara Park without a full day commitment. Choose 8 hours if you're drawn to multiple World Heritage sites or want time to explore Naramachi and smaller temples without rushing between them.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can I visit both Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine in one tour?

Yes. Both are World Heritage sites in Nara and can be included in the same custom itinerary. Todai-ji houses the Great Buddha and costs 800 yen to enter. Kasuga Taisha, with its vermilion shrine and lantern-lined forest paths, costs 700 yen. Your guide will help you fit them both in depending on how much time you spend at each.

What does the 4-hour tour versus the 8-hour tour let me do differently?

The 4-hour tour covers the main highlights, typically Todai-ji, Nara Park, and Kasuga Taisha. The 8-hour option gives you time to add a second temple like Yakushiji or Toshodai-ji, explore Naramachi's historic district, visit a museum, or simply spend longer at each site without feeling rushed.

Do I have to pay for temple entry, or is that included?

Temple and site admissions are separate. Todai-ji costs 800 yen, Kasuga Taisha 700 yen, Yakushiji 1,000 yen, and others range from 150 to 2,200 yen. Your guide can advise which sites fit your interests and budget, and you pay as you go.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not a strong walker?

The tour involves walking throughout the day, so you'll need at least a moderate level of fitness and confidence in your walking ability. It's not recommended for wheelchair users or those with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy. Discuss any concerns with the operator when booking.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes a customized itinerary designed with your guide, an English-speaking guide for the full duration, and pickup and drop-off service. Temple admissions, meals, and any transportation between distant sites are separate.