Nara UNESCO Sites & Deer Park: 3-Hour Guided Tour

The Great Buddha stands 15 meters tall inside one of the world's largest wooden buildings.

A 3-hour guided tour of Nara's three major UNESCO heritage sites: Nara Park, where you feed sacred deer with special crackers; Kasuga Taisha Shrine, set in an ancient forest; and Todai-ji Temple, home to the bronze Great Buddha. The tour includes a live guide in English or Japanese and all entry fees.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Nara Park50m
2. Kasuga Taisha Shrine1h · entry included
3. Todai-ji Temple1h · entry included

Explore Nara's heritage and nature

• Feed deer at Nara Park
• Visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine
• Tour Todai-ji Temple and Great Buddha

The experience

The tour opens at Nara Park, where sacred deer roam freely across the grounds that once belonged to Kofuku-ji Temple in the Nara period. You'll feed the deer with "shika-senbei", special crackers sold on-site, and move through the park's green spaces and scenic pathways. The deer are considered sacred messengers in Shinto belief, and their presence here is central to what makes the park distinct from other Japanese gardens.

From there, the guide leads you to Kasuga Taisha Shrine, surrounded by a primordial forest that has been preserved since ancient times. The shrine itself has been a focal point of worship for centuries, particularly for ancient noble families, and the forest setting creates a quiet, spiritual atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the open park. The connection between the shrine and the deer (tradition holds that the deity arrived on a deer) ties the two stops together and explains why the animals hold such importance in Nara's spiritual life.

The final stop is Todai-ji Temple and its Great Buddha Hall. The bronze Buddha statue, known as Daibutsu, stands about 15 meters tall and dominates the interior of the hall, one of the world's largest wooden buildings originally constructed in the 8th century and rebuilt in the 17th. The Nandaimon Gate at the entrance features fierce guardian statues. The scale of both the building and the statue creates an impression that photographs alone do not convey.

What’s included

• Live guide in English or Japanese.
• entry to Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Todai-ji Temple.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 12:00 and 14:00

Book up to3h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

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

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

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

Operated by DeepExperience

Is this one for you?Three hours is enough to move through all three sites without rushing, but leaves the rest of your day free for other neighborhoods or a return to any stop. If you're planning a full day in Nara, this tour covers the main UNESCO heritage sites and fits comfortably into a morning or afternoon.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

Can I feed the deer at Nara Park on this tour?

Yes. You'll feed the sacred deer with special "shika-senbei" crackers during the Nara Park portion of the tour. The deer roam freely throughout the park and are accustomed to visitors.

What is the Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple like?

The Great Buddha, or Daibutsu, is a bronze statue standing about 15 meters (50 feet) tall, housed inside the Great Buddha Hall: one of the world's largest wooden buildings. It was originally built in the 8th century and rebuilt in the 17th century, and the scale of both the statue and the hall creates a powerful sense of presence.

How long does this tour take?

The tour runs 3 hours and covers all three sites: Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Todai-ji Temple, including entry to each location.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes the live guide, all entry fees to the three sites, and all taxes. You'll need to purchase the deer crackers separately at Nara Park if you want to feed them.