Nara Afternoon Tour From Kyoto or Osaka With Kasuga Shrine
Immerse yourself in Japanese history and culture, during this exploration of the temples, shrines, and attractions found in the country’s former capital city of Nara. Spend a few hours discovering this historically significant capital, first established in the 8th century, as you admire its wealth of important religious sites and a one-of-a-kind deer park nearby. Start your Nara trip in the afternoon with a pickup in Osaka or Kyoto. After your pickup, proceed by vehicle on your Nara excursion. Stop by Nara’s Shinto shrine of Kasuga, a serene site that features a collection of more than 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. The visit includes the Main Sanctuary area. Then, head to Todaji Temple. This magnificent edifice, constructed in the 8th century, is among the country’s most important religious buildings. Explore the temple’s Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), one of the largest wooden buildings in the world, along with its immense bronze Buddha statue, which are just some of the treasures to be found in this incredible attraction. Continue your Nara trip with a visit to its famous deer park, a unique preserve where more than 1,000 deer freely roam. Admire these gentle creatures as they graze and wander the park. Return by vehicle for a drop-off at the original departure point to end the tour.
Highlights
- ✓Visit Nara in just a few hours from Kyoto or Osaka
- ✓Learn about the sites from your licensed guide and interpreter
- ✓Entrance fees included for convenience and value
- ✓Afternoon tour leaves your morning free for other activities
What you'll see & do
- ✓[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.
- ✓[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.
- ✓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.
- ✓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.
- ✓Nara Park is a spacious public park in Nara, famous for its freely roaming, friendly deer that are considered sacred.
- ✓[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.
What's included
- ✓National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter
- ✓Admission fees and transportation costs included in the tour
What's not included
- ✓Food and drinks
- ✓Hotel Pick-up/Drop-off
Good to know
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
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.
Nara Afternoon Tour From Kyoto or Osaka With Kasuga Shrine
Immerse yourself in Japanese history and culture, during this exploration of the temples, shrines, and attractions found in the country’s former capital city of Nara. Spend a few hours discovering this historically significant capital, first established in the 8th century, as you admire its wealth of important religious sites and a one-of-a-kind deer park nearby. Start your Nara trip in the afternoon with a pickup in Osaka or Kyoto. After your pickup, proceed by vehicle on your Nara excursion. Stop by Nara’s Shinto shrine of Kasuga, a serene site that features a collection of more than 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. The visit includes the Main Sanctuary area. Then, head to Todaji Temple. This magnificent edifice, constructed in the 8th century, is among the country’s most important religious buildings. Explore the temple’s Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), one of the largest wooden buildings in the world, along with its immense bronze Buddha statue, which are just some of the treasures to be found in this incredible attraction. Continue your Nara trip with a visit to its famous deer park, a unique preserve where more than 1,000 deer freely roam. Admire these gentle creatures as they graze and wander the park. Return by vehicle for a drop-off at the original departure point to end the tour.
Highlights
- ✓Visit Nara in just a few hours from Kyoto or Osaka
- ✓Learn about the sites from your licensed guide and interpreter
- ✓Entrance fees included for convenience and value
- ✓Afternoon tour leaves your morning free for other activities
What you'll see & do
- ✓[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.
- ✓[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.
- ✓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.
- ✓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.
- ✓Nara Park is a spacious public park in Nara, famous for its freely roaming, friendly deer that are considered sacred.
- ✓[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.
What's included
- ✓National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter
- ✓Admission fees and transportation costs included in the tour
What's not included
- ✓Food and drinks
- ✓Hotel Pick-up/Drop-off
Good to know
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
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.