Home > Osaka > Nara Afternoon Tour of Todaiji Temple, Deer Park and Kasuga Shrine from Osaka
USD $95.00
Nara Afternoon Tour of Todaiji Temple, Deer Park and Kasuga Shrine from Osaka
Osaka, Japan
Enjoy an afternoon visit to Nara, whose combined historic monuments make the ancient city a UNESCO World Heritage site. This imperial capital from the 8th century is full of cultural treasures, including some of Japan's oldest Buddhist temples. Ride the JR rail from Osaka to Kyoto, where you’ll transfer by comfortable coach to Nara. After your tour of Todaiji Temple, Deer Park and Kasuga Shrine with a knowledgeable guide, you’ll return to Osaka by train.
Depart Osaka and travel by JR rail to Kyoto, where you'll join your tour of Nara. Board the coach and drive less than 1 hour from Kyoto to explore some of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage sites with your guide. Japan's first permanent capital was established in the year 710 at Heijo, the city now known as Nara. As the influence and political ambitions of the city's powerful Buddhist monasteries grew to become a serious threat to the government, the capital was moved to Nagaoka in 784. Visit the 8th-century Todaiji Temple, one of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples. In its huge precincts you’ll find various national treasures of Japan. The Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) is one of the world's largest wooden buildings, which enshrines a gigantic bronze statue of Buddha — a wonder of religious architecture! Exploring the grounds during any season will showcases the most impressive displays of nature, from vivid fall colors to Japanese cherry blossoms in full bloom. See more than 1,000 tame deer roaming freely in the verdant Deer Park, which comprises 1,250 acres (505 hectares). If you wish to feed the deer, they will gladly eat from your hand. (Special deer food is available for sale in the park grounds.) Your last stop is Kasuga Shrine, the most famous and beautiful Shinto shrine in Nara. Part of the historic monuments of ancient Nara, it features some 3,000 antique stone and bronze lanterns. Walk along the outdoor pathway as you listen to commentary from your guide about the shrine’s influence on Japanese culture. Afterward, travel by return rail directly to Osaka Station, where you’ll make your own way back to your hotel.
Trip could have been better if there is more time given at the locations. Co-ordination amongst the tour leaders and local co-ordinators were good and with vast experience. Some amount of time were spent on the co-ordination along the way and that ate into the time allocated for sight seeing.
Review by: eric, October 2017
Nara is a great place and I would not have wanted to miss it. The tour I felt was way too large. Plus we had to go to Kyoto to pick it up. I would have rather had one leave from Osaka directly to Nara.
Review by: Hayley K, July 2017
This is a great afternoon but most of it is spent travelling from Osaka to Kyoto. I would only recommend this tour if you are staying in Kyoto. The temple and shrine are beautiful and he grounds spacious with lots of deer - that are a bit smelly! Worth it none the less to see some traditional buildings!
Review by: Jenny B, May 2017
The tour was interesting, the tour guide, Hajime is accommodating and was able to answer questions. The other tour guides on the train station were very helpful in finding our way thru the busy train station of Osaka Namba, they even helped us buy the train tickets! We appreciate this gesture
Review by: Farooha, April 2017
loved Nara and the friendly Deers during Sakura season although we were rushed and couldn't spend enough time looking around or buying souvenirs as much as we wanted. bus was totally full. tour guide was nice and tried to provide information as much as she could
Review by: Gerry T, December 2016
The tour guide was more focused on keeping time and other logistics requirements where to meet, where the bus is parked, maintaining order, keeping quiet, etc...., rather than sharing insights about the temples and shrines.
Review by: zarina a, December 2016
I enjoyed this tour very much. The tour guide was informative and timing was on the spot which is always the case in Japan!. However, it was a little tiring to make the trip to kyoto first then only to nara. This is because there are others who join this half day tour Nara having completed their half day tour in kyoto itself. Whilst it works well for them, it doesnt for those who only join the Nara tour.
Review by: Leesa, October 2016
The deer park was amazing, the half day trip was a good length to see a couple of amazing sites.
Review by: Mattheos K, July 2016
Very pleasant tour.
Review by: Samuel K, June 2016
The trouble with this tour is not so much the content of the tour but the logistics of doing it from Osaka. They send you via train from Osaka station to Kyoto 45 minutes where you wait 20 minutes for a bus to Nara 1 hour - so it is 3pm by the time you are actually doing anything. There is quite a lot to do in Nara, and while this tour will cover the highlights, there is no time to look at the treasure hall or the botanical gardens.
Review by: Lawrence T, June 2016
Very impressed with the Buddha temple and the statues on display. The tour was marred by heavy rain which would otherwise be a fun and interesting place to visit. The place was also overcrowded with students which somewhat caused a congestion within the temple.
Review by: Sowjanya A, May 2016
1. The trip first by train and then by bus was enjoyable. _br/_ 2. The guide told us many local stories on the way, my son still remembers the story of the warlord who proposed to the mother, but ended up marrying her daughter!!!!!!_br/_ 3. We had a little over an hour at the Deer Park and both my kids enjoyed feeding the deers for more than half hour..... it was their best memory of our Japanese vacation._br/_ 4. The sanctity of the Kasuga shrine can not be described in words, our guide told us all about its importance and its place in the emotions of the locals especially the sea-farers.
Review by: Jane C, April 2016
A great tour, definitely worth a look. The temple and shrine are interesting and unique, and the tour gave us plenty of time to look around. The tour was well operated and the guide was helpful and spoke English well. Being able to feed and get close to the deer the shrine and temple are located within the deer park was fun and made for some great photos._br/_ For those staying in Kyoto, it is worth trying to book the Nara tour departing from Kyoto to cut down traveling time. The tour departs Osaka to Kyoto via train on which you are not guaranteed a seat before continuing to Nara by bus.
Review by: P. L, November 2015
There are many interesting places in Nara, but we had only limited time.
Review by: gwapocat, October 2015
Breathtaking Nara! It was great. Make sure you don't book on a holiday, to avoid the crowds and heavy traffic.
Review by: Kim A D, August 2015
Amazing tour :)
Review by: Giulia R, June 2015
Tour was to short considering the other stuff that could be seen in Nara given a whole day instead of half a day.
Review by: alisha g, June 2015
Tour was good, just enough time at each place. If you get the same tour guide, don't be thinking you'll get a quick nap in on the bus "everyone wake up please, wake up"
Review by: carlo3854, December 2014
More touring and time at the sites, less time sitting on the bus.
Review by: faten a, July 2014
The deer park is very enjoyable for kids my daughter really enjoyed it
Review by: joe n, May 2014
We did not like the deer wandering everywhere, but otherwise the tour was fine.
Review by: sheltuck, May 2014
The guide was incredibly knowledgeable with a fine sense of humor. The bus was air conditioned and very comfortable. The sites on the tour were great. It was well worth the money.
Review by: Sonia C, April 2014
Great tour, well organised with nice tour guides.
Review by: Khaled A, June 2013
It was nice tour
Review by: Mohammed B, June 2013
It's a must
Review by: Ludwig M, September 2012
good tour guide, well organised
Review by: Edmond C, January 2012
Excellent tour guide who have provided lots of information. However, the tour was quite short for the price paid. _br/_
Did not spend much time in the Kasuga Shrine at all (only 15-20 mins). Couldn't go inside the shrine due of the new year preparation.
Review by: BETTY G, July 2011
Interesting guide and the Todaiji Temple is beautiful
Review by: BETTY G, December 2010
Interesting guide and the Todaiji Temple is beautiful
Review by: Alain P, November 2010
I would like to do this tour again during a different season to see the different colours of the scenery.
Review by: Mary Sue A, August 2009
For my experience it was not good. I had taken the all day tour on Monday to Kyoto, with lunch included and it was wonderful. I was not pleased with all the travel involved with the Nara tour. I was coming from Nisinomiya. I found my way through Osaka to the Hilton, then my greeter who was wonderful and helpful took us by train to Kyoto, back on the bus and then to Nara. My time in the Nara area was around 1 hour and 45 minutes. We then were guided back to the train and the Namba station. The greeter was extremely helpful and got me on the train back to Nishinomiya to help cut back on the extra travel time. I wish I would of known how much travel was involved. I would of liked a little more time in the area.
Review by: Mary Sue A, United States of America, July 2009
For my experience it was not good. I had taken the all day tour on Monday to Kyoto, with lunch included and it was wonderful. I was not pleased with all the travel involved with the Nara tour. I was coming from Nisinomiya. I found my way through Osaka to the Hilton, then my greeter who was wonderful and helpful took us by train to Kyoto, back on the bus and then to Nara. My time in the Nara area was around 1 hour and 45 minutes. We then were guided back to the train and the Namba station. The greeter was extremely helpful and got me on the train back to Nishinomiya to help cut back on the extra travel time. I wish I would of known how much travel was involved. I would of liked a little more time in the area.
Review by: Anonymous, Singapore, April 2009
Nice trip!
Review by: Stefan M, April 2009
Nice trip!
Review by: , April 2009
Nice trip!
Review by: Anna M, August 2008
Great afternoon though a bit busy. Good overview of what the area has to offer.
Review by: Erin C, August 2008
Very worthwhile as I wouldn't have been able to fit Nara in otherwise. I was the only person to join the tour from Osaka, so I had a very informative guide to myself on the way to Kyoto and back.
Review by: Anna M, Singapore, February 2008
Great afternoon though a bit busy. Good overview of what the area has to offer.
Review by: Erin C, New Zealand, February 2008
Very worthwhile as I wouldn't have been able to fit Nara in otherwise. I was the only person to join the tour from Osaka, so I had a very informative guide to myself on the way to Kyoto and back.
Review by: Robyn G, June 2007
This was a well-organised tour, and the guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. A most enjoyable afternoon.
Review by: Vicki B, June 2007
We loved everything we saw, although we were fighting crowds all the way.
Review by: Robyn G, Australia, May 2007
This was a well-organised tour, and the guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. A most enjoyable afternoon.
Review by: Vicki B, United States of America, April 2007
We loved everything we saw, although we were fighting crowds all the way.
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