Nara Afternoon Tour - Todaiji Temple and Deer Park from Kyoto
Safety measures
6 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Safety measures
6 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
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Why you are seeing these recommendations
Safety measures
6 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Overview
Discover the historic environs of Nara, ancient capital of Japan, as you explore Buddhist temples, shrines and the famous Nara deer park on this excursion from Kyoto. Visit Todaji Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan and home to the country’s largest Buddha statue, before seeing Kasuga Shrine, which features over 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. Then stop by Nara Park, a 1,250-acre reserve that’s home to more than 1,000 free-roaming deer. Your Nara excursion also includes pickup from select Kyoto hotels, a guide and all entrance fees.
- Travel by return vehicle from Kyoto to Nara
- Enjoy the afternoon touring the sights of Nara
- Visit Todaiji Temple, one of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples
- See over 1,000 tame deer roam freely in the verdant 1,250 acres peaceful park
- Explore Kasuga Shrine, featuring some 3,000 antique stone and bronze lanterns
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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 at Kyoto Handicraft Center or Avanti Tour Desk near Kyoto Station. After your pickup, proceed by vehicle on your Nara excursion. The city of Nara was founded in 710, when it was designated as the country’s first permanent capital. Nara, or Heijo as it was then known, was home to many of the most important Buddhist monasteries in the then-nascent Japanese empire, which made it a key center of political and religious power. As Nara’s power and influence grew, the city became a threat to the government, leading the country’s rulers to move the capital to Nagaoka in 784. Despite this shift in fortunes, Nara retains a wealth of important historical sites, including some of Japan’s most important Buddhist temples.
Stop by Nara’s Todaji Temple to start your trip. 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 1,250-acre preserve where more than 1,000 deer freely roam. Admire these gentle creatures as they graze and wander the park, and stop to purchase special deer food, which the animals will gladly eat from your hand, if you wish.
Finish your discovery of Nara at the Shinto shrine of Kasuga, a serene site that features a collection of more than 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. After leaving Kasuga, return by vehicle for a drop-off at select hotels in Kyoto.
Start your Nara trip in the afternoon with a pickup at Kyoto Handicraft Center or Avanti Tour Desk near Kyoto Station. After your pickup, proceed by vehicle on your Nara excursion. The city of Nara was founded in 710, when it was designated as the country’s first permanent capital. Nara, or Heijo as it was then known, was home to many of the most important Buddhist monasteries in the then-nascent Japanese empire, which made it a key center of political and religious power. As Nara’s power and influence grew, the city became a threat to the government, leading the country’s rulers to move the capital to Nagaoka in 784. Despite this shift in fortunes, Nara retains a wealth of important historical sites, including some of Japan’s most important Buddhist temples.
Stop by Nara’s Todaji Temple to start your trip. 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 1,250-acre preserve where more than 1,000 deer freely roam. Admire these gentle creatures as they graze and wander the park, and stop to purchase special deer food, which the animals will gladly eat from your hand, if you wish.
Finish your discovery of Nara at the Shinto shrine of Kasuga, a serene site that features a collection of more than 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. After leaving Kasuga, return by vehicle for a drop-off at select hotels in Kyoto.
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- "You get on the bus at the designated time (very punctual), you go to the pre-determined destination, take photos, then get back on the bus to do it over again until you get back to your starting point." See review
- "This is a good tour for anyone who has never been to Nara before We visit 1 Buddhist temple and 1 Shinto shrine which are 2 dominant religions in Japan" See review
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Nara Afternoon Tour - Todaiji Temple and Deer Park from Kyoto
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