English Guided Sightseeing Bus “Perfect Nara Park Tour”
This weekday (4 hour) tour of Nara Park will be led by a government-certified local English guide. Every tour will utilize a dedicated large bus.
This tour allows you to enjoy Nara Park efficiently in a short amount of time.
You can enjoy a hassle-free journey, unaffected by weather conditions that might occur when cycling or walking.
It is well-suited for families with young children and elderly members.
This tour is also suitable for solo travelers.
Time Required: Around 4 hours
Route:
Nara Park / Todaiji Temple / Kasuga Taisha Shrine / Mt. Wakakusa
Included Activities:
Interacting with wild deer / Fortune slip (omikuji) experience
Benefits:
Original Handkerchief / Free bus pass “Nara・Yamatoji 2-Day Pass”
Meeting/Departure Points:
📍JR Nara Station (East Exit No.4) 12:30 Departure
or
📍Kintetsu Nara Station (Regular Sightseeing Bus Stop) 12:35 Departure
Dispersal Point:
📍Kofukui-ji Temple (Prefectural Office Bus Stop) Around 16:20
※You can also get off at: Kintetsu Nara Station (Around 16:25) / JR Nara Station (Around 16:30) / Nara Convention Center (Around 16:40).
Price:
12 years old and up: 10,000 yen
6-11 years old: 7,000 yen
※This rate includes:
- The bus ride
- An English speaking guide
- The admission fee to (Todaiji Temple & Kasuga Taisha Shrine)
- A deer fortune
- A special gift
(Special gift)
- A “Nara・Yamatoji 2-Day Pass” valid on the day of participation and the following day
- Special original handkerchief
Meeting Point
Arrive at the bus stop 10 minutes before departure time.
JR Nara Station (East Exit) Bus Stop No.4
Kintetsu Nara Station Regular Sightseeing Bus Stop
Route
JR Nara Station (12:30) /
Kintetsu Nara Station (12:35)
Please arrive at the “JR Nara Station (East Exit) Platform 4” or the “Kintetsu Nara Station Sightseeing Bus Platform” at least 10 minutes before departure time.
You will be touring the main sights of Nara in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus with spacious three individual seats per row. The bus is designed with a Nara-inspired theme and is accompanied by an English-speaking guide.
Todaiji (The South Gate / The Great Buddha)
You will disembark from the bus at the closest parking lot to Todaiji and begin by visiting the South Gate (Nandaimon). The South Gate (Nandaimon) is an impressive and enormous entrance that serves as the main gate to Todaiji. Guarding the entrance are two towering statues of Kongorikishi; their fierce expressions and commanding presence leaves a lasting impression on many guests. As you pass through the gate, you’ll step onto the expansive grounds of Todaiji, where the seamless blend of ancient history and natural beauty creates a beautiful landscape which develops as you make your way towards the Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden).
The Great Buddha Hall is one of the largest wooden structures in the world– its overwhelming size puts countless people in awe every day. The hall stands as a testament to the skill and artistry of ancient Japan– as one of Nara’s biggest masterpieces, its historical significance is immeasurable. As you step inside, you will be greeted by the awe-inspiring Great Buddha (Daibutsu) standing at 15 meters high and completed in 752 AD. As one of Japan’s most iconic symbols of Buddhism, its size and beauty captivate all who visit. The Buddha’s serene expression radiates a sense of peace and tranquility, offering a calming presence to those who gaze upon it. After visiting Todaiji, the tour will continue with a short journey to Kasuga Taisha Shrine by bus.
Kasuga Taisha Shrine
You will disembark from the bus at Kasuga Taisha Shrine’s parking lot and head towards the main hall (Honden). Established in 768 AD, Kasuga Taisha is a shrine with a long history and deep tradition. Also surrounded by a vast forest, it offers visitors a chance to enjoy the natural beauty of the changing seasons. The shrine grounds are home to approximately 3,000 lanterns, creating a mystical and enchanting atmosphere. At the main hall, you can experience the traditional Japanese way of worship and pay your respects.
After visiting the shrine, you’ll have the opportunity to try “Shika Mikiji”– a traditional fortune slip (omikuji) held in the mouth of a beautifully carven wooden deer. This charming wooden deer is carved with a traditional Japanese ittobori technique. It is a popular Japanese way of testing one’s luck and makes a great souvenir.
After exploring Kasuga Taisha, the tour will continue with a bus ride to the summit of Mt. Wakakusa.
Mt. Wakakusa Summit
By bus, you will be brought to the 342-meter-high summit of Mt. Wakakusa via the lush, greenery-lined Nara Okuyama Driveway. At the peak of the mountain, guests are rewarded with panoramic views of Nara City and the distant mountains. The view of the sunset falling over the city is particularly mesmerizing, as it casts a golden glow over all of Nara. Each season brings its own unique beauty to the mountain, ensuring that no matter when you visit, there are always new discoveries to be made.
At Mt. Wakakusa, you can enjoy the main event of feeding local deer with special deer crackers (shika senbei). Enjoy the opportunity to interact with these adorable deer, which are designated as a national treasure in Japan.
Kofukuji Temple
On the way back, the bus will stop at a bus stop near Kofuku-ji Temple, where those who wish to conclude their tour can disembark. If you’d like to spend more time interacting with the deer or exploring Nara Park, feel free to get off at this stop. From here, you can use the complimentary “Nara & Yamatoji 2-Day Pass” to take a local bus to either Kintetsu Nara Station or JR Nara Station.
Kintetsu Nara Station (16:25) /
JR Nara Station (16:30) /
Nara Prefectural Convention Center (16:40)
The bus will stop at Kintetsu Nara Station and then at JR Nara Station, so please disembark at the station of your choice. We can also drop you off at the Nara Prefectural Convention Center, which is located near the JW Marriott Hotel Nara and Novotel Nara.
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Scheduled Period of Operation
Operational period: Mondays and Wednesdays from June 1 to July 31, 2025,
and Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from August 1 to September 30, 2025.
Note
Requirements:
- There is no need to check in at our information desk. Please come directly to the bus stop.
- When boarding, please show the attendant your boarding pass (voucher).
- Please arrive with plenty of time at the bus stop (at least 10 minutes before departure).
- Departure time varies based on the boarding location, so please check the boarding and departure time.
Remarks/Other:
- This service is subject to be suspended if road or weather conditions are deemed to compromise passenger safety.
- Please be aware that the locations, order of visits, viewing time, and fees may change due to different circumstances. Delays may also occur due to traffic conditions, which could lead to changes in the tour’s order and viewing time.
- During tourist seasons, roads can be heavily congested. Please allow enough time for connections to your return train or other transportation.
- Please note that certain buildings and statues may appear different or be inaccessible due to construction or other reasons.
- Please note that certain sites may be inaccessible due to festivals or other events.
- Children under six years old can travel for free, but no seat will be provided. If a seat is required, a child fare will be charged.
- A cancellation fee of 100 yen per person will incur after payment. No cancellations are allowed after departure.
Recommended Eateries
Special Lunch Deals
The following local restaurants offer exclusive discounts/deals for those who join the “Perfect Nara Park Tour.” Simply show your bus tour voucher to the staff and enjoy a delicious meal before your tour! Discounts vary by store and are detailed below. Please arrive at the restaurant at the opening time. Please also note that you may not be able to enter during busy hours. Credit cards are accepted at all stores.
Turu (Sushi Restaurant)
Opening hours: Tuesday ~ Sunday 11:30 AM~ (Closed on Mondays)
Nara Kotsu Tour Lunch: ¥2,000 (tax included)
Tsujihira (Authentic Japanese Restaurant)
Opening hours: Monday ~ Saturday 11:00 AM~
Specially Selected Tempura Set: ¥ 2,500 (tax included)
Specially Selected Sashimi Set: ¥ 2,300 (tax included)
Sanjobo (Wheat Noodles & Buckwheat Noodles Restaurant)
Opening hours: 11:00 AM~
All lunch menu items are ¥ 50 off.
Tsukihitei Kintetsu-Nara-ekimae (Authentic Japanese Restaurant)
Opening hours: 11:30 AM~
This restaurant offers a complimentary soft drink with your lunch.
Unagi no nedoko Edogawa Kintetsu Nara (Unagi Restaurant)
Opening hours: 11:30 AM~
This restaurant offers a complimentary soft drink with your lunch.
Google Map
Reviews
Amazing experience! 10/10, Very grateful and Highly recommending!!! 👍
10/10 it’s was amazing experience with Nara tour bus ! Worth much more than they charge !!! Highly recommending use them when you want see as much possible, in very comfortable way , safe your legs 🦵 , they take a great care about their guests- passengers, gifting also gifts 🎁 !!! Thanks team Nara tour bus very very much !!! 🙏🫶
Good tour of the area
Excellent experience. Nara deer feeding was one of a kind for adults and kids alike. The views from up on mountain was breathtaking. The Todaiji temple is a just a mirror to great ancient history.
Nice
Nice tour with nice guide, we’ve seen the major activities! Good explanation and you get some nice souvenirs with you.
Recommendation!
Stunning !!
It was the perfect route and timing, with excellent guidance and explanations for all the important points — and even a special moment feeding deer with a stunning view.
Jul 2025
Tour exceeded my expectations. Very friendly staff. It really was the “Perfect Nara Park” bus tour guide. Very informative.
Highly recommend
Kazu was so much fun to be with on tour. She gave us a nice experience and lots of historical facts. The tour itself was a good amount of sightseeing. I would recommend for families that need help exploring the Nara area.
A great day trip in Nara
This tour was a great addition to my day trip to Nara. It’s a 4 hour tour that hits the highlights and let’s you feed the deer on the top of a mountain. The guide was knowledgeable and interesting. The driver was safe and provided umbrellas for the sun and rain. I definitely recommend this tour during the summer as you get to cool down in the bus on the way to different stops.
Best trip, best everything.
Small stand at Nara station. They shyly invite you to buy a tour. This tour is a hidden gem of Nara. Tour with an English guide who will answer all your questions and tell you perfectly about the history, culture and architecture and of course the beautiful Deer’s. The air-conditioned coach is a revelation in July when it is almost 40 degrees. You feed the deer on the top after entering and not with the whole crowd. I highly recommend it.
Perfect tour
It was a great experience to get to know Nara park and all the sights in a convenient and relaxed way. They take you around the park to all the good spots and park the bus right at the entrance, my wife was pregnant so it was very easy for her to visit the park this way
Fun trip from Osaka
The tour was fun, informative, and the guide Mrs K was awesome. We used our JR pass to get to Nara from Osaka. The bus was at Nara station and easy to find. Feeding the Nara deer was the funnest part of our Japan trip.
Educational, informative and we were able to see Nara
The tour was an excellent experience. Our tour guide and driver were great. I would Definitely would recommend to everyone
Experience of a Mexican
On 16/06/2025 the Masako tour guide gave us an excellent tour to different temples, as well as feeding deer, Masako is super friendly and attentive, in general we loved the tour as they gave us a good explanation of the places visited! Super recommended! I am very happy with the experience!
So so so much fun!
Very nice, the guide Masako was terrific and her English is very good!
If it is raining, they will provide umbrella and anything you may need. They also provide deer cookies.
They are truly a top tier guide company and I highly recommend!
The tour is well planned out and allows you to skip lines and crowds as well as some walking.
I loved it!
It was perfect! We got to see everything as expected, and had an amazing tour guide (Masako), who was very proficient in English!
The temple and shrine were beautiful and the deer were adorable!! The view at the top of the mountain was great.
We even received a fortune deer gift that was already included in the price we paid 🙂
Highly recommend if you visit Nara!
My friend and I enjoyed the trip with Mariko as our guide! She was very friendly and informative and the guided trip in English was great! The three places we went to were all different. The temple, shrine and then the mountain where you saw a great view of Nara and had a chance to feed the biscuits to the deer. Our driver was just perfect like their name suggests as they went up city roads to the mountain top!
Afterwards my friend and wanted sushi and Mariko went the extra mile showing us where it was after our bus guide! Thank you again Mariko and both of us also enjoyed the special sushi of Nara on our train ride back to Osaka!