14 Temple & Shrine Tours in Nara Sorted by Hour and Price

1.Kyoto/Osaka: Nara, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,275 reviews · 9 - 10 hours · from $52Our pick

This 9 to 10-hour bus tour links Nara Park, Fushimi Inari Taisha, and Arashiyama from Osaka or Kyoto. English and Chinese-speaking guides such as Amy, Willa, Fiona, and Christine lead the day, with free time for deer crackers, shrine walks, bamboo, temples, food, and photos. Expect an efficient schedule, long sightseeing day, and plenty of walking.

“It was a comfortable way of going around Kyoto and Nara. It saves you from the hassle of navigating by yourself.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

2.Osaka/Kyoto: Arashiyama, Nara & Fushimi Inari Shrine w/Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 754 reviews · from $61

This nine-hour day trip links Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Nara Park, Todai-ji Temple, and Fushimi Inari Shrine from Osaka or Kyoto. You will have free time at each stop, a traditional Kyo-Machiya townhouse lunch with Kobe beef, pork, or vegetarian curry, and an English- or Chinese-speaking guide such as Gary, Nick, Eric, or Mike, depending on the departure.

“Gary's kindness and attentiveness were highly appreciated. The itinerary was consistently adhered to, and the destinations were exceptional, with Gary's recommendations proving valuable.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

3.Kyoto/Osaka: Kinkakuji, Bamboo Forest, and Nara Deer Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 265 reviews · from $69

Spend about nine hours visiting Arashiyama, Kinkakuji, and Nara Park by coach. Guides such as Eiko, Yuki, Jewel, and Hama add local stories and clear directions. Choose Kyoto or Osaka departure, and check whether lunch and temple tickets are included in your option.

“Eiko was a fantastic guide! So lovely and very knowledgable! Even offered to take photos of us at certain places. Great tour and a really great experience!”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

4.E-Bike Nara Highlights – Todaiji, Knives, Deer, Shrine

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 186 reviews · 3h 30m · from $90

In 210 minutes, a bilingual guide such as Chris, Remi, Robert, or Melody leads you by e-bike from Kintetsu Nara Station through Nara Park, Todaiji, Mt. Wakakusa, Kasuga Taisha, and Ukimido. You will feed deer, sample a Japanese snack, and learn about traditional cutlery, with time for shopping and photos.

“Robert has a great deal of detailed knowledge, it was very exciting listen to him. We were only two persons, so we had a private tour😉 We highly recommend this e-bike tour. It's really fun.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

5.Nara: Great Buddha, Kasuga Shrine & Deer Park Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 62 reviews · 3 hours · from $77

Meet your English-speaking guide at Himuro Shrine, then walk through Nara Park to feed its sacred deer, visit Kasuga Taisha, and enter Todai-ji to see the Great Buddha. Guides such as Eri, Takashi, Teppei, and Nobu add local stories, food tips, and help with onward transport. Admission and deer crackers are included.

“Ryan’s communication was excellent. We were delayed by traffic, but he very kindly waited for us. We are extremely grateful to him for doing so, because we would never have learned or seen so much on our own. Ryan was entertaining and well-informed.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

6.Nara Deer & Kyoto Kiyomizudera Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 27 reviews · 10 hours · from $69

Travel from Osaka to Nara and Kyoto in an air-conditioned vehicle with a multilingual driver-guide. You’ll meet free-roaming shika deer, visit Todai-ji, walk beneath Fushimi Inari’s red torii gates, and spend a long Kyoto block around Kiyomizudera, Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka, Gion, and Yasaka Shrine. Expect transport and basic introductions, not full historical guiding.

“Great itinerary, friendly driver, and amazing sights. Loved the deer in Nara. Everything was smooth and well-organized. Highly recommended!”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

7.Nara: Essential Private Tour with Deer Park and Temples

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 3 hours · from $126Top rated

Meet guide Masa at Kintetsu Nara Station for a private three-hour walk through Nara’s shopping street, Kōfuku-ji, Nara Park, Himuro Shrine, Tōdai-ji, and Yoshikien Garden. You’ll learn how to approach the deer, understand the temples and statues, and get practical help along the way. Temple and park admission is included.

“Masa was a great tour guide! Very prepared, very fun and educational, and we were able to eat at a good soba restaurant :)”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

8.Kyoto, Nara, Fushimi Inari & Arashiyama Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 19 reviews · 1 day · from $56

Travel from Osaka by air-conditioned coach to Nara Park, Fushimi Inari, and Arashiyama. Feed Nara’s bowing deer, walk beneath red torii gates, and explore bamboo, Kimono Forest, and a footbath. Guides such as Yang and Jack provide explanations and help with photos. The Sagano Romantic Train is optional and costs extra.

“Yang was a great guide. Knowledgable, very helpful and friendly. The trip was full of the best highlights with the right amount of time at each destination. Highly recommend this day trip.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

9.Nara, Kiyomizu-dera & Fushimi Inari Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 18 reviews · from $49Best value

See three major sights in one Osaka day trip: feed Nara’s free-roaming deer, visit Kiyomizu-dera and Otowa Waterfall, then walk beneath Fushimi Inari’s red torii gates. English and Spanish guides lead the tour, with Angeles and Alejandro noted for clear explanations of religion, architecture, and construction.

“Very professional guide, we visited best places to see”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

10.Nara, Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha Shrine Private Full Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 18 reviews · 8 hours · from $183

Travel from Kyoto to Nara by train with a private English, French, or Spanish-speaking guide. See sacred deer in Nara Park, visit Todaiji and its huge Great Buddha, explore Kasuga Taisha’s lanterns, and stroll Naramachi. Guides such as Akiko, Naoki, Gustavo, Alex, and Vincent have led this route.

“Guide au top et très clair dans ses explications. Je recommande fortement Vincent”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

11.Nara: Todai-ji y parque de Nara (Spanish Guide)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 5 hours · from $85

Walk from Kintetsu-Nara Station through Todai-ji, Nigatsu-do, Tamukeyama Hachimangu, Kasuga Taisha, Nara Park, Ukimido, and Kofuku-ji. A Spanish-speaking guide such as Alex, Diego, or Federico leads the route, with the Todai-ji admission ticket included. Expect five hours on foot, temple history, scenic views, and plenty of deer.

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

12.NARA: Giant Buddha Deer Pagoda “Geisya” (Italian, full day)

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 15 reviews · 1 day · from $176

Spend a full day with an Italian-speaking guide traveling from Kyoto to Nara’s Todai-ji, giant Buddha, tame deer, and Ukimido. Return to Kyoto for Kiyomizu-dera and Gion-kobu, where Maiko and Geiko traditions continue. Guide Omae is praised for fluent Italian, humor, legends, and flexible help. Small groups are limited to 15.

“Ottima escursione Tempi giusti e soprattutto guida giapponese super!!”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

13.Osaka/Kyoto: Arashiyama, Nara Park, Fushimi Shrine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 13 reviews · 10 hours · from $51

Travel from Osaka or Kyoto to Arashiyama, Nara Park, and Fushimi Inari Taisha on a 10-hour shared coach tour. You get free time at each stop, basic onboard guidance, and transport between the ancient capitals. Guides may speak Chinese, English, Japanese, or Korean, though Chinese is the main language and other language support is not guaranteed.

“This trip is the same as it was described 🙂 briefly guided and with a lot of traveling which cover bus transportation and fees, but... I don't really recommend. You can easily go there with public transport, it would be faster, cheeper and without of haste that you need to be on time or the bus will leave without you. More information about place you can read in websites or with pamphlets (unfortunately). What was not described, is city travel order: Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kyoto, Osaka - so it's like 75% traveling by bus.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

14.Nara Todaiji Kasuga Taisha Private Full Day Tour From Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $195

Travel by train from Kyoto to Nara with a private English-speaking guide. Visit Nara Park, Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, Kofukuji, and Naramachi, with time for deer, temples, shrines, traditional streets, snacks, and an optional local lunch. Guides such as Katsuhiko, Yochee, Gustavo, Richard, and Yossi have led this route.

“Nara is the must-see city in Japan. Just a short train ride from Kyoto or Osaka. The deer are so charming and friendly. Feeding them is a blast. Temple and Shrine are off the charts beautiful. Don’t forget to eat Mochi. Our guide Yochee is a Nara native and brings a lot of intimate flavor to the experience.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →