Private Tour / Nara Kyoto
Kyoto & Nara Highlights by Private Executive Vehicle
Explorer Tours offers a premium private tour of Kyoto and Nara in a luxury Toyota Alphard, featuring a dedicated guide and chauffeur for a personalized, comfortable exploration of Japan's historic and cultural landmarks.
Overview
Discover the timeless beauty of Kyoto and Nara through a relaxed and refined private journey designed for travelers who value comfort, cultural depth, and
seamless service.
Travel effortlessly with your personal guide and chauffeur in a premium executive vehicle as you explore Japan’s ancient capitals at your own pace.
Walk through the endless vermilion gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine, experience the historic atmosphere of Gion, Kyoto’s legendary geisha district, and encounter
the gentle deer roaming freely through Nara Park. You will also visit Todai-ji Temple, home to the awe-inspiring Great Buddha and one of Japan’s most
significant cultural landmarks.
This experience is operated by a Kansai-based specialist team with over 10 years of private touring expertise, welcoming more than 1,000 guests annually. Our
team is also behind Explorer Maps, one of Kansai’s leading tourist map publications, trusted for its deep local knowledge and carefully curated recommendations.
Itinerary
Osaka
We will pick you up at the hotel of your choice.
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Fushimi Inari Taisha, founded in the year 711 to worship the Shinto god of rice, Inari. Consistently listed as one of the most popular places in Japan. It is the most visited shrine in all of Japan. Over 2.5 million Japanese will visit the shrine during the first three days of the new year to pray for good luck, particularly in work and business. Join them and other tourists and locals climbing through the 1,000= torii gates that line the hillside and bask in over 1300 years of history.
Gion
Walk around the Gion area and take in the traditional townscape of Kyoto. You will also have your lunch and free time in this area. Enjoy a bite and you can also shop for souvenirs in some of the traditional old stores in the area. If you are lucky, you might see a Geiko or Maiko (Geisha) walking around the area.
Nandaimon Gate
Walk toward The Great South Gate, or Nandaimon, the main gates of Todai-ji temple, and bask in its size of this great structure. The Nandaimon gate, which stands at the entrance of the approach to Todaiji Temple, is a massive structure with a height of about 25.5m, and the Ni-o guardian statues located in Nandaimon are also a site to behold. Walk through this great gate, and see the magnificent large wooden Ni-o statues. housed in the great Nandaimon Gates.
Todai-ji Temple
Todaiji Temple was built to pray for the peace of the country. The Great Buddha Hall, where the Great Buddha sits, is one of the largest wooden structure in the world, with a width of about 57m, a depth of about 50m, and a height of about 48m. Originally completed in 751, the structure was destroyed in 1181 and 1567. The current building we see today was rebuilt in 1709, and was registered as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.
Nara Park
Here our tour conductor will talk about the history of Nara and the nearby temples while assisting you in feeding and playing with the famous bowing deer of Nara Park. Vendors sell crackers to feed the deer for 200 yen per pack.
Osaka
What's Included
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Admission fee
- Parking Fees
- Gasoline cost
- Highway tolls
- English-speaking Conductor
- Lunch
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 1 day of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
- Infants must sit on laps
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Stroller accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Activity Level: This tour involves walking through historic districts and temple grounds. It is not recommended for travelers with mobility challenges.
- Flexibility: While we follow a curated itinerary, the private nature of the tour allows for a more relaxed and flexible pace.
- Meeting Point: If you selected “I’ll decide later,” please send us a message via Viator to finalize your pickup location.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate