How to Experience Nara Like a Local with a Customized Guided Tour

If you’re planning on exploring Nara, Japan, you won’t want to miss the chance to see the city through the eyes of a knowledgeable local guide. With the Nara Like a Local Customized Guided Tour, you can discover the city’s best-kept secrets, visit popular attractions that are of interest to you, and receive tips about navigating the city like a local. Here’s everything you need to know about the tour:

Experience

This tour is a chance to experience Nara from a local perspective. With the help of your knowledgeable guide, you’ll be able to uncover all of the hidden gems that the city has to offer. Not only will you be able to visit popular tourist attractions, but you’ll also have the chance to discover unique places that aren’t as well-known. Your guide will show you the best places to eat and shop, and give you inside information on navigating the city with ease.

Highlights

The customized guided tour offers the following highlights: – Discover Nara like a local with a knowledgeable guide – Visit popular attractions that are of interest to you – Get insider tips about navigating the city and the best places to eat and shop – Receive a personalized tour that is customized to your interests and schedule – Have the option of taking public transportation or a taxi to get around the city (at your expense) – Hear about cultural differences, local events, and politics from your guide – Get to know your guide on a personal level

How to Plan Your Tour

Planning your customized guided tour with a local guide is easy: Step 1: Book the Tour To book the tour, visit the GetYourGuide website at https://www.getyourguide.com/nara and choose a 2, 3, or 4-hour tour that suits your interests and schedule. The tour is customizable, so you’ll have the chance to answer some questions before booking to personalize the tour and get matched with a guide based on your interests. Step 2: Choose a Meeting Location Once you’ve booked the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to choose a meeting location that is convenient for you. You can choose a location that is close to your accommodation, or somewhere else in the city that you’d like to start your tour. Step 3: Meet Your Guide On the day of your tour, your guide will meet you at your chosen meeting location. They’ll help you get familiar with the neighborhood and show you the best places to eat and shop. You’ll also receive information about the different modes of transportation in the area so that you can get around like a local. Step 4: Enjoy Your Tour Once you’ve met your guide, it’s time to explore Nara. Your guide will customize the tour based on your interests and schedule, so you’ll have the opportunity to visit the places that you’re most excited about. You can choose to take public transportation or a taxi to get around the city (at your expense), and you’ll have the chance to ask your guide all the questions you have about living in Nara.

Book Your Tour Now

The Nara Like a Local Customized Guided Tour is an excellent opportunity to discover Nara like a local. Book your tour today to start exploring the city with a knowledgeable guide who has the inside scoop on the best places to eat, shop, and sightsee. Book here and make the most out of your stay in Nara.

FAQ About Nara City

Nara City is situated in the Kansai region of Japan’s Honshu island. It is the capital city of Nara Prefecture and has a rich cultural heritage. You will find many historic landmarks, temples, and shrines in Nara. The following FAQ will help you understand better about Nara.

1. What is the best time to visit Nara?

Nara experiences a humid subtropical climate, which means the city has hot and humid summers, with occasional rains and mild winters. Hence, the best time to visit Nara is in the spring or autumn season when the weather is mild, and you can enjoy the beautiful blooming of cherry blossoms or autumn leaves.

2. How can I get to Nara?

Nara is accessible by train from Kyoto, Osaka or Tokyo. The journey time from Osaka to Nara is about an hour via the Kintetsu or Japan Railways (JR) Yamatoji lines. Also, you can take a direct bus from the Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport) to Nara.

3. What are the must-visit places in Nara?

Nara has many beautiful temples, shrines, parks and museums you can visit. The most famous landmarks in Nara are:

• Todai-ji Temple
• Nara Park
• Kofuku-ji Temple
• Nara National Museum
• Horyu-ji Temple
• Kasuga-taisha Shrine

4. What is Nara Park?

Nara Park is a public park located in the city center of Nara, and it is one of the most popular attractions in the city. The park covers an area of approximately 502 hectares and it is famous for its large population of freely roaming Sika Deer. Visitors can pet, feed and take pictures with these gentle animals.

5. What is Todai-ji Temple?

Todai-ji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses a massive bronze statue of the Buddha. The Great Buddha Hall or Daibutsuden is the largest wooden building in the world and it is where the Buddha statue is enshrined.

6. What is Kofuku-ji Temple?

Kofuku-ji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that contains many beautiful buildings and Buddha statues, including a 50-meter-tall pagoda. The temple is dedicated to the Fujiwara family who helped establish Nara as the capital of Japan in the Nara period (710-794).

7. What is Horyu-ji Temple?

Horyu-ji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Ikaruga town of Nara prefecture. It is one of the oldest temples in Japan and contains many important cultural properties, including some of the oldest surviving wooden buildings in the world.

8. What is Kasuga-taisha Shrine?

Kasuga-taisha Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Nara Park. The shrine is famous for its thousands of bronze lanterns and vermilion torii gates that lead the way to the shrine buildings. The shrine is dedicated to the deity of protection and has been a significant spiritual site for over a thousand years.

9. What is Nara National Museum?

Nara National Museum is a museum dedicated to exhibiting Japanese art. The museum’s main collection consists of Buddhist and Japanese art, including sculptures, calligraphy, and paintings. It is a must-visit place for art lovers.

10. What is the best way to explore Nara?

The best way to explore Nara is on foot or by bicycle. Many of the city’s attractions are centrally located, with shorter distances between them. Also, there are rental bicycle services available throughout the city for easy and convenient transport.

These are some of the frequently asked questions about Nara City that will help you plan your trip to this beautiful city.

Enjoy your stay in Nara!

How to Spend Your Time as a Tourist in Nara

Nara is a beautiful historic city known for its breathtaking temples, shrines, and gardens as well as friendly deer roaming around in the city. It is home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is considered the birthplace of Japanese culture. When you visit Nara, you will be amazed by its rich history, culture, and beauty. In this blog post, we will provide you with a detailed guide on how to spend your time as a tourist in Nara. Follow these steps, and you will have a memorable trip to Nara, Japan.

1. Visit the Todai-ji Temple

The Todai-ji Temple is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known for its enormous statue of the Buddha Vairocana, which is the largest bronze statue of Buddha in the world. The temple is a beautiful example of Japanese traditional architecture, and its wooden construction is simply awe-inspiring. When you visit the temple, make sure to check out the surrounding gardens and the nearby Nigatsu-do Hall.

2. Take a Stroll in Nara Park

Nara Park is a stunning public park in the city, spanning over 1,200 acres, and it is home to hundreds of deer. The deer in Nara have free reign of the park and are considered sacred animals in traditional Japanese culture. They are friendly and curious, and many visitors enjoy feeding them special treats. In the park, you will also find many famous temples and shrines, including the Kasuga Taisha Shrine, which is known for its intricate wood carvings and lanterns.

3. Explore Horyu-ji Temple

The Horyu-ji Temple is one of the oldest wooden temples in Japan and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple was built in the early 7th century and has a unique architecture that blends Japanese and continental Asian styles. Its pagoda is particularly stunning and is considered the oldest wooden structure in the world. Don’t miss this temple’s art museum, which shows off the Horyu-ji’s impressive collection of Buddhist artifacts.

4. Check Out the Isuien Garden

The Isuien Garden is an exquisite Japanese garden located near the Todai-ji Temple. It is a beautiful example of a “strolling garden,” which offers different views as you stroll around it. The garden is divided into two parts, the “front garden” and the “rear garden,” both of which are equally beautiful in their unique ways. The garden features a central pond, waterfalls, and traditional Japanese buildings, and it is an oasis of tranquility amid the bustling city.

5. Visit the Kofuku-ji Temple

The Kofuku-ji Temple is another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest temples in Nara. It was founded in the early 8th century by the powerful Fujiwara family and has played a significant role in Japanese Buddhism. The temple features a five-story pagoda that is the second tallest in Japan, and numerous priceless artifacts, including Buddha statues, paintings, and scrolls. When you visit, make sure to buy some of the temple’s famous “Kofuku Manju” sweets, a local delicacy.

6. Enjoy Some Local Cuisine

No trip to Nara is complete without trying some of the local cuisine. Nara is known for its delicious traditional dishes, including “Kakinoha-zushi,” which is sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves, and “Somen,” a type of thinner-than-noodle called Somen fried to a crisp. You should also try the “Akafuku,” a traditional sweet made from locally grown mochi, or “Narazuke,” pickled vegetables that are perfect side dishes to any meal.

7. Experience Nara’s Festivals

Nara has various festivals throughout the year, so why not chance your trip to coincide with a local cultural celebration. One of the most famous festivals is the “Otaue Matsuri,” which is held in May and celebrates the planting of rice in nearby paddies. Another must-see event is the “Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri,” which is held in the summer and features traditional music, dance, and fireworks. If you’re visiting in the autumn, check out the “Yamayaki,” a festival where Mount Wakakusayama is set on fire, and the sky lights up with an incredible show of flames.

Book Your Tour Now

In conclusion, Nara is an extraordinary city that has evolved with time and culture. Whether you visit for a day or a week, this city is sure to leave a lasting impression on you. With its beautiful parks, stunning temples, delicious cuisine, and fascinating festivals, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in Nara. We hope this guide has helped you plan your trip to Nara, Japan, and made your journey more memorable.