Magpie
4.9(2,180 reviews)

Kyoto and Nara Day Trip

From¥19,488
8 hours
Nara, Japan

About this activity

Discover Kyoto's temples, Nara's deer park, and Uji's matcha tea in a guided day trip from Kyoto.

Highlights

  • Explore Kyoto's historic temples
  • Visit Nara's famous deer park
  • Experience traditional matcha tea in Uji
  • Discover UNESCO World Heritage sites
  • Enjoy a guided tour with local insights

Full description

Join this immersive day trip from Kyoto to explore the rich cultural heritage of Kyoto and Nara. Begin with a visit to Kyoto's iconic temples, including the Golden Pavilion and Kiyomizu-dera, where you'll marvel at their architectural beauty and serene surroundings. Next, head to Nara, Japan's first permanent capital, to interact with the friendly deer in Nara Park and visit Todai-ji Temple, home to the Great Buddha statue. In the afternoon, travel to Uji, renowned for its high-quality matcha tea. Participate in a traditional tea ceremony, learning about the art of matcha preparation and tasting this vibrant green tea. This tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and culinary experience, all within a convenient day trip from Kyoto.

Included / Excluded

  • Round-trip transportation from Kyoto
  • Guided tours of Kyoto and Nara
  • Matcha tea experience in Uji
  • Meals and personal expenses

Itinerary

1

Nara's most celebrated shrine

Duration: 30 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2

There are 1,400 deer living around vast Nara Park

Duration: 30 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
3

The magnificent South Gate (Nandaimon) is a stunning example of traditional Japanese architecture. Its impressive structure and historic significance make it a must-see, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of Japan’s past.

Duration: 5 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
4

Todaiji Temple housing the Great Buddha of Nara and it is one of the world’s largest wooden buildings.

Duration: 40 minAdmission: YES
5

Pass by: The palace site is included as one of the World Heritage Sites of Nara

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
6

【Lunch】 ・Enjoy a traditional Japanese set meal at a restaurant along the beautiful Uji River. ・Vegetarian option available. (If you prefer a vegetarian meal, please indicate this in the notes when making your reservation. Please note that the soup contains fish broth.)

Duration: 50 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
7

It is very famous because the Phoenix Hall is depicted on the 10 yen coin

Duration: 40 minAdmission: YES
8

【Matcha Making Experience】 Enjoy a matcha-making experience at a historic tea shop with over 500 years of tradition. You will prepare your own bowl of matcha and learn the proper traditional way to drink it.

Duration: 30 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
9

Let's walk around and taste matcha sweets

Duration: 30 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE

Meeting point

Start Location

Unknown location

Important information

Know before you book

  • The tour is conducted in English; proficiency is recommended.
  • Some temples may require an additional entrance fee; check in advance.
  • The matcha tea experience is included; additional purchases are optional.

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes for temple visits and park exploration.
  • Bring a camera to capture the scenic beauty and historic sites.
  • Carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Accessibility

  • Infants Required On Laps
  • Easy Public Transport
  • Stroller Accessible

Good to know

  • A Professional English-speaking guide attend this tour. Additionally, multilingual audio guidance is available on the bus in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Germany, Portuguese, Ukrainan
  • Vegetarian meal options are available. (some of the products contain fish-based broth)
  • We are unable to accommodate vegan, gluten-free, or wheat allergy requests. We are also unable to accommodate other specific allergies such as fish or soy. If you have any other dietary restrictions or allergies, please be sure to inform us at least 2 days prior to the tour date. We may not be able to accommodate any requests made after this deadline.
  • Please let us know your booking numbers and total number of people before the tour, if you have several bookings or if you have booked separately so that we can arrange same bus for you..
  • Please make sure to bring cash with you. Deer crackers can only be purchased with cash, and some shops also accept cash only, so having cash will be necessary and convenient.
  • We do not supply any extra pick up & drop off service.
  • The lunch/restaurant may change due to operational reasons.
  • If any of the visiting places is closed, we will try to attend an alternative place.
  • Customers will walk including stairs and hills in each places
  • Due to the weather conditions, traffic conditions, or suspension of operation, we may have a possibility not to achieve all the activities. The tour will be attending to alternative place or giving out a gift as a compensation, depending on the situation at that time. There will not be any refunds for these changes.
  • Itinerary order is subject to change depending on traffic, weather, and operation.
  • Late arrivals will not be entertained and joining midway is not feasible for the tour. Please arrive the meeting point on time.

Traveler reviews

4.9
2,180 reviews
5
2,085
4
76
3
13
2
3
1
3

It was really fun and thanks Sakura

Thanks for guiding us Sakura it was really fun and I would do many more times thanks it was so so fun

Relax58177286362Jul 6, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Nara tour amazing

Sakura is the best , great rute and great guide

O3263SSrubengJul 6, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Amazing experience

It was an amazing experience and I learnt lots of interesting things and experienced very cool things and Sakura was a nice guide and very nice.

T7937TRdavidvJul 6, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Great experience

Great experience, thank you Sakura =O)

David Antonio VJul 6, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Sakura the best

It was a very pleasant and complete trip. Sakura was the best! We would repeat without a doubt

Z1355WAjoelaJul 6, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Additional information

A Professional English-speaking guide attend this tour. Additionally, multilingual audio guidance is available on the bus in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Germany, Portuguese, Ukrainan Please​ let​ us​ know​ your​ booking​ numbers​ and​ total​ number​ of​ people​ before​ the​ tour​, if​ you​ have​ several​ bookings​ or​ if​ you​ have​ booked​ separately so that we can arrange same bus for you.. The lunch/restaurant may change due to operational reasons. If any of the visiting places is closed, we will try to attend an alternative place. Customers will walk including stairs and hills in each places Due to the weather conditions, traffic conditions, or suspension of operation, we may have a possibility not to achieve all the activities. The tour will be attending to alternative place or giving out a gift as a compensation, depending on the situation at that time. There will not be any refunds for these changes. Itinerary order is subject to change depending on traffic, weather, and operation. Late arrivals will not be entertained and joining midway is not feasible for the tour. Please arrive the meeting point on time. We do not supply any extra pick up & drop off service.
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