Nara Park Tour with English Guide and Wagyu Lunch
Step into the heart of Japan with a tour that blends tradition, flavor, and unforgettable encounters. Begin with a luxurious sukiyaki lunch made from Yamato Wagyu, one of Japan’s finest beef varieties, served in a serene local restaurant. Then, explore Nara’s most iconic landmarks with the support of an English-speaking guide. Stand before the towering Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple, receive a charming deer-shaped fortune at Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and hand-feed Nara’s sacred deers at the summit of Mount Wakakusa with sweeping views below.
To make your journey even smoother, this tour includes a Nara Yamatoji 2-Day Pass, giving you unlimited access to designated local bus routes within the area on the day of the tour and the following day—perfect for continuing your adventure at your own pace.
This tour is designed for comfort, culture, and connection—perfect for first-time visitors who want to experience the magic of Japan in just one day.
Options
Nara Park Tour with English Guide and Wagyu Lunch
What's included in Nara Park Tour with English Guide and Wagyu Lunch
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Your tour begins with a delicious lunch at Tsukihitei, a refined restaurant located just steps from Kintetsu Nara Station. Here, you’ll enjoy a traditional sukiyaki meal made with Yamato Wagyu, a premium brand of Japanese beef known for its rich flavor and delicate marbling. The serene setting and elegant presentation offer a perfect introduction to Nara’s culinary culture.
After lunch, you’ll walk 5 minutes on your own to the sightseeing bus boarding point at the Kintetsu Nara Station Sightseeing Bus Stop (Nara Line House 1F, 6-1 Nakasuji-cho, Nara, 〒630-8237). Please arrive by 12:25 PM, as the bus departs promptly at 12:35 PM. Late arrivals cannot be accommodated.
Todai-ji Temple
Once aboard the sightseeing bus, your English-speaking guide will accompany you to Todai-ji, one of Japan’s most iconic temples. As you approach the temple grounds, you’ll pass through the massive Nandaimon (Great South Gate), guarded by towering wooden statues of guardian deities. Inside the temple, you’ll encounter the awe-inspiring Daibutsu (Great Buddha)—a colossal bronze statue seated in quiet majesty within one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. Visitors often try to crawl through a hole in one of the temple’s pillars, said to bring good fortune and wisdom. This stop offers a powerful blend of spiritual atmosphere, architectural wonder, and cultural depth.
Inclusions
- Nara Yamatoji 2day pass Unlimited bus rides in the designated area on tour day and the following day
- Transportation by coach after lunch
- Yamato Wagyu sukiyaki meal (drinks are not included)
- Partial English-speaking guide service (from the bus boarding point to the final drop-off)
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Tour conductor
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants (0-2 years old) are free of charge with no tour inclusions.
- Child (3-5 years old) rate includes a bus seat, English guide fee, admission fees, a sacred deer fortune charm, and deer cracker. Lunch is not included in this price. If your child requires lunch, please book using the Youth rate.
- This is a local meet-up tour, so please make your own way directly to the designated meeting location. Transportation costs to and from the meeting and dismissal points are not included and will be at your own expense.
- There will be no tour conductor accompanying the group. Instead, local staff will be present at the meeting point to assist with check-in and provide guidance. When checking in, please show your reservation screen or voucher and provide your name.
- The English-speaking guide will join you from the Kintetsu Nara Station sightseeing bus stop and stay with the group until the end of the tour. After lunch, you’ll walk to the bus stop on your own, where the guide will rejoin you for the remainder of the tour.
- Please note that we are unable to accommodate special dietary requests, including food allergies. If you have specific dietary needs, we recommend making your own meal arrangements. No refunds will be provided for meals.
- Wearing comfortable clothing and shoes is strongly recommended.
- According to traffic conditions etc., the order of the itinerary may have to be changed.
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- Meet at Tsukihitei Restaurant located near Kintetsu Nara Station. The address is: 2F, Nara Economic Club Building, 6 Higashimuki Nakamachi, Nara City, Nara Prefecture 630-8215. The meeting time is 11:30 AM, and punctuality is very important—late arrivals may not be accommodated.
End Points
- Arrive around 16:40. This modern facility is located near several hotels and public transport options. It’s a useful drop-off point if your accommodation is in the area or if you prefer a quieter location to end your tour.
- Arrive around 16:30. This is a convenient drop-off point for those staying near JR-affiliated hotels or traveling onward by train. The station connects to major destinations across the Kansai region.
- Arrive around 16:25. Located in central Nara, this station is ideal for travelers who want to continue exploring the area or return to Kyoto or Osaka. It’s surrounded by shops, restaurants, and easy train access.
- Arrive around 16:20. This is a brief stop at one of Nara’s most historically significant temples. You may choose to leave the tour here and explore the temple grounds on your own.
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
-Emergency Contact: +81-50-3649-8469 (Japanese only). For English, use the 3-way calling app "Oyraa" with a professional interpreter. Instructions will be emailed to you. If you do not receive it, contact [email protected] -Infants (0-2 years old) are free of charge with no tour inclusions -Child (3-5 years old) rate includes a bus seat, English guide fee, admission fees, a sacred deer fortune charm, and deer cracker. Lunch is not included in this price. If your child requires lunch, please book using the Youth rate -This is a local meet-up tour, so please make your own way directly to the designated meeting location. Transportation costs to and from the meeting and dismissal points are not included and will be at your own expense -There will be no tour conductor accompanying the group. Instead, local staff will be present at the meeting point to assist with check-in and provide guidance. When checking in, please show your reservation screen or voucher and provide your name -The English-speaking guide will join you from the Kintetsu Nara Station sightseeing bus stop and stay with the group until the end of the tour. After lunch, you’ll walk to the bus stop on your own, where the guide will rejoin you for the remainder of the tour -Please note that we are unable to accommodate special dietary requests, including food allergies. If you have specific dietary needs, we recommend making your own meal arrangements. No refunds will be provided for meals -Wearing comfortable clothing and shoes is strongly recommended -According to traffic conditions etc., the order of the itinerary may have to be changed
