In the centuries since its time as Japan’s ancient capital, Nara has continued thriving as a living museum of time-honoured Japanese culture, architecture, craftsmanship, and more. The pinnacle of this lies in its numerous World Heritage Sites, like Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, and Kasugataisha Shrine, many of which are concentrated in the deer-filled Nara Park. Nara is also home to Horyuji Temple, believed to contain the world’s oldest wooden buildings, and Yakushiji Temple, praised by Fenollosa as “frozen music.” It is also the origin of other Japanese staples like sake (rice wine) and noh theatre.

Tucked in between Kyoto and Osaka in the central Kansai region, Nara can be easily visited on a day-trip or overnight stay from these two cities by train. It can also be reached from Tokyo in around 3 hours on the bullet train.

The best way for travellers to experience the full appeal of Nara is on a tour. Below, we’ll introduce you to 4 Nara tours that dive deep into its cultural wonders, including sake, ancient theatre, noh, cuisine, and more, through exclusive experiences. Read on to fill your Japan itinerary with authentic encounters unavailable to regular travellers!

Enjoy Shoryakuji Temple, the Birthplace of Sake

Tour Overview

Shoryakuji Temple in Nara, known as the birthplace of sake (Muromachi period, 1336 - 1568), is the only temple in Japan with a sake brewing licence. Even today, the head priest, Mr. Ohara, himself cultivates yeast collected from the temple grounds to create the "bodaimoto" yeast starter. This yeast starter is brought back to seven breweries, each becoming a signature sake of the brewery to be sold every spring. On this tour, you will enjoy the following with English guides:

  • An experience of the annual brewing of "Bodaisen" with the head priest and brewers of the seven breweries.
  • A tasting comparison of eight types of bodaimoto and a traditional Buddhist vegetarian gastronomy lunch.
Location

Nara Prefecture, Japan

Dates

9:15 am - 4:00 pm, January 25, 2025 (Sat)

Price (special rate)

20,000 yen (tax included)

Included in the Price
  • Round-trip bus fare from Nara Park Bus Terminal to Shoryakuji Temple (one large bus chartered)
  • Shoryakuji Temple entrance fee
  • Tasting of eight types of sake and vegetarian lunch (with commentary)
  • Calligraphy experience
  • Fee for two accompanying English guides
  • English commentary book
Number of Participants

20

To Apply

Nara: Enjoy Shoryakuji Temple, the birthplace of sake | GetYourGuide

※Application deadline:Thursday, January 23, 2025, 3:00 PM
※Applications will close once the limit is reached.

Travel Back in Time to the World of 1,500 Years Ago!
Attend the Festival Dedicated to the God of Sake and Enjoy the Ancient Soccer, "Kemari"

Tour Overview

The ancient "SAKE" has been passed down since the age of mythology and appears many times in poems from the Manyoshu. You will attend a special festival “Jyozo Anzen Kigansai” at Ohmiwa Jinja Shrine, the oldest shrine in Japan and the origin of sake, and enjoy a kemari experience at Tanzan Jinja Shrine , famous for its autumn leaves, and a gastronomy lunch with local sake.

Location

Nara Prefecture, Japan

Dates

9:15 am- 5:00pm, November 14, 2024 (Thu)

Price (special rate)

20,000 yen (tax included)

Included in the Price
  • Round-trip bus fare from Nara Park Bus Terminal
    -> Ohmiwa Jinja Shrine -> Tanzan Jinja Shrine (Sakurai city) -> Nara Park Bus Terminal (one large bus chartered)
  • Ohmiwa Jinja Shrine entrance fee (special attendance in the Brewing Safety Prayer Festival)
  • Tanzan Jinja Shrine entrance fee
  • Traditional Kemari experience (including the ancient costume cost)
  • Tasting of local sake and a gastronomy lunch (a multiple-course meal)
  • Fee for two accompanying English guides
  • English commentary book
Number of Participants

20

To Apply

Nara: A journey through the myths of sake | GetYourGuide

※Application deadline:Monday, November 11, 2024, 3:00PM
※Applications will close once the limit is reached.

Experience Beautiful Traditional Culture with All Your Senses!
Immerse Yourself in the World’s Oldest Theatrical Art at Nara Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Enjoy a Special Performance with an Interactive Workshop Led by the Performers!

Tour Overview

Nôgaku is said to be the oldest form of theatre in the world, having been established in Nara, Japan,700 years ago and continuing to this day. Nara, the birthplace of Nôgaku, has many places where visitors can get a sense of the world in which Nôgaku once flourished. On the first evening of the tour, we will see a performance of “Kasuga Ryujin” (The Dragon God of Kasuga), which has a strong connection to Nara Park, where the theatre is located. This story tells of a monk, on his journey from Japan to India for training, who is stopped by a Shinto priest and a dragon god. The dragon god creates a breathtaking scene of golden light, which symbolises the divine radiance of Nara Park and Mt Kasuga, making him realise the unparalleled beauty of this land. In the morning of the next day, we will take a guided tour with English translation in Nara Park and visit the places associated with Nôgaku plays.

Location

Nara Prefecture, Japan

Dates

1. Nogaku Viewing: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, December 23, 2024 (Mon); Day-Trip: 9:00 am - 10:30 am, December 24, 2024 (Tue)
2. Nogaku Viewing: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, January 21, 2025 (Tue); Day-Trip: 9:00 am - 10:30 am, January 22, 2025 (Wed)

Price (special rate)

10,000 yen (tax included)

Included in the Price
  • Nôgaku viewing ticket
  • Nôgaku, Gagaku workshop
  • Guided tour of Nôgaku spots in Nara Park
  • English guidebook (Nôgaku explanation / Nara Park Nôgaku spots guide map)
  • Fee for four accompanying English guides
Number of Participants

60 each tour

To Apply

Nara : Enjoy the world's oldest play "Nôgaku" in Nara Park | GetYourGuide

※Application deadline:
No,1 Friday, December 20, 2024 5:00PM
No,2 Saturday, January 18, 2025 5:00PM
※Applications will close once the limit is reached.

Immerse Yourself in 1,000 Years of History!! A Full-course
Tea Ceremony Featuring Nôgaku, Both Originating from Nara

Tour Overview

Enjoy Wabi-cha, which originated in Nara, in a traditional Japanese garden “Former Daijo-in Temple Garden“ with 1,000 years of history. The cuisine features an original menu, uniquely arranged based on the oldest records of tea gatherings in Japan. You can also savour the view nurtured by the Japanese philosophy of "wabi-sabi," which represents the beauty found in simplicity and quietness.

Location

Nara Prefecture, Japan

Dates

January 21, 2025 (Tue):
- Daytime (2 sessions): 1st at 9:30 am - 12:30 pm, 2nd at 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
- Evening (3 sessions): 1st at 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm, 2nd at 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm, 3rd at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Price (special rate)

20,000 yen (tax included)

Included in the Price
  • Fee for Interpreter guide (from Urasenke International Association )
  • Tea kaiseki meal , sweets
  • Venue fee
  • Equipment costs
  • Guidebook (for keepsake)
Number of Participants

6 each (total of 30)

To Apply

A full-course tea ceremony featuring Nôgaku, both originating from Nara | Chanoyu (npo-stbs.com)

※Application deadline: Friday January 17, 2025 5:00 PM
※Applications will close once the limit is reached.