---
title: Private Nara Tour and Sake Tasting (Departing from Kyoto/Nara)
lang: en
type: tour
city: Kyoto
country: Japan
price: 145
currency: EUR
price_unit: per_person
availability: bookable
rating: 5
reviews: 62
duration_minutes: 240
duration_max_minutes: 360
languages: [en]
free_cancellation: "true"
rank_in_category: 4 of 15 (Nara Day Trips)
schedule_checked: 2026-11-08
data_updated: 2026-11-08
canonical: https://guidekin.com/japan/kyoto/tours/private-nara-tour-and-sake-tasting-departing-from-kyoto-nara/
---

# Private Nara Tour and Sake Tasting (Departing from Kyoto/Nara)

**Guidekin's take:** Meet Nara's deer and visit Todai-ji Temple on a private tour for your party, departing from Kyoto or Nara. Temple entry and photography are included; optional sake tasting and public transport from Kyoto cost extra. 5 from 62 reviews at €145 per person for 4h–6h.

In our comparison: #4 of 15 in Nara Day Trips, by rating weighted by review volume (table below).

## Overview

Discover the best of Nara on our PRIVATE morning tour, before the popular spots get crowded! Meet the friendly deer, admire Japan’s largest Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple, and enjoy a sake tasting to experience local flavors. Explore Japan’s first capital in a fun, relaxed, and efficient way — perfect for a half-day trip from Kyoto or Osaka!

## Before you book

- Pickup differs by option: Hotel pickup only on 1 of 2 options (Pick up at Kyoto Station)
- Entry ticket included: skip the ticket desk
- Min. 2 to book: not for solo travellers
- Starts 07:30, 09:00: 2 departures a day
- Food not included: Sake Tasting Fee: Applicable only to those…

**Pickup:** Hotel pickup only on 1 of 2 options (Pick up at Kyoto Station)

## Key facts

- Price: from €145 per person for the Meet at Kintetsu Nara Station option; other options up to €156
- Duration: 4h–6h
- Rating: 5.0/5 from 62 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor)
- Free cancellation (see policy below)
- Operator: OTAKU hopper
- Minimum booking: 2 travellers at this price
- Group: Private tour, your party only
- Guide languages: English
- Tickets: Admission included
- Start times: 07:30, 09:00
- Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket
- Price checked on Viator: 2026-11-08

## Reviews

5.0 from 62 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.
100% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 62 of 62.

- 5 stars: 62 (100%)
- 4 stars: 0 (0%)
- 3 stars: 0 (0%)
- 2 stars: 0 (0%)
- 1 star: 0 (0%)

## Tour options

Prices are the operator's current list price for two travellers (whole euros); options sold only to bigger parties say so; pick the option on the booking page.

| Option | Price | Guide languages | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meet at Kintetsu Nara Station | €145 / person (for 2+ people) | English | Duration: 4 hours: Our private tour offers a personalized experience with flexible schedules and relaxing breaks, letting you enjoy every moment Starting point: Kintetsu-Nara Station, Japan, 630-8215 Nara, Nishimikadochō, 東向中町29 |
| Pick up at Kyoto Station | €156 / person (for 2+ people) | English | Duration: 6 hours: Our private tour offers a personalized experience with flexible schedules and relaxing breaks, letting you enjoy every moment Starting point: Kyoto Station, Higashishiokoji Kamadonocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8216, Japan |

## What's included

- Entrance Fees: Todai-ji Temple (800yen)
- Passionate Local English-Speaking Guide
- Professional Photos will be Taken During the Tour/Experience!

## Not included

- Public Transportation Fare: Applicable only for departures from Kyoto.
- Sake Tasting Fee: Applicable only to those who wish to participate.

## Itinerary

1. **Kofuku-ji Temple** (15m) - , a UNESCO World Heritage site in Nara, is renowned for its iconic five-story pagoda, the second tallest in Japan, and its rich Buddhist heritage.
2. **Todai-ji Temple** (30m; admission included) - , a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of Japan’s most iconic landmarks. It is home to the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world, and its massive wooden hall, the Daibutsuden, is the largest wooden structure of its kind. A symbol of...
3. **Nigatsu-do Temple** (15m) - Niigatsudo, part of Todai-ji Temple, offers stunning views of Nara and is famous for its Omizutori ceremony, held every March. This ancient tradition, over 1,200 years old, marks the arrival of spring with torch-lit rituals.
4. **Tamukeyama Hachimangu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located on the easte...** (15m) - Tamukeyama Hachimangu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located on the eastern side of Nara Park, near Todai-ji Temple. Founded in 749, it was built to enshrine Hachiman, the guardian deity of Todai-ji and its Great Buddha. The shrine has long been associated with samurai...
5. **Nara Park** (20m) - is a beautiful, expansive park famous for its friendly, free-roaming deer. Visitors can enjoy the unique experience of feeding these gentle animals, making it a memorable part of your visit to Nara.
6. **Kasuga Grand Shrine** (30m) - Kasuga Taisha Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of Nara's most important Shinto shrines. Known for its hundreds of stone and bronze lanterns, the shrine is dedicated to the deity of the Fujiwara clan and is a peaceful, spiritual site surrounded by lush forest.
7. **Harushika Brewery** (30m) - (For those interested, sake tasting is available for 700 yen)Harushika Brewery is renowned for producing high-quality sake using traditional methods. Known for its rich, smooth flavor, Harushika sake is crafted from locally grown rice and pure mountain water, offering a true...

## Schedule

- Runs: daily
- Departures: 07:30, 09:00
- Schedule last checked: 2026-11-08
- These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout.

## Cancellation

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

## Meeting point

This tour can begin at Kintetsu-Nara Station. If you are staying in Osaka or Nara, we recommend starting here. Your guide will be waiting right in front of the large statue of Gyoki-bosatsu, just outside the station, holding a board with the OTAKU hopper logo.

Ends: back at the meeting point

## Good to know

- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- The tour duration depends on the departure point—around 6 hours from Kyoto and about 4 hours from Nara. If you opt for the sake tasting, please allow an extra 30 minutes.
- This tour is designed as a WALKING experience, using public transportation and plenty of time on foot to explore Nara.
- If you are late for the meeting time, you will not be able to join the tour or receive a refund.

## Cost for your party

| People | Total | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | €290 | €145 |
| 4 | €440 | €110 |
| 6 | €588 | €98 |

Cheapest option for that party size from the operator's current price tiers; the calendar shows the exact figure for your date. Shared tours in Nara Day Trips start at €90 per person.

## Compared with other Nara Day Trips

| Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **This tour · #4 of 15** | €145 | 4h–6h | 5.0 (62) | private |
| [World Heritage Kyoto & Nara Uji Authentic Matcha Experience](/japan/kyoto/tours/world-heritage-kyoto-nara-uji-authentic-matcha-experience/?format=md) | €113 | 8h 30m | 4.93 (2933) | shared |
| [Osaka and Nara Day Tour with Private Transportation](/japan/kyoto/tours/osaka-and-nara-day-tour-with-private-transportation/?format=md) | €229 | 6h | 4.98 (116) | private |
| [Kyoto Private Car Tour – Full Day with Local Guide & Nara Option](/japan/kyoto/tours/kyoto-private-car-tour-full-day-with-local-guide-nara-option/?format=md) | €145 | 8h | 4.92 (370) | private |

Ranked #4 of 15 in Nara Day Trips by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €90 to €290, median €157; typical length 8h. 12 of 15 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market.

Full list: https://guidekin.com/japan/kyoto/nara-day-trips-from-kyoto/?format=md

## More in Kyoto

- All Kyoto tours: https://guidekin.com/japan/kyoto/?format=md
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Filters, the full catalogue and the URL contract for this city: https://guidekin.com/japan/kyoto/?format=md