One-day tour of Nara attractions for families in Japan｜Ikomayama Amusement Park Sunset Coaster・Nara Park Deer Feeding・Todaiji Temple・Kasuga Taisha Shrine・Mt. Wakakusa｜Depart from Osaka
- Explore the ancient city of Nara in depth. You can visit Todaiji Temple, Wakakusa Mountain to see the panoramic view of Nara, or Kasuga Taisha Shrine to experience the thousand-year-old sacred place.
- Enjoy the Ikomayama Amusement Park and try the popular Skybike. It is exciting and fun to ride a bicycle while enjoying the beautiful scenery of Kansai.
- Depart from downtown Osaka, easy transportation, full-service car
- No need to check routes or change cars, suitable for travelers who don't want to drive but want to explore Nara in depth
Package Options
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Minimum participant requirement | 4 travelers |
| Meal arrangement | Arrange yourself |
| Sightseeing type | Temples & shrines |
| Transport | Bus tour |
Product Info
The content of this product is provided by machine translation and may not reflect the actual information, please take this into consideration before booking.
Starting from Osaka, you can easily travel to the two popular areas of Nara and Ikomayama, suitable for families, friends, and couples to participate.
First stop: In-depth exploration of Nara. You will have about 4 hours of free time. You can freely arrange to visit [Todaiji Temple], visit [Kasuga Taisha Shrine], or climb [Wakakusa Mountain] Observation Deck to overlook the panoramic view of Nara. You can also interact with sika deer in Nara Park and take a leisurely stroll to experience the style of the ancient capital.
The second stop: Ikomayama Amusement Park, located on the top of the mountain, is a place where you can freely play in the fresh air at an altitude of 642 meters. You can take the exciting and fun Skybike to enjoy the beautiful scenery from high in the sky, or choose other amusement facilities in the park to spend a happy time. The park is suitable for all ages and is a great place to relax, take photos and check in.
A day of experiencing nature, history, and entertainment is the perfect way to enjoy a relaxing and fulfilling trip to the suburbs of Kansai!
At the Ikomayama Amusement Park between Osaka and Nara, there is a sky bike that is called the "Hidden Sunset Coaster in Kansai"! This is not an ordinary children's amusement project - you have to pedal by yourself and move slowly along the high-altitude track. Below the car is the valley scenery, in front of the car is the Osaka Plain and Wakakusa Mountains in the distance, and on a clear day you can even see Awaji Island.
When the sun sets, the whole sky turns golden red, and at that moment it seems like flying through the sky - this is the origin of the "Sunset Flyer". 360° unobstructed high-altitude view The sunset period is the most dreamy, suitable for couples and photography enthusiasts. The whole process relies on physical strength, which is tense and funny, especially suitable for parents and children or friends to challenge!
With a history of nearly 100 years, it not only has 27 exciting and interesting amusement facilities, but the most popular ones include: high-altitude monorail bicycles, panda cranes, flying towers, karts, mini golf, etc. You can also enjoy the beautiful scenery of Nara, Osaka, and Kyoto. Whether you want to challenge the high-altitude monorail bicycles, experience the speed of karts, or want to enjoy the romantic scenery on the observation deck, this place can meet your expectations. Admission is free, and the amusement facilities are charged individually (about 300~600 yen each). You can also buy a one-day ticket or a stored-value ticket. There are simple restaurants and shops in the park.
Nara Park: A thousand-year-old oasis in the ancient capital where you can swim with sika deer Located in the center of Nara, it was founded in 1880 and covers an area of more than 500 hectares. It is one of the oldest and most representative urban parks in Japan. There are more than 1,000 free-roaming sika deer living in the park, which are regarded as the messengers of Kasuga Taisha Shrine. You can get close to the deer in the park and experience the fun interaction of feeding the deer senbei.
Nara Todaiji Temple was listed as a World Cultural Heritage in 1998. Its history can be traced back to 752 AD. It is a symbol of the integration of ancient Japanese national power and Buddhism. The largest Buddha statue hall in Japan｜The Great Buddha Hall enshrines the largest bronze Buddha in Japan (Vairocana Buddha), which is 15 meters high and weighs about 500 tons. It is solemn and shocking, and awe-inspiring. The Great Buddha Hall itself is also one of the largest wooden structures in the world.
【Mount Wakakusa】Mount Wakakusa is 342 meters above sea level, with a relatively gentle mountain road and the entire mountain covered with grass. Because it looks like three bamboo hats overlapping each other, it is also called "Mikasa Mountain". Mount Wakakusa is famous for the traditional Nara event "Yama Festival" held in January every year. It takes about 30 minutes to walk from the entrance at the foot of the mountain to the top. From the top of the mountain, you can see the scenery of Nara such as Kofuku-ji Temple and Todai-ji Temple. From light mountaineering with "Ichijyoume" as the goal to hiking in the grassland area, to mountaineering challenges with the top of "Mieme" as the goal, and even to a walk in the vast primeval forest extending deep into the mountains, various mountaineering itineraries can be arranged according to physical strength and time.
【Kasuga Taisha】Nara Taisha Shrine enshrines four main gods and many gods of fortune. Kasuga Taisha was built in 768 on the orders of Emperor Koken. Japanese shrines generally enshrine only one or two gods, but Kasuga Taisha enshrines four gods, including gods from Kashima, Saga Prefecture, Katori, Chiba Prefecture, and Hiraoka, Osaka Prefecture. The shrine architecture blends perfectly with the natural environment. The bright colors of Kasuga Taisha Shrine blend harmoniously with the surrounding natural environment to form a picturesque scenery. The vermilion paint, white walls and cypress roofs are a contrast of different colors, which have attracted many photography enthusiasts to take pictures over the years. Before the end of the Edo period, the shrine was overhauled every 20 years.
Kasuga-zukuri architecture: The vermilion temple and the shrine adopt the unique "Kasuga-zukuri" style. The roof has a gentle slope and the building colors are mainly vermilion and golden yellow. It is solemn in its simplicity and is a representative of early Japanese shrine architecture.
Purchase Notice
【Travel conditions】
Travel origin and destination: Osaka and Nara
Travel days: Round trip
Transportation: Chartered bus
Bus Company: Osaka International Tourism, etc.
Meals: Breakfast 0 times Lunch 0 times Dinner 0 times
Accommodation facilities: None
Minimum number of people in a group: 4
Team Leader: 1
【Travel planning/implementation】
Operating company name: TuYi Group Japan Co., Ltd.
Address: 722 Shuzenji, Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
License exemption number: Shizuoka Prefecture Governor Registration Travel Industry No. 2-633
Travel Industry Association Name: Full member of Japan Travel Industry Association
Reminders
A minimum of 4 traveler(s) are required for the tour to depart. If the number of participants does not reach the minimum requirement, the tour will be canceled. An email regarding tour cancellation will be sent 4 day(s) before the departure date
In the event of inclement weather such as typhoons or snowstorms, a decision on whether to cancel the tour will be made 1 day(s) before departure (local time 18:00). Notifications will then be sent via email
Please arrive at the designated location 15 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
This trip is a fixed-route carpooling trip. You need to share the ride with other passengers throughout the trip. You are not allowed to park outside the attractions.
The stay time at each attraction has been optimized. Please strictly adhere to the time to avoid affecting the overall itinerary.
Please be sure to gather on time. If you fail to participate in the tour due to personal reasons (late/lost/physical discomfort, etc.), no refund will be given. Please note that no refund will be provided.
Leaving the group after the trip has started/leaving the group midway will be deemed as automatic waiver of the service and no refund will be given. The passenger will be responsible for the safety of the group during the period of leaving the group.
The itinerary may be adjusted due to force majeure factors such as traffic and weather. In the event of delays or partial changes, no refunds or compensation will be provided. Passengers who need to take a flight on the same day should register carefully or reserve sufficient time.
Traffic congestion may occur during holidays and peak periods. The driver and guide will flexibly adjust the itinerary depending on the situation. Please be mentally prepared. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
To maintain the cleanliness of the train, please do not eat or drink in the train. If you cause any damage, you will be charged a cleaning fee based on local standards. Please work together to create a comfortable riding environment.
Please wear light, travel-friendly clothing and shoes for this tour.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations 4 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
- For cancellations made 2 to 3 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 40% will apply
- Cancellation is not allowed between 0–1 days from the selected date. Orders cannot be canceled or modified, and refunds will not be granted.
- Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.
FAQ
Ikomayama Amusement Park is generally suitable for families with children. Many rides cater to younger visitors. For specific attractions like the Skybike, there are typically height restrictions, usually starting from around 100-110 cm for solo riders, with some allowing adults to accompany smaller children. It's recommended to check individual ride requirements upon arrival to ensure suitability for all family members.
Ikomayama Amusement Park typically operates from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but operating hours can vary seasonally and on weekdays versus weekends. The park is often closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays outside of peak seasons. During summer months or public holidays, hours may extend. Always verify the latest schedule on the park's official website before your visit to confirm exact opening and closing times for your chosen date.
Yes, a day trip covering Ikomayama Amusement Park and Nara's main attractions like Nara Park is highly feasible from Osaka, especially with a full-service car tour. This provides convenience for families, eliminating the need to navigate public transport with children. The tour allows ample time at each location, ensuring a relaxed pace for enjoying the thrilling Skybike at Ikomayama and interacting with the deer in Nara Park without rushing.
A guided tour offers significant advantages for exploring Nara Park, Todaiji Temple, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Guides provide historical context and cultural insights into these ancient sites, enriching the experience beyond mere sightseeing. They manage travel logistics and time, ensuring you visit all key highlights efficiently. For families, this means a stress-free experience, allowing you to focus on enjoying the beautiful scenery and cultural heritage without planning hassles.
When feeding the wild deer in Nara Park, always purchase deer crackers (shika senbei) from vendors within the park. Deer can bow their heads to ask for food, but it's important to feed them gently and avoid teasing. Hold the cracker flat in your hand. Be mindful that deer are wild animals; avoid sudden movements and keep small children supervised to ensure a safe and enjoyable interaction for everyone.
At Todaiji Temple, the main highlight is the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), housing a colossal bronze statue of Buddha, one of Japan's largest. The surrounding architecture and Nandaimon Gate with its guardian statues are also impressive. Kasuga Taisha Shrine is famous for its thousands of bronze and stone lanterns donated by worshippers, creating a mystical atmosphere, especially during lantern festivals. Its vibrant vermilion corridors are also a sight to behold.
From Mt. Wakakusa, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the entire Nara Basin and the city scenery, particularly stunning during sunset. The gentle slopes make it generally suitable for most visitors, including families. There are walking paths to the summit, offering different vantage points. While the ascent is not overly strenuous, comfortable shoes are recommended. It provides a serene natural escape with picturesque photo opportunities.
Ikomayama Amusement Park is renowned for its unique Skybike, a pedal-powered monorail ride that allows visitors to cycle along a track high above the park while enjoying sweeping views of the Kansai region. This thrilling yet gentle experience offers a different perspective and is a popular highlight for many. The park also features other family-friendly attractions and classic amusement rides, providing fun for various ages.
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