Kyoto Nara Day Tour｜Uji, Nara Park, Hot Spring Experience｜Free Deer Cake｜Small Groups Available (Departing from Osaka Station/Kyoto Station)
- Local professional "old driver", reliable and considerate service, take you to see deer, drink tea and soak in hot springs, go shopping and eat to relax in-depth tour
- Small group of 4-9 people, no need to worry about route planning and complicated public transportation
- Each group will be given a deer biscuit. In the Nara Park area, you can feed the deer in the maple forest and interact with the deer closely.
Package Options
Sightseeing Tours
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point, Hotel transfer |
| Minimum participant requirement | 4 travelers |
| Tour types | None |
| Meal arrangement | Arrange yourself |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights, Temples & shrines, Bus tour |
| 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.
- Vehicle service time: within 10 hours (Japanese law)
- Driver-guide service (small group of 4-9 people, actual number will be adjusted according to the number of people on the day)
- Reference vehicle type: 5-7 seater car: Toyota Alphard; 10 seater car: Toyota HAICE or equivalent. The above vehicles are for reference only and will be adjusted according to the number of people in the group on the day.
- It is not recommended to bring luggage for a one-day tour. If you need to bring luggage, each person can bring one piece for free, regardless of size. Please make a note when registering. If you do not make a note when registering or if you bring more than one piece of luggage per person, an additional 2,000 yen will be charged for each piece of luggage. If you do not specify the number of luggage in advance, resulting in insufficient space in the car and overcrowding, the driver has the right to refuse boarding and the fee will not be refunded.
- Due to the unpredictability of traffic conditions, weather, festivals or crowds on the day, the arrival time of each itinerary may change. According to Japanese law, the maximum working time of the driver is 10 hours. In order to ensure the safety of the driver and the stability of driving, the itinerary may be adjusted according to the actual situation, including reducing the time for visiting attractions, adjusting the order of attractions or canceling certain attractions. We sincerely hope that all passengers can understand and support the adjustments we make under the premise of ensuring safety. In the case of the above or other force majeure factors, we deeply regret the inconvenience that may be caused to you. Please understand our position that we will not be able to provide a refund service for this reason. This decision is made out of responsibility for the safety of drivers and passengers and to ensure the smooth operation of the entire team. We are always committed to providing you with the best travel experience, but in some cases, we need to flexibly adjust the itinerary plan according to actual conditions. Thank you for your understanding and support.
The recommended tour route is Byodoin Omotesando Matcha Street. For Matcha lovers, Uji is a paradise for foodies, with the streets full of first-rate Matcha ice cream and Matcha cakes, and even the soba noodles are green Matcha in color. For literature lovers, this is a paradise for literature and art, as the last ten chapters of The Tale of Genji, a literary masterpiece known as the Japanese Dream of the Red Chamber, take place in Uji. Anyone who has read The Tale of Genji wants to come here to trace the love, hatred and vengeance of Japanese aristocrats.
Byodoin is a temple garden with a pond and spring boat in the Heian period. It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage in 1994. The most famous part is the "Phoenix Hall", which looks like a phoenix spreading its wings. Inside, the national treasure-level seated statue of Amitabha Buddha is enshrined. The admission fee is 700 yen for adults, 400 yen for junior high school students, and 300 yen for elementary school students (including the Fengxiang Hall). Here, you can also stroll along the Uji River and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery!
In Uji, the recommended old matcha shops are: [Taihoan] Opposite the Phoenix Hall, enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of the tea garden. Address: 2 Ujitogawa, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture. [Nakamura Tokichi Uji Main Store] A popular dessert shop that offers exclusive ice cream desserts made with high-grade Uji tea, served in bamboo tubes, which is unique. Address: 10 Uji-1, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture. [Ito Kyuemon Main Store] A representative old shop of Kyoto Uji tea, matcha parfait and matcha soba are highly recommended. Address: 19-3 Aramaki, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture. In these old shops, you can experience the authentic flavor of Uji matcha and enjoy the deliciousness!
Recommended 2: Visit the Tale of Genji Museum, which uses multimedia sound and light effects to vividly display the charm and outline of the Tale of Genji. The museum has a model of Rokujo-in, which symbolizes the prosperity and wealth of Genji, which is very eye-catching. A quick tour takes about 2 minutes, and a careful appreciation takes 1 to 2 hours. The museum also exhibits games of the nobles of the Heian period, such as "Hebei" and Go, according to the season, and introduces the dynasty culture in an easy-to-understand way. Tickets: 600 yen for adults and 300 yen for children. Closed on Mondays, and on Tuesdays if it is a national holiday.
Genji-no-Yu is the only natural hot spring in Uji City, where you can enjoy the fun and food of hot springs in the warmth of a thousand years. It combines high technology with traditional architecture to create a pure Japanese relaxation space. The open-air bath offers shallow and deep baths, and the inner bath has a large window overlooking the garden and Kyoto's first nano-high-concentration carbonated spring. There are also massage salons, rest areas and dining areas, allowing you to spend a leisurely time here to heal your body and mind. Admission: 1,100 yen for adults and 500 yen for children (children under elementary school must be accompanied by their parents).
Nara Park is a must-see when visiting Nara. It is surrounded by famous places of interest such as Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Each group of tourists will be given a deer biscuit worth 200 yen. Feeding the lovely deer will be your greatest pleasure here. Wakakusa Mountain in the park is a great place to overlook the scenery of Nara. Traditional activities such as "Wakakusa Burning the Mountain" are held every January. Take a leisurely stroll in the park and feel the joy of close contact with the spiritual deer. Be careful that the deer may approach you on their own initiative!
We recommend visiting Todaiji Temple, also known as the Great Kegon Temple. It was built in 752 and is the head temple of Japanese temples. The existing building was rebuilt in 1692, and two-thirds of the original building is preserved. The main hall of Todaiji Temple is the largest wooden building in the world, 57 meters wide and 50 meters deep. It houses a 15-meter-high Buddha statue, Vairocana Buddha. There are also important attractions such as the South Gate, Nigatsu-do Hall and Sangatsu-do Hall in the temple. The entrance fee is 800 yen for junior high school students and above, and 400 yen for elementary school students. Please explore this historic temple to your heart's content!
Kasuga Taisha Shrine is located in Nara Park. It was built in 710 and is part of the World Cultural Heritage. It enshrines Takeumutsuchi-no-Mikoto, Mutsu-no-Mikoto, Amagaya-no-Mikoto, and Himai. The 1.5-kilometer approach to the shrine starts at the red torii gate, and is flanked by towering cedar and birch trees. The environment is peaceful and pleasant. There are also more than 2,000 donated stone lanterns and cute Nara deer in the park. Admission: Free for the outer shrine, 700 yen for special worship in the main hall, 500 yen for adults and 200 yen for elementary school students in the national treasure hall.
Recommended lunch in Nara: Kasugano is a shopping street in front of Mt. Wakakusa, where you can enjoy delicious cuisine of different seasons while watching deer passing by. Address: 494 Zoshicho, Nara City. Kasugano Tea House: Operated by Kasuga Taisha Shrine, it offers traditional Japanese cuisine. The most popular dish is the "Manyye Porridge" made with seasonal plants. The flavors change every month, making it a good choice for replenishing energy after worshiping. Address: 160 Kasuganocho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture. Mentan-an: A famous udon noodle shop, we recommend the "Kincho Udon" and the unique "Koshika Udon", which are national delicacies in the Kansai region. Address: 30-1 Hashimotocho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture.
Purchase Notice
【Travel conditions】
Travel origin and destination: Osaka/Kyoto/Nara
Travel duration: One-day tour
Transportation: Bus
Bus company name: Iloha Tourist Transportation Co., Ltd.
Meals: Breakfast 0 times Lunch 0 times Dinner 0 times
Accommodation facilities: None
Minimum number of people in a group: 4
Team leader: 0
【Travel planning/implementation】
Operating company name: Shuzenji Takitei Co., Ltd.
Address: Shuzenji 722, Shizuoka Prefecture I▖ City
Login number: Shizuoka Prefecture Governor Registration Tourism No. 2-723
Travel industry association: National Travel Association (ANTA)
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
Travelers with the following conditions or other health issues that could be worsened by excessive stimulation should not participate in this activity: High blood pressure, Heart disease, Acrophobia, Epilepsy, Asthma, Pregnant women
The itinerary allows boarding and alighting at Osaka Station, but boarding is permitted only at Kyoto Station. Hotel pick-up and drop-off is limited to Osaka city (Kyoto hotels do not provide door-to-door pick-up and drop-off).
This is a fixed carpooling itinerary. Please be sure to abide by the stay time at each attraction and follow the arrangements of the driver and guide.
If you leave the group on your own during the trip, the transaction will be deemed invalid and no fees will be refunded. If personal or property safety is affected as a result, the consequences will be borne by you.
Please note that no refund will be given if you fail to participate or cancel the trip due to personal issues, lateness, etc.
The arrival time of each itinerary may change due to traffic conditions, weather, festivals, and crowds on the day. Please forgive us if the itinerary is delayed or cancelled due to the above or other force majeure factors. We cannot request a refund on this basis.
In case of a small number of people, we will use a small car with a driver who also serves as a guide to provide simple explanations, please be aware.
The transportation and tourist attractions of this itinerary will be as faithful to the original plan as possible. In case of special circumstances: such as traffic congestion, bad weather, tourist crowds or other force majeure factors, the company reserves the right to change the itinerary for the sake of the travel safety of the passengers themselves and the smoothness of the itinerary.
Osaka Station and Kyoto Station depart from different buses, so the boarding and alighting locations must be the same and cannot be changed. Thank you for your understanding and support.
This product is a carpooling service. There will be other guests riding with you. You are not allowed to stop at any location other than the scenic spot.
Guests who book hotel pick-up and drop-off services need to confirm with customer service again after placing the order. If they choose to leave at the designated meeting point on their return trip, it will be considered as automatically forfeiting the pick-up and drop-off service.
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 50% 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
Nara Park is renowned for its free-roaming wild deer, considered messengers of the gods. Visitors can feed the deer with special biscuits, a highlight of the experience. The park also encompasses significant historical sites like Todai-ji Temple, home to a massive bronze Buddha statue, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, known for its lanterns and beautiful architecture. Exploring these cultural landmarks amidst the natural scenery is a key activity.
Entering Nara Park itself is free of charge, allowing visitors to wander its grounds and interact with the deer without a ticket. However, certain temples and shrines located within or adjacent to the park, such as Todai-ji Temple and Kofuku-ji Temple, may have separate admission fees if you wish to enter their main halls or museum exhibits.
To fully appreciate Nara Park and engage with its deer, a duration of at least 2 to 3 hours is generally recommended. This allows sufficient time to feed the deer, visit Todai-ji Temple, and stroll through the park's scenic pathways. If you plan to explore additional sites like Kasuga Taisha Shrine or the Nara National Museum, you might extend your visit to half a day or more.
Yes, it is very practical to visit Nara Park, Uji, and enjoy a hot spring experience on a day trip departing from either Osaka or Kyoto. Utilizing a small group tour ensures seamless transportation and efficient planning, allowing you to maximize your time exploring each destination without the hassle of navigating public transport or managing schedules independently. This offers a relaxed and comprehensive way to experience all three locations.
A small group tour offers several benefits for exploring Nara Park and Uji. You gain the convenience of a local professional driver and guide, eliminating worries about route planning and public transportation. These tours often provide a more relaxed pace, allowing in-depth exploration. Additionally, the small group size (typically 4-9 people) offers a personalized experience. Some tours even provide deer biscuits for interacting with Nara's deer, adding to the unique experience.
For a day trip encompassing Nara Park and Uji, especially when originating from Osaka or Kyoto, a pre-arranged tour typically provides the most convenient transportation. This includes comfortable transit between all designated stops, such as Nara Park, Uji's matcha district, and the hot spring location. This eliminates the need for visitors to navigate local trains, buses, or taxis, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free journey between these distinct destinations.
Uji is renowned as the birthplace of matcha in Japan, offering an array of unique experiences centered around this exquisite green tea. Visitors can indulge in first-class matcha ice cream, matcha cakes, and various other matcha-infused sweets from numerous shops lining the streets. Authentic tea houses also provide opportunities to participate in traditional matcha ceremonies or simply savor a freshly prepared bowl of matcha, immersing yourself in Uji's rich tea culture.
A hot spring experience included in a Nara day tour typically offers a relaxing and rejuvenating break after a day of sightseeing. This usually involves access to a local onsen facility where you can soak in mineral-rich waters. It's designed as a calming activity, allowing you to unwind and refresh before heading back, providing a perfect blend of cultural exploration and relaxation.
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