Todaiji Temple Nara Park and Naramachi Alley Walk

Meet your tour conductor either in Shinsaibashi or Umeda DT Tower, and board our comfortable, luxurious private vehicle and travel 1 hr from Osaka to Nara Park.

Todaiji Temple, built in the Nara period to pray for the nation’s peace, is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.” It enshrines the Great Buddha of Nara within the Great Buddha Hall—one of the largest wooden structures in the world. Originally completed in 751 and twice lost to fire, the present hall dates from 1709. Step into this vast space to feel its history, faith, and awe-inspiring scale.

Located next to Todaiji Temple, Nara Park is a spacious area filled with historic temples and ponds, where deer roam freely. With its beautiful scenery that changes with the seasons, it is one of Nara’s most iconic destinations.

Walk toward The Great South Gate, or Nandaimon, the main gates of Todai-ji temple, and bask in its size of this great structure. The Nandaimon gate, which stands at the entrance of the approach to Todaiji Temple, is a massive structure with a height of about 25.5m, and the Ni-o guardian statues located in Nandaimon are also a site to behold. Walk through this great gate, and see the magnificent large wooden Ni-o statues. housed in the great Nandaimon Gates.

Arrive in Nara Park and disembark with your tour conductor here at Yumekaze Plaza.

This area escaped the destruction of war, preserving the traditional townscape of old Nara. Many of the historic townhouses have been stylishly renovated into galleries, restaurants, and shops, blending history with modern charm.

This townhouse (the storehouse is from the Edo period) was built in 1917 by an antique dealer, and its spatial composition and design are impressive, including a tea room, a spacious 15-tatami room, a Buddhist altar room covered in gold leaf, and sliding door paintings and decorations. Today, it is a lively spot in Naramachi, promoting the charm of a townhouse that allows you to feel the four seasons and the lifestyle culture, with a theme of the 24 solar terms. (Registered Tangible Cultural Property)

This shrine was founded by imperial decree of Emperor Kanmu in the early Heian period (800). It commemorates the souls of Princess Inoue (Empress of Emperor Kōnin and daughter of Emperor Shōmu) and her son, Prince Oto, who were falsely accused of crimes and imprisoned before passing away during the Nara period. They are enshrined in the main hall as the guardian deity of Nara town. To the left, passing through the South Gate, is Shusse Inari Shrine, a subsidiary shrine known for its blessings in matchmaking. In addition, visitors often tie red strings at the feet of the lion statues on either side of the South Gate, offering prayers for the lion statues to stop runaways, find love, or bring prosperity to their businesses. Seasonal flowers, such as cherry blossoms and peonies, bloom within the grounds, and the beautifully colored and intricately crafted seasonal goshuin stamps are a popular attraction.

This facility was built based on the townhouses that dotted Naramachi from the end of the Edo period through the Meiji era. It is characterized by its narrow width and long depth, which is also described as an eel's bed. The stairs to the second floor are designed as a "box staircase" to make effective use of the small space, ensuring storage space. You can also learn about the functionality of the latticework, which acts like a half-mirror to make it difficult to see inside from the outside, and the light sources in the courtyard and dirt floor, which allow for ventilation and lighting. This is a facility where you can experience life in the past and savor the atmosphere.

After you visit Nara, you will board our private vehicle and you will be driven back to Osaka. You will be dropped off at your pick-up point.