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Osaka & Nara in 1-Day by Private Van with Local Japanese Guide
5.0
45 Ratings
Nara
Embark on a private car tour in Japan to explore the ancient city of Nara and the bustling urban metropolis of Osaka. Visit historic temples, see iconic landmarks, and indulge in local cuisine. Book now for an unforgettable day trip!
Duration:
7 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Yoshikien - Yoshikien is an authentic Japanese garden in Nara Park. Starting with a beautiful pond with Japanese Carp (Koi) and Japanese Maple trees, you will enjoy the distinctive seasons of Japan. The iconic moss garden is beautiful for the whole year but especially the autumn season is breath-taking with all the colours change.
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Todai-ji Temple - Todai-ji Temple, the biggest historical wooden architecture in the world with also the biggest Buddha statue sitting inside, is the most important Buddhist temple to Japanese people to 1400 years.
You’ll be explained so well about its dramatic history and all the meanings of each statue with deep insights into Buddhism and Japanese culture.
You will touch the essence of Buddhism with your eyes and ears by visiting here on this tour! -
Nara Park - The sanctuary of wild deer! You will be amazed to see so many wild deer relaxing in nature, in the temples, on roads and almost everywhere, not scared of people at all. What’s interesting is that this park has been a national park of Japan for 1400 years, designated by the emperor. So even though it’s right next to the downtown area of Nara, nature is primeval and the atmosphere brings you to ancient periods.
You’ll be guided with many information about Japanese deer and also with enough safety guidance to hang out with the wild and sacred animal. -
Todai-ji Nigatsudo Kuden - Walking 5-10 minutes from the main temple with adorable deer, an ancient wooden temple sits on the top of the hill. The name Nigatsu “February” is named after its one of the most important religious ceremonies in Japan, “Omizutori” in the Chinese lunar February.
Rest yourself while watching the great view of Nara and listening to the history of the 1270-year-continued ceremony. -
Osaka Castle - Osaka Castle has been the most iconic symbol of Osaka for more than 500 years. Not only the unique and futuristic outlook telling the mixing culture of Osaka and Japan, but the museum inside displays countless Samurai armors and swords used by famous Shoguns, and holds seasonal exhibitions focusing on Samurai histories which will definitely attract you.
The castle around is a park loved by local Japanese people, especially on cherry blossom seasons. Don’t forget to bring your camera! - America Mura - “Shibuya” of Osaka! All the good nightclubs and gigs are here!
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Dotombori District - Dotonbori/Shinsaibashi area, is the most famous, iconic and crowded of all Osaka, known for the “running man” sign, the riverside with full of fancy neons and the longest shopping street of Japan
The energy of Osaka is here - Nipponbashi Denden Town - “Akihabara” of Osaka, a town of electronics and animes! More concentrated than Akiba’
- Tsutenkaku - Another symbol of Osaka since 1912. The design is heavily inspired by French Eiffel Tower but also has a lot of unique characters.
- Tsutenkaku Hondori Shopping Street - This is Osaka! The symbolic street of Osaka with unique shops and friendly (drunken) people where you can taste famous Osaka street foods. Try Takoyaki (Octopus balls) and walk the lively street with fancy billboards.
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Tobita Shinchi - This is the deepest spot in Osaka, the so-called “red-line district”. You will be so surprised by the prostitutes with school-uniform costumes on, waving hands from very traditional Japanese houses.
The area’s history will be well explained by the guide
NO PHOTOGRAPHS if you don’t want to get killed by Yakuzas protecting this area! -
Nishinari Dobutsuen-mae Deep Osaka Street - One of the most famous ghetto areas in Osaka, very few places where you can see homeless people in Japan.
It used to be dangerous with more Yakuza gangs and drug dealers, but the area has been keeping becoming cleaner and cleaner for these 10 years for the Tokyo Olympics. Now here is also known as a cheap backpacker hostel area for tourists with very few homeless people left, so it’s very safe to visit here.
The local guide who was born and raised in Osaka tells you everything about Osaka’s social problems and things that most Japanese people won’t discuss!
What's Included
- Air-Conditioned Nissan Van (2-6 guests) / Mini Convertible (1 guest)
- Fuel & Highway Fees
- Full English Guide
- Parking fees
- Dinner time & Local Restaurant Guide
- Flexible Pickup & Dropping-off at anywhere in Kyoto, Osaka or Nara *start & end can be different
What's Not Included
- Entry Fee for Todaiji (¥800/person)
- Any additional cost by your customization
- Fee for dinner
- Lunch time
Additional Information
Have your best and most unforgettable day trip in Japan, guided by a local specialist to tour two unique cities, ancient Nara and urban Osaka, efficiently in a comfortable air-conditioned car!
You will first visit Nara, “Deer” Park, the sanctuary of super-friendly wild Japanese deer, and see the most ancient, significant and biggest temple in Japan, Todaiji Temple, with the biggest Buddha Statue in Japan.
After visiting ancient Nara, you will move to the most urban area of Osaka and take a cruise by car to see the most iconic landmarks of Osaka, including Osaka Castle and Dotonbori, walk some unique streets of Osaka and eat the best Osaka local foods!
This tour includes an optional “dark tour” into a ghetto area of Osaka, the “Airin Area” and one of the most historical red-light districts in the world, Tobita-Shinchi. (omittable)
Your friendly and flexible local guide will explain everything about those two cities in a comfortable car!
Book Now for a Perfect Day!
- No earlier services for pick-up/starting time
Location
Yoshikien
60-1 Noboriojicho
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(45 Ratings)
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Azbz
Aug 29, 2024
Excellent overview of Osaka and Nara - Enjoyed our afternoon with Daiki. His English was excellent and he explained the history and context of the sights during the drive to the sights. He accompanied us to all the locations and made sure that we purchased the correct entrance tickets. He was punctual and professional and the car was spacious with good A/C ( a must during the summer!). We spent most of the day in Nara at the deer park and Todai-ji temple. Then we drove to the park near Osaka Castle (didn't go into the castle though cause it was quite a trek) and then to Dotonbori, the heart of Osaka's hustle & bustle. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jinghuei_l
Aug 15, 2024
it’s well worth the money and time - Daiki, our tour guide, is a highly responsible person who always responded to my questions promptly. The tour was well-planned and thoroughly enjoyable. Daiki is very knowledgeable about the sites we visited and provided clear and comprehensive explanations that enhanced our understanding.
The tour was both fun and enriching, making the experience truly memorable. I strongly recommend this tour—it’s well worth the money and time.
Review provided by Viator
Barbara_c
Aug 4, 2024
Great tour of Osaka - I’m sorry for the lateness! Daiki Fukashi was an excellent tour guide of Osaka. He drove a very nice van and drove us to numerous spots. I especially liked Nara Park and the friendly deer. His choice of restaurants was on the money! Everything was reasonably priced. Thank you!
Review provided by Viator
Imstvt
Jul 13, 2024
Nice day out with Daiki-san! - Daiki-san was great! No dull moments - very friendly and easy to talk with. Always giving us lots of interesting info about the sights. Flexible with the tour plans and very accommodating to everyone’s needs and questions.
Nice clean car and smooth driving. My whole family had a wonderful time and we would not have enjoyed our day trip out to Nara as much without him. Some of those deers were quite naughty!
Thank you Daiki-san again for a great day out!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nathanlc8106ln
Jul 11, 2024
Excellent guide and service! - Daiki was fantastic. Flexible with his plans, accommodating to everyone’s needs and questions.
It was a wonderful time and we would not have enjoyed Nara as much without him.
Thank you Daiki for helping us make memories on our vacation!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gracesw1781ty
Jun 11, 2024
Excellent value! - Daiki was an excellent tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and has clearly done.a lot of research in order to provide customers with fun and educational insight into Osaka and Nara. The private tour was comfortable and allowed flexibility that would be impossible in a group tour. Definitely great value! Strongly recommend this service!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michael_l
Jun 5, 2024
Incredible Day! Much better than large tour groups! - Our day-long tour with Daiki was an incredible experience. I cannot recommend booking this tour enough. Communication with Daiki leading up to the trip was excellent. He was flexible with our pickup point, meeting us at the cruise port and was always providing options for our tour so that we could see what we want to see. We really enjoyed Daiki's stories about his experiences growing up in Osaka and his views on how it has changed over the years. He even took us to his favorite Ramen spot for dinner and it was amazing! You will not regret booking a tour with Daiki.
Review provided by Viator
David_r
May 13, 2024
Best Tour of Nara and Osaka! - Great Tour, Great Experience and Great Guide! Daiki truly knocked it out of the park with this tour! Since before the tour date Daiki was communicating and answering my questions. Thank you again Daiki for a great tour definitely recommend it and hope to have another tour by you in the future!
Review provided by Viator
Passport34044141408
May 7, 2024
Great family trip to Osaka and Nara - Daiki was a wonderful guide, easy to communicate with! Very informative and relaxed. We learned a lot of history during the trip. Thank you Daiki!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anna_a
Apr 13, 2024
Most exciting day of our trip in Japan! - Great guide Naiki , super trip , great time with the deers!!! I am looking forward going again in Osaka and Nara!Thanks Naiki! You are the best!
Review provided by Viator
