Kyoto Uji Matcha Experience & Nara Private 1-Day Tour
Description
This full-day experience is a fantastic way to explore the historic cities of Kyoto and Nara. You’ll visit famous temples, shrines, and a park filled with friendly, charming deer. Byodoin Temple is one of Kyoto’s top attractions, known for its beautiful architecture and peaceful setting. The iconic Phoenix Hall, reflected in the temple’s pond, adds to its charm. You’ll also try matcha-making in Uji, a city renowned for its high-quality matcha. For lunch, you’ll enjoy an authentic sushi-making experience and taste the sushi you create yourself. Learn the art of sushi-making from an expert instructor! Kasuga Taisha Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage site, Todaiji Temple is one of Nara’s most famous landmarks. Standing about 15 meters tall, the Great Buddha is housed inside the largest wooden structure in the world, where you can view this colossal statue. At Nara Park, you’ll enjoy seeing friendly deer roam freely, adding to the park’s peaceful and charming atmosphere.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Byodoin Temple is one of Kyoto’s top attractions, known for its beautiful architecture and peaceful setting. The iconic Phoenix Hall, reflected in the temple’s pond, adds to its charm. The temple is also famous for its association with the Japanese 10-yen coin.
You’ll also try matcha-making in Uji, a city renowned for its high-quality matcha. Learn how to prepare authentic Uji matcha in this hands-on experience.
For lunch, you’ll enjoy an authentic sushi-making experience and taste the sushi you create yourself. Learn the art of sushi-making from an expert instructor!
Kasuga Taisha Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage site and part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.
Todaiji Temple is one of Nara’s most famous landmarks. Standing about 15 meters tall, the Great Buddha is housed inside the largest wooden structure in the world, where you can view this colossal statue.
At Nara Park, you’ll enjoy seeing friendly deer roam freely, adding to the park’s peaceful and charming atmosphere.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
8:00 AM – 8:15 AM Hotel Pick-up Service We will meet you at your preferred hotel. ※The exact pick-up time will be confirmed and communicated to you later.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please arrive at the meeting location 15 minutes prior to the departure time.
- IMPORTANT: The bus will depart according to the schedule and will not wait for late arrivals.
- Please be aware that weekends, holidays, and event days may experience high levels of congestion.
- The schedule is subject to change without prior notice.
- This tour utilizes a bus, and there may be delays in arrival time due to traffic or other factors.
- Due to traffic or other reasons, the duration of visits at each destination may be shortened, and arrival times may be delayed.
- Refunds will not be provided if you fail to arrive at the meeting location on time (no-show).
- The departure time listed in the itinerary is subject to change.
- Please refer to the final information that will be sent at least three days prior to the tour date.
- In the event of a natural disaster, such as a typhoon, the tour will be canceled, and a full refund will be issued.
- Wearing your seatbelt is mandatory while the bus is in motion due to legal regulations.
- Smoking is strictly prohibited on the bus.
- Please refrain from standing while the bus is in motion.
- If you accidentally leave any belongings on the bus, please be aware that they will be disposed of.
- Please take personal responsibility for your valuables.
- Please inform us of any allergies or dietary restrictions when you book.
Reviews(13)
We had a great day: great visit, our guide explained everything and made sure everything went well. The only downside, the manufacture of suchi and matcha tea could not be done. I recommend it anyway.
This was a really excellent tour, such a variety of sights to see around Nara and Kyoto, from temples, to gardens and a really lovely lunch. The guide Emiko was very knowledgable and attentative to the Group. Throughout the tour she engaged very well with the participants.
Yoko is an excellent guide. Very knowledgeable, informative and friendly. My favourite part was the Arashima bamboo forest. It was a small group and only 3 of us continued for the full day including lunch. It’s an excellent way to cram lots of the key sites in. Was disappointed that the palace was missed but it’s closed.
Emi was a great guide. The most memorable part for me was the bamboo forest and walk back along the river, and the golden temple was the most spectacular part.
Golder pavilion is a beautiful place to visit. All tour is enjoyable. The guide is very helpful but his English is bit hard to catch some time
Lovely tour of some of Kyoto’s important historic sites. Our guide Aki was very attentive and knowledgeable. Great way to cover a lot of ground in one day.
It was great to see a range of special sites across Nara and Kyoto, with a comfortable bus and convenient pickup locations. We had time to see and take pictures, and to learn a bit about each location, but you'll need to look elsewhere for deeper information. Not many tour participants finished the included lunch, however, so think about some taking snacks with you. The guides were chatty and open to questions.
Navigating the subway from Osaka to Nara. I wouldn't have done it on my own. Great day trip. Enjoyable locations. Lot of walking, have good walking shoes. Great lunch included. Visiting the shrines was captivating.
Wow 🤩 what an incredible day trip to Nara with the 🦌 deers and temples. Two amazing Temples in Kyoto and my favorite place was a quaint old town at the base of the mountainside where all the bamboo trees were. So beautiful. This tour was such a highlight for us. Fantastic 🦌🥢🎎
The guide was good but the tour was stressful. Too little time at each site, would have benefited from less planned stops. The lunch was not good. Nara was wonderful and the sights were beautiful.
