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Wonderful tour and tea experience
This was a wonderful experience with an amazing tour guide, Yoshi. My family and I would definitely recommend to others wanting the full experience of the garden with its rich history.
Nara: Isuien Garden Tour with Matcha Tea Experience
+13 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Price from
- $102 / person
- Location
- Nara, Japan
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 1 reviews
- Languages
- JA, EN
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- DeepExperience
- Meeting point
- The meeting point for the tour is in front of the entrance gate to Isuien Garden. Your guide will be waiting for you holding a yellow sign. Please refer to the map for the exact location.
Description
What sets this tour apart is the rare combination of guided insight, scenic harmony, and immersive tradition—all in one serene location. Unlike typical garden visits, this experience includes not only a walk through one of Nara’s most beautifully preserved historical gardens, but also a carefully guided exploration of its unique design, history, and the art of shakkei (borrowed scenery). You'll learn how the garden uses nature and architecture to craft living works of art—then sit down to enjoy freshly prepared matcha in the building with the finest view of the garden. It’s a tour that brings Japanese beauty to life through sight, story, and taste.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, and Sun
- Start times
- 10 times a day, 9:30 AM–2:00 PM
- Next available
- Sun, Oct 11
- Adult
- $102
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $149.
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 10.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Isuien Garden
Isuien Garden is one of Nara’s finest traditional Japanese gardens, located just a short walk from Todai-ji and Nara Park. Uniquely composed of two distinct sections—one from the Edo period and another from the Meiji era—it offers a rare chance to experience the evolution of garden design in a single space. The highlight of Isuien is its exquisite use of shakkei, or borrowed scenery. From the rear garden, you can enjoy a breathtaking view that seamlessly incorporates Todai-ji’s Great South Gate and Mount Mikasa (Wakakusa-yama) into the landscape, blending natural and architectural elements into one tranquil composition. Visitors can also enjoy a peaceful matcha tea experience in a traditional building perfectly positioned to appreciate the garden’s seasonal beauty. Whether you visit in spring, summer, autumn, or winter, Isuien offers a serene and deeply cultural escape into the essence of Japanese aesthetics.
What's included
Included
Guided tour of Isuien Garden
Matcha tea ceremony
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
1 reviews
How it compares in Nara
- Starting price $102 is 43% above the typical $71 for tours of similar length in Nara
Excurgo comparison of 124 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Nara: Isuien Garden Tour with Matcha Tea Experience take?
Nara: Isuien Garden Tour with Matcha Tea Experience lasts about 2 hours. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does Nara: Isuien Garden Tour with Matcha Tea Experience cost?
Prices start at $102 per person for this Nara experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $149. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Nara: Isuien Garden Tour with Matcha Tea Experience run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with 10 departures a day between 9:30 AM and 2:00 PM.
Can I cancel Nara: Isuien Garden Tour with Matcha Tea Experience for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is The meeting point for the tour is in front of the entrance gate to Isuien Garden. Your guide will be waiting for you holding a yellow sign. Please refer to the map for the exact location. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Nara: Isuien Garden Tour with Matcha Tea Experience offered in?
The experience is available in JA, EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 6 travellers can book together.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Nara: Isuien Garden Tour with Matcha Tea Experience worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 1 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by DeepExperience.
Reviews(1)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
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| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nara: Isuien Garden Tour with Matcha Tea Experience | 2 hours | 5.0 (1) | $102 | |
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from$102
5.0(1) Free cancellation