A 2-Day Experience to Immerse in the Culture of Ancient Nara: Discover Kohfukuji Temple’s Secrets and Buddhist Culture

We invite you to a special two-day experience that delves deep into the history and culture of Nara. Through this tour, explore ancient temples and shrines such as Kohfukuji and Kasuga Taisha, and come into contact with the rich history and teachings of Japanese Buddhism.

The first day features a tour around the temples and shrines of Nara with a local certified guide, starting with Kohfukuji as the main focus. Using a cutting-edge Kohfukuji Temple tourist visual guide, your exploration of Nara's historical journey begins. After visiting the grounds of Kohfukuji, continue to the majestic main hall of Kasuga Taisha Shrine and the Nara National Museum’s Buddhist Sculpture Hall, each site rich with history. To conclude the day, participate in a special bell-ringing experience at Kohfukuji Temple. Ringing the temple bell, which has marked time in Nara for centuries, lets you experience becoming a part of Nara’s storied past.

The second day takes you to the serene precincts and inner sanctuary of Taima-dera, where you can feel the solemn atmosphere and delve into the deep history of Japanese Buddhism. Participating in a sutra copying session at Nakanobo allows you to engage with Buddhist teachings and achieve a sense of spiritual fulfillment. After enjoying matcha in the garden of Sainan-in, conclude with a visit to a local sake brewery and a sake tasting session. Taste the fusion of traditional yet modern flavors of sake in Nara, the birthplace of Japanese sake.

This tour offers numerous experiences that lead to a deeper understanding of Nara’s rich history and Japanese Buddhist culture. The journey of exploring history, culture, and spirituality will undoubtedly be an unforgettable memory for all who visit.

Kohfukuji Temple is a historic temple founded in 710 when the capital of Nara was established. As the main temple of the Hosso sect of Buddhism, many national ceremonies have been held at Kohfukuji since the Nara period (710-794), and the temple has been deeply involved in the culture and history of the ancient capital of Nara. The temple preserves many masterpieces of Buddhist art, including the Ashura statue, a national treasure which tells the history of Buddhism in Japan. The Chukondo (Central Golden Hall), in particular, is one of the central buildings of Kohfukuji Temple and houses many exquisite Buddhist statues as well as magnificent architecture. In addition, its splendid five-story pagoda and charming gardens offer visitors beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons, symbolizing the harmony between Nara's history and nature.

◎ English-Speaking Guide
◎ Kohfukuji Temple's Chukondo Hall Admission Fee
◎ Bell Ringing Experience at Kohfukuji Temple
◎ Kasuga Taisha Shrine Admission Fee
◎ Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall, Nara National Museum Admission Fee
◎ Taima-dera Temple Admission Fee
◎ Sutra Copying Experience at Taima-dera Temple
◎ Japanese Sake Brewery Tour
× Lunch, dinner, and other food and beverage expenses
× Transportation costs

□ Day 1 (8h)

11:00～ Meet in front of Kintetsu Nara Station: General explanations and start of the tour

11:30～ Visit the Kohfukuji Temple’s grounds and Chukondo Central Golden Hall.
*Using the Kohfukuji Temple Tourist Visual Guide.

13:00〜 Lunch
*We will be happy to recommend restaurants for you.

14:00～ Kasuga Taisha Shrine (Visit of the Main Hall)

15:00～ Feed the deers “shika senbei” deer crackers; Ukimido Pavilion

16:00～ Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall, Nara National Museum

17:45～ Special experience at Kohfukuji Temple (Bell Ringing Experience)

18:00～ End of the tour

18:30〜 Dinner *We will be happy to recommend restaurants for you.

□ Day 2（5.5h）

10:00～ Meet at Kintetsu Nara Station

11:00～ Arrive at Taima-dera Station

11:30～ Visit of Taima-dera’s precincts and Okunoin

12:00〜 Lunch *We will be happy to recommend restaurants for you.

13:00～ Buddhist image tracing or sutra copying experience at Nakanobo

13:30～ Matcha green tea and Japanese sweets in front of the garden of Sainan-in Temple

14:10～ Travel by taxi

14:30～ Brewery tour and Sake tasting

15:30　 End of the tour・Disband on site.
*Taxis can be arranged