Meet your guide and board the express train to Nara to begin the day's journey. Pass by the Gyoki Statue and explore the Kofukuji Temple grounds while learning about the history of the Heijo-kyo imperial capital. From there, head to Nara Park to see the friendly, free-roaming Sika deer, considered sacred messengers of the gods in Shinto. Take in the lush greenery and snap some photos with the deer, the symbol of Nara, before visiting Todaiji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses the awe-inspiring Great Buddha (Daibutsu), one of Japan's largest bronze statues of Buddha. Enjoy a traditional lunch at Kotoya Restaurant featuring local Nara specialties, then visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine, adorned with thousands of hanging lanterns. Finally, take a stroll through Naramachi to see the narrow lanes lined with well-preserved traditional merchant houses that capture the essence of the Edo period.
Duration: 8 hours