Immerse yourself in Japanese history and culture, during this exploration of the temples, shrines, and attractions found in the country’s former capital city of Nara. Spend a few hours discovering this historically significant capital, first established in the 8th century, as you admire its wealth of important religious sites and a one-of-a-kind deer park nearby.

Start your Nara trip in the afternoon with a pickup at the Avanti Tour Desk near Kyoto Station. After your pickup, proceed by vehicle on your Nara excursion. The city of Nara was founded in 710, when it was designated as the country’s first permanent capital. Nara, or Heijo as it was then known, was home to many of the most important Buddhist monasteries in the then-nascent Japanese empire, which made it a key center of political and religious power. As Nara’s power and influence grew, the city became a threat to the government, leading the country’s rulers to move the capital to Nagaoka in 784. Despite this shift in fortunes, Nara retains a wealth of important historical sites, including some of Japan’s most important Buddhist temples.

Stop by Nara’s Todaji Temple to start your trip. This magnificent edifice, constructed in the 8th century, is among the country’s most important religious buildings. Explore the temple’s Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), one of the largest wooden buildings in the world, along with its immense bronze Buddha statue, which are just some of the treasures to be found in this incredible attraction.

Continue your Nara trip with a visit to its famous deer park, a unique 1,250-acre preserve where more than 1,000 deer freely roam. Admire these gentle creatures as they graze and wander the park.

Finish your discovery of Nara at the Shinto shrine of Kasuga, a serene site that features a collection of more than 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. After leaving Kasuga, return by vehicle for a drop-off at the original departure point.

Get more out of your time in Kyoto by joining a private walking tour with a scholarly guide who is an expert in Japanese culture and history. This customizable tour usually includes the city’s main highlights: Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji (the Golden and Silver Temples), Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, and the Bamboo Forest Trail. Learn more than you would touring independently.