expedia
A traditional Japanese interior with tatami flooring, sliding doors, and a person standing by a stone lantern. 1
A meeting in a bright room with large windows, a white table, and wooden chairs. 2
A person receiving a massage in a room with wooden flooring and a bench. 3
A library with bookshelves filled with books, a wooden chair, and a carpeted floor. 4
A traditional Japanese building with a curved roof, wooden beams, and a stone pathway leading to it. 5
By TSUGU Standards
Free cancellation available
Price is €56 per adult* *Get a lower price by selecting multiple adult tickets
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 3h 30m
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation

Overview

  • Discover Nara through its architecture and living culture. Led by a guide with a background in architecture and design, this private walk reveals the stories behind ancient temples and shrines, traditional machiya townhouses and contemporary spaces—and how they continue to be preserved, adapted and carried forward.

    The experience concludes with a private visit to the historic residence of a local architect who has played an important role in the preservation and renewal of Naramachi. Over a cup of tea, explore traditional Japanese construction and the process of restoring historic buildings through photographs, drawings and hands-on joinery samples.

    We look forward to sharing this lesser-known side of Nara with you.

Activity location

  • Shika no Fune Mayu
    • 11 Inouecho
    • 630-8317, Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • JR Nara Sta. (East Gate)
    • 1
    • 630-8122, Nara, Nara, Japan

Multiple meeting/redemption points available, see location information for full list

Check availability

Meet at Shika no Fune Mayu

  • Activity duration is 3 hours and 30 minutes3h 30m
    3h 30m
  • English

Starting point:
Shika no Fune Mayu, 11 Inouechō, Nara, 630-8317, Japan

Language options: English
Starting time: 09:30
Price details
€28.20 x 2 Adults€56.40
Total
Price is €56.40
Until Wed, 11 Nov

Meet at JR Nara Station

  • Activity duration is 3 hours and 30 minutes3h 30m
    3h 30m
  • English

Meet at JR Nara Station: Meet your guide at JR Nara Station and take a local bus to the starting point for our walk
Starting point:
JR Nara Sta. (East Gate), 1 Sanjohonmachi, Nara, 630-8122, Japan

Language options: English
Starting time: 09:00
Price details
€33.84 x 2 Adults€67.68
Total
Price is €67.68
Until Wed, 11 Nov

Meet at Kintetsu Nara Station

  • Activity duration is 3 hours and 30 minutes3h 30m
    3h 30m
  • English

Meet at Kintetsu Nara Station : Meet your guide at Kintetsu Nara Station @9am and take a local bus to the starting point for our walk
Starting point:
Kintetsu-Nara Station, Japan, 630-8215 Nara, Nishimikadochō, 東向中町29

Language options: English
Starting time: 09:00
Price details
€33.84 x 2 Adults€67.68
Total
Price is €67.68
Until Wed, 11 Nov

What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    Special admission to Architect's residence and Registered Cultural Property
  • Exclusions
    Local Bus Ride to get to Mayu, the starting point for our walk
  • Exclusions
    Gango-ji Admission- paid on site

Know before you book

    • Public transport options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.
    • This activity is provided by a professional trader (a party acting within their trade, business or profession).

Activity itinerary

Shika no Fune Mayu

  • 10m
The walk starts with a brief stop at Mayu, the tourist information centre within the Shika-no-Fune complex at the southern edge of Naramachi. Housed in a beautifully renovated historic building, Mayu offers a quiet place to sit down, review the itinerary, and make sure everyone is comfortable before we begin our architecture walk through the historic area. After meeting your guide at your selected meeting point—Kintetsu-Nara Station or JR Nara Station—we will travel together by local bus to Mayu.

Naramachi Koshino Ie

  • 30m
Step inside Naramachi Koshi-no-Ie to experience the layout and character of a traditional machiya townhouse. Explore its lattice façade, narrow street frontage, deep interior, earthen passage, courtyard and storehouse while learning how architecture responded to family life, work, climate and local customs.

Koshindo

  • 5m
Walk through the intimate streets of Naramachi and discover how spiritual beliefs became part of everyday life. At Koshin-do, learn about the colourful migawari-zaru charms and the Koshin tradition

Gango-ji Temple

  • 30m
  • Admission ticket not included
Trace the hidden footprint of ancient Gango-ji through the streets before entering the UNESCO World Heritage temple. Examine early roof tiles, reused timbers and buildings that have been repaired and adapted over centuries.

Goryojinja Shrine

  • 10m
Pause at Goryo Shrine, once a guardian shrine of Gango-ji and now revered as a protector of Naramachi. Take a quiet moment to offer a prayer for safety and well-being before continuing the walk.

Kidera No Ie (Pass by)

Continue from historic Naramachi into its evolving present. As we pass places such as CINI and Kidera-no-Ie, notice how these contemporary reuse projects reinterpret existing buildings, materials and techniques while respecting the scale, memory and character of the area.

bird bird

  • 40m
The walk concludes with a special visit to Fujioka House, the historic home of an architect who has contributed significantly to the preservation and renewal of Naramachi. At Bird Bird, the next door to Fujioka House, explore traditional Japanese construction and the process of repairing and adapting wooden buildings through photographs, drawings and hands-on joinery samples over cups of tea. We will also share the idea of SUMITSUGU—carrying architecture, craftsmanship and the stories they hold into the future.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Shika no Fune Mayu
    • 11 Inouecho
    • 630-8317, Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    JR Nara Sta. (East Gate)
    • 1
    • 630-8122, Nara, Nara, Japan
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Shika no Fune Mayu
    • 11 Inouechō
    • 630-8317, Nara, Nara, Japan
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Kintetsu-Nara Station
    • Nishimikadochō
    • 630-8215, Nara, Nara, Japan

Best Deals on Things to Do

Experience the wonders of the world up close with great deals on things to do near and far. Expedia offers one-of-a-kind activities that allow you to explore Nara your way. Whether you love nature, culture, food or a bit of adventure, we have the perfect activity for you.

Top experiences in Nara

With so many things to do in Nara, planning the perfect day out may seem like a daunting task. Expedia is here to take the hassle out of finding the best attractions, tours and activities in Nara. Families, couples and business travellers can all find the perfect activity in Nara to create life-long memories with the help of Expedia.