Temples of Nara
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Port
Kobe, Japan
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$280
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 8¼ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Travel to Nara, the cradle of Japanese art and culture during the Tempyo period (AD 710–784). Visit the 7th-century Yakushiji Temple, one of Japan's oldest temples. The main hall was rebuilt in the 1970s after being destroyed by fire.
The Toshodaiji Temple was founded in AD 759 and reopened in late 2009 after a renovation that lasted almost ten years, during which the building was dismantled and reconstructed.
A lunch awaits at a nearby restaurant.
Pause at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Todaiji Temple — headquarters of the Kegon school of Japanese Buddhism. It is one of the country's most famous and historically significant temples. Its immense Great Buddha Hall, which was the world's largest wooden building until 1998, holds a bronze Great Buddha statue that is nearly 50 feet tall and weighs 500 tons.
In the grounds, sika deer roam freely and are considered messengers of the gods in the Shinto religion.
At the end of the day, you'll travel from Nara back to your ship.
Please note:
The drive between Kobe and Nara is approximately 90-minutes each way. Expect traffic and delays. Tour requires a great deal of walking, including 10-15 minutes from the coach parking area to the Todaiji Temple. Terrain includes even and uneven surfaces, cobblestones, inclines, gravel, and steps. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Mobility devices (wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, etc) cannot be accommodated on the transportation. Bring local currency or credit cards, as most vendors do not accept US dollars. Tour sequence may vary. Photography inside Toshodaiji Temple is not allowed. Unfamiliar accents can be challenging; feel free to ask your guide to repeat or elaborate on information, and to speak more slowly so you can fully comprehend and converse.