Uji and Nara Park Tour - from Kyoto

Spend the morning in Uji, the setting for the final chapters of ‘The Tale of Genji’ and the afternoon in Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital.

We firstly take you to admire Uji Bridge, one of the oldest bridges in Japan which is thought to have originally been built in the 7th century. Absorb the arresting views of the mountains from the bridge and learn about how this city thrived on its location by the banks of Uji-gawa River.

Stroll around Nakanoshima Park, built on a sandbar in the middle of the river and take a tea break to experience the ceremony at an authentic tea house, Taiho-an. Afterwards we make our way to the temple that puts Uji on the map: Byodo-in. The temple is a stunning example of Buddhist Pure Land (Jodo) architecture built near the end of the Heian era. Enjoy a tour around the temple and its equally beautiful gardens before returning to Kyoto for lunch ready for the afternoon portion of the tour in Nara.

Once we arrive in Nara, we start by visiting the star of the show: Nara Park and Todai-ji Temple, also known as the Great Buddha. This is the largest wooden structure in the world which houses the largest bronze figure in the world and is truly awe-inspiring. Absorb the scale of this Unesco World Heritage Site, and as you wander through Nara Park come closer than ever to wild deer; thought to be the shrine messengers.

We continue by seeing one of the most celebrated shrines in the city: Kasuga Taisha. Founded in the 8th century, the shrine is famous for its bronze lanterns that adorn the buildings where you are free to stroll through the areas not requiring admission. To round off the tour we go to Nara Nagomikan, the largest souvenir shop in Nara where you can stock up on local souvenirs to remember your day.