Touch the Buddha’s Feet Experience
+ Sushi Bento & Free Shuttle

Experience the exclusive hasedera temple rituals, explore historic sites, and enjoy an authentic local sushi bento lunch — all with seamless English guidance and free shuttle service from Nara City.

Highlights

1.

Touch the Buddha’s Feet at Hasedera temple

2.

Cinema-like photo shoots at photogenic spots

3.

Taste nara's local sushi Bento

4.

Visit a cultural property restoration site

5.

English-speaking local guide

6.

Free round-trip shuttle service from Nara City

Gallery

What You'll Experience

Visit 3 spots of Nara
other than "Deer"
in just half a day!

Experience the Ritual of Touching the Buddha's Feet at Hasedera Temple

You can have the unique opportunity to touch the feet of the Buddha (Kannon Buddhist statue)
Hase-dera is a temple with deep historical significance, offering a serene experience where traditional Japanese culture and nature harmoniously coexist. Our guide will highlight the most photogenic locations, enabling you to capture images like movies.

Take movie-like photos
at photogenic spots

Take photos of the beautiful flowers and wooden corridors at Hasedera Temple. Our guide will highlight the most photogenic locations, enabling you to capture images like movies.

Taste Authentic Local Cuisine in a traditional kominka (old folk house)

For lunch, enjoy Nara’s specialty, kakinoha sushi (persimmon leaf sushi),  and other delicious local delicacies at a lovely cafe along the approach to Hase Temple. Please enjoy a relaxing moment while savoring local delicacies in an elegant setting.

Watch the restoration of a Buddhist statue and shopping for local specialties

This is a rare opportunity to learn about the efforts to preserve Japan’s cultural heritage.
This is Japan’s first facility where you can easily observe cultural heritage restoration work all year round! You’ll have the chance to visit restoration sites in four fields: ‘Sculptures like Buddhist statues,’ ‘Paintings and calligraphy,’ ‘Historic buildings,’ and ‘Archaeological artifacts.’ Expert technicians work in each field to preserve these valuable cultural assets and pass them down to future generations.
Additionally, you can shop for high-quality local specialties, including crafts unique to Nara. As this location is difficult to access via public transportation, our service provides a special opportunity for you to visit.

Reviews

25/07/14
A peaceful and cultural half-day trip to Nara with Your Japan Discovery.
We started at the beautiful Hasedera Temple, where we had the rare chance to touch the feet of sacred Buddha statues, such a calming and meaningful experience.
For lunch, we visited Yamatobito, a charming restored old house, and enjoyed a Nara sushi bento featuring local specialties like persimmon leaf sushi and colorful chirashi 🍣
We ended the tour at the Nara History and Art Cultural Village, where artisans were carefully preserving ancient Buddha statues and paintings. Watching their delicate work up close was so inspiring.
It was the perfect way to explore Nara’s traditions, culture, and flavors. The best part is, it was all in just a few hours!
25/07/11
Such a special day in Nara!🪻 Joined the culture tour with “Your Japan Discovery” and loved every moment!
✨ Got to touch the feet of sacred Buddha statues at beautiful Hasedera Temple
🍣 Enjoyed the most delicious local sushi bento in a cozy, old-style house
🎨 Watched amazing artisans restoring ancient Buddhist art up close
Our guide was super friendly and full of cool stories about Nara’s history. Plus, the free shuttle made everything super easy. Highly recommend if you want a fun and meaningful day in Nara! 😊🧡
25/07/25
Fizemos um tour incrível por Nara com a agência Your Japan Discovery. A primeira parada foi no templo Hasedera, onde tivemos a chance de tocar os pés de estátuas sagradas de Buda, uma experiência única e cheia de significado. Depois, almoçamos em uma casa tradicional lindamente restaurada, com um bento típico da região: sushi na folha de caqui e um chirashi super colorido.

Pra fechar, visitamos um dos templos mais antigos do Japão, cheio de “galinhas sagradas”, como brincou o guia (sim, galinhas mesmo kkk). Foi uma experiência linda, cheia de história e natureza, que trouxe uma paz boa e uma conexão especial com o Japão. Fora o calor insuportável de quase 40°, a experiência foi ótima!!
25/07/25
Spent so beautiful and enjoyable time with @yourjapandiscovery, thank you, as per your name I discovered #nara newly 🫶

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Price

Adult

Age 12+

$120

per person

Child

Age 3~12

$90

per person

Infant

Age 0~2

$0

per person

Inclusions

Guide service(English-speaking local student guides)

Admission for Hasedera temple

Experience fee

Lunch(Local Sushi Bento)
For vegetarians, a traditional local somen noodle dish — refreshing, and plant-based — is available upon request. Please select your preference at the time of booking. If a meal is declined for personal reasons, it cannot be refunded.)

WiFi on board

Pickup service between destinations and fixed locations

Air-conditioned vehicle

VAT

Exclusions

Personal Consumption

Meals other than lunch

Large Baggage Handling

Force majeure(Additional costs due to force majeure such as traffic jams, strikes, weather, aircraft or mechanical breakdowns, flight cancellations, time changes, etc.)

What's included
Item Details
Guide service English-speaking local guides
Admission Hasedera temple
Experience fee Touching the Buddha’s Feet Experience
Lunch Local Sushi Bento
For vegetarians, a traditional local somen noodle dish — refreshing, and plant-based — is available upon request. Please select your preference at the time of booking. If a meal is declined for personal reasons, it cannot be refunded.
WiFi WiFi on board
Free round-trip shuttle service from Nara City Pickup service between destinations and fixed locations.
Air-conditioned vehicle Comfortable, air-conditioned shuttle bus included as part of the free round-trip transportation service from Nara City.
What's not included
Item Details
Personal Consumption personal consumption, such as shopping, as well as economic losses and compensation costs incurred due to personal negligence or violation of rules and laws.
Additional Meals Meals other than lunch
Large Baggage Handling We are unable to store suitcases or large backpacks. Please leave them at your hotel or use coin lockers available in the city.
Force majeure Additional costs due to force majeure such as traffic jams, strikes, weather, aircraft or mechanical breakdowns, flight cancellations, time changes, etc.

Meeting Points

① Hotel Obana

1110 Takabatake-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, 630-8301, Japan

② NOVOTEL Nara

7-1-45 Omiya-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, 630-8115, Japan

③ JR Nara Station West Exit

1-1 Sanjohonmachi, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, 630-8122, Japan

Vehicle Model

1~10 participants

TOYOTA HIACE Commuter
or equivalent model

11~20 participants

TOYOTA Coaster
or equivalent model

  • The specific vehicle type to be used will be determined based on the number of participants on the day and may be subject to temporary adjustments.
  • Please note that the vehicle type may also be adjusted as necessary depending on weather, road conditions, etc.

Itinerary

10:00 departure

Pick-up from ①Hotel Obana

  • 1110 Takabatake-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, 630-8301, Japan
  • Please arrive 10 minutes before departure time.
  • No waiting for latecomers.

10:10 departure

Pick-up from ②Novotel Nara

  • 7-1-45 Omiya-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, 630-8115, Japan
  • Please arrive 10 minutes before departure time.
  • No waiting for latecomers.

10:20 departure

Pick-up from ③ The West Exit of JR Nara Station

  • 8-1 Sanjo Honmachi, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, 630-8122, Japan
  • Please arrive 10 minutes before departure time.
  • No waiting for latecomers.

11:20
(1 hour)

Hasedera Temple

Located in Nara, Hase-dera is a temple with deep historical significance, offering a serene experience where traditional Japanese culture and nature harmoniously coexist. This special experience takes you through Hase-dera’s rich history, including a unique ritual—touching the feet of the Buddha statue, a tradition symbolizing respect for history and culture. By touching the Buddha’s feet, you’ll connect with Japan’s spiritual heritage, experiencing peace and tranquility. You’ll also have the chance to explore the temple’s stunning architecture and gardens, while our guide offers a detailed explanation of the history and cultural significance of this sacred place.

12:30
(50 mins)

Yamatobito no Kokoromise (Lunch)

For lunch, enjoy Nara’s specialty, kakinoha sushi (persimmon leaf sushi),  and other delicious local delicacies at a lovely cafe along the approach to Hase Temple. Please enjoy a relaxing moment while savoring local delicacies in an elegant setting. 

13:50
(30 mins)

Nara Prefecture Historical and Artistic Culture Complex

This is Japan’s first facility where you can easily observe cultural heritage restoration work all year round! You’ll have the chance to visit restoration sites in four fields: ‘Sculptures like Buddhist statues,’ ‘Paintings and calligraphy,’ ‘Historic buildings,’ and ‘Archaeological artifacts.’ Expert technicians work in each field to preserve these valuable cultural assets and pass them down to future generations.

15:05~15:30

Return to each meeting points

Thank you for joining us!
We look forward to see you again.

Meet at Hotel Obana (pick-up point ①)

10:00AM
Please arrive 10 minutes before departure time.

Novotel Nara (pick-up point ②)

10:10AM
Please arrive 10 minutes before departure time.

JR Nara Station West Exit (pick-up point ③)

10:20AM
Please arrive 10 minutes before departure time.

Hasedera Temple

11:20AM - 12:20PM

Lunch at Yamatobito no kokoromise

12:30PM - 13:20PM

Nara Prefecture Historical and Artistic Culture Complex

13:50PM - 14:20PM

Return to each pick-up points

15:00PM - 15:30PM

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Notes

Capacity : 1–16 participants

Booking Deadline : Until 9:00 AM on the day Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Age : Children under 2 years old travel free of charge if they do not occupy a seat. For safety reasons, persons under 18 years old must be accompanied by at least one adult.

Important notes : The itinerary may change depending on traffic and weather conditions on the day. Please prepare for rain and take measures to prevent heatstroke and cold weather. All photos shown are for illustrative purposes only.

If you do not require free transportation, please let us know using the form. The price will remain the same regardless of whether or not you require free transportation.

Cancellation policy

  • You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • In case of no-show, the amount paid will not be refunded.
  • If you leave during the service for reasons not attributable to us, the amount paid will not be refunded.
  • If we notify you at least one day before your trip that we cannot provide the services and you do not agree to any proposed itinerary changes, you will receive a full refund.
  • In cases where safety is a concern (e.g., natural disasters, war, transportation issues, or government orders), a full refund will be provided.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
How to Cancel
  • Cancel by 9:00 a.m. the day before your reservation:
    Use the “Reservation Management” button in your confirmation email.

    After 9:00 a.m. the day before your reservation:
    Contact us using the information in your confirmation email.

Refunds
  • All refunds processed to your credit card.