Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Board your motorcoach for this full-day excursion through Nara and Osaka, and prepare to explore the historic spiritual and natural beauty of this region of Japan.

After an hour-long ride to Nara, Japan's first permanent capital, your first stop is Todaiji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the headquarters of the Kegon school of Japanese Buddhism. It is one of the country's most famous and historically significant temples, first built on this site in the year 728. Today, the immense Great Buddha Hall at Todaiji, which was the world's largest wooden building, holds a bronze Great Buddha statue that is nearly 50 feet tall and weighs 500 tons!

One thing you will notice on the grounds are the sika deer that roam freely. These large spotted deer are considered messengers of the gods in the Shinto religion and so are given free rein. Deer can be seen throughout Nara, particularly in verdant Nara Park, where vendors even sell "deer biscuits" that the deer will eat right from your hands!

It is just a short walk to your next destination, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, one of the most beautiful and celebrated Shinto shrines in Nara, featuring over 2000 stone and bronze lanterns. Established in 768 and rebuilt numerous times over the years, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pause for a delicious and refreshing lunch at a local restaurant before re-boarding your motorcoach and heading to Osaka, where your first stop will be the world-famous Osaka Castle.

This exceptional white and gold Osaka landmark was originally built toward the end of the 16th century by the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It was burned and rebuilt several times over the centuries, undergoing a major reconstruction in the early 20th century and a renovation in 1997. The main castle structure is situated on a raised stone foundation with two surrounding moats. It has five stories on the exterior and eight stories on the interior, which extend deep underground. This imposing fortress and the 12 other structures on the grounds have been designated as Important Cultural Assets by the Japanese government and serve as a modern museum. An impressive collection of weapons, armor and other historical artifacts are displayed on the first-through-seventh floors, and a spectacular view can be had from the observation deck on the eighth level. From here, you have clear, panoramic views of the surrounding grounds, the Osaka plain, and the distant mountains (weather permitting).

Finally, no visit to Osaka would be complete without checking out the Dotonbori District, the most visited commercial street in the city. Neon signs, bars and restaurants line the boulevard, and there is something for everyone at this feast for the eyes and stomach!

You will arrive back at the pier full of the rich sights and sounds of your day.