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Discover Japan’s spiritual and artistic heritage with a guided tour of Horyuji Temple, the world’s oldest wooden building. Learn about local history, experience Japanese calligraphy, and enjoy a delicious regional lunch in the peaceful town of Ikaruga, Nara.
Highlights
- Visit Horyuji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s oldest wooden structure
- Learn the fascinating history of the temple and the ancient town of Ikaruga
- Experience Japanese calligraphy using a brush pen and write your name in kanji
- Enjoy a traditional lunch featuring Tatsuta-age (Nara-style fried chicken) and hand-prepared matcha latte
- Take home your handwritten kanji artwork as a meaningful souvenir
Full Description
Begin your cultural journey at Horyuji Sando Bus Stop, where your guide will welcome you. A short ride will bring you to Horyuji Temple, a historical treasure that dates back to the 7th century and stands as the world’s oldest wooden building.
With your guide, walk through the sacred temple grounds, including the Kondo (Main Hall) and Pagoda, while learning about Prince Shotoku and the role Horyuji played in the spread of Buddhism in Japan.
After the temple visit, continue to a local calligraphy workshop. Learn how to write your name in kanji using a brush pen—a simplified yet expressive style of Japanese calligraphy. You’ll receive personal guidance, and your final work will be mounted on decorative paper to take home as a keepsake.
End the experience with a relaxing meal at Fukokuen, a charming restaurant housed in a historic building. Enjoy a set meal featuring Tatsuta-age, a regional specialty, and prepare your own traditional matcha latte under gentle instruction.
Itinerary
Meeting Point:
Horyuji Sando Bus Stop
1-chōme-8 Hōryūji, Ikaruga, Ikoma District, Nara 636-0116, Japan
- Pickup and short car transfer (5 minutes)
- Calligraphy Workshop (1 hour)
- Short drive and walk to the temple
- Horyuji Temple Guided Tour (2 hours)
- Walk to Fukokuen Restaurant (3 minutes)
- Lunch and Matcha Making (1 hour)
- Tour ends at Fukokuen
Pricing
From ¥13,800 per person
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Includes
- Guided tour of Horyuji Temple
- Japanese calligraphy experience (with brush pen and materials)
- Local specialty lunch featuring Tatsuta-age
- Matcha latte experience
- All necessary transfers during the tour
Reviews
“We had a great time and enjoyed every second with our local tour guide. She was so nice and welcoming. We learned a lot about the temple and the area around it. Also the calligraphy course was amazing. We practiced writing our names and got a lot of help during the process. After that, we wrote our names on a nice paper plate. And then we enjoyed a very nice local Japanese dinner. Highly recommend it.”
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