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.

Are you Visiting Japan soon?

Let us make your trip effortless. From tickets and hotels to transport and local guides, we arrange everything for you or your group. Whether it’s a music festival in Tokyo or a business conference in Osaka, our custom travel service ensures you enjoy the event stress-free.

Contact Jasumo Now →

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

Buy Now

Need Help Planning Your Japan Trip?

Want Jasumo to help you plan your trip to Japan?
We offer expert travel consultation for tourists looking to book events, shows, cruises, tours, cultural experiences, and more across Japan.

Let us take the stress out of planning—just reach out and tell us what you’re looking for!

???? Contact us at: https://jasumo.com/contact/

Need Japan SIM cards / WiFi Devices?

If you need SIM cards or eSIMs for Japan at a very discounted price, visit our sister company:
https://Omoriwifi.com

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.”

Planning a Group Trip to Japan?

From corporate teams to friends traveling together, we create tailor-made travel packages. Enjoy VIP access, curated itineraries, and full support from our local experts. Tell us your plans, and we’ll handle the rest.

Contact Jasumo Now →