Nara Day Trip from Osaka by Private Car — Guide Toshi

July, 2024

This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

Tour Itinerary

  • 1. 8:30 Meet at the hotel @Mimaru Osaka Shinsaibashi North
  • 2. 10:00 Guided tour of Nara Park
  • 3. 10:30 Guided tour of the Great Buddha Hall
  • 4. 12:00 Enter Mount Wakakusa
  • 5. 12:45 Lunch @Tengyokudo
  • 6. 14:00 Guided tour of Naramachi
  • 7. 14:30 Shopping @Nakagawa Shoten
  • 6. 15:30 Disband @Sarusawa Pond

Title: What's a Private Day Trip from Osaka to Nara Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

Today's guests were a family group visiting from Oceania, some of whom were of elementary school age. We met at a hotel in Osaka and boarded a booked taxi to travel to Nara, and the departure was lively with conversation about introductions and their experiences in Japan. First, in Nara, we did the deer feeding at Nara Park that the younger members of the group had wished to do. They enjoyed feeding the deer while being chased by many of them. After a leisurely stroll through Nara Park, I guided them to the Nandaimon Gate and the Great Buddha Hall. Since one of the guests had a background in teaching, I received many questions about Japan, especially about Japanese food. They showed a spirit of taking on any challenge and were having many experiences. After the Great Buddha Hall, we climbed the long stone steps and enjoyed the spectacular view from the summit of Mount Wakakusa. Although it was hot and humid, the summit was pleasant with a breeze blowing. We descended from the mountain gate, and since they wished to have kuzumochi for lunch, they enjoyed kuzu udon at a restaurant where I had made a reservation the day before, along with kuzumochi for dessert, which was well received. After that, since it began to rain during lunch, we moved to the Naramachi area, where I guided them on a stroll and to a well-known local souvenir shop. As the guests mentioned that it would not be necessary for me to accompany them back to the hotel after strolling around Naramachi, we parted ways at Sarusawa Pond.

Click here for more details: Nara Day Trip from Osaka by Private Car with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Toshi

After a rather long teaching experience at Japanese college, I converted my career about 6 years ago into working as a tour guide for the tourists visiting Japan.
As my career overseas, I’ve been in the UN and the Japanese Embassy, all in the USA, totaling more than 6 years.
And then I had made a big change in my career from a diplomat to an academic researcher. For that career to achieve, I studied abroad and won a doctorate degree in linguistics from Indiana University and landed a teaching position at college in Japan.
With all these interesting and exciting experiences I’ve made myself ready to enrich your tour and make it both enjoyable and worthwhile.

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Apr 26, 2026
39ferdinandr
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Exceptional and entertaining
Great tour better the tour guide Toshi.

Apr 9, 2026
X1429XKclaudiam
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Sehr zu empfehlen
Wir haben als Familie diese 6-stundige Tour durch Kyoto…

Jun 28, 2025
WilliamAlfonso_R
Toshi is a very eloquent, knowledgeable, and diligent tour guide.
Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Toshi was…

May 30, 2025
Z
ZevP5
Best Tour Guide!
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshi was the best guide!! He was so…