Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Toshi

What Is a Private Nara Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Todaiji, Nara Park, and More

Due to a typhoon, the trains were delayed, and I was only able to meet the guests one hour after the scheduled time of noon. After gathering at Nara Station, because of the extreme heat I recommended taking the bus, and we headed to our first destination, Todaiji Temple. First, while walking to the Great South Gate, I explained the historical background of why deer are present in Nara Park, then described the Nio guardian statues at the gate, and moved on to the Great Buddha Hall to enter. I explained that the Great Buddha Hall is the largest wooden building in the world, and once inside, I described the imposing Great Buddha, the attendant statues, and the Four Heavenly Kings. After the Great Buddha Hall, we walked to Nigatsudo Hall, where I explained the "Omizutori" ceremony, and then left Todaiji Temple. We stopped by a construction research facility, where the guests experienced an earthquake simulation and gained an understanding of earthquake-resistant architecture in Japan, a country prone to earthquakes. After that, I guided them to Himuro Shrine, the shrine known as the birthplace of ice in Japan, and we visited the nearby Yoshikien Garden to avoid the extreme heat, passing through Kofukuji Temple and moving on to Sarusawa Pond. I had hoped to let them watch the mochi pounding at Nakatanido, but Nakatanido had already closed, so they were unable to see the mochi pounding. From there we set off walking toward Nara Station, but along the way we were caught in a sudden downpour and hurried quickly to Nara Station. Because of the heavy rain, I expressed my thanks for the tour there and we parted ways. The guests today were visitors from Europe. The guests had visited Tokyo before on trips, but this was the first time traveling here together, and they said they were enjoying the sightseeing.

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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.