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
- 9:00 Meet up @JR Nara Station
- 9:30 Isuien Garden & Neiraku Art Museum
- 10:15 Nara Park
- 11:00 Shinyakushi-ji Temple
- 12:00 Nara National Museum Buddhist Statue Hall
- 12:45 Lunch @Naramachi
- 14:00 Kofuku-ji Temple
- 15:00 Disband @JR Nara Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 9:00 at @JR Nara Station and ended at 15:00. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish. It included lunch @Naramachi at 12:45.
Over the course of the day the route took in Isuien Garden & Neiraku Art Museum at 9:30, Nara Park at 10:15, Shinyakushi-ji Temple at 11:00, Nara National Museum Buddhist Statue Hall at 12:00 and Kofuku-ji Temple at 14:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: JR Nara Station to Kencho-higashi by bus (250JPY); Wariishicho to Kencho-mae by bus (250JPY); Kencho-mae to JR Nara Station by bus (250JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 750JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private Nara Tour Like for Guests Who Prefer to Avoid Crowds? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from Oceania, and this was the first visit to Japan for one of them, while another had previously experienced a homestay in Japan. At first, there was no request for popular spots such as Todai-ji Temple or Kasuga Shrine, as the guests preferred to avoid places with large crowds. I had informed them in advance that this day was the opening day of the Shosoin Exhibition at the Nara National Museum, but they chose to skip it, expecting it to be crowded. However, they were very interested in Japanese gardens and Buddhist statues, and I believe the guests were thoroughly satisfied.
This private tour was arranged through [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures. [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is a winner of the Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best and is not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Click here for more details: Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Bus | JR Nara Station～Kencho-higashi | 250JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Wariishicho～Kencho-mae | 250JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Kencho-mae～JR Nara Station | 250JPY |
| Total | 750JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Nara tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @JR Nara Station at 9:00, and the tour finished at @JR Nara Station at 15:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours in total, from 9:00 to 15:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Isuien Garden & Neiraku Art Museum, Nara Park, Shinyakushi-ji Temple, Nara National Museum Buddhist Statue Hall and Kofuku-ji Temple.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 750JPY per person across 3 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Hiro is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Nara itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Thanks for joining our tour. I’m Hiro Nakagawa, assigned to be your guide for this tour. I was eligible as a National Licensed Tour Guide in 2017. I have guided many tourists from overseas since then. Japan is a beautiful country with full of various attractions. Please enjoy your time in this country to the fullest. I will help you with that. What are you interested in this country? I will introduce this country’s long history, traditional culture, beautiful seasonal highlights, and delicious food to you. Please let me know your preferences. If it’s other than which I mentioned, I’m preparing it for you as much as possible. Let’s enjoy the trip together!
Jul 13, 2025
H2enjoy
Wonderful Day Trip to Mt. Koya from the Osaka Cruise Terminal
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Jul 13, 2025
H2enjoy
Wonderful Day Trip to Mt. Koya from the Osaka Cruise Terminal
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Japan Guide Agency guide Hiro did an excellent job in escorting my wife and I for a day tour to Mt. Koya, from the Osaka Cruise Terminal. We enjoyed the sanctity of the Mt. Koya area, the peaceful shrines, and the forests of tall trees. Hiro had all the transportation well designed-out, and was able to get us back to the Osaka cruise terminal at the time I had requested. Very satisfied with his service.
Jun 20, 2025
zoranm709
Kyoto great tour experience.
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Enjoyed the sites we were taken. Hiro was…
Jun 20, 2025
zoranm709
Kyoto great tour experience.
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Enjoyed the sites we were taken. Hiro was very humble person. Under the extreme heat
conditions Hiro was very thoughtful & helpful. Thank you Hiro for today we appreciate your
time. Regards Markovski Family.
Jun 18, 2025
Adventurer310309
Cool surprises on our Osaka and Kyoto tours with Hiro.
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My wife…
Jun 18, 2025
Adventurer310309
Cool surprises on our Osaka and Kyoto tours with Hiro.
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My wife and I enjoyed not one by TWO full day tours with Hiro, one in Osaka and one in Kyoto. Hiro knows his stuff and passed along a lot of interesting history. In both cases he came prepared with detailed itineraries including public transit times to make sure we hit all the sites we most wanted to see. When rain became a factor in Kyoto, he adjusted our schedule to optimize for the weather – indoors during heaviest rain and outdoors when weather improved. In Kyoto, he warned us away from eating in one tourist area and instead found an amazing noodle shop for lunch, a completely unique experience. In Osaka, when we found one site he had chosen for us closed – the Museum of Housing & Life – he proposed another site that proved to be very nice. We went to the museum on our own the next day and found it fascinating and fun. He also took us to an outstanding okonomikayi place for lunch. Friendly, well-organized and accommodating, we really enjoyed our tours with Hiro.
May 26, 2025
SK G
Excellent tour
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Mr. Hiro provided an excellent experience. Personable…
May 26, 2025
SK G
Excellent tour
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Mr. Hiro provided an excellent experience. Personable and professional, he accommodated all our expectations.
Highly recommended!
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