Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Kazu

December, 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　10:00　Meet at JR Nara Station
  • ②　10:05　Explanation of the itinerary and the history of Nara at the station
  • ③　10:20　Stroll along Sanjo-dori Street
  • ④　10:40　Stroll around Naramachi (Naramachi Museum, Koshindo Hall, Jizo Bodhisattva, etc.)
  • ⑤　11:00　Gangoji Temple
  • ⑥　12:30　Lunch
  • ⑦　13:30　Deer of Nara Park
  • ⑧　14:00　Todaiji Temple
  • ⑨　15:00　Kasuga Taisha Shrine
  • ⑩　16:00　Disband at JR Nara Station

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

The guests were visitors from North America, planning to stay in Japan for an extended period. They first stayed in Kyoto and Osaka, and today they toured Nara before returning to their hotel in Osaka. Afterward, they planned to visit Hiroshima, Kobe, Nagoya, Hakone, and Tokyo, which sounded wonderful. Since they wanted to learn about the history of Japan and Nara, I focused on sharing the history of the ancient capital of Nara along with stories about Buddhism and Shinto. As I have found with previous guests, one of the guests mentioned becoming fascinated with the warlords of Japan's Warring States period through a video game. At Gangoji Temple, I tried explaining the worldview of Pure Land Buddhism — what Amida Nyorai, Yakushi Nyorai, and Dainichi Nyorai represent. I worried it might be difficult, but they listened patiently. One of the guests seemed to have little interest in history or Buddhism, but was delighted with the food — the persimmon leaf sushi, tempura, and nyumen noodle set were a big hit! Of course, the guests bought deer crackers and played with the deer, and I took many photos of those moments, which I sent to them afterward.

Click here for more details: Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Kazu

Hello, this is Kazu Akiyama, your tour guide. Nice to meet you and welcome to Japan. Thank you for joining me on the tour. Now I am a retired salaried worker, living in Osaka. I have been very much interested in not only learning Japanese history, culture, religion myself, but also talking about them (sometimes going off topics) in English with tourists from all over the world as well. I am so excited being with you as your guide on coming day! I am very much looking forward to you enjoying with me visiting the must-see places and some of the hidden gems. See you soon. Thank you – Kazu Akiyama

Request Booking

Jul 29, 2026
James_G
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great guide and very…
Great guide and very knowledgeable.…

Jul 13, 2026
peterhR6472GA
Kyoto highlights with Kazu.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
A wonderful day with Kazu…

Jul 12, 2026
cgalvez73
Fantastic tour guide
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Our guide in Kyoto was Kazu.…

Jun 23, 2026
Winni_H
Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Highly recommended when in Kyoto
Our tour guide…