Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Toshi

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. 9:00 Meet at the hotel
  • 2. 9:30 Guide to Nandaimon Gate
  • 3. 10:00 Guide to the Great Buddha Hall
  • 4. 11:00 Guide to Okumura Group
  • 5. 11:45 Guide to Kasuga Taisha Shrine
  • 6. 12:30 Guide to Hokke-do Hall
  • 7. 13:00 Guide to Nigatsu-do Hall
  • 8. 13:30 Guide to Hikawa Shrine
  • 9. 14:00 Guide to Yoshikien Garden
  • 10. 14:30 Guide to Kofuku-ji Temple
  • 11. 15:00 Guide to the shopping street including Nakatani-do
  • 12: 15:15 Disband in front of Kintetsu Nara Station

Title: What Can You See on a Private Day Tour of Nara? A Licensed Guide's Report

I met the guests, a group visiting from North America, on time at their Hotel, and after discussing the day's sightseeing route, we decided to focus the main itinerary on Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, Nigatsu-do, and Kofuku-ji, and to stay flexible for the rest. One of the guests had visited Japan several times before, and the guests were both very interested in Japan, so the tour proceeded with many questions about religion. At the Great Buddha Hall, I explained Japanese Buddhism while comparing Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. Since the guests felt a bit chilly and wished to take a break, we had tea at a café within the Todai-ji grounds and talked about the Japanese view of religion. After that, because one of the guests had professional ties to civil engineering and construction, I arranged for them to experience earthquake-resistant structures and their mechanisms at Okumura-gumi, which was greatly appreciated. We then walked to Kasuga Taisha while I explained the background of the deer in Nara Park, and I described Shinto in comparison with Buddhism. Finally, I guided them to Himuro Shrine, Yoshikien Garden, Kofuku-ji, and Nakatanidou, bringing the day's sightseeing to a close. The weather was fine, making for an enjoyable day of guiding, and at the end the guests offered warm and courteous thanks.

Click here for more details: Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day 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…