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. 11:00 　Meet the guests @ JR Nara Station
  • 2. 11:30 Tour of Kofukuji Temple
  • 3. 12:30 Lunch @ Kamasui
  • 4. 13:30 Nara Park
  • 5. 14:00 Tour of Todaiji Temple (Nandaimon Gate, Great Buddha Hall)
  • 6. 15:30 Tour of Nigatsudo Hall
  • 7. 16:00 Break @ Cafe Conce
  • 8. 17:00 Disband @ Kintetsu Nara Station

What Is a Private One-Day Nara Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

I met the guests at Nara Station, introduced myself, and started the Nara sightseeing tour. At Kofuku-ji Temple, I spent about an hour guiding them through the Jizo Bosatsu, the three-story pagoda, the North Octagonal Hall, the South Octagonal Hall, and the Central Golden Hall before we had lunch at a udon specialty restaurant in the shopping street. After lunch, we walked to Todai-ji Temple. I had planned to have them feed the deer in Nara Park, but the deer crackers were completely sold out, so they were not able to enjoy feeding the deer. Instead, we moved on to the Great South Gate and then to the Great Buddha Hall, where I guided them through each, and from the Great Buddha Hall we went to Nigatsu-do Hall. Fortunately, the souvenir shop there was selling deer crackers, so they were able to feed the deer after all.

However, since one of the guests had become tired, after I explained the Shuni-e ceremony at Nigatsu-do Hall, we took a tea break at a cafe along the approach to Todai-ji Temple. I had planned to guide them to Kasuga Taisha Shrine, but considering the situation and the fact that the guests were thinking of having dinner in the shopping street today, we took a bus from Todai-ji Temple to Kintetsu Nara Station, where we parted ways.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1BusIn front of Todaiji Temple / National Museum～In front of Kintetsu Nara Station250JPY
Total250JPY

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…