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
- 9:10 Meet at Kintetsu Nara Station
- 9:45 Yakushiji Temple
- 10:30 Toshodaiji Temple
- 12:10 Heijo Palace Site Historical Park
- 12:40 Kofukuji Temple
- 12:55 Feeding the deer experience while walking through Nara Park
- 13:30 Lunch
- 14:10 Todaiji Temple
- 15:00 Kasuga Taisha Shrine
- 15:40 See you off to JR Nara Station, guide ends
Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Nara Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Temples and Deer Park
The guests were visiting Japan from North America. They had heard from family who traveled to Japan last year that Nara was fascinating, which inspired this tour. They also expressed a strong interest in the architecture of Japanese temples and shrines. I explained Yakushiji Temple, including the East Pagoda, an elegant three-story pagoda that appears to have more levels due to its decorative mokoshi eaves, and the reconstructed "Ryugu-style temple complex." I also introduced the National Treasure statue of Yakushi Nyorai, along with the Nikko and Gakko Bodhisattvas. It was a series of moving experiences for the guests. At Toshodaiji Temple, which remains almost exactly as it was in its original era and where everything is a National Treasure, they were amazed by the raised-floor azekura log storehouse construction. At the Heijo Palace site, I guided them through the reconstructed Suzakumon Gate and the replica of a Japanese envoy ship to Tang China. Walking through Kofukuji Temple, we headed to Nara Park. "Our family told us we absolutely had to experience this," the guests said, enjoying it with childlike delight. For lunch we had tonkatsu and katsu curry. At Todaiji Temple, I explained the uniquely Japanese bracket complexes that support the heavy roof tiles, and they were astonished by the Great Buddha. We walked to Kasuga Taisha Shrine, where I explained the differences between Buddhism and Shinto, and the architectural differences between temples and shrines.
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 | Train | Kintetsu Nara～Nishinokyo | 300JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Nishinokyo～Yamato-Saidaiji | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Yamato-Saidaiji～Suzakumon Hiroba | 100JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Suzakumon Hiroba～Kenchomae | 100JPY |
| Section 5 | Bus | Kasuga Taisha Main Shrine～JR Nara Station | 250JPY |
| Total | 930JPY | ||
My name is Shuji, meaning “Excellent Manager” in English. I was born in Hiroshima 1952. I have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
After graduating Kyoto Univ. I joined Mitsubishi-UFJ Bank, Osaka Branch where I met my wife who was a master of Englsih, so I started studying English.
The bank allowed me to go to Columbia Graduate business school in New York and got MBA Degree there. I worked in London and Manchester Branch.
During staying in U.K., I was introduced by BBC and Financial Times News Paper about my achievement there. I was selected as a personal assistant and interpreter for the President of the Bank.
I made many business trips with him to overseas countries. I experienced as an interpreter for meeting late Henry Kissinger and the President of Citi. Corp.
I changed the job to ORIX corporation, there I was promoted to a Board Member. When the company had acquired Dutch company, I was a member as an accountant to check the Dutch company’s statements of accounts.
My hobbies are cooking, singing a song, playing tennis & golf, enjoy seeing arts especially opera & musical, travel. I am also busy with taking care of grandchildren. I passed Government Licensed Guide Exam. in 2016. After I retired in 2017, I started guide job as a part timer. So far, I accomplished guide job more than 500 times.
My area coverage is from Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji to Kyoto, Nara, Oaka, Hiroshima. I am also able to guide Tea Ceremony, Maiko/Geisha, Sushi Making, Calligraphy, Sumo, Samurai, etc. I can speak excellent English. My knowledge is very wide and deep about not only sightseeing places but Japanese History, Culture, Religion, Daily Life. I know many foreign countries and people. I love talking with all kinds of people including babies with interesting humor.
By the way, I look young for my age of 74.
Jul 16, 2026
salomons666
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Amazing with our guide Shuji very kind and acknowledge
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A great day
A great day in the Company of mr. Shuji.
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A
Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
AmyfromPlano
Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached…
Jun 28, 2026
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Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
AmyfromPlano
Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached out immediately to make sure that we had a customized tour of what we wanted to see and do in Nara. The level of details in his emails was incredible! Not only did Shuji plan a great tour but he also went above and beyond by explaining the Japan rail system, the public transportation cards (Suica, Pasmo, etc.) and even told us exactly what trains, times and gates to exit so that our meetup was seamless. Been on a lot of tours around the world and have never had this level of communication. Once we started our tour, Shuji was articulate, knowledgeable and so much fun! Nara is amazing and Shuji made it so much better – please request him!
Jun 22, 2026
yeseniag981
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Our tour guide Shuji was amazing. He was…
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yeseniag981
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
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Our tour guide Shuji was amazing. He was very knowledgeable and made sure we were able to see everything that we wanted while in Osaka. He even took my 5 year old into consideration and took us to the Pokémon store since he is a Pokémon fan. I would definitely recommend him as a tour guide.