Nara in One Day: Guide to Kofukuji & Guide to Naramachi — Guide Toshi

April, 2025

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

  • 10:00: Meet at Kintetsu Nara Station
  • 10:30: Guide to Kofukuji Temple
  • 11:00: Stroll through Nara Park
  • 11:30: Guide to Okumura Corporation Research Institute
  • 12:30: Guide to Kasuga Taisha Shrine
  • 13:00: Guide to Nigatsudo Hall
  • 14: 00: Guide to Todaiji Temple Great Buddha Hall
  • 14:30: Lunch @ Izasa
  • 15:30: Guide to Naramachi
  • 16:00: Disband in front of Kintetsu Nara Station

Title: What Is a Private Walking Tour of Nara Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group from North America with a strong interest in Japanese culture, and I received many questions from them. At Kofukuji Temple, they took an interest in Jizo Bodhisattva and children, as well as Kannon Bodhisattva, and they were also intrigued by the Saigoku Pilgrimage. In Nara Park, they took photographs while watching travelers interact with the deer. Afterward, I guided them to Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and when I explained the legendary connection between the many deer in Nara Park and Kasuga Taisha as a legend, they seemed convinced. We then proceeded from Kasuga Taisha through Wakakusayama to Nigatsudo Hall, where they watched a video of the Omizutori ceremony in the rest area and walked along the corridor. From Nigatsudo we moved to the Great Buddha Hall, and after I explained about the Great Buddha, the guests enjoyed a persimmon leaf sushi lunch at a restaurant. Finally, I guided them through Naramachi, and as the parting time approached, we moved to Kintetsu Nara Station, where we said our goodbyes.

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…