Kyoto: Stroll through Nara Park — Guide Toshi

May, 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

  • 9:30: Meet with guests @Park Hyatt Kyoto
  • 9:45: Depart from the hotel
  • 10:30: Guided tour of Kofuku-ji Temple
  • 11:30: Stroll through Nara Park
  • 12:15: Guided tour of Okumura Training Center
  • 14:30: Guided tour of Kasuga Taisha Shrine
  • 15:00: Purchase knives @"Kikuichi Monju Shirohachiro Kanenaga"
  • 16:00: Guided tour of the Great Buddha Hall
  • 16:30: Lunch @Yume Kaze Hiroba Nara
  • 1830: Disband @Caption by Hyatt Namba

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

After meeting the guests at their hotel, we loaded their many bags into the van and set off for sightseeing in Nara. During conversations in the vehicle, I learned that the guests were visitors from North America. As I had personally visited related places before, we had a lively discussion about religion throughout the drive. In Nara, we visited Kofukuji Temple, and even in its Central Golden Hall the conversation continued on the subject of Buddhism. As a result, today we were able to exchange many opinions about Buddhism and Shinto. One of the main sightseeing goals in Nara was to purchase kitchen knives, and since the prices were quite reasonable, the guests were very pleased. At Nara Park they enjoyed feeding the deer, and at Kasuga Taisha Shrine I was able to explain the essence of Shinto, and they were delighted, saying they had "learned a great deal about Japan's religious culture." Finally, after guiding them to the Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji Temple and the Nandaimon Gate, it had become late, but we were able to have ramen at Yumekaze Hiroba. After that, as time was running short, we moved to a hotel in Osaka, and once we had carried their luggage into the hotel, we parted ways.

Click here for more details: Nara Day Trip by Car: Kyoto to Osaka 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…