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 up @The Westin Miyako Kyoto
- 11:42 Naramachi stroll
- 12:20 Lunch
- 13:30 Yoshikien
- 14:20 Todaiji Great Buddha Hall
- 17:00 Disband @Hotel Mastay
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Kyoto began at 10:00, when the guide met the guests at @The Westin Miyako Kyoto, and finished at 17:00. The day ran to 7 hours from start to finish. It included lunch at 12:20.
From there the group visited Naramachi stroll at 11:42, Yoshikien at 13:30 and Todaiji Great Buddha Hall at 14:20.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Keage to Takeda by subway (290JPY); Takeda to Kintetsu Nara by train (1,520JPY); Kintetsu Nara Station to Fukuchiin-cho by bus (250JPY); Todaiji Great Buddha Hall by bus (250JPY); Takeda to Higashiyama by subway (290JPY). Across 5 sections the fare came to 2,600JPY per person.
Can You Do a Private Day Trip to Nara in the Rain? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. Since the group's makeup was similar in age to my own family, the conversation flowed easily from the start. It rained heavily from the morning, which made outdoor activities a challenge, but the very first thing the guests told me was that they wanted to do a sake tasting, so I took them to Imanishi Seibei Shoten first. After that, following their wish to explore Naramachi, we walked around the area, but as the rain showed no sign of letting up, we had an early lunch. After lunch the rain had almost stopped, and the guests enjoyed feeding the deer in Nara Park while being playfully mobbed by them, then visited the Great Buddha Hall before heading back. During our prior communication, the guests had requested to finish around 17:00 because they had dinner plans, so I arranged the tour accordingly.
Click here for more details: Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Keage～Takeda | 290JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Takeda～Kintetsu Nara | 1,520JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Kintetsu Nara Station～Fukuchiin-cho | 250JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Todaiji Great Buddha Hall/Museum-mae～Kintetsu Nara Station | 250JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Takeda～Higashiyama | 290JPY |
| Total | 2,600JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kyoto tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @The Westin Miyako Kyoto at 10:00, and the tour finished at @Hotel Mastay at 17:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 7 hours in total, from 10:00 to 17:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Naramachi stroll, Yoshikien and Todaiji Great Buddha Hall.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 2,600JPY per person across 5 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Hiro is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Kyoto itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Thanks for joining our tour. I’m Hiro Nakagawa, assigned to be your guide for this tour. I was eligible as a National Licensed Tour Guide in 2017. I have guided many tourists from overseas since then. Japan is a beautiful country with full of various attractions. Please enjoy your time in this country to the fullest. I will help you with that. What are you interested in this country? I will introduce this country’s long history, traditional culture, beautiful seasonal highlights, and delicious food to you. Please let me know your preferences. If it’s other than which I mentioned, I’m preparing it for you as much as possible. Let’s enjoy the trip together!
Jul 13, 2025
H2enjoy
Wonderful Day Trip to Mt. Koya from the Osaka Cruise Terminal
Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure)…
Jul 13, 2025
H2enjoy
Wonderful Day Trip to Mt. Koya from the Osaka Cruise Terminal
Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with Licensed Guide
Japan Guide Agency guide Hiro did an excellent job in escorting my wife and I for a day tour to Mt. Koya, from the Osaka Cruise Terminal. We enjoyed the sanctity of the Mt. Koya area, the peaceful shrines, and the forests of tall trees. Hiro had all the transportation well designed-out, and was able to get us back to the Osaka cruise terminal at the time I had requested. Very satisfied with his service.
Jun 20, 2025
zoranm709
Kyoto great tour experience.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Enjoyed the sites we were taken. Hiro was…
Jun 20, 2025
zoranm709
Kyoto great tour experience.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Enjoyed the sites we were taken. Hiro was very humble person. Under the extreme heat
conditions Hiro was very thoughtful & helpful. Thank you Hiro for today we appreciate your
time. Regards Markovski Family.
Jun 18, 2025
Adventurer310309
Cool surprises on our Osaka and Kyoto tours with Hiro.
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
My wife…
Jun 18, 2025
Adventurer310309
Cool surprises on our Osaka and Kyoto tours with Hiro.
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
My wife and I enjoyed not one by TWO full day tours with Hiro, one in Osaka and one in Kyoto. Hiro knows his stuff and passed along a lot of interesting history. In both cases he came prepared with detailed itineraries including public transit times to make sure we hit all the sites we most wanted to see. When rain became a factor in Kyoto, he adjusted our schedule to optimize for the weather – indoors during heaviest rain and outdoors when weather improved. In Kyoto, he warned us away from eating in one tourist area and instead found an amazing noodle shop for lunch, a completely unique experience. In Osaka, when we found one site he had chosen for us closed – the Museum of Housing & Life – he proposed another site that proved to be very nice. We went to the museum on our own the next day and found it fascinating and fun. He also took us to an outstanding okonomikayi place for lunch. Friendly, well-organized and accommodating, we really enjoyed our tours with Hiro.
May 26, 2025
SK G
Excellent tour
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Mr. Hiro provided an excellent experience. Personable…
May 26, 2025
SK G
Excellent tour
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Mr. Hiro provided an excellent experience. Personable and professional, he accommodated all our expectations.
Highly recommended!
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