Which places does this itinerary cover?

This tour visited Kintetsu-Nara Station, 40 Ukigumo-enchi in Nara Deer Park, 30 Kasuga-taisha Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage), at the foot of Wakakusayama Hill:, Todaiji Temple (UNESCO World Heritage), 50 lunch at Emado-chaya, 30 Todaiji's Nigatsudo Hall, Todaiji's Shoro Bell Tower, Todaiji's Great Buddha Hall:, 40 Todaiji's Nandaimon (South Great Gate): and Nara-machi (Old Quarters of the town):.

Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?

Junichi 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 Nara itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.

Nara in One Day: Kintetsu-Nara Station — Guide Junichi

October, 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

10:01 Kintetsu-Nara Station
(2 taxis 800y a car)
10:20-40 Ukigumo-enchi in Nara Deer Park
We will be in the park almost to the end of tour
(walk 10 minutes)
11:00-30 Kasuga-taisha Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage)
entrance 700 yen
(walk 10 minutes)
11:50-12:00 at the foot of Wakakusayama Hill:
(walk 10 minutes)
12:20- Todaiji Temple (UNESCO World Heritage)
12:20-50 lunch at Emado-chaya
13:00-30 Todaiji's Nigatsudo Hall
(walk 5 minutes)
13:40 Todaiji's Shoro Bell Tower
(walk 10 minutes)
13:50-14:20 Todaiji's Great Buddha Hall:
　　　(walk 5 minutes)
14:30-40 Todaiji's Nandaimon (South Great Gate):
walk 15 minutes
15:00- Nara-machi (Old Quarters of the town):
Sake tasting, traditional merchant's house etc.
16:40 (End of Tour) back at Kintetsu-Nara Station

Tour Itinerary in Detail

Over the course of the day the route took in Kintetsu-Nara Station at 10:01, 40 Ukigumo-enchi in Nara Deer Park at 10:20, 30 Kasuga-taisha Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage) at 11:00, at the foot of Wakakusayama Hill: at 11:50, Todaiji Temple (UNESCO World Heritage) at 12:20, 50 lunch at Emado-chaya at 12:20, 30 Todaiji's Nigatsudo Hall at 13:00, Todaiji's Shoro Bell Tower at 13:40, Todaiji's Great Buddha Hall: at 13:50, 40 Todaiji's Nandaimon (South Great Gate): at 14:30 and Nara-machi (Old Quarters of the town): at 15:00.

Title: What Is a Private Nara Day Tour with a Licensed Guide Like? A Guide's Report on Deer, Kasuga Taisha, and Sake

After spending plenty of time enjoying the deer, the tour continued to Kasuga Taisha Shrine. In front of the Kuruma-dono, there was a free sake tasting. The sake served was Housyuku from Toyosawa Brewery. I believe it was provided directly by the brewery, and it tasted several levels better than what you would get drinking in town. The guests were in high spirits because of it. Although it was rainy due to the influence of a typhoon, it was an enjoyable day.

It is a somewhat dangerous season for the deer. During a tour two days ago, a male deer wanted deer crackers and kept butting me with its head. Meaning to say "no, you can't do that," I lightly tapped its head, and perhaps this triggered the instinct of a male in mating season, because it charged at me with full force. The antlers have been cut off, but the remaining stumps are as hard as stone, and I was struck in the thigh with them. Even today, two days later, I still feel the damage. No matter how accustomed you are, they really are wild deer after all.

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

Tour Report by Junichi

Hello! Thank you for choosing Nara! I bet you’ll love Nara. I specialize in Nara because Nara is the unique place where in one day you can cover the history and religions of Japan from the ancient times to the post war era while enjoying rambling in the UNESCO World Heritage park, having communication with lovely deer, surrounded with the beautiful nature.
I grew up in Nara, went university in Kyoto, enjoyed teaching at high schools and a university in Osaka. The three former capitals of Japan are home to me.
After retiring from teaching I began guiding so that I can meet various people from various corners of the world with a variety of cultures and backgrounds. Each time I guide, I find it hugely rewarding because I learn a lot from my guests sharing the history, culture and all that I know about Nara, Kyoto and Osaka.
I used to be a marathon runner, mountain climber and skier though I am not much of them anymore.
What I especially recommend is to stay in Nara a couple of days and enjoy communicating with friendly deer while visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nara in early morning, temples and shrines at night are well worth experiencing.

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May 16, 2026
I3520JTcristinat
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Excellent tour with Junichi!!! Perfect English speaking guide and…

May 3, 2026
Maria_J
Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Enjoyable day in Nara
We spent 6 hours in Nara with Junichi…

Apr 11, 2026
64sandig
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????? Absolutely Outstanding ? Junichi Made Our Nara Day…

Apr 11, 2026
64sandig
Tripadvisor review: Nara 8hr Private Tour – Osaka DEP. with Licensed Guide
????? Absolutely Outstanding ? Junichi Made Our Nara Day Unforgettable!
We had the pleasure of touring Nara with Junichi today, and he was simply phenomenal from the very first moment! Warm, welcoming, and a true professional, Junichi made us feel instantly at ease. His genuine enthusiasm and excellent English made every part of the day enjoyable and easy to follow.
Junichi’s knowledge is encyclopedic, yet he explains everything in such a clear, engaging, and understandable way. At Kofuku-ji Temple, he brought the history and significance of the site to life with fascinating details. We then enjoyed a relaxing lunch together before heading to Nara Park, where we had the delightful experience of feeding the famous bowing deer ? such a fun and memorable moment!
What really stood out was how flexible and attentive Junichi was. When we felt a bit pressed for time, he smoothly adjusted the itinerary and took us to a wonderful sake tasting facility instead of the next temple. We sampled several excellent sakes and couldn’t resist taking some home with us! From there, he led us to an incredible traditional kitchen knife shop run by an artisan whose family has been crafting blades for 750 years (originally making samurai swords). The craftsmanship was breathtaking, and we ended up purchasing a beautiful knife.
Later, Junichi took us to see an original Japanese merchant’s house, which was a real eye-opener ? the minimalistic lifestyle and beautiful architecture were fascinating.
The entire day was perfectly paced, insightful, and filled with wonderful surprises. Junichi’s caring attitude, deep knowledge, and ability to adapt made this one of the best private tour experiences we’ve ever had. We are so grateful we got to spend the day with him.
If you’re visiting Nara, do yourself a favor and book with Junichi ? you won’t regret it! He’s an absolute gem.
Highly, highly recommended ? 5 stars without hesitation!

Mar 30, 2026
dpadillachavez
Tripadvisor review: Nara 8hr Private Tour – Kyoto DEP. with Licensed Guide
Great day at Nara!
Best tour on Nara, Junichi…