Nara Day Trip from Kyoto by Private Car — Guide Kazu
December, 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
- 9:00 Meet at the hotel 10:15 Todai-ji Temple & Nara Park 11:30 Lunch (tonkatsu) 12:40 Karakuri Toy House 13:30 Depart Nara
- 14:50 Return to the hotel and end the tour

タイトル欄: What Is a Private 6-Hour Nara Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
本文欄: The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from Oceania. The tour had been changed in advance from an 8-hour tour to a 6-hour tour. I had been expecting to receive the guests' contact details before the tour, but there was no communication from the agency beforehand, which caused some concern. When we met, the guests were friendly and approachable, and before starting the tour we discussed the places to visit in Nara and where to have lunch in the hotel lobby. We also confirmed that we would return to the hotel at 15:00. In Nara Park, we had intended to feed the deer but in the end did not. At the "Karakuri Toy Museum," some of the guests enjoyed playing, while others were not yet able to enjoy it. It was a shame that the staff on duty at the toy museum that day were not the type to actively demonstrate how the toys worked. The guests seemed to grow tired of it sooner than I had expected. The photos were taken at the "Karakuri Toy Museum." As this was a 6-hour tour, I believe the guide's compensation will also be adjusted accordingly.
Click here for more details: Nara Day Trip from Kyoto by Private Car with Licensed Guide
I was born and grew up in Kyoto and now live near Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. I used to be a schoolteacher of English and welcome a lot of students from foreign countries. I really enjoyed showing them around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, and Hiroshima. I have been a professional tour guide for about 8 years. I always try to let my guests learn Japanese traditional and modern culture. Since I was born in Kyoto, I know a lot about its culture and people. I myself enjoyed several sports, such as soccer, judo, and marathon when I was young. I’m much interested in baseball and sumo. My motto as a tour guide is to let my guests learn about our tradition and culture precisely and really enjoy themselves. I strongly hope you will enjoy the tour in Japan with me.
Jul 24, 2026
Trail65429092687
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Tour
Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep…
Jul 24, 2026
Trail65429092687
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Tour
Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep knowledge about the history and culture of Japan. He is flexible and accommodates changes if you so desire. He is also very empathetic. I had a sprained back and he ensured we took elevators everywhere. You will be lucky if he is assigned as your guide .
Jul 23, 2026
489caelinp
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Guided Tour
My friend and I had a great experience…
Jul 23, 2026
489caelinp
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Guided Tour
My friend and I had a great experience on the tour. We travelled all around Kyoto with our guide Kazuo Sumi. He is a sweet older gentleman who had a great depth of knowledge about each place we went to. We told him places we wanted to go and he made the itinerary for us. There is no one better to have as your guide!!
Jul 16, 2026
margaretsM7923ON
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Great way to see Kyoto
Wonderful tour and exceptional guide.
Jul 9, 2026
Sandra_B
Kazuo was great and…
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Kazuo was great and provided…
Jul 9, 2026
Sandra_B
Kazuo was great and…
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Kazuo was great and provided some excellent recommendations. There’s a lot of walking so make sure you are prepared.
