Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Toshi

October, 2026

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.

Tour Itinerary

  • 1. 11:00 JR Nara Station – Meet the guests
  • 2. 11:30 Guide to Kasuga Taisha Shrine
  • 3. 13:30 Lunch @ Emado Chaya
  • 4. 14:30 Guide to Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall)
  • 5. 15:30 Guide to Nandaimon Gate
  • 6. 16:00 Disband @ JR Nara Station

Title: What's a Private Nara Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kasuga Taisha and Nara Park

The guests were visitors from Oceania. We met as scheduled at JR Nara Station and traveled by city bus to Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Since one of the guests had some difficulty walking, we considered using a taxi, but after discussing it together, we decided to take the bus. At Kasuga Taisha, the sightseeing began only after I answered a wide range of questions, including explanations of Shinto, explanations of Buddhism, the background of the capital being moved from Nara to Kyoto, and the relationship between the emperor and the shogun. The guests were full of curiosity, and the tour involved guiding while answering many questions, but I believe they were able to enjoy today's sightseeing. One unfortunate point was that walking long distances was difficult for one of the guests. I was told that they had walked long distances during their Kyoto sightseeing the previous time, which made their leg sore.

A notable stop on the tour was Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara. Kasuga Taisha is one of the most important Shinto shrines in Japan, founded in the 8th century and known for its thousands of bronze and stone lanterns that line the pathways and the shrine buildings. Set within a sacred forest, it has deep connections to Japan's early history and to the deer of Nara, which are considered messengers of the gods and roam freely throughout the surrounding park. The shrine's vermilion architecture and serene wooded setting make it one of the highlights of any visit to Nara.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1BusJR Nara Station / Nara Kotsu～Kasuga Taisha Main Shrine / Nara Kotsu250JPY
Section 2BusHimuro Shrine / National Museum / Nara Kotsu～JR Nara Station / Nara Kotsu250JPY
Total500JPY

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.

Request Booking

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…