Osaka in One Day: Stop by Nara & Gion — Guide Hiro
October, 2024
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
- 8:00 Meet up @Swissotel Nankai Osaka
- 9:15 Stop by Nara
- 12:00 Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 13:15 Lunch @Fushimi Inari
- 14:10 Sanjusangendo
- 15:25 Nanzenji Temple
- 16:30 Gion
- 18:00 Dismissal @Swissotel Nankai Osaka
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Osaka began at 8:00, when the guide met the guests at @Swissotel Nankai Osaka, and finished at 18:00. The day ran to 10 hours from start to finish. It included lunch @Fushimi Inari at 13:15.
From there the group visited Stop by Nara at 9:15, Fushimi Inari Taisha at 12:00, Sanjusangendo at 14:10, Nanzenji Temple at 15:25 and Gion at 16:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Namba to Umeda by subway (240JPY); Osaka to Inari by train (860JPY); Fushimi Inari to Shichijo by train (170JPY); Shichijo to Sanjo by train (170JPY); Sanjo Keihan to Keage by subway (220JPY); Keage to Sanjo Keihan by subway (220JPY); Sanjo to Gion-Shijo by train (170JPY); Shijo Keihan-mae to Shijo Karasuma by bus (230JPY); Shijo to Kyoto by subway (220JPY); Kyoto to Osaka by train (580JPY); Umeda to Namba by subway (240JPY). Across 11 sections the fare came to 3,320JPY per person.
What's a Private Day Trip from Osaka to Nara and Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America. Although this was a Kyoto tour departing from and returning to Osaka, at their request we first visited Nara Park and Todai-ji Temple. The guests were interested in interacting with the deer and seeing the Great Buddha, and I believe they were very satisfied. We then headed to Fushimi Inari, so the transportation costs are calculated from this point onward. At the request of the guests, who wished to extend the tour time and visit as many places as possible, we also went to Sanjusangen-do and Nanzen-ji Temple, and I believe they thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere of the ancient capital and were very satisfied.
Click here for more details: Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Namba～Umeda | 240JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Osaka～Inari | 860JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Fushimi Inari～Shichijo | 170JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Shichijo～Sanjo | 170JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Sanjo Keihan～Keage | 220JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Keage～Sanjo Keihan | 220JPY |
| Section 7 | Train | Sanjo～Gion-Shijo | 170JPY |
| Section 8 | Bus | Shijo Keihan-mae～Shijo Karasuma | 230JPY |
| Section 9 | Subway | Shijo～Kyoto | 220JPY |
| Section 10 | Train | Kyoto～Osaka | 580JPY |
| Section 11 | Subway | Umeda～Namba | 240JPY |
| Total | 3,320JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Osaka tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @Swissotel Nankai Osaka at 8:00, and the tour finished at @Swissotel Nankai Osaka at 18:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 10 hours in total, from 8:00 to 18:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Stop by Nara, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Sanjusangendo, Nanzenji Temple and Gion.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 3,320JPY per person across 11 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 Osaka 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!
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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.
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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
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Cool surprises on our Osaka and Kyoto tours with Hiro.
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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
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Mr. Hiro provided an excellent experience. Personable…
May 26, 2025
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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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