Nara Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Toshi

March, 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

  • 11:30 Meet with guests
  • 12:00 Guide through Kofuku-ji Temple (Three-Storied Pagoda, Hokuendo, Nanendo)
  • 13:00 Guide through Nara Park, Okumura Research Institute
  • 13:30 Guide through Todai-ji Temple (Nandaimon Gate, Great Buddha Hall)
  • 14:30 Lunch @ "Azekura-ya"
  • 15:30 Guide through Kasuga Taisha Shrine
  • 16:30 Disband @ JR Nara Station

What Is a Private One-Day Nara Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

Because the guests took the wrong train from Kyoto, the meeting time was delayed by one hour to 11:30. The guests were visitors from North America who had come to Japan to watch a Major League Baseball opening series held in Japan, and were also enjoying sightseeing in the country. The weather was very nice today, and they were able to enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Nara. We started at Kofuku-ji Temple, then fed the deer in Nara Park, and I explained the base-isolation structure at a construction research facility. After that, we moved to Todai-ji Temple, where I gave a brief explanation of the Nio guardian statues at the Nandaimon Gate and of Buddhism while viewing the Great Buddha. The guests were highly cultured, and the tour proceeded with many questions from them. After lunch, we moved to Nigatsu-do Hall, where the "Omizutori" ceremony was taking place. They looked on with great interest at the many people gathered in lines. We then passed by Mount Wakakusa and moved on to Kasuga Taisha Shrine, where we visited together. At Kasuga Taisha, I mainly explained Shinto while also touching on its complex relationship with Buddhism. Finally, we took a bus from Kasuga Taisha to Nara Station, where we parted ways. It was a day in which I received the kind words, "It was a wonderful tour."

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

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1BusKasuga Taisha Honden-mae Station～JR Nara Station-mae Station250JPY
Total250JPY

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…