Nara in One Day: Tour of Kofukuji Temple — Guide Toshi

April, 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 Nara Station
  • 10:00: Tour of Kofukuji Temple
  • 10:30: Stroll through Nara Park
  • 11:30: Tour of Todaiji Nandaimon Gate
  • 12:00: Tour of the Great Buddha Hall
  • 13:00: Lunch @ Azekuraya
  • 13:30: Tour of Nigatsudo Hall
  • 14:30: Tour of Kasuga Taisha Shrine
  • 15:00: Disband @ Higashimuki Shopping Street

Title: What Is a Private Nara Day Tour Like with a Licensed Guide? A Guide's Report

I guided a group from North America. At the guests' request, the meeting time and place were changed on short notice, and the guiding took place from 9:00 to 15:00. We visited Kofuku-ji Temple, then continued to Nara Park and Todai-ji Temple. One of the guests was collecting goshuin (temple seal stamps) and received one at each place we visited. The tour proceeded with explanations of the historical background of Nara City as a former capital, as well as the introduction of Buddhism to Japan. The guests showed a strong interest in Japan, and part of the group focused on photographing scenery such as the double cherry blossoms and wisteria flowers. At the end, the guests expressed a wish to go shopping at a shopping street, and we parted ways there.

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

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.

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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…