Nara in One Day: Guide through Nandaimon Gate — Guide Toshi

May, 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 at JR Nara Station
  • 12:00: Nara Park in front of Todaiji Temple
  • 12:30: Guide through Nandaimon Gate
  • 13:00: Guide through the Great Buddha Hall
  • 14:00: Lunch @ "Kameya"
  • 15:30: Nara Visitor Center
  • 16:30: Disband @ Higashimuki Shopping Street

Title: What's a Private Day Trip to Nara From Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

I met the guests, a group visiting from North America, on time at Nara Station and began our Nara sightseeing. Since one of the guests had a slightly weak knee, we took a bus from in front of the station to Nara Park. The trip to Japan was made in connection with travel plans. At Nara Park, the group spent an enjoyable time playing with the many deer. After that, I guided them through the Great South Gate (Nandaimon) and the Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden) of Todaiji Temple, and they were overwhelmed by the sheer size of the Great Buddha. Once the tour of the Great Buddha Hall was finished, they expressed a wish to have lunch, so we walked to a shopping street in Nara. Looking back, considering the knee condition, it might have been kinder to take a taxi. As they wanted local okonomiyaki for lunch, I guided them to a restaurant. There was a bit of a wait, but we managed to secure a table, and they were delighted that it was delicious. After lunch, thinking it was a good time for something enjoyable for the younger guests, I guided them to the visitor center, where they were able to enjoy origami. Since today's Nara sightseeing was a day trip from Tokyo, we finished a little earlier than planned. After explaining the Kintetsu Line at the shopping street in front of Kintetsu Nara Station, we parted ways.

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～Todaiji-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.

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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…