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 Hotel
- 9:15-10:15 Kasuga Taisha Shrine
- 10:30-10:45 Nara Park
- 11:00-12:00 Todai-ji Temple (Great Buddha Hall)
- 12:30-13:15 (Lunch)
- 13:45-14:45 Yakushi-ji Temple
- 16:00 Arrive at hotel
- Hotel: Hotel Rings Kyoto (7-min walk northeast of Karasuma Station)
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Over the course of the day the route took in Kasuga Taisha Shrine at 9:15, Nara Park at 10:30, Todai-ji Temple (Great Buddha Hall) at 11:00, (Lunch) at 12:30 and Yakushi-ji Temple at 13:45.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shijo to Kyoto by subway (220JPY); Kintetsu Kyoto to Kintetsu Nara by train (760JPY); Kintetsu Nara to Kintetsu Nishinokyo by train (300JPY); Kintetsu Nishinokyo to Kintetsu Kyoto by train (760JPY); Kyoto to Shijo by subway (220JPY). Across 5 sections the fare came to 2,260JPY per person.
Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Nara and Yakushiji Temple Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group from Oceania visiting Japan for the first time. Since they seemed very interested in the deer, we started by walking up the Noborioji slope from Kintetsu Nara Station and began with feeding the deer. After that, we walked to Kasuga Taisha Shrine via Tobihino, went inside, and I guided them to Fujinami-no-Ya, where the Mantoro lantern festival is recreated. (This spot is always well received.) (The admission to the inner area of Kasuga Taisha had quietly been raised from 500 yen to 700 yen starting October 1, which was a bit frustrating.) After seeing the Great Buddha Hall, we walked to the Sashizu-do area and had a taxi come to meet us, saving time and shortening the walking distance. At Yakushiji Temple, at the spot where you can see the back of the pedestal of the Yakushi Nyorai statue in the Main Hall, I introduced how, tracing the Silk Road in reverse, cultural artifacts from Greece, Persia, India, and China made their way to Japan — a miniature representation of that history — and they were very impressed by this as well.
Click here for more details: Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Shijo～Kyoto | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Kintetsu Kyoto～Kintetsu Nara | 760JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Kintetsu Nara～Kintetsu Nishinokyo | 300JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Kintetsu Nishinokyo～Kintetsu Kyoto | 760JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Kyoto～Shijo | 220JPY |
| Total | 2,260JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara Park, Todai-ji Temple (Great Buddha Hall), (Lunch) and Yakushi-ji Temple.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 2,260JPY per person across 5 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?
Ichiro 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 Kyoto itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Hello!
I’m Ichiro F. I’m a government-certified English guide. I guide in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Kobe. Since I started in March 2023, I’ve already led over 130 tours.
(I am 64 years old, live in a city that is the western neighbor of Osaka City, married, and have one daughter who is 30 years old. My favorite pastimes are reading books and going to a gym. )
In September 2019, I retired from an IT company after working there for 37 years, because I turned 60. At that time, I wanted to start something new. I had never lived outside of Japan or used English in my previous job. But, I had been learning English on my own for almost 50 years. I also love reading about Japanese history and culture. That’s why being a guide for English-speaking visitors is perfect for me.
I got my government license in February 2020, but then COVID-19 happened, and Japan closed its borders. I had to wait three years to start working. But, that time was good for preparing. I learned more about Japan and traveled around Kyoto and other places.
I finally started guiding in March 2023 and really enjoy it. Japan, especially Kyoto, has many historical places. Japan has four seasons, and I can experience the changes by walking outside with my clients. The more I guide, the more I know about it. Now, I guide about 15 days a month.
Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Kobe each have their own history and places that amaze foreign visitors. I’m confident I can give you the best experience while visiting Japan. Please feel free to ask what I can offer you.