Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour — Guide Kazu
November, 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
- 9:20 Meet at hotel 9:37 Board JR train bound for Nara 10:21 Arrive at JR Nara 10:45 Nara Park 11:00 Todai-ji Temple 12:10 Lunch (tonkatsu) 13:25 Kasuga Taisha Shrine 14:15 Kofuku-ji Temple Treasure House 15:00 Naramachi (Nigiwai no Ie · Shopping) 16:37 JR Nara Station Board train bound for Kyoto 17:23 Arrive at Kyoto Station Tour ends
Title: What Is a Private Nara Day Tour Like on a Rainy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests visited Japan from North America. Some of the guests had visited Japan around 25 years earlier, and one had also come to Japan for work seven years ago, having lived in the Nishinomiya area, so they were quite familiar with life in Japan. Since the forecast predicted heavy rain from the afternoon, we visited Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine early and saved the Kofuku-ji Treasure Hall for later, which turned out to be the right decision. From just after 2:00 p.m., the rain became so heavy that it was impossible to walk without an umbrella. The guests enjoyed sightseeing, eating, and walking, but seemed to have less interest in the historical details, perhaps because they already had prior knowledge. The group was very easygoing and considerate throughout. The photo was taken at a tonkatsu restaurant where we had lunch.
Click here for more details: Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Kyoto～Nara | 720JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | JR Nara Station～JR Nara Station | 600JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Nara～Kyoto | 720JPY |
| Total | 2,040JPY | ||
I was born and grew up in Kyoto and now live near Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. I used to be a schoolteacher of English and welcome a lot of students from foreign countries. I really enjoyed showing them around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, and Hiroshima. I have been a professional tour guide for about 8 years. I always try to let my guests learn Japanese traditional and modern culture. Since I was born in Kyoto, I know a lot about its culture and people. I myself enjoyed several sports, such as soccer, judo, and marathon when I was young. I’m much interested in baseball and sumo. My motto as a tour guide is to let my guests learn about our tradition and culture precisely and really enjoy themselves. I strongly hope you will enjoy the tour in Japan with me.
Jul 24, 2026
Trail65429092687
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Tour
Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep…
Jul 24, 2026
Trail65429092687
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Tour
Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep knowledge about the history and culture of Japan. He is flexible and accommodates changes if you so desire. He is also very empathetic. I had a sprained back and he ensured we took elevators everywhere. You will be lucky if he is assigned as your guide .
Jul 23, 2026
489caelinp
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Guided Tour
My friend and I had a great experience…
Jul 23, 2026
489caelinp
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Guided Tour
My friend and I had a great experience on the tour. We travelled all around Kyoto with our guide Kazuo Sumi. He is a sweet older gentleman who had a great depth of knowledge about each place we went to. We told him places we wanted to go and he made the itinerary for us. There is no one better to have as your guide!!
Jul 16, 2026
margaretsM7923ON
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Great way to see Kyoto
Wonderful tour and exceptional guide.
Jul 9, 2026
Sandra_B
Kazuo was great and…
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Kazuo was great and provided…
Jul 9, 2026
Sandra_B
Kazuo was great and…
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Kazuo was great and provided some excellent recommendations. There’s a lot of walking so make sure you are prepared.