Nara Day Trip from Kyoto: Customized Tour — Guide Toshi

Title: What Can You See on a Private Nara Day Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report

The group visiting from Asia met me at the Hotel on time, and we discussed the itinerary for sightseeing in Nara. Since the guests preferred to leave the entire itinerary to the guide, I briefly explained a route covering Kofuku-ji, Nara Park, Todai-ji, and Kasuga Taisha, and we started our Nara tour by taking the JR Nara Line. On the train, we chatted, introduced ourselves, and talked about their impressions of Japan as we traveled to Nara. At first the guests seemed a little nervous and the conversation was somewhat awkward, but they gradually opened up, and by the time we arrived in Nara they had begun asking questions. At Kofuku-ji, I guided them around the Jizo Bosatsu, the three-storied pagoda, the North Octagonal Hall, the South Octagonal Hall, and the Eastern Golden Hall. They seemed to have a fair amount of knowledge about the Buddhist statues. After that, we moved to Nara Park in front of Todai-ji so that the young ones in the group could enjoy feeding the deer, which they had been looking forward to. Many deer came asking for "shika senbei" (deer crackers), and everyone was thrilled. I had considered lunch, and recommended "dango" and "takoyaki" at a shop in the bus terminal, where we took a short break together. After refueling, we moved to the Great Buddha Hall. I guided them while explaining the magnificent Great Buddha and the attendant statues. After the Great Buddha Hall, I showed them a replica of the sorin finial and the bell tower, then we moved to Nigatsu-do, where I explained the Omizutori ceremony. From there we walked to Kasuga Taisha. Unfortunately, the shrine was closed in preparation for the New Year, so I guided them from outside the main precinct. As the guests began to feel tired after Kasuga Taisha, we took a bus to the shopping street. There I showed them Nakatanidou, famous for its mochi-pounding demonstration, and they happily ate yomogi mochi. Finally, since the guests wished to go shopping in the shopping street, we parted ways there.

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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.