Kyoto: Kasuga Taisha Shrine — Guide Kaeko
February, 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 Homm Stay Nagi Arashiyama Kyoto By Banyan Group
- 11:20 Kasuga Taisha Shrine
- 12:30 To Nara Park – Mount Wakakusa – Todai-ji Temple
- 1:45 Lunch at Todai-ji Emado Chaya
- 2:45 Nigatsu-do – Bell Tower – Todai-ji Great Buddha Hall
- 4:40 Disband at JR Nara Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
From there the group visited Homm Stay Nagi Arashiyama Kyoto By Banyan Group at 9:00, Kasuga Taisha Shrine at 11:20, To Nara Park – Mount Wakakusa – Todai-ji Temple at 12:30 and Nigatsu-do – Bell Tower – Todai-ji Great Buddha Hall at 2:45.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Saga-Arashiyama to JR Nara by train (990JPY); JR Nara to Kasuga Taisha Main Hall by bus (250JPY); Todai-ji Great Buddha Hall by bus (250JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 1,490JPY per person.
What Is a Private Nara Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Todaiji and Deer Feeding
Today I guided a group visiting from North America. They came to Japan to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara. The weather was unfortunately cloudy with a little rain at one point, but it was not too cold and was very pleasant weather for walking around. The sites were also not very crowded, so I think it was the best season for sightseeing. The guests became completely absorbed in feeding the deer, and they also greatly enjoyed collecting shrine and temple stamps. I believe everyone had a wonderful time.
At Kobaien near Todaiji, they also became interested in ink and calligraphy, and I think they had a very enjoyable time.
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 | Saga-Arashiyama～JR Nara | 990JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | JR Nara～Kasuga Taisha Main Hall | 250JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Todai-ji Great Buddha Hall / Kasuga Taisha-mae～JR Nara | 250JPY |
| Total | 1,490JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Homm Stay Nagi Arashiyama Kyoto By Banyan Group, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, To Nara Park – Mount Wakakusa – Todai-ji Temple and Nigatsu-do – Bell Tower – Todai-ji Great Buddha Hall.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,490JPY per person across 3 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?
Kaeko 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.
Thank you very much for choosing JGA experience, and please allow me to briefly introduce myself. I’m Kaeko Tanigawa, your tour guide, and I have been showing tourists from abroad around mainly in Kyoto, Nara and Osaka areas. Every year I’ve guided my guests through those areas for over 80 times. I always try to do my best to help my guests explore and enjoy our unique and attractive locations, and I’ve been lucky enough to receive so many 5-star reviews from the guests I hosted. I’d like to help make your visit to Japan one of the most wonderful memories in your life. I’m really looking forward to seeing you soon. Thank you very much.
Jul 25, 2026
135ulrikh
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We spent half a day…
Jul 25, 2026
135ulrikh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Half-day with private guide in Kyoto
We spent half a day with Kaeko Tanigawa taking us to Daitoku-ji and Kinkaku-ji temples and Nijo castle in Kyoto. She is very nice, customer-oriented and knowledgeable about Japanese culture and history.
To be highly recommended!
Jul 24, 2026
J6711TVnancyb
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Family Fun Day in Kyoto with young children
Kaeko Tanigawa was fantastic at helping us create…
Jul 24, 2026
J6711TVnancyb
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Family Fun Day in Kyoto with young children
Kaeko Tanigawa was fantastic at helping us create a tour that worked for our family with two young children. It was a very hot day, but the air conditioned van was perfect. We loved making ramen together, feeding monkeys, and seeing a few top sites of Kyoto.
Jul 13, 2026
elizabethtW414DU
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Kaeko was absolutely amazing from start…
Jul 13, 2026
elizabethtW414DU
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Kyoto Private Tour
Kaeko was absolutely amazing from start to finish, and my husband and I had the best time with her during our honeymoon in Kyoto in April! She reached out well before our trip to get to know our interests and carefully planned an itinerary that was perfectly tailored to us—even helping us choose the perfect lunch spot.
Throughout the tour, Kaeko was incredibly knowledgeable, warm, and personable. She shared so much history and local insight while making the day feel relaxed and fun. What really stood out was that her expertise extended far beyond our 6-hour tour. She provided countless recommendations for restaurants, attractions, and hidden gems that made the rest of our time in Kyoto even more memorable.
If you’re looking for a personalized, thoughtful, and unforgettable experience in Kyoto, I can’t recommend Kaeko highly enough. She was one of the highlights of our entire trip!
Jul 12, 2026
johnkE8649IH
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Excellent Kyoto Day Tour
We had a wonderful experience touring Kyoto…
Jul 12, 2026
johnkE8649IH
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Excellent Kyoto Day Tour
We had a wonderful experience touring Kyoto with Kaeko Tanigawa. She was so knowledgeable and we never felt rushed. She made some excellent recommendations for restaurants and other things to do around town. Highly recommend if you have a chance to book with her!