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 Meet up @ the Hyatt Regency Kyoto
- 10:15 Todaiji Temple approach
- 10:35 Todaiji Temple Great Buddha Hall
- 11:30 Deer Park
- 12:00 Kasuga Taisha Shrine
- 12:30 Shinyakushiji Temple
- 13:05 Lunch
- 14:30 Naramachi stroll
- 17:00 Disband @ the Hyatt Regency Kyoto
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Kyoto began at 9:00, when the guide met the guests at @ the Hyatt Regency Kyoto, and finished at 17:00. The day ran to 8 hours from start to finish. It included lunch at 13:05.
From there the group visited Todaiji Temple approach at 10:15, Todaiji Temple Great Buddha Hall at 10:35, Deer Park at 11:30, Kasuga Taisha Shrine at 12:00, Shinyakushiji Temple at 12:30 and Naramachi stroll at 14:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shichijo to Tanbabashi by train (440JPY); Tanbabashi to Nara by train (1,360JPY); Kintetsu Nara to Todaiji Temple Great Buddha Hall by bus (250JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 2,050JPY per person.
Can You Do a Private Day Trip to Nara from a Hotel? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America who were visiting Japan for the first time. They had previously lived for a long time in South America, and they were a very cheerful group who occasionally enjoyed conversing in Portuguese. We started with the classic Nara Park, where they bought deer crackers and enjoyed feeding the hungry morning deer while being surrounded by them. After that, we visited the Great Buddha Hall at Todai-ji Temple, and they seemed overwhelmed by the enormous hall and the Great Buddha. On this day a newborn fawn was on display, so I took them to the deer nursery, and afterward we visited Shinyakushi-ji Temple. They seemed deeply moved by its solemn atmosphere. Lunch was well received, and after enjoying some shopping, we parted ways at the Hotel almost exactly on schedule.
This private one-day tour of Nara was arranged through [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides serving all 47 prefectures. The itinerary covered Nara Park, the Great Buddha Hall at Todai-ji Temple, the deer nursery, and Shinyakushi-ji Temple, and concluded with a hotel drop-off. [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is a winner of the Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
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 | Shichijo～Tanbabashi | 440JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Tanbabashi～Nara | 1,360JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Kintetsu Nara～Todaiji Temple Great Buddha Hall | 250JPY |
| Total | 2,050JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kyoto tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ the Hyatt Regency Kyoto at 9:00, and the tour finished at @ the Hyatt Regency Kyoto at 17:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 8 hours in total, from 9:00 to 17:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Todaiji Temple approach, Todaiji Temple Great Buddha Hall, Deer Park, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Shinyakushiji Temple and Naramachi stroll.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 2,050JPY 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?
Hiro 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.
Thanks for joining our tour. I’m Hiro Nakagawa, assigned to be your guide for this tour. I was eligible as a National Licensed Tour Guide in 2017. I have guided many tourists from overseas since then. Japan is a beautiful country with full of various attractions. Please enjoy your time in this country to the fullest. I will help you with that. What are you interested in this country? I will introduce this country’s long history, traditional culture, beautiful seasonal highlights, and delicious food to you. Please let me know your preferences. If it’s other than which I mentioned, I’m preparing it for you as much as possible. Let’s enjoy the trip together!
Jul 13, 2025
H2enjoy
Wonderful Day Trip to Mt. Koya from the Osaka Cruise Terminal
Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure)…
Jul 13, 2025
H2enjoy
Wonderful Day Trip to Mt. Koya from the Osaka Cruise Terminal
Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with Licensed Guide
Japan Guide Agency guide Hiro did an excellent job in escorting my wife and I for a day tour to Mt. Koya, from the Osaka Cruise Terminal. We enjoyed the sanctity of the Mt. Koya area, the peaceful shrines, and the forests of tall trees. Hiro had all the transportation well designed-out, and was able to get us back to the Osaka cruise terminal at the time I had requested. Very satisfied with his service.
Jun 20, 2025
zoranm709
Kyoto great tour experience.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Enjoyed the sites we were taken. Hiro was…
Jun 20, 2025
zoranm709
Kyoto great tour experience.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Enjoyed the sites we were taken. Hiro was very humble person. Under the extreme heat
conditions Hiro was very thoughtful & helpful. Thank you Hiro for today we appreciate your
time. Regards Markovski Family.
Jun 18, 2025
Adventurer310309
Cool surprises on our Osaka and Kyoto tours with Hiro.
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My wife…
Jun 18, 2025
Adventurer310309
Cool surprises on our Osaka and Kyoto tours with Hiro.
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
My wife and I enjoyed not one by TWO full day tours with Hiro, one in Osaka and one in Kyoto. Hiro knows his stuff and passed along a lot of interesting history. In both cases he came prepared with detailed itineraries including public transit times to make sure we hit all the sites we most wanted to see. When rain became a factor in Kyoto, he adjusted our schedule to optimize for the weather – indoors during heaviest rain and outdoors when weather improved. In Kyoto, he warned us away from eating in one tourist area and instead found an amazing noodle shop for lunch, a completely unique experience. In Osaka, when we found one site he had chosen for us closed – the Museum of Housing & Life – he proposed another site that proved to be very nice. We went to the museum on our own the next day and found it fascinating and fun. He also took us to an outstanding okonomikayi place for lunch. Friendly, well-organized and accommodating, we really enjoyed our tours with Hiro.
May 26, 2025
SK G
Excellent tour
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Mr. Hiro provided an excellent experience. Personable…
May 26, 2025
SK G
Excellent tour
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Mr. Hiro provided an excellent experience. Personable and professional, he accommodated all our expectations.
Highly recommended!
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