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
- 10:00 Hotel
- 11:30-12:30 Kasuga Taisha Shrine
- 12:45-13:00 Nara Park
- 13:15-14:00 (Lunch)
- 14:15-15:15 Todaiji Temple (Nandaimon Gate, Great Buddha Hall)
- 16:00-17:00 Yakushiji Temple
- 18:00 Arrive at hotel
- Hotel: Hotel New Otani Osaka
Tour Itinerary in Detail
From there the group visited Kasuga Taisha Shrine at 11:30, Nara Park at 12:45, (Lunch) at 13:15, Todaiji Temple (Nandaimon Gate, Great Buddha Hall) at 14:15 and Yakushiji Temple at 16:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Osakajo Koen to Tsuruhashi by train (140JPY); Kintetsu Tsuruhashi to Kintetsu Nara by train (590JPY); Kintetsu Nara to Kintetsu Nishinokyo by train (300JPY); Kintetsu Nishinokyo to Kintetsu Tsuruhashi by train (590JPY); Tsuruhashi to Osakajo Koen by train (140JPY). Across 5 sections the fare came to 1,760JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private Nara Park Day Tour Like for Visitors from Asia? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from Asia. One of the guests works in the travel business, having previously focused on domestic travel, but wishing to start offering Japan tours from next year, and this visit was partly a preliminary scouting trip. Having arrived at Kansai International Airport the previous evening via a connecting flight, today was effectively their first full day in Japan.
For getting around Nara Park, we used a taxi twice, partly because one of the guests was not very fond of walking long distances.
The course itself was the standard one, but when I introduced the large bronze lantern in front of the Great Buddha Hall at Todaiji Temple, and they saw the images on the panel (there are four pictures of Indian deities playing instruments such as the flute), they were delighted and exclaimed, "Oh, Krishna!" They took many commemorative photos in front of it. Apparently, Krishna is still a popular figure in their home region today.
Click here for more details: Nara Day Trip from Osaka: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Osakajo Koen～Tsuruhashi | 140JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Kintetsu Tsuruhashi～Kintetsu Nara | 590JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Kintetsu Nara～Kintetsu Nishinokyo | 300JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Kintetsu Nishinokyo～Kintetsu Tsuruhashi | 590JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Tsuruhashi～Osakajo Koen | 140JPY |
| Total | 1,760JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara Park, (Lunch), Todaiji Temple (Nandaimon Gate, Great Buddha Hall) and Yakushiji Temple.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,760JPY 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 Osaka 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.