Nara Private Tours &amp; Local Tour Guides

Hi! I had been working for Wakayama Prefectural Government for 38 years, mainly in the field of cultural heritage management and international relations. I am a national certificated English guide and I have a lot of knowledge and experience in the field of cultural heritage management and international relations. I am very good at cultural heritages. And Koyasan and Kumano in Wakayama Prefecture are inscribed in the World Heritage List as parts of “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range". I was a project manager of "the Koyasan and Kumano World Heritage Inscription Project” at Wakayama Prefectural Government. I know inside and out of Koyasan, Kumano, Wakayama and other places in the Kansai area. I have a lot of experience of guiding as I was also in charge of international relations for a long time at the government. I will be able to provide interpretive guiding service for you around Koyasan, Wakayama, Osaka and other places in the Kansai area as I am a cultural heritage management and international relations professional. I am sure you will be able to get deeper understandings on Japanese culture and that your trip with me will be memorable one.

Yasuhisa K.

4.97 / 5

(34 reviews)

I have worked in the multi-national organizations including UN agency for around 30 years and stationed at various cities including Rome, Bangkok and Hanoi. Although I have retired from those international carriers, I wish to keep the international cooperation and develop the friendship with people who visits our country. As I like history and am practicing Noh song and wood curving of Buddha images, I have decided to live in Nara where is surrounded by many historical places and traditional cultures, when I returned back to Japan in 2017. I wish to offer you custom made trip ideas to be able to enjoy the atmosphere of old city, Nara. I am also planning to develop trip plans to enjoy the local cultures. Please call me Yasu.

Koichi W.

4.96 / 5

(70 reviews)

Hi! I'm Koichi. I was born in Osaka, I studied in Kyoto when I was a university student. Now I live in Shiga next to Kyoto. I am a national government licensed tour guide. I have been guiding about 160 groups over the past twelve months. I usually guide my customers mainly in Kansai region including Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kobe and Shiga by public transportation systems. Well, I am curious about Japanese history, especially the history of Japan's ancient times since I was raised next to the world biggest mausoleum of the ancient Emperor called "Nintoku" in Sakai city Osaka which has just become one of the world cultural heritage sites. I dug out some ancient earthen ware vessels around there when I was a primary school student like the adventure archaeologist “Indiana Jones"　(It’s our secret!!). That was my hobby. Now, one of my hobbies is outdoor activities such as mountaineering, kayaking, skiing and others. So I would like to take you to some good places where you can enjoy Japanese unique nature. I love to guide foreign visitors from all over the world. I think it is my calling or heavenly given job. Let's go and enjoy together! I hope to see you soon.

Takashi M.

5.00 / 5

(29 reviews)

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Hi, my name is Takashi!! When I go abroad, I think that how nice it would be to have a friend there and hang out together. I want you to feel like you have a friend in Osaka and we can go around and explore. I was born and grew up in Japan. And I speak English, Spanish and Japanese. I can be the perfect guide for you!! I can guide you in any city in Japan, just let me know where you wanna go :)

New Nara Tour Guides

Menshawi F.

Konnichiwa! I'm a passionate licensed tour guide and for me, being a tour guide isn't just a job. Its a way to share my love for Kyoto city and create meaningful connection with people from around the world. I enjoy helping travelers feel at home, discover new perspectives and leave with cherished memories. I look forward to welcoming you on a journey of discovery, whether you're a first-time visitor or returning to explore even deeper. Let's make your trip truly special together. If you're looking for an adventure off the beaten path or a deep dive into local tradition, my goal is to make every moment memorable.Let me guide you on a journey you'll cherish forever

Yosshi S.

Thank you for visiting my page. I will guide you to the ancient capital cities with 1000 years of urban development and 100 years of filming and screening history. I grew up in Osaka, studied in Kyoto, and worked for 20 years as an urban planning expert for the national and local governments. During this time, I surveyed many community development sites throughout Japan. I welcomed business leaders to encourage investment in the cities. After quitting my career, I became a film-loving professional engineer. I visited unique cities in foreign countries to see urban planning and locations that appeared in picturesque film scenes and posted photos on social media (90 cities in 30 countries up to now). The more I saw foreign cities, the more I loved my hometown. I wanted to know about the travel industry and got a national license as a Guide-Interpreter and Travel Service Manager. I have started guiding based in the old capital cities. The entire area of old Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara has been a Metropolitan area centered on the Imperial Palace, and the actual location of the Palace has changed 15 times since the 7th century. This area has many historical spots and hidden attractions in different times and places: the townscape, temples, shrines, landscaped gardens, and historical drama locations (SAMURAI drama). I will create your favorite tour using my list, and guide you leisurely. I look forward to hearing from you.

Hiroki K.

5.00 / 5

(1 reviews)

Konnichiwa and welcome to Japan! I have been doing tour guide as my side business since 2019. I am happy to announce that I became 'super host' in the area in Osaka on CityUnscripted (The tour company based in UK) I will continue to work hard to cover more area with more tours guest coming from abroad. Through my tours, my goal is to make my guests want to come back to Japan again and to recommend them to their friends. Having lived and worked in 7 cities, 3 countries and traveled to 45 countries, I believe that my mission is to efficiently guide you through the cities I love in a limited amount of time through my unique perspective. I am originally from Gifu Prefecture, Japan and I am Japanese. While a student studying international business management, I spent time in Shiga, near Nagoya and Kyoto and a short study abroad experience in Australia, UK and Israel. After working in Israel and Ireland, I came back to Kobe. So far, I have hosted over 30 tours in Kyoto and Kobe and I enjoy meeting tour guests from all over the world. I always try my best to get prepared for you to enjoy your visit to my home country. I'm constantly learning to be able to provide an enriching experience. If we come across some questions I cannot answer right away, I will be happy to do some research and get back with a full answer. For foodie, I can give you good places for all type of requirements, such as Vegetarian, vegan, Kosher or Halal. If you are coming with your parents/kids, I will arrange the tour for a shorter walking distance. IELTS Band 6.0 (English Proficiency level)

Yakir S.

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Hello there :) My name is yakir and I'm a tour guide in Kyoto. Before settling down in Japan I've traveled in many Asian countries and for me a big part of any trip to Asia is visiting the local shrines and temples. Some people are enjoying the night life or restaurants but I'm looking for the atmosphere in an ancient temple where the incents have been burning for hundreds of years and monks are going in silent concentration. Kyoto is the temple capitol of the world with more than 16,000 different temples and shrines hidden in the city and I just love to find and share the beauty and magic in them. I've studied Asia studies in Uni and also learned and practiced Chinese medicine, Qi gong and Zen meditation. I can show you the most Big and Powerful of Kyoto's temple or the quite, unique and serene local shrines. (I also love running so if you brought your running shoes let me now :)

Popular Nara Private Tours

Historic Monuments of Ancient Capital of Nara - from Osaka

In Nara, eight Buddhism temples and Shintoism Shrines are included in the World Heritage as “Historic Monuments in Ancient Capital of Nara” as those represent close cultural exchanges between Japan and China, and even Hellenism culture in the 8th century. On this tour we will visit three of them in a day from Osaka.

One day tour in Nara

7 hours

Highlights of the tour are feeding deers in Nara Park and overwhelmed by the great Budha, Daibutu. Tour also visits several historcal sites. As all historical sites are located in the Nara park, we will mainly walk through the park ( 5~8km ) The tour also can customized in line with the customer's interest, historical sites, cultural sites or shopping.

Full-Day Nara tour from Kyoto with a private guide

7 hours

Nara is a very beautiful and interesting city known by the old name of "Yamato". It was established as the first permanent Japan's capital in the year 710. There are a lot of historical monuments in this ancient city, such as Todaiji Great Buddha Hall, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kofukuji Temple and so on. Nara"deer"park is also one of must-see areas. Let's walk around and play with the lovely deer!!

One day trip of Nara Park

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6 hours

-Nara Park is famous and known as Deer Park, and more than one thousand deer roam freely in the park.-Numerous important temples, shrines, gardens and museums are within minutes of one another within the park.-The most famous sites are Todai-ji temple, Kasuga Grand Shrine, and Kofuku-ji temple.-These temples and shrines were originally built in Nara period, 1,300 years ago.

New Nara Private Tours

Mixed Scenery with Towns and Temples, Nara

5 hours 30 min

Enjoy the beauty of the temples in rural scenery and old townscapes. Ikaruga is Japan's oldest temple town, dating back to the 7th century. Even today, the pagodas from that time rise and create a beautiful rural landscape surrounded by mountains. Naramachi is within the grounds of a temple built near the Imperial Palace in the 8th century. Commercial and industrial houses lined its grounds from the Middle Ages, and the temples blended into the traditional townscape.

FROM$198/ per group

Yosshi S.

Nara park & Wazuka tea plantation visit

7 hours 30 min

In the morning, we will visit Nara Park, Todaiji temple, Kasuga grand shrine. You will have a chance to see, take photos and feed deer. After lunch, we will have a short trip to Wazuka village, the hometown of Uji tea, excellent quality of green tea. The landscape of tea plantations, built on the mountain slope, has 800 years of history. It was designated as the first scenic property of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as one of the Japan Heritages.

Uji-tea plantation visit

4 hours

We will visit Wazuka village, the hometown of Uji tea, excellent quality of green tea. The landscape of tea plantations, built on the mountain slope, has 800 years of history. It was designated as the first scenic property of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as one of the Japan Heritages.

NARA - Journey into Shinto and Buddhism

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The ancient city of Nara hosts 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites with breathtaking architectural examples of the 8th century. This tour covers the historical sites in the journey of better understanding Buddhism and Shinto, interacting with some of the hundreds of deer in Nara Park, and enjoying walks in old forests.

Popular Nara Private Cars

Nara Day Tour with a Private Car

3 hours

Experienced local taxi drivers will cordially show you around the area so that you can visit both must-see and hidden sightseeing spots and enjoy local food.

Nara 1 Day Tour

10 hours

Nara Prefecture is an ancient capital where Heijo-kyo was built during the Nara period. There are many spots and Buddhist statues designated as national treasures and world cultural heritage sites, such as Todaiji and Horyuji. We also recommend visiting Mt. Yoshino for cherry blossoms, Asuka Village, and other spots surrounded by nature.

Nara Day Tour with a Private Car

6 hours

Experienced local taxi drivers will cordially show you around the area so that you can visit both must-see and hidden sightseeing spots and enjoy local food.

Nara Day Tour with a Private Car

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Experienced local taxi drivers will cordially show you around the area so that you can visit both must-see and hidden sightseeing spots and enjoy local food.

Day Trips from Nara

Kyoto

Osaka

Kobe

Wakayama

Mie

Nara Tour Reviews

Eduardo C.

5 / 5

Jan 23, 2025

Full-day ( 8 hour) Tour from Osaka to Kyoto via Nara

Customized

Jan 23, 2025

“Fun day in Nara and Uji!”

Another very good day with Koichi as our guide. Today we went to Nara park, saw the cute deer, visited the amazing Todai-ji temple and the Byodoin Hall in Uji. It was great that Koichi knew several stores with typical sweets, and knew several restaurant options with different types of food to recommend to us!

Warren W.

5 / 5

Jan 22, 2025

Nara and Osaka

6 hours

Customized

Jan 22, 2025

“Yui was our highlight in Osaka and Kyoto!”

My family had the most memorable time with Yui and she was very warm and welcoming to us and easy to be around. Yui was also very flexible and understanding and assisted helpfully to any sudden changes that occurred with luggaging, train tickets, etc. Our 8 year old son was very entertained by Yui and did word puzzles on the phone together whilst on the train. Yui took us to really nice places and restaurants and we feel as though we had already been friends for a long time, ...actually I can't say enough - we had so much fun. Thank you Yui, we hope to spend time with you again soon. Melissa, Warren and Xavier.

Yui M.

It was such a lovely out in my favorite places with Warren's family. I am so glad to hear that you guys having good time and enjoyed. I wish we have more time to spend together.Because I still wanna show more other places and chat more things. Hopefully we have a chance to catch up again and discover the places in the future. And also would like to play with their lovely son again.I enjoyed to play with him so much. Thank you for chose me for your guide this time. I am looking forward to see you again as a friend next time in here or somewhere. Take care. Cheers, Yui.

Sakina K.

5 / 5

Jan 5, 2025

Tour on Jan.02 in 2025