Nara Private Tours & Local Tour Guides

“A perfectly balanced and memorable day in Nara”

We were two couples, and we had a wonderful day in Nara with Michiko. She met us at our hotel in Kyoto, and from the beginning everything felt smooth, well organized, and easy. Even getting to Nara was part of the experience, as we combined the metro and a local bus, which made the day feel even more authentic and interesting. We started with a walk through Nara Park, where the many freely roaming deer are a special attraction in themselves. We also visited Kasuga Taisha Shrine and were lucky enough to witness a traditional wedding there, which made the visit even more special. After that, we visited the impressive Todai-ji Temple, entering through the famous gate with the two giant guardian statues. The temple was absolutely beautiful, and with the cherry blossoms in bloom, the whole setting felt unforgettable. Michiko also took us to an excellent local restaurant, where we sat on tatami mats around a low table and enjoyed a full table of delicious food. Later, we walked through the old part of town, visited a traditional Japanese house, and stopped at a small craft brewery, which was a fun and unique experience. What we appreciated most was how well Michiko guided the whole day. She was very organized, well prepared, and shared a lot of interesting knowledge and context throughout the day. She was respectful, always happy to explain anything we asked, and kept a very good walking pace, which suited us perfectly. At the same time, she always kept a careful eye on the group, helping us move smoothly through the crowds and see as much as possible. She also had a very good energy and was always ready to help, including taking photos for us. We had a fantastic time with her and would happily recommend her to anyone visiting Nara or Kyoto.

“Highly Recommended!!!”

Highly recommend taking a tour to see Nara Park with Miyu. The whole experience can be very overwhelming. First there is the overall size of the park (1600 acres), numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, and wild, bowing deer everywhere. For this reason, my family booked a private tour with Miyu. Miyu had everything planned out and guided us around the park. Never once did we have to pull out our phones to try to use Google Maps/Translate. Miyu expertly led us to see the temples and shrines - handling admission and leading us to see the best spots and must-see items at each location. She helped me with buying a Goshuincho and obtaining my first Goshuins. Miyu also helped my children with their Omikujis. For me the highlight was seeing and feeding the deer (although some can be quite aggressive). Miyu explained the process of feeding the deer and gave us tips to avoid being harassed by the deer. We were finished and leaving for lunch just as the park was beginning to become really crowded. Overall, we were very happy to have Miyu as our guide and were very satisfied with her tour of Nara Park.

Miyu S.

(12 reviews)

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It makes me truly happy to hear that your family had a great time in Nara. I’m glad I could help you navigate the park so you could focus on making memories together without worrying about maps or translations. Feeding the deer and getting your first Goshuin are such special experiences, and I’m honored I could be a part of them. Please let me know when you're back in Japan—I’d love to guide you and your family again!

“A wonderful experience with Yasu — highly recommend!”

While staying in Nara, we arranged two customized tours through Go with Guide, and our guide Yasu exceeded all expectations. He is knowledgeable, warm, and genuinely passionate about sharing Japanese history, culture, and customs — we learned so much from him throughout both days. Our first tour took us to Kyoto, which was bustling with tourists in April. Yasu struck a great balance, taking us to a couple of the iconic shrines and temples before steering us toward quieter, lesser-known spots away from the crowds. He also recommended a wonderful boiled tofu lunch in a peaceful corner of the city — a true local highlight. For our second day, Yasu crafted a fantastic itinerary centered around the Asuka area, which we explored comfortably in his car. In the morning we visited Hasedera Temple and Tanzan Shrine, both nestled in the mountains and a little off the beaten path — they were an absolute joy to visit. We also stopped at Asukadera Temple, home to Japan's oldest Buddha, and explored some fascinating prehistoric rock sites whose history remains a mystery even to scholars. Lunch was another special treat: sōmen, a local specialty of delicate, thin white noodles served chilled with a savory dipping sauce and fresh toppings. A perfect and memorable meal. On the way back to Nara, Yasu took us to Mahoroba Kitchen, a wonderful local produce market — a great find we never would have discovered on our own. He also went out of his way to stop at a Don Quijote store outside of town so we could pick up an extra duffel bag for our growing collection of souvenirs. That kind of thoughtfulness really set him apart. We couldn't have asked for a better guide. Yasu's expertise, creativity, and genuine care for his guests made both days truly unforgettable. Highly recommended!

Yasuhisa K.

(67 reviews)

Dear Carol and Wendi. Thank you very much for your nice reviews on the tour in Kyoto and Nara on 17 and 19 April. I am also very happy to know that you could enjoy the tours and able to accompay with such a nice couple as you. I could also observe that you who are the friends of bird watchers enjoy the nature in Kyoto and Nara. Hoping you continue to enjoy birdwatching trips in many parts of the world and in Japan. Yasu