GoWithGuide
Nara Private Tour - Great Buddha
Great Buddha
Nara Private Tour - Kasuga Shrine
Kasuga Shrine
Nara Private Tour - Oh Deer!
Oh Deer!

Essential 4 popular sites in Nara for 1st-time travellers

Art, Culture, & Historical
Nara Tour Guide - Joji T.

Joined 2019

Joji T.
5.00 / 5
(13 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
Nara
English
5 hrs 30 mins
Private tour (only you and Joji T.)
Up to 5 people

This tour consists of three must-go sites and one additional site which you would like to go. Four sites are

①Nara Park with many deer

②Todaiji Temple, so-called Giant Buddha statue temple

③Temukeyama Hachimangu shrine

④KasugaTaisha Shrine, so-called 3000 lanterns shrine

We may stop by following place if our time allows:

*Kofukuji Temple

*Gangoji Temple

*Nara-machi historic district

*Nara National Museum

*Isuien Garden

Or, please feel free to customize the tour as you like. I am flexible.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

09:30 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel in Nara or Kintetsu Nara Station

- If needed, we can start from your hotel in Kyoto or JR Kyoto station and bring you back the same place. But in this case, it is difficult to go all sites within 5.5 hours.

10:10 AM

Todaiji Temple

On the way to Todaiji Temple, we will walk in Nara Park.

Todaiji Temple is the well-known place where Great Buddha is sitting in the largest wooden building in the world. It is a bronze statue symbolizing peace and enlightment. The south gate is as popular as the main sanctuary building, where two huge guardians are standing right and left.

11:30 AM

Temukeyama Hachimangu

Shinto and Buddism are two different religions. But they are not completely separate and people often worship both together in Japan. Temukeyama Hachimangu is located inside of Todaiji Temple and protecting the great buddha. It is one of the very good examples how the two religions coexisted.

02:00 PM

Kasuga Shrine

It is one of the most famous Shinto shrines in Japan. According to legend, one of the dieties arrives in Nara riding a white deer in 8th century. It is a start of having deer at Nara Park and they have been treated as a secred animal since then. The shrine was established in 768 and has been protecting ancient capital of Nara and Japan.

Ending Point

At your hotel in Nara, Kintetsu Nara Station or any designated places

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

* Guide fee

* My own public transportation

* My own entrance tickets

* My own lunch and foods

What‘s not included

* Public transportation for guests (mostly walking so no cost)

* Entrance tickets for guests (about @Yen1500)

* Lunch for guests (about @Yen1200)

* Taxi fare (only if applicable)

* Personal expenses

Tour Important Information

We use a public transportation such as a bus and a train. This tour involves a lot of walking. So, it is not good for the people with back/knee problems. If needed, we can take a taxi at the time you requested or hire a full-day private car with a driver. Here are my recommendations:

If you wish to adjust the schedule, start at a different time, or have any special requests, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am happy to accommodate your needs.

Important message from the supplier

Currently, my main coverage is Kyoto, Nara and Osaka, but I can mostly go anywhere if you can bear my transportation fee. I am easy and flexible.

Cancellation Policy

  • Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
  • 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
  • No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Nara Tour Guide - Joji T.

Joined 2019

Joji T.
5.00 / 5
(13 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Joji T.

Hello!

I am Joji. Please call me Joji. Or Bonjoji, if it is easier for you to remember from the name of the famous Rockband BonJovi. I was born and raised in Kyoto untill 19 years old. But I have not paid attention to the fact that the city was an old capital of Japan. There was a small old temple near my house and I used it as nothing more than a good place to play "hide and seek" then.


I studied English and graduated from University of South Carolina with Statistic major. During my work at a precision equipment company, I have lived in California and New Jersey in the states for 12 years. While I was in the States, I have been treated like a family by many local American people. So, it is a time that I treat you back well while you are traveling in Japan. (If you were not American, no worries and I would treat you same.)


Now, I got old and developed an interest in the history and culture of Kyoto and Nara, having learned more about it through English National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter Test, UNESCO World Heritage Academy and Cultural Examination, Kyoto Tourism Examination, Nara Sommelier Examination and etc. Spending a couple of years, I have successfully passed all these examinations.


My hobby is visiting old ruins in the world so that I have been to Vesa Merde in the States, Macchu Picchu in Peru, Easter Island in Chile, Volbilis in Morocco, Tikal in Guatemala, Angkor Wat in Cambodia and etc. When I go to unknown places, I normally hire a local guide. I think it is the most efficient and smartest way to learn the places. Now, it is a time that I share what I know about beautiful Kyoto and historical Nara, as a guide. The goal of my guiding is to make your journey more comfortable, enjoyable and unforgettable while you are in Japan. Please feel free to contact me and let's enjoy the tour together.


Bonjoji

Reviews

“Exceptional Guide”

Joji was an exceptional guide! He made sure we experienced everything that we asked of him. He was very knowledgeable of of all the history & culture of the sites visited. Joji went above & beyond to make sure our family was comfortable & happy through out the day. He even assisted me with very detailed information for other things i was interested in, days after the tour that had nothing to do with our time together. Joji is an exemplary guide! You will not be disappointed with his service.

Aaron R.

Joji T.

Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for your kind words. It was truly my pleasure spending the day with you and your wonderful family. I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed both the historical and cultural aspects of the tour. My goal is always to create a personalized experience that is enjoyable, comfortable, and memorable for every guest. I'm also happy that I could assist you with your additional questions even after the tour. Thank you again for choosing me as your guide. I hope to welcome you and your family back to Japan someday, and I wish you many more wonderful travel adventures!

“A wonderful day in Tokyo”

Our tour with Joji was our first full day in Tokyo and what a day it was! We couldn't believe how much we were able to pack into 6.5 hours and yet nothing felt rushed. Joji is a great guide and teacher. We were very nervous about using public transportation on our own but Joji taught us so well we had no issues the following days. We also asked Joji for a change in our itinerary and he happily obliged and took us to Gōtokuji Temple (instead of Shibuya Crossing) which was one of our favorite spots of the day. We highly recommend this tour! Thank you Joji!!!

Kathryn D.

Joji T.

Kathryn Very glad to hear you have enjoyed the tour. The beckon cat you bought will bring you more happiness to you and your family. Please come back again !!! Joji

“Tokyo with Joji T.”

We had a great experience with Joji. Joji had planned out our day but was also flexible to allow us to stop at other places of interest and for much needed breaks. Joji shared his knowledge of the sites we visited, and provided us with a thoroughly enjoyable day.

Jo A.

Joji T.

Jo, very glad to hear you enjoyed the tour. I appreciate you wrote the nice review. Thanks to the good weather, we could see nice view from Shibuya Sky. Please come back, again!

Want to Personalize?

$284/ per group

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