Akira was a great guide. He helps us navigate the public transportation, which was very smooth and enjoyable. Akira is very knowledgeable and explained the history of Nara and Osaka to us in ways we could relate to. Nara was amazing and seeing the Todadaiji temple and the Kasuga shrine was one of the highlights of our entire trip. However, walking through the deer park and being able to send videos to our grandchildren made it even more fun. When we were getting tired towards the end of the day, Akira was sensitive enough to offer us the ability to take a taxi so we could complete the tour as it was getting cold. Akira is a very good choice for a guide. He also guided us to a good restaurant where we had such a wonderful lunch with great conversation.
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Private tour in Kyoto Akira M
Nara and Osaka full day private tour with a local guide
4.9
(37) reviews
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9 hours
1
Tour date
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9 hours
1
Akira M.
4.9
Guide rating
205
Reviews
Tours delivered
2 hrs
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Hello ! My name is Akira. Please call me Aki. I am a national licensed tour guide in English for 9 years. I am specialized in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe and Hiroshima. When you have a plan to visit those area, please contact me. In those area, you can find a traditional and cultural Japan. I will guide you wherever you would like to visit and you can enjoy Japan with me for sure. I worked for an export company for more than 30years and met many people from overseas who were interested in Japanese culture, history and buildings. So after I retired, I decided to become a tour guide. Please let me know what and where you are interested in so that I can arrange it for you, and make your itinerary which you will be satisfied with. In my spare time, my hobby is Japanese martial art Aikido (black belt 2nd grade). If you are interested in Japanese martial art, I am pleased to talk about it with you. Looking forward to your inquiry. Thank you so much for reading my introduction, and I look forward to sharing my country with you. - National guide certificate (registration number EN00593) English - Certificate of Authorized Tour Conductor (registration number 05-15-D043954) I am not a driver. I can accompany you in your vehicle which you book. Please make sure that rented vehicles have taxi license for me to be able to conduct a tour.
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Explore Nara and Osaka with your own Local Guide
Overview of your Kyoto tour
In one day, you visit Nara park, Todaiji temple and Kasuga shrine in Nara, and Osaka castle and Dotonbori district in Osaka. (PLease be noted that from December 28th to January 1st the main tower of Osaka castle is closed, so we can not enter the main tower however we can go to the Main tower and see it from the outside and other historical things like moats and stonewall, watchtower and etc. during that time) Nara was the ancient capital of Japan from 710 to 784 before Kyoto. In Nara you enjoy historical buildings like the great statue of Buddha, wild deer in Nara Park and an old shrine. Osaka is the center of western Japan and is called the city of food and the city of comedy. You can enjoy good food in Osaka and you can enjoy street food in Dotonbori. And, you will know what a Japanese castle is like.
Recent Reviews
This is a great tour to see the highlights of two lovely towns in one day. Akira is very knowledgeable and passionate about Japanese history. We learned a lot. I highly recommend his services.
Akira really shines in Osaka. He knows very unusual places in Osaka, where he lives. Nara was also an excellent area and we hit the high spots. He was very caring about finding a vegan restaurant in Nara and also helping with our train tickets to get to Kamakura. Excellent guide.
Mister Akira was very kind and knowledgeable. We had a great tour! Thank you!
Highly Recommended! Very knowledgeable of the area and very patient with us-explaining all the details in every sites/spots while being able to adjust on itinerary and time. A pleasant and enriching experience!
Akira was an absolutely outstanding guide! He showed us a side of Nara and Osaka that we could not have seen on our own and expertly guided us through the metro system setting us up for the next week of our stay. He is very experienced and was able to give us a lot of history on the places we visited. A most worthwhile trip with Akira.
Your Kyoto tour itinerary
I pick you up and take a train to Nara. From Nara station we walk or take a bus to Todaiji temple. On the way to Todaiji temple we can see a lot of deers. We are already in Nara Park(deer park). From Todaiji temple we walk to Kasuga shrine about 30-40 minutes. You see beautiful scenery. From Kasuga shrine we walk back to Nara station. if you are tired, of course we can take a bus or taxi. From Nara we go to Osaka by train . In Osaka we first visit Osaka castle. And then we take a subway to Dootonbori. (PLease be noted that from December 28th to January 1st the main tower of Osaka castle is closed, so we can not enter the main tower however we can go to the Main tower and see it from the outside and other historical things like moats and stonewall, watchtower and etc. during that time)
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Transport details
Type: Public Transportation / Category: Train
Public transportation and walking.
What's included
What's not included
Meeting location
Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
your hotel in Kyoto or Osaka
- You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
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Languages
Japanese
EnglishActivity level
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9 hours
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9 hours
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