# Private Guide in Osaka & Nara | Mario, English-Speaking URL: https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/osaka-nara/ Idioma: en > Private English-speaking guide for Osaka and Nara: Todai-ji before the crowds, Nara’s deer, Kasuga Taisha, Osaka Castle, Kuromon Market and Dotonbori. [Private guide](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/) · Osaka & Nara # Osaka & Nara, an ancient capital and a city of food Japan’s first great capital, with its giant bronze Buddha and gentle deer, paired with Osaka’s castle and its famously generous food culture. [Plan Osaka & Nara with Mario](https://wa.me/817089968582?text=Hello%20Mario%2C%20I%20would%20like%20a%20private%20guide%20for%20Osaka%20%26%20Nara.%20Dates%3A%20)[or message Mario directly](https://wa.me/817089968582?text=Hello%20Mario%2C%20I%20would%20like%20a%20private%20guide%20in%20Japan.%20Dates%3A%20) Guided in English · also speaks Spanish · ¥69,600 · full day · 8 h · for the whole private group (Osaka Castle above its stone walls and moat) Osaka Castle above its stone walls and moat Photo: [Martin Falbisoner](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Castle_Outer_Moat_and_Osaka_Business_Park,_November_2016.jpg) · CC BY-SA 4.0 案内人 マリオ In brief Osaka and Nara pair naturally in one private day: Todai-ji, Nara Park and Kasuga Taisha in the morning, then Osaka Castle, Kuromon Market and Dotonbori in the afternoon and evening. Nara is about 35 to 45 minutes from Osaka by train. A full day with Mario is ¥69,600 per private party. Mario is part of the Tony Kansai Guide team; WhatsApp +81 70 8996 8582. Kansai is Mario’s home ground, so no guide travel costs are added. Osaka & Nara: quick facts Best for Families, food lovers, travelers based in Osaka or Kyoto Ideal time One full day, or Nara as a half day from Kyoto Getting there Kyoto to Osaka about 15 min by shinkansen Guide travel None: Mario is based in Kansai Guide Mario, private English-speaking guide (also speaks Spanish); four years guiding Rates Half day ¥45,600 · full day ¥69,600 · long day trips from ¥84,000 (per private party) Book [WhatsApp +81 70 8996 8582](https://wa.me/817089968582?text=Hello%20Mario%2C%20I%20would%20like%20a%20private%20guide%20in%20Japan.%20Dates%3A%20) Osaka & Nara ## Highlights with Mario (Osaka Castle) Photo: [Martin Falbisoner](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Castle_at_Night,_November_2016.jpg) · CC BY-SA 4.0 ### Osaka Castle The great keep above massive stone walls and moats, rebuilt in 1931 and now a museum of the castle’s story. Lit beautifully after dark. (Dotonbori) Photo: [Oilstreet](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dotonbori_Osaka_Japan01-r.jpg) · CC BY 2.5 ### Dotonbori Neon, the canal and Osaka’s street food: takoyaki, okonomiyaki and grilled skewers of seafood. At its liveliest in the early evening. (Kuromon Market) Photo: [Choi2451](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Seafood_in_Kuromon_Market,_Osaka_on_June_7th,_2017.jpg) · CC BY-SA 3.0 ### Kuromon Market Around 150 stalls of seafood, wagyu, fruit and sweets. Mario steers you to the counters locals use, late morning, before it gets crowded. (Todai-ji) Photo: [Marie-Sophie Mejan](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nara,_Tōdai-ji_temple,_東大寺,_school_kids.jpg) · CC BY 4.0 ### Todai-ji The Great Buddha Hall, one of the largest wooden buildings in the world, shelters a bronze Buddha about 15 meters tall. Arrive at opening for the calmest visit. (Nara Park’s deer) Photo: [Zairon](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nara_Kasuga-taisha_Lanterns_&_Deer_02.jpg) · CC BY 4.0 ### Nara Park’s deer Over a thousand deer, considered messengers of the gods, roam freely. Mario shows you how to feed them gently and when to keep your distance. (Kasuga Taisha) Photo: [Gzzz](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lanterns_Kasuga-taisha_Nara.jpg) · CC BY-SA 4.0 ### Kasuga Taisha A vermilion shrine in an ancient forest, with some 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns lining its paths. A suggested day ## How the day could unfold A starting point, not a script: Mario adjusts the order and pace to the season, the crowds and your interests. - 08:30 Hotel lobby pick-up in Osaka or Kyoto and a train or car to Nara. - 09:30 Todai-ji and the Great Buddha, before the school groups and tour buses. - 11:00 Nara Park’s deer and the forest walk to Kasuga Taisha. - 12:30 Lunch in Naramachi’s old merchant quarter, then the train to Osaka. - 15:00 Osaka Castle and its grounds. - 17:30 Dotonbori as the lights come on, with a street-food walk or a reserved wagyu dinner. Insider tips ## What Mario wants you to know - From Osaka-Namba, the Kintetsu line reaches Nara in about 40 minutes and stops a short walk from the park. - Deer bow when they see deer crackers; keep paper bags and maps out of reach, and do not tease them. - Kuromon is best from late morning; many stalls close by late afternoon. - Osaka is a natural base for Kansai with Kansai International Airport (KIX) about an hour away. ¥69,600 · full day · 8 h · for the whole private group (half day ¥45,600 · 4 h) Trains, admissions, meals and any private car with driver are paid separately, at cost. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before. [All prices](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/#prices) Questions ## Osaka & Nara: frequently asked Who is a good English-speaking private guide in Osaka & Nara? Mario, a private English-speaking guide based in Kansai, guides Osaka & Nara and plans the whole day, bookings included. Mario is part of the Tony Kansai Guide team; message him on WhatsApp at +81 70 8996 8582. Can you see Osaka and Nara in one day? Yes, comfortably, with Nara in the morning and Osaka from mid-afternoon. With more time, Nara deserves a relaxed half day and Osaka a full one. Is Nara a good day trip from Kyoto? Yes. Nara is about 45 minutes from Kyoto by train. Mario often guides it as a half day (4 hours, ¥45,600) from Kyoto. What should we eat in Osaka? Takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu skewers, fresh seafood at Kuromon and wagyu. Mario reserves restaurants in Japanese and explains dietary needs to the kitchen. (Mario, private English-speaking tour guide in Japan) **Mario** · private English-speaking guide in Japan. Four years of guiding, fluent Spanish too, and the logistics of someone based in Kansai who married into a Japanese family. [Message Mario on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/817089968582?text=Hello%20Mario%2C%20I%20would%20like%20a%20private%20guide%20for%20Osaka%20%26%20Nara.%20Dates%3A%20) Plan ahead ## Read next Read next - [A Japan family trip with a private guide](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/japan-family-trip-private-guide/) - [The ideal two-week Japan itinerary for a first visit](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/japan-itinerary-two-weeks/) - [First time in Japan? The essential tips](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/first-time-japan-tips/) More journeys ## Other places Mario guides - [01 ### Kyoto Kiyomizu-dera · Fushimi Inari Taisha · Arashiyama Full day · 8 h · Private group ¥69,600 for the whole private group](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/kyoto/) - [02 ### Tokyo Senso-ji and Kaminarimon · Meiji Jingu · Shibuya Full day · 8 h · Private group ¥69,600 for the whole private group](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/tokyo/) - [03 ### Mount Fuji & Hakone Lake Kawaguchi · Oshino Hakkai · Lake Ashi Long day trip · beyond 8 h · Private group from ¥84,000 for the whole private group](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/mount-fuji-hakone/) - [04 ### Nikko & Kamakura Shinkyo Bridge · Kegon Falls · Lake Chuzenji Long day trip · beyond 8 h · Private group from ¥84,000 for the whole private group](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/nikko-kamakura/) Continue? ## Let Mario plan your Japan Send your dates, the size of your party and where you are staying. Mario replies with a plan, and every reservation is made for you, in Japanese. [Message Mario on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/817089968582?text=Hello%20Mario%2C%20I%20would%20like%20a%20private%20guide%20for%20Osaka%20%26%20Nara.%20Dates%3A%20)[See prices](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/#prices)