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Indigo dyeing experience and Yakushi-ji temple visit

Entrance of the indigo dyeing studio

A tapestry with goldfish pattern

Yakushiji Temple Main Hall in Nara

Yakushiji Temple Toin-do Hall in Nara

Indigo dyeing experience and Yakushi-ji temple visit

Unique Experience

Joined 2017

Michiko T.

4.99 / 5

(86 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Nara

English

3 hrs 30 mins

Private tour (only you and Michiko T.)

Up to 5 people

Ai-zome, or indigo dyeing used to be very familiar with ordinary Japanese people, especially in Edo Period(16C to 19C). The beauty of the color is highly valued as "Japan Blue". You will experience at a studio called "Konya", the fine renovation of an old merchant's house in Yamato-koriyama city, a castle town.

After that you will visit Yakushiji Temple.

Itinerary

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

12:30 PM

Meeting Point

Kintetsu Koriyama Sta. (20 minutes from Kintetsu Nara Sta.) or JR Koriyama Sta. (5 minutes from JR Nara Sta.)

Indigo dyeing experience

Yakushiji temple

Yakushiji-Temple(710) is one of the world heritage site"Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara". The principal image is Healing Buddha, or doctor Buddha. You will also see Sun and Moon Bodhisattva,or day and night attendant nurses. They always welcome you with great mercy.

Ending Point

Kintetsu Nishinokyo Sta.

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 (12075JPY),

guide transportation fee between home and the spot(2000JPY)

What‘s not included

transportation fee during the tour ￥150 per person,　

"Konya" entrance fee ￥300,

the fee for indigo dyeing experience ￥1200 to ￥1900,

"Yakushiji Temple"entrance fee (It varies depending on the date.)　￥1100 (1/1~1/15 3/1~6/30 8/13~8/15 9/16~11/30) ￥ 800 (Rest of the year),

Tour Important Information

① The tour is carried out after booking the indigo dyeing experience. To ensure the booking, I'd like you to contact me early, at least 3days before the tour.

② I recommend you to wear clothes you can get dirty in dyeing, although apron, rubber gloves and long boots are prepared.

③ I'd like you to prepare cash for the payment on the tour.

④ At Yakushiji temple, East Pagoda undergoes disassembly and repair, so you can't see it now.

Important message from the supplier

The price of the tour includes the guide fee and the guide's transportation fee between home and the travel city.

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

Joined 2017

Michiko T.

4.99 / 5

(86 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Michiko T.

Hi, I'm Michiko.

I'm a national certified English tour guide.Since I was born and raised in Nara, I'm familiar with the sightseeing spots and attractions of Nara, and neighboring city, Kyoto.

Nara and Kyoto, old capitals of Japan, retain time honoured structures and art works. What is more, beautiful gardens and picturesque landscapes are always waiting for you!

I'm also a traveler who especially love to explore local foods and crafts, which have been passed down from generation to generation.

I'll try to guide you with best hospitality. When you have a chance to visit Nara,Kyoto and Osaka, please contact me anytime and join my tour!

I will be looking forward to seeing you.See you soon!

Reviews

Jenny T.

5 / 5

Jan 28, 2026

Dear deer Nara! ~Nara Park & Nara-machi~

Jan 28, 2026

Nara

5 hours

“Amazing time in Nara!”

It was my daughter’s birthday wish to go to Nara on her birthday and Mitchiko helped make the day extra special. We all had a fabulous time and managed to see many sights. She also recommended a really nice Ramen restaurant for lunch. We were able to have a flexible itinerary and really enjoyed the day trip from Osaka. Thank you Mitchiko! Hope to see you soon again!

Michiko T.

Thank you for your wonderful review. I'm delighted you enjoyed a winter day in Nara for your daughter's birthday. Hearing about your family stories and the futures of teenagers like them was a great joy. Also seeing your daughter gently feeding the deer crackers while talking to them warmed my heart. It was surprising how one deer followed her for so long! I hope the hot ramen warming chilly bodies and the high-speed mochi pounding demonstration also become memories of your trip. See you again!

Kelly T.

5 / 5

Jan 11, 2026

Nara 6 hour tour

Jan 11, 2026

Nara

6 hours

Customized

“A great day trip in Nara ”

Michiko is very patient and knowledgeable. As a local she knows Nara very well. She’s also very accommodative in coming up with an itinerary that fit our family, including activities such as tea ceremony and sake tasting (although we ran out of time), lunch and dinner recommendations too. The local traditional lunch we had was superb.

Michiko T.

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I was very lucky to guide such a lovely family as yours in Nara. You clearly communicated your preferences regarding the tour content beforehand, which helped me a lot. I was deeply impressed your family had a great interest and respect on Japanese culture. Also, I'll never forget your lovely children smiling as they squeezed through the pillar hole at Todaiji's Great Buddha Hall! I hope you’ll come back to Japan again and discover many more favorites.

J K.

5 / 5

Jan 5, 2026

Kyoto 2- day tour②

Jan 5, 2026

Kyoto

7 hours

Customized

“6 Stars for Family Kyoto Tour with Michiko”

This was my husband and my 3rd trip to Kyoto but first time with our kids. We had 2 memorable days with Michiko and wish we could have all our days in Japan with her. She planned our days so thoughtfully, keeping our interests in mind and what would be engaging for our kids. We were able to see so much more in our 2 days than we could have on our own. And we had 2 delicious lunches as well! We had activities planned that were enjoyable for all of us. Everyone had something they were excited about and she kept our days interesting, informative and fun. It felt like an insiders guide to Kyoto and I hope to return so we can spend more time with Michiko!

Michiko T.

Thank you for the wonderful review! I am truly grateful that my first guests of 2026 were such a wonderful family like yours. I was deeply moved by how energetic your children are, and how expressive their faces are. This is surely the result of your loving and wise guidance as parents, protecting their sensibilities during their precious childhood from ready-made content and social media, allowing them to grow slowly through their own experiences. I hope you'll enjoy the rest of your stay in Japan and come back again!