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.
.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
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.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/8536/44043.jpg)
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
guide fee (12075JPY),
guide transportation fee between home and the spot(2000JPY)
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),
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.
The price of the tour includes the guide fee and the guide's transportation fee between home and the travel city.
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!
Scott M.
“Japan tour”
Michiko is an excellent guide and wonderful person. My wife and I had the best trip thanks to Michiko and her knowledge and attention to detail. Thank you Michiko for making our trip wonderful and the amazing memories we will have forever. See you on our next tour. Scott and Ramona.
Scott M.
“Osaka,Kobe, Kyoto day tours.”
Michiko is the most amazing tour guide. Her lovely kind nature and exceptional knowledge of all areas and history is excellent. If you want a truly personal and easy experience, my wife and I could not recommend Michiko more highly. We will definitely be back to wonderful Japan and book with Michiko as she made our memories of Japan even more special.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/8536/44043.jpg)
Michiko T.
Scott, Ramona, thank you so much for your wonderful review. We visited famous tourist spots in Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto, but what truly touched me was how both of you enjoyed every moment and sought to understand not just the surface beauty, but our everyday life and the underlying culture and history. You taught me that sharing joy, happiness, and delicious food makes it all even sweeter. I’ll never forget your kindness and laughter. Enjoy the rest of your journey, too. Please come back to Japan and discover more hidden gems!
Hans L.
“A heartfelt and unforgettable experience with Michiko”
We had the great pleasure of spending two and a half days with Michiko — starting in Nara, then traveling by car to Kyoto. Together we explored both cities as well as a beautiful tea plantation along the way. Before our trip even began, Michiko had already prepared everything in detail. She arranged our sightseeing routes and even secured local train tickets that we, as visitors, would never have found on our own. Thanks to her, we discovered many hidden gems that made our journey truly special. Michiko perfectly represents the gentle and gracious spirit of Nara — calm, polite, and deeply kind. Though she is a quiet person by nature, her explanations at each site were thoughtful and rich in detail. She guided us not only through places but also through culture and history with great insight. On our last day, saying goodbye was truly emotional. Michiko had to travel more than two hours each way from her home in Nara to meet us in Kyoto, and she still took the time to help us find a taxi at the train station before leaving. She even gave me a beautiful silk scarf as a farewell gift — a gesture that deeply touched my heart. Michiko is not only an excellent guide but also a wonderful human being. Through her, we came to understand and love Nara and Kyoto even more. It was a truly memorable experience, one that we will cherish for a long time.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/8536/44043.jpg)
Michiko T.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I feel truly fortunate to have been chosen as a guide for such a lovely couple as yourselves. Hans, I was impressed with your extensive knowledge and insight of Japanese politics, economics, and culture, gained from previous experience living here. Sharon, I was moved to see how you appreciated each moment with intelligence and rich sensitivity. I was also touched with your thoughtfulness. We hope this tour becomes a wonderful memory for both of you. Please do visit Japan again to discover more hidden gems. I wish you all the best!
$91/ per person
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/2395/45918.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/4423/76224.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/4982/85666.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/16253/a5c2fb3b-d3c5-4ddb-950f-a827eedb3fc4.jpg)