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.
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Kintetsu Koriyama Sta. (20 minutes from Kintetsu Nara Sta.) or JR Koriyama Sta. (5 minutes from JR Nara Sta.)
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.
Kintetsu Nishinokyo Sta.
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.
“Great Osaka guide!”
Our guide Michiko took us to Osaka castle and Dotonbori. She handled all the details including obtaining the entrance tickets and taxis. She was extremely professional and above all a nice and knowledgeable person. We would recommend her without any reservations.
Michiko T.
(43 reviews)Thank you for taking the time to write such a wonderful review. I'm honored to have guests as friendly and intelligent as you in Osaka. Everyone was close to each other and the tour was full of laughter. I hope to make a trip like this with close friends and family someday. I'm happy if this tour will leave a deep impression on Osaka. Bon voyage!
Connie H.
Asuka village 1 day tour ~the original landscape of Japan~
“An unforgettable trip to Asuka”
Michiko-san is a superb guide, professional, efficient, knowledgeable and personable. We managed to cover everything on the itinerary with time to spare for an additional site. I am so grateful to her for accommodating my last minute changes and request to visit the Tsubosaka dera - it was breathtaking to see the Buddhas and pagodas surrounded by cherry blossoms and I felt so fortunate to be there. Asuka village is a beautiful and peaceful village and I thoroughly enjoyed my visit which was well paced and never felt rushed, courtesy to Michiko-san’s personal transport arrangement. We had lunch at a quaint and cosy cafe near the Asuka station and the food was so good (Japanese western cuisine made with local produce of plants and herbs). This trip brought me many fond memories and joy. Thanks to Michiko-san, Asuka left a deep impression on me. I highly recommend her service as a guide and I hope to see her again on my future trips to Japan - there are still so many hidden gems to explore in Nara!
Michiko T.
(43 reviews)Thanks for the great review. We were lucky enough to see the cherry blossoms just beginning to bloom and share the blessings of spring in beautiful Asuka Village. You seemed to enjoy every moment of the tour, not only when you visited sightseeing spots, but also when you found a tiny ladybug in the grass, which impressed me a lot. I hope you will come back again and explore other hidden gems together! See you again!
“Michiko was the best guide, in our Japan trip ”
Our tour with Michiko was our last one before our trip back home, and I guess the saying “save the best for last” holds true here. Michiko was able to give us exactly what we wanted from -unique traditional pottery stores in a very quiet- non-touristy area, and so many quaint shops. To the most delicious ramen restaurant, an inspiring moss garden and a path through the bamboo forest. My most favorite day with Michiko. Thank you again so much- hope to return soon!
Michiko T.
(43 reviews)Thank you for your sweet review! I was also so happy to explore some non-touristy places with such a lovely family like you. Your family were all genius to find wonderful things, from small to big, and appreciate them so much. Especially Christine seemed to have some antenna to find her favorite craft shops! I hope you will come back again in the future, and that I can hear George say, "Hi"!