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Nara Park & Indigo dyeing experience

Deer in Nara park

The statue of Great Buddha in Todai-ji temple

Kasuga grand shrine

Indigo-dyeing studio

Nara Park & Indigo dyeing experience

Unique Experience

Joined 2017

Michiko T.

4.99 / 5

(85 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Nara

English

7 hours

Private tour (only you and Michiko T.)

Up to 5 people

First we will visit Nara Park, where historic monuments and nature create calm and peaceful atmosphere. You'll see wild deer roaming hear and there. Walking in Nara-machi district will give us a chance to see an old merchants' houses.Then I will take you to an traditional indigo-dyeing studio and help you to experience it.

Itinerary

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

10:00 AM

Meeting Point

at JR or KINTETSU NARA STATION

Nara Park (Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga grand shrine, Kofuku-ji Temple)

Nara was an ancient capital of Japan(710~794), and the terminal destination of Silk Road, a trading road connecting the West and the East. Influenced by international culture, a great number of treasures, including historical structures, Buddhist statues and artifacts, miraculously remain here.

Especially, the quality of Buddhist statues is marvelous! For example, Nio-zo, A pair of statues of Guardian Deities in Todaiji temple has a lot in common with Statue of David by Michelangelo. I will guide you to see such world-class masterpieces.

Nara-machi district(old merchants' town)

Indigo-dyeing experience

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". Now it is well-known as the logo of "Tokyo Olympics in 2020". You will try dyeing with the handkerchief and the bandanna,etc.. "Konya", the studio, is located in Yamatokoriyama city, a castle town, and you will also touch the atmosphere of the old merchant area.

Ending Point

at JR or KINTETSU KORIYMA STATION

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 (25,900JPY),

transportation fee from home to Nara (2,000JPY)

What‘s not included

transportation fee during the tour (you and guide)---about 1000JPY, lunch(you and guide) ---1000~2000JPY, entrance fee(you)---①Todaiji-temple 800 JPY, ②Kasuga grand shrine, 700JPY, ③Indigo-dyeing studio 300JPY, ④the fee for indigo dyeing experience 1100 JPY or 1430JPY

Tour Important Information

This is basically a walking tour. So I recommend wearing shoes that are easy to walk in. If you have difficulty in walking, please let me know.

You are supposed to pay in cash for entrance fees at temples.I would like you to prepare some cash.

As for the indigo-dyeing experience,

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

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

Only available on Saturday and Sunday

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

(85 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

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!

Matt L.

5 / 5

Dec 16, 2025

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

Dec 16, 2025

Nara

5 hours

“Great guide for Nara!”

Michiko is an excellent, knowledgeable, and friendly guide. We had a great tour of Nara. Highly recommend!

Michiko T.

Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Matt and Amber. Spending time in Nara with such a natural couple like you was truly a delightful experience for me. I especially enjoyed your story about Hawaiian cuisine wrapped in plant leaves and grilled—it shares similarities with persimmon leaf sushi. Merry Christmas, and have a wonderful New Year!