Nara Park & Indigo dyeing experience
Joined 2017
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!
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 NARA 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
guide fee (25,900JPY),
transportation fee from home to Nara (2,000JPY)
transportation fee during the tour (you and guide)---about 1000JPY, lunch(you and guide) ---1000~2000JPY, entrance fee(you)---①Todaiji-temple 600 JPY, ②Kofuku-ji national treasure hall(option) 700JPY, ③Indigo-dyeing studio 300JPY, ④the fee for indigo dyeing experience 1200 JPY to 1900JPY
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
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
Spliteye M.
“Wonderful Tour of Kyoto”
Michiko T. gave my sister and I a wonderful tour of East Kyoto temples, shrines and street life. She picked us up at our hotel early in the morning and we concentrated our interest on the East side of town to avoid long transportation time between east and west sites. It was a very smart choice. We were surprised by a heavy snow fall and it was gorgeous to see the ancient capital covered in snow. Michiko is very knowledgeable about the historic sites and knows her way around town like a native. Between temples and shrines, she also took us to very beautiful shops and places to eat. We had the best cappuccino and colorful croissant at Coquelicot Blanc/Black Swan Coffee shop. Our visit to Murin-an Garden was particularly stunning, watching the snow fall from the cozy comfort of the tea house. Loved it. We highly recommend Michiko, except when we're visiting Kyoto because she's ours :)
Michiko T.
Thank you for the wonderful review. I was so happy to show you the East side of Kyoto on that special day when the snow cast its magic over the city. You were great guests, admiring the winter trees and gardens, a cup of delicious cappuccino and croissant, and all the beautiful things you encountered, all the people involved, and making everyone around you happy. I'll never forget this tour! I hope you will continue to enjoy walking and find many more “utsukushii” things in your life.
Regine D.
“Perfect tour”
Michiko was the perfect tour guide, would recommend a tour to a tea plantation, the farmer was very informative on all aspects of tea farming and the tea was delicious. Stopped for the best meal in Japan on the way home.
Michiko T.
Thank you for the kind review. I also had a great time visiting a tea farmer in Wazuka village. Especially, I was impressed you enthusiastically learned about tea, and tried supporting young generation who are trying their best. I hope you’ll remember this tour when you drink a cup of tea.
Spliteye M.
“Excellent Tour of Nara”
Michiko san has expert knowledge of Nara and its history. As a native, she has the cultural depth that we really appreciated and enjoyed, and her English is perfect. From temples to shrines and gardens, Michiko gave us a wonderful 4 hour tour that went above and beyond our expectations. At the end of the tour, she showed us some of her favorite restaurants and stayed with us to make sure our lunch order was correct. We have another tour with her in Kyoto tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to that,
Michiko T.
Thank you for the wonderful review! I’m glad we could spend a beautiful winter day in Nara with you. Especially, I was impressed that both of you really like nature and gardens and appreciate what you see with deep insight. I’m excited to have another day with you in Kyoto!
$186/ per group
More tours by Michiko T.
Dear deer Nara! ~Nara Park & Nara-machi~
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' townscape.
Asuka village 1 day tour ~the original landscape of Japan~
Asuka, the ancient political center, has been preserved. Not only historical structure such as Asuka dera, the oldest temple in Japan and "Ishibutai", mysterious huge stone tomb, but also tranquil village landscape must leave deep impression on you. "Tanada", terraced rice field, mountains and streams, old village houses will surely energize busy modern people. In the afternoon, we will explore the beautiful village, experience traditional Japanese natural dyeing,and visit the farmers' market.
Nara park & Wazuka tea plantation visit
In the morning, we will visit Nara Park, Todaiji temple, Kasuga grand shrine. You will have a chance to see, take photos and feed deer. After lunch, we will have a short trip to Wazuka village, the hometown of Uji tea, excellent quality of green tea. The landscape of tea plantations, built on the mountain slope, has 800 years of history. It was designated as the first scenic property of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as one of the Japan Heritages.
