“Off the Beaten Path - Customized Nara Tour”

We had specific asks for Makoto on our customized tour of Nara and he delivered! Would definitely recommend the “Off the Beaten Path,” tour of Nara to avoid the crowds and learn the rich history as it’s more than deers. Our jam packed itinerary included: ~ A stroll through a local farmers market on the route to Naramachi ~ Stopped by an Inden (deer leather with lacquer prints) shop ~ Toured Nigiwai-no-ie (traditional townhouse) ~ Meandered into Naramachi Museum where we saw the biggest dish in Japan ~ Stopped by Yotsuba for sake tasting/snacking on kaki-no-ha-zushi (pressed sushi) ~ Viewed Nakatani-dou (mochi pounding) ~ Perused a Tabi Sock store (Nara is the top producer of socks in Japan) ~ Relaxed at Rokumei Coffee and made origami deers All around amazing tour with Mak and the best way to spend our Sunday after Christmas!

Makoto Y.

(127 reviews)

Dear Marci, Thank you for your nice comments. I am so pleased to confirm you have enjoyed the tour. I have also enjoyed so much as this tour is customized new tour for me. It is the first time that I saw the monk doing the Takuhatsu activity, who is American monk. This is the special experience of this tour, and I could have this experience because of your special tour planning. Thank you so much and thank you again for choosing me of your guide this time. Makoto

“A Wonderful Kyoto Day with Mr. Makoto”

Our tour with Mr. Makoto was fantastic. He guided us through Kyoto’s historic sites with knowledge, warmth, and genuine kindness. He was especially patient and engaging with our 7-year-old, pointing out fun details at each temple and helping him collect colorful fall leaves. He brought us to a quiet, beautiful spot in Arashiyama for lunch—one we never would have found on our own. It truly felt like exploring Kyoto with a friend. Highly recommend. His kindness is priceless.

Makoto Y.

(127 reviews)

Dear Namrata, Thank you for your nice comment. I am so glad to know that you have enjoyed the tour. I also enjoyed guiding you as you are very keen to learn Japanese culture and history. Your son is so nice aod smart. I hope you visit Japan again and we meet someday, Thanks again for your choosing me or your guid. Makoto

“Pleasant day in Osaka”

My wife and I had a very pleasant day with our guide Makoto in Osaka. He impressed us with his deep knowledge of Japanese history visiting Osaka Castle, and we were impressed how well prepared he was when we visited Doshomachi Street, normally not on Osaka tours, but interesting a this is where the Japanese pharmaceutical industry originated with Tanabe in the 17th Century, and there are interesting company museums and exhibits of how the industry evolved from trading chinese herbal medicines to modern age.

Makoto Y.

(127 reviews)

Thank you for your nice comments. I also had a very pleasant day because I had a good chance to learn about Japanese history again through this tour. Switzerland has nice big pharmaceutical industry even though it is small country. I learned that both Japan and Switzerland have similar background to develop such special industry of pharmacy and precision machinery such as watch because we do not have much natural resource. We have to utilize human resource effectively, which I learned this time. Thanks again for your choosing me of your guide this time. Makoto