Makoto Y.

4.94(68) reviews
 

Available Areas

Kyoto, Nara (Living), Osaka, Mount Koya, Kobe

 

Languages

English, Japanese

 

Response Time

6 hours on average

 

Availability Updated

2 days ago

 

About

Hello, I’m Makoto (Mac) and I'm a national-licensed tour guide.

My previous career as an automotive engineer, gave me the opportunity to learn English and to live in the US, Germany, and England. After I retired, I learned more about the Japanese history especially focusing on Nara and Kyoto to become a historical specialist of the Nara area. I now live in Ikaruga town in Nara prefecture, where the UNESCO World Heritage, Horyuji temple is located. I regularly offer guides on the Fujinoki tumulus, which is located near the Horyuji temple. It contains very interesting Archaeological findings from the end of the Kofun Period.

Recently, there are many foreign tourists who come to Japan, and I hope they enjoy learning about the culture and history of Japan. I would like to help tourists have a broader and deeper understanding of the Japanese culture and that is the reason why I decided to become a tour guide to help and support their experience in Japan.

Nara is the place where Japan started. The capital was located in Asuka, Fujiwara and Nara before it moved to Kyoto. Therefore, there are many places to visit in Nara to trace the original history of Japan, which I have a depth of knowledge.

Let’s explore the roots of Japan together!!

Important

No special conditions

Tours

Kyoto 1 Day Tour covering Most Popular Spots

Kyoto
7 hours

This tour covers the most popular spots in Kyoto with scenic beauty.The spots are selected from Fushimi area, Arashiyama area, and Kitayama area of Kyoto.From the point of scenic beauty, you will see Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine, Arashiyama Bamboo grove, and Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion, whereyou can take memorable pictures.

FROM$176/ per group

One day trip of Nara Park

Nara
6 hours

-Nara Park is famous and known as Deer Park, and more than one thousand deer roam freely in the park.-Numerous important temples, shrines, gardens and museums are within minutes of one another within the park.-The most famous sites are Todai-ji temple, Kasuga Grand Shrine, and Kofuku-ji temple.-These temples and shrines were originally built in Nara period, 1,300 years ago.

FROM$151/ per group

One day tour of Osaka

Osaka
7 hours

Osaka has been developped as international commercial city historically. People have developped the special culture in food, entertainment. This tour covers the historical sight-Osaka castle, Downtown-Dotonbori, and new Osaka station area with Umeda Sky building. We may add somemore spots depending upon the interests of the customer.

FROM$176/ per group

Kyoto Historical Tour --- Memory of Emperor & Shogun

Kyoto
7 hours

As emperor has stayed at Kyoto for more than one thousand years, there are so many historical places related with emperors in Kyoto.Also at samurai period, Muromati Shogun had stayed at Kyoto, and Tokugawa Shogun built the castle in Kyoto.This tour will visit Nijo-jo castle, Imperial palace, Kinkakuji temple, and Ninnaji temple to learn the history of Kyoto related with emperor and Shogun.

FROM$176/ per group

Kyoto Kiyomizu and Fushimi Tour

Kyoto
7 hours

This tour is designed for the tourist, who is interested in the atmosphere of ancient capital, and cultures. This is walking tour of Kiyomizu area through Yasaka Shrine, where the ancient atmosphere is well remained. We plan to visit Nishimi Food Market street to see the food culture of Kyoto people also.

FROM$176/ per group

One day trip of Horyu-ji Temple

Nara
4 hours

-Horyu-ji Temple was founded by Prince Shotoku in 607(Asuka period). -The location is about 16 km(10 miles) southwest of Nara city -The temple structures are the oldest wooden buildings in the world. -The temple was the first place in Japan to be designated as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. -It would take three hours minimum to see the major areas of the temple.

FROM$101/ per group

Reviews

V

Verity N.

Mar 17, 2023

Great tour guide!

Mak was our tour guide during a day trip to Kyoto. We were staying in Shinjuku and he helped us with the bullet train information. He met us as we stepped off the train and we had a great day. His English is brilliant along with his lovely sense of humour. He was full of information about the areas we were viewing and we managed to see so much. He even took us to another town at the end of our pre-arranged tour (we wanted to spend the evening there before our train back) which was above and beyond what we expected from him. Thank you Mak, we had a great time with you. Verity, Phil and Tara xx

Makoto Y.

Dear Phil and Tara Thanks for your nice comments. First, I would like to report that I got nice meal prepared by my wife based on the tour report of March 6th, which was really nice trip by your fine support. I also enjoyed the tour taking nice English pie and watching the cherry blossoming(?). I hope that you come back to Japan again to visit Nara next time. Thanks again for your choosing me of your guide. Makoto

M

Marie T.

Feb 16, 2023

Friendly, knowledgeable and well planned

Makoto is a fantastic guide, who showed us around the sites of Kyoto. He carefully planned the route we should take based on where we were staying and offered a lot of flexibility. At his recommendation we managed to swap visiting one temple to see the plum blossoms- something we never would have thought to look for given its outside of the "usual" Blossom season. He is kind, knowledgeable and gave us some great pieces of information to take home. To best optimise the time, would recommend taking Taxis when possible if your budget allows. Thanks Makoto- see you again next year!

Makoto Y.

Dear Marie, Thank you very much for the nice comment. I was so happy to know that you have enjoyed the tour even it was so cold yesterday. I also felt some sign of spring through the plum blossoming, and hoped that you will have real spring next year. I look forward to see you next year at Nara. Thanks again for your choosing me of your guide. Makoto Yokoyama

P

Patrick B.

Feb 12, 2023

Very prepared and energetic guide.

Makoto's visit of Osaka was perfect. He first shared with us information that he had prepared just for that day. His English was perfect and he had a great sense of humor. He showed us the important buildings and museums in Osaka, and guided us through the metro and trains in the city. Fantastic guide.

Makoto Y.

Dear Partik, Thanks for your nice comment. I also enjoyed being with you yesterday. You and your wife have very good humor, and I have recognized some new points of Japan based on your comments on people, life, food etc. Please have a nice trip of Japan including Hiroshima. I am sure that you missed Nara this time, and please come back again to visit Nara. Thank for your choosing me of your guide. Makoto

M

Marina G.

Jan 14, 2023

Kind and helpful guide!

Easy to coordinate with, helpful, and even included an origami and other interesting activity that he knew about. Helpful with our dietary restrictions and transportation questions.

Makoto Y.

Dear Marina, Thanks for your nice comment. I really enjoyed guiding you Nara, as it was nice to see your children to enjoy watching, and feeding dears at Nara park. You have beautiful children. Thanks again for your choosing me of your guide this time. Makoto Yokoyama