GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
GoWithGuide
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
video thumbnail
Nara Private Tour - Restaurant near Horyuji temple
Restaurant near Horyuji temple
Nara Private Tour - Horyuji temple: Spirit of Prince Shotoku
Horyuji temple: Spirit of Prince Shotoku
Nara Private Tour - Todaiji temple where Daibutsu is located inside
Todaiji temple where Daibutsu is located inside
Nara Private Tour - Houkiji temple: Autumn of Ikaruga area
Houkiji temple: Autumn of Ikaruga area
Nara Private Tour - Kasuga Taisha Shrine; My favorite place to guide
Kasuga Taisha Shrine; My favorite place to guide
Nara Private Tour - Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle
Nara Private Tour - Osaka Dotonbori
Osaka Dotonbori
Nara Private Tour - Kyoto Kiyomizu-Sanneisaka
Kyoto Kiyomizu-Sanneisaka
Nara Private Tour - Kyoto Kinkakuji Temple -- Golden Pavillion
Kyoto Kinkakuji Temple -- Golden Pavillion
Tour Guide - Makoto Y.

Joined 2017

Makoto Y.

4.94 / 5
(124 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks

Available Areas

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

Languages

English, Japanese

Response Time

3 hours on average

Availability Updated

Today

About Tour Guide Makoto Y.

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

All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!

Categories

Highlights
Highlights
Art, Culture, & Historical
Art, Culture, & Historical
Load More

Reviews

A

Ambalangodage J.

5 / 5
Oct 4, 2025

Very immersive and insightful experience of Osaka

Our tour with Makoto was one to remember. Punctual and organised with all the relevant materials, Makoto escorted us to iconic tourist attractions such as Osaka Castle and the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living. Funny and affable, Makoto had an extremely detailed understanding of Osaka history and Japanese culture that really enhanced our experience with the tour. He even took us shopping streets and knew a delicious place to eat lunch. Makoto gave us a beautiful photo of Osaka castle to take home and we continue to cherish it to this day. Thank you for an amazing day and we highly recommend Makoto for anyone visiting Osaka.

Ambalangodage J.

Makoto Y.

Dear Ambalangodage, Thanks for your nice review message. I am so happy that you have enjoyed my tour. I have also enjoyed guiding you especially shopping in the street, Also you clearly understood the relationship and power balance between Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Ieyasu, which is not so easy to understand. I hope that you consider coming to Osaka again in the time of cherry blossoming. Thanks again fo your choosing me of your guide. Makoto

Enjoyable & informative day exploring Kyoto castles, palaces and temples

We very much enjoyed our day with Makoto. The sites visited were an interesting selection where we could learn more about Japanese history and culture. Makoto is a very thoughtful guide, providing us with material to take home as well as a momento of our day together. Having Makoto guide us between the four sites made the day so much more seamless than if we’d tried to do it ourselves.

Ian B.

Makoto Y.

Dear Ian, Thank you very much for your nice comments. It was so hot today but I have enjoyed the tour with you as you are so keen to learn about the Japanese history and culture. Also you brought good memory of England and U.S. for which I enjoyed very much. It was amazing that you enjoyed "Ochazuke" (rice with tea), and "Kakizouri" (shaved ice), which is typical Japanese food. You fit Japanese culture so well and quickly. I am sure that you find more of Japanese culture and food in your trip. Thanks again for your choosing me of your guide this time. Makoto

Kyoto Day Tour with Makoto

We had a wonderful day in Kyoto with Makoto! He was well prepared with the days itinerary and brought us additional information about the history and areas we visited. He was kind, energetic, fun and knowledgeable. He also assisted us with our upcoming days travel plans. He looked for ways to connect with us and when he learned one of us was having a birthday on the day of our tour he found ways to make our time together extra special which was deeply appreciated. We would recommend anyone to tour with Makato and it’s sure to be a great day!

Lara B.

Makoto Y.

Dear Lara, Thanks for your nice comments. Please understand that I also had a wonderful day with you as you brought nice memory of US. I am so happy to know that you enjoyed the Kyoto tour. I recommend you to visit Nara next time. Thanks again for your choosing me of your guide. Makoto

Other Popular Tour Guides in Nara

Nikki K.
Japan

Nikki K.