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Joined 2017
Makoto Y.
Available Areas
Nara (Living), Kobe, Kyoto, Mount Koya, Osaka
Languages
English, Japanese
Response Time
3 hours on average
Availability Updated
2 days ago
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
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Kyoto 1 Day Tour covering Most Popular Spots
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. You will visit the major scenic sites in one day effectively. These three areas are apart from each other, but can be travelled by JR-train and bus in relatively short time.
Kyoto 1 Day Tour covering Most Popular Spots
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One day tour of Osaka
Osaka has been developed as international commercial city historically. People have developed 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 some more spots depending upon the interests of the customer. You enjoy the local gourmet dining, entertainment, and historical sights. You will catch the energy of Osaka people as the international city.
One day tour of Osaka
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One day trip of Nara Park
-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.
One day trip of Nara Park
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Kyoto Historical Tour --- Memory of Emperor & Shogun
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. Once you visit these historical sites in Kyoto, you will understand the history of Kyoto and Japan.
Kyoto Historical Tour --- Memory of Emperor & Shogun
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Kyoto Kiyomizu and Fushimi Tour
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.
Kyoto Kiyomizu and Fushimi Tour
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Nara Yakushi-ji /Toshodai-ji Temple --- World Heritage
- Yakushi-ji Temple is located about five kilometer south west of JR Nara station. - Two major UNESCO World Heritage temples(Yakushi-ji & Toushodai-ji) are located here. - After meeting at Nishinokyo station, we walk through Yakushi-ji, and Toshodai-ji Temple. - As an optional tour, we can visit Mausoleum of Emperor Suinin, next to Toushoudai-ji Temple.
Nara Yakushi-ji /Toshodai-ji Temple --- World Heritage
Reviews
Judy F.
“Wonderful tour with Mr Makoto Y.”
Great experience with Mr Makoto today. He was kind enough to meet our train, and use his personal car to drive us around. His knowledge of the areas was outstanding. He personally created brochures for our tour that helped us understand and gain an appreciation of the culture, the important time frame in history of Buddhism in Japan, and the importance of preserving and appreciating the many National Treasures of this area. Excellent Thank you Mr Makoto Best regards Judy and Craig
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Makoto Y.
Dear Judy and Craig, Thank you for your nice comment. I have enjoyed guiding you very much as you are so keen to learn about Japanese history and culture. Especially I am happy to introduce Houryuji temple, asset of my home town. I hope you have nice time in Japan and nice trip back to U.S. Thanks again for choosing me of your guide. Makoto
Gordon B.
“Deserves More than 5 Stars”
We had the pleasure of Makoto-san's presence and guidance for two wonderful days of visiting the Japan of the 3rd to 8th centuries (before Nara). Most tourists are interested in later periods, the Nara age (710-781) and the centuries when Kyoto was the capital (796-1868). But I'm a Japanese history buff, and wanted to see unusual places (tombs and other archaeological sites) that were important before that. Although Makoto said it was a first-time request, he obviously did exhaustive research on the topic, and created a perfect 2-day itinerary. He also learned enough about me to add some special places of interest (I'm a. fan of sumo wrestling, and it is supposed to have started in the area we toured.). His English was great, his work ethic spectacular, and his personality youthful and engaging. I would have awarded him more than Five Stars, if there were more stars to give. He knows his stuff, tries to know his clients, and went far beyond expectations for us. I'm so grateful for the memorable two-day visit we had in the Nara basin, thanks to Makoto-san!
Makoto Y.
Dear Gordon-san, Thank you very much for your nice review comment. This tour gave me a good chance for me to think about me and how Japan has started. I still remember how we spent two days, which was an adventure and exciting experience for me too. I have learned about the Japanese history again after retirement, and this was good opportunity for me to learn about the birth of Japan. Thanks again for giving me of this nice opportunity. Makoto
Gordon B.
“Tracing the pre-Nara beginnings of the Japanese State (and Sumo!)”
We had the pleasure of Makoto-san's presence and guidance for two wonderful days of visiting the Japan of the 3rd to 8th centuries (before Nara). Most tourists are interested in later periods, the Nara age (710-781) and the centuries when Kyoto was the capital (796-1868). But I'm a Japanese history buff, and wanted to see unusual places (tombs and other archaeological sites) that were important before that. Although Makoto said it was a first-time request, he obviously did exhaustive research on the topic, and created a perfect 2-day itinerary. He also learned enough about me to add some special places of interest (I'm a. fan of sumo wrestling, and it is supposed to have started in the area we toured.). His English was great, his work ethic spectacular, and his personality youthful and engaging. I would have awarded him more than Five Stars, if there were more stars to give. He knows his stuff, tries to know his clients, and went far beyond expectations for us. I'm so grateful for the memorable two-day visit we had to the Nara basin, thanks to Makoto-san!
Makoto Y.
Dear Gordon-san, Thank you very much for your nice review comment. I am so happy that you enjoyed my tour especially Sumo Birth places in Nara. Your are really Sumo doctor, and I have learned much about Sumo, which I did not know before. Also I am happy that you love Mt. Miwa and Mt. Nijo, which are watching us with warm heart from the beginning of Japan history. You have already Japanese heart, and I have enjoyed the conversation so much. Please come back to Nara again. Thanks again for your choosing me of your guide. Makoto
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