Joined 2017
Makoto Y.
Available Areas
Kyoto, Nara (Living), Osaka, Mount Koya, Kobe
Languages
English, Japanese
Response Time
3 hours on average
Availability Updated
3 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!
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
Reviews
“Wunderbare Tour mit Makoto”
Lieber Makoto, herzlichen Dank für diesen tollen Tag. Von der Abholung und Rückfahrt vom Cruise Terminal zum sehr schönen Besuch in Kyoto war alles bestens. Makoto spricht sogar etwas deutsch und war sehr fürsorglich und bestens vorbereitet. Wir haben es sehr genossen. Mittags ein kleiner Snack mit einem Bier war auch klasse.
Makoto Y.
Sehr geehrte Andrea, vielen Dank, dass Sie uns für Ihren schnellen Überprüfungskommentar kontaktiert haben. Es hat mir auch viel Spaß gemacht, dich zu führen. Mein Mann hat einen guten Sinn für Humor und ist ein wunderbarer Mensch. Beeindruckt hat mich auch das wunderschöne Herbstlaub. Bitte kommen Sie wieder nach Japan.
“A flexible and considerate guide with a thorough knowledge of Osaka”
We had a great day out in Osaka with Makoto seeing the famous city sights. As we'd been touring Japan for two weeks prior, my feet were extremely tired even at the start (next time I'll plan some recovery days), and Makoto very considerately took this into account throughout the day. Despite my weariness, we saw Osaka Castle, the Museum of Housing and Living, shopping streets, Dotonbori, and other local sights, with Makoto providing information that knit everything together, giving us a great overview of the history of Osaka. It was all fascinating, and I particularly enjoyed the museum sections of Osaka Castle and the Museum of Housing and Living. We also did some shopping, both for fun (souvenirs) and for a soothing spray that helped my feet. It was quite effective at helping me through the remainder of the tour. We had a great day, and I definitely recommend Makoto to anyone visiting Osaka. Thank you, Makoto!
Makoto Y.
Thanks for your nice review comments. I was so happy to know that the story of Toyotomi Hidetsugi, adopted son of Hideyoshi, was connected with the story of Hideyoshi life, through your visit of Koyasan and Osaka castle. Hidetsugu was forced to suicide by Hideyoshi and ended the life at Koyasan. You are so keen to learn Japanese culture and history, and I enjoyed to share the Japanese history with you throughout this tour. It is good news that your feet is being recovered. I hope that you recover completely and take a nice trip in Japan and nice trip back to Australia. Please come back to Japan someday. I will cover continuous story of Japanese history. Thanks again for your choosing me of your guide this time. Makoto
“Secret Osaka: The Seven Hills”
Makoto led us to a different side of Osaka. We took a long walk up and down the seven slopes of Tennoji, where some 200 shrines and temples are located. It was slow, quiet and uncrowded. With Makoto's expert guidance we visited about a dozen of the most famous temples. We had a chance to observe neighborhood life, from painting groups seated on temple steps to a monk blessing a brand new BMW. Makoto was well-organized and provided us with copies of the temple descriptions. We asked many questions and he patiently shared his knowledge of the temples. It was a very warm autumn day and Makoto was sensitive to our needs for rest and shade, and to find cold bottled water from vending machines tucked in passageways. I also wish to acknowledge GoWithGuide for its selection and listing of guides. Makoto was one of three GoWithGuides who showed us around different part of Japan. All of them were excellent.
Makoto Y.
Dear Elena and Rob, Thanks for your nice review comments. This tour is really different side of Osaka, but this area contains the full of Osaka history. I also enjoyed guiding you as I learned the Osaka history too. I am so happy to know that you have enjoyed the tour. Thanks again for your choosing me of your guide this time. Makoto
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