Kyoto, Nara (Living), Osaka, Mount Koya, Kobe
English, Japanese
6 hours on average
2 days ago
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!!
No special conditions
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
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
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!
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
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.
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
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.
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