About Tour Guide Michiko T.

“Michiko was an excellent guide for Kyoto!”

We booked a 7 hour tour for 5 with Michiko and loved it! She sent us a proposed itinerary in advance which included 3 temples and lunch. Her choices were very thoughtful and we enjoyed the temples very much. The lunch she scheduled was a highlight of our dining experiences in Japan. We enjoyed delicious sushi, met the chef/owner and learned about sushi knives. Michiko was also very easy to understand and spoke excellent English. I would highly recommend her to anyone.

Michiko T.

(97 reviews)

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I felt very lucky to have been able to see even just a little bit of the Gion Festival—one of Japan’s Three Great Festivals—and its “moving art museum,” the Yamahoko Parade, and to share this special summer experience with you. You are all so friendly and open-minded, and I was really impressed by how interested you all were in Japanese customs and culture. I hope you’ve found some favorites in Kyoto and Japan. Please take care in this heat and enjoy the rest of your stay in Japan to the fullest.

“Fantastic day with Michiko”

We spent a wonderful day visiting Nara with Michiko. She is a knowledgeable, thoughtful and kind person that genuinely cares for her clients. She patiently answered all of our questions (and we had a lot) and constantly made sure we were comfortable and content. All four of us would highly recommend Miko to anyone thinking about hiring a guide!

Michiko T.

(97 reviews)

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was an absolute honor to guide such a worldly-wise and well-traveled group.Your insightful questions and deep appreciation for the culture made the tour truly special. Our afternoon trip to Wazuka was a perfect contrast to the crowds in Nara—relaxing in a bus with almost no other passengers, and soaking in the stunning views of fresh greenery, rivers, and tea plantations. Meeting our amazing veteran tea-picking guide was also an absolute joy. Her incredible energy inspired us all. Sharing that beautiful day with you made me truly happy as a guide. Wishing you many more wonderful journeys ahead!

“A perfectly balanced and memorable day in Nara”

We were two couples, and we had a wonderful day in Nara with Michiko. She met us at our hotel in Kyoto, and from the beginning everything felt smooth, well organized, and easy. Even getting to Nara was part of the experience, as we combined the metro and a local bus, which made the day feel even more authentic and interesting. We started with a walk through Nara Park, where the many freely roaming deer are a special attraction in themselves. We also visited Kasuga Taisha Shrine and were lucky enough to witness a traditional wedding there, which made the visit even more special. After that, we visited the impressive Todai-ji Temple, entering through the famous gate with the two giant guardian statues. The temple was absolutely beautiful, and with the cherry blossoms in bloom, the whole setting felt unforgettable. Michiko also took us to an excellent local restaurant, where we sat on tatami mats around a low table and enjoyed a full table of delicious food. Later, we walked through the old part of town, visited a traditional Japanese house, and stopped at a small craft brewery, which was a fun and unique experience. What we appreciated most was how well Michiko guided the whole day. She was very organized, well prepared, and shared a lot of interesting knowledge and context throughout the day. She was respectful, always happy to explain anything we asked, and kept a very good walking pace, which suited us perfectly. At the same time, she always kept a careful eye on the group, helping us move smoothly through the crowds and see as much as possible. She also had a very good energy and was always ready to help, including taking photos for us. We had a fantastic time with her and would happily recommend her to anyone visiting Nara or Kyoto.

Michiko T.

(97 reviews)

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I was truly happy to explore Nara with all of you on that beautiful spring day when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. You kindly shared your requests and interests before the tour, which was really helpful. Thanks to that, we were able to experience the many charms of Nara—both past and present—by visiting magnificent temples and shrines in the morning and exploring the local town in the afternoon. I’m also glad you enjoyed the taste of the salted cherry blossom leaves—you bought sakura mochi as souvenirs. How did they taste? Even after cherry blossom season ends, every time I eat sakura mochi, I’ll think of you, Domen and everyone. Please come back to Japan again and enjoy the diverse local cultures!