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Tour guide in Kyoto Akiko M.
I'm Akiko M., your private tour guide in Kyoto
Guide #58412
Explore Japan's spirituality in Nara with me! Hello everyone, my name is Akiko. I'm a nationally licensed tour guide in Nara focusing on the Yamato area. Here, you can still feel the presence of the ancient spirits in the air as you enjoy Japan's seasonal natural beauty. Nara is famous as the ancient capital of Japan. Here, there are many historical UNESCO World Heritage sites. When the ancient capital was later moved to Kyoto (794 A. D. ) many sacred sites in Nara remained important and have been worshiped for over 1300 years. As I have experienced my own spiritual growth, both in and beyond Japan, I came to realize the true value of the spiritual heritage of Yamato, which is rarely explained to visitors in English. As we say in Japanese, 「温故知新」 or "Onko chishin". This means- if we want to learn about the future, we should consult the past. I believe history has much to teach us. True heritage is the spiritual teaching and wisdom of those who came before us. These are not religious, but universal teachings. In this sense, Yamato has a lot to offer. It is my passion, mission and honor to share what I've discovered about the long and rich cultural and spiritual history of Yamato. I truly hope you'll have the most memorable and meaningful trip ever as I guide you in Japan! I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter since 2009. As we travel through the town we will utilize public transportation, taxis or walking. I am not a driver, but I can arrange for a taxi and a driver for you.
Delivers tours starting at
Kyoto
Osaka
Tours by Akiko M.
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Traveller reviews for this guide
53 reviews
- Zach C.May 2026
Akiko was a fantastic guide, and we had a wonderful time with her in Nara. She picked us up from our hotel in Kyoto and escorted us to Nara via express train. We visited several sites before heading to a delicious lunch. The tofu at lunch was one of our favorite meals over our three-week trip. Akiko was knowledgeable and helpful as we toured and hailed a few inexpensive...
Replied from Akiko M.
Thank you very much, Anna and Zach, for a wonderful review. It was an absolute pleasure escorting you from Kyoto to Nara for the Nara Classic Private Tour. Congratulations on your delayed honeymoon! I am honored that you chose Nara to celebrate such a special milestone. I am thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our journey on the express train and that the tofu lunch remains...
- Jonathan B.April 2026
Akiko was a wonderful tour guide to Nara. She gave a lot of great insight into the temples and shrines that we visited and arranged for a very delicious vegetarian lunch for us. Having grown up in Nara she knows the town really well.
Replied from Akiko M.
Thank you so much for your kind words! ✨ It was a truly meaningful day exploring the profound history of Horyu-ji Temple—the world’s oldest wooden structure—and the spiritual atmosphere of Nara Park. I am delighted that my personal insights as a local added value to your journey. I am also glad you enjoyed the vegetarian tofu course in the historic Naramachi area!...
Marc L.February 2026We both had a wonderful day and enjoyed our time with Akiko very much. we learned a lot of Japanese history in general and Kyoto in particular. Akiko was warm, friendly and above all knowledgeable. She talked about so much of the beauty, the often brutal past and the incredible present. All questions were answered and she was most helpful with our planning for our...
Replied from Akiko M.
Thank you so much for your kind words. It was a true honor and a personal inspiration for me to guide a fellow professional with such an amazing career in New York. I am deeply moved to hear that our time together was a highlight of your journey. Sharing the many layers of Kyoto’s history—both its beauty and its brutal past—is my passion. It was a joy to answer your...
- Arjun M.December 2025
Akiko was excellent. Very friendly, knowledgeable and happy to adjust plans to suit our ever changing requirements. Her deep connection with Kyoto made the day very enjoyable.
Replied from Akiko M.
Hello, Arjun. Thank you so much for your kind review! It was a pleasure guiding you through Fushimi Inari, Nishiki Market, and Teramachi Street. I’m happy to hear that my connection with Kyoto helped make your day enjoyable. I also appreciate your flexibility as we adjusted the plans throughout the tour—it made the experience even more fun for me. I hope you have lasting...