Private tour in Nagoya Mikari F
5.0
(8) reviews
6 hours
1
6 hours
1
Mikari F.
5.0
Guide rating
35
Reviews
Tours delivered
8 hrs
Avg. response time
Hello! My name is Mikari, national licensed tour guide in English language. I have lived in the city of Nagoya for more than 30 years. Nagoya is a very fascinating and interesting city. It is the capital of Aichi Prefecture, located just between Tokyo and Osaka. Nagoya has a history as a homeland of "samurai" warriors who had fought to unify the country in the 16th and 17th centuries. In fact, the first political leader that started the Edo Shogunate in 1603, came from this region. Nagoya Castle and Main Palace are part of our influential heritage and show the achievement of outstanding samurai in those days. At present, Nagoya is the fourth largest city in Japan and the leading city of the manufacturing industries across the nation, especially in the automobile, aviation and iron & steel industries. Over the years, this success is still greatly owed to the samurai rulers. These rulers encouraged skilled craftsmen to move to this region to promote the local industry while the central samurai government had failed to protect them due to strict economy policies. Nagoya is a hub. Nowadays, many tourists from abroad see the advantages of visiting it. We have Chubu International Airport which is a 40-minute train ride to and from the center of the city. The Shinkansen Bullet train connects the city to many destinations nationwide. Furthermore, accommodation is more reasonable in regards to price compared to any other big tourist city like Kyoto, Tokyo and Osaka. Please make the best use of your JR Pass to go back and forth. While you are in town, you will surely feel at home, too. It's easy to get around with public transportation such as the subway, buses, and private train lines. Depending on how long you will be in Nagoya, I will customize the best tour for you so you can really get the most out of your stay. Lastly, let me tell you a little about myself. I worked for one of the five TV stations in Nagoya and acted as an interpreter/translator for company executives upon request. I also got a scholarship from the Rotary International Foundation, which was a grant to study family sociology in the US. This was such a rewarding experience for me and I made life-long friends of different nationalities. I started interpreting and guiding as a language volunteer 15 years ago. With my background, I have plenty of experience as a tour guide to show you many interesting spots in and around the city of Nagoya. The number of people I have taken on tour is more than 100 to date. Let's explore Nagoya together with me. You will find the city charming! - National licensed tour guide in the English language (No. EN00543) certified in 2017 - Certified computer instructor for Windows Office users. I don't drive during the guided tours.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Mikari F.
Arimatsu, a town of tie-dyeing was designated Japan Heritage in 2019. You will be fascinated with this old town where traditional buildings are well maintained. Just 20 minute-train-ride from Nagoya station will take you to Arimatsu. Let's visit Arimatsu and Narumi Shibori Museum where you will see masterpieces of tie-dyeing. You will also watch local shibori craftswomen demonstrate several techniques of tie-dyeing. They are happy to talk about their own experience. Your next destination is the small museum of festive floats where one out of the three different floats is showcased on a regular basis. Lunch at a popular Japanese noodle house might be a good idea. Let's stroll along the old main street and pop in some traditional merchants houses after lunch. What is so unique about this tour is that you can make your own "shibori" handkerchief or stroll at a workshop. Children and men will also find it quite exciting to attend. I will make a reservation for shibori experience at one of the studios.
An "ichigo ichie" experience with long time friends and our guide, Mikari who provided us with relevant and interesting information about Arimatsu and shibori, and arranged a shibori workshop in which we all designed and made our own shibori art piece. We are grateful for Mikari's anticipating our needs and look forward to another guided day with Mikari. Aloha and Mahalo. Art and Rene
Mikari was an absolute delight! My husband and I spent the morning touring Arimatsu. My husband is an architect and I am a textile designer. With that in mind, Mikari made a point of discussing building styles and materials as well as setting up a Shibori workshop for me in the afternoon! We had an amazing tour of The House Of Takeda seeing the private quarters and storage buildings where treasured kimonos were held. My afternoon was spent in a workshop with Shibori master Mr Murase of Suzusan. Mikari graciously served as my translator plus shared in the excitement of my small accomplishment —a Shibori scarf! She also helped us shop and with my purchase of an itajime blouse! She guided us to and from Nagoya Station. We hugged goodbye—a special day for all of us!!
3 of us were joined by Mikari as our tour guide to Arimatsu and a perfect day it was!! Mikari met us at the hotel lobby and showed us how to take the train to Arimatsu. We visited the Tie Dye Museum, saw a film and chatted w the venerable artisans there. Mikari was warm and informative and translated as needed. Lunch was at a charming old house/bakery that had the best blueberry bagel!! The highlight of our day was going to Suzusan for a shibori workshop w Murase-San a 4th generation shibori artisan. Mikari translated the class into English. I loved every moment of that day in Arimatsu. Mikari was all of the above and more!! Arigato gozaimasu, Mikari!!! 3 girls from Hawaii (Joyce, Paula & Angela)
We had a wonderful experience with Mikari-san touring Arimatsu. We were lucky enough to visit during the weekend of the shibori festival, which Mikari had suggested while we were scheduling our trip. We had planned to visit on Sunday of the festival, but a few days prior rain was predicted, so Mikari graciously changed her schedule to guide us on the Saturday instead. We had perfect weather, with so many women dressed in their shibori kimono, and the shops displaying their beautiful clothes and banners. We bought several shibori souvenirs and even participated in a workshop creating our own original banner! She introduced us to many of the local people, with whom we exchanged pleasant stories. Afterwards Mikari showed us a place to eat some of the best miso katsu in Nagoya! Mikari started the day as our guide and ended as our friend. Arigatou gozaimashita! Kevin and Charlene
What an amazing day ! Mikari-San was so nice and professional. Her knowledge of the city and all the artisans were very major . I couldn't have dreamed of a better day. She was really concerned of my well being. Thank you so much !
We would highly recommend Mikari to anyone going to the Nagoya area. She was very responsive to any questions we had prior to our tour which reassured us since it was the first time travelling alone. She was very informative and friendly, making it so comfortable for us. It was obvious she knew the area well, as we walked the streets, stopping briefly as she introduced us to shop owners along the way. We left with not only wonderful memories but a new friend who will always be welcomed in our lives. ��
One example: 9:30 Meeting at the hotel lobby 10:00 Arriving in Arimatsu and exploring the town, Arimatsu museum of tie-dyeing, Dashi Museum of festival floatings Visit to some traditional houses including Takeda family house(Important cultural assets) (if it is available) 12:00 Lunch at a local restaurant upon your request 13:00 Attending a shibori workshop. Let's make the-only-one-in-the-world shibori for you. 15:00 or earlier End of the workshop 15:30 back to your hotel Please note that the museums and some traditional houses have different closed days respectively. I will check it when I know your travel schedule. Arimatsu holds two big festival twice a year on the first weekend of June and the third weekend of October. Please do visit Arimatsu if your travel fits in either of these seasons. That will make your day even more special. If you like to skip the workshop, please check the tour under the name of Arimatsu the old town of tie-dyeing (4 hours without workshop)
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Train Please note that walking is the best way to go around in Arimatsu.
Nagoya, Aichi, 458-0924, Japan
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6 hours
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
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