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Vio Travel

Vio Travel is the first virtual Destination Management Company in Asia/Pacific, offering a hand-picked selection of the region's best travel experiences, unique hotels, and travel packages. With our innovative booking platform, we help travelers easily create unforgettable holidays, whether they are looking for a short trip or a multi-day, multi-country package.

At Vio Travel, our mission is to help travelers connect with amazing local experiences. Our curated collection includes hundreds of unique experiences, transfers, flights, and a carefully chosen selection of unique properties across 12 countries. We believe in offering personalized, one-of-a-kind experiences that immerse travelers in the culture and beauty of the region, leaving them with memories that will last a lifetime.

Vio Travel is part of the following groups: Japan Travel Agents, Australia Travel Agents, Cambodia Travel Agents

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Recent Trip Reviews for Vio Travel

Amazing first trip to Japan
Japan | Jun 6 - Jun 16, 2026

Brinda
Brinda C.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jun 19, 2026
Really enjoyed planning this amazing first trip to Japan. Marii listened to all of my requirements and helped me put together a trip that was memorable for all. We did encounter some glitches, but she rectified them and in the end everything worked out well
Tokyo stay at the Indigo Shibuya was amazing. The meiji shrine shinto ritual tour is highly recommended. We toured Tokyo on the east side with Molly and Yuri and had a great time exploring all the food choices and getting their recs for...
Read more

Really enjoyed planning this amazing first trip to Japan. Marii listened to all of my requirements and helped me put together a trip that was memorable for all. We did encounter some glitches, but she rectified them and in the end everything worked out well
Tokyo stay at the Indigo Shibuya was amazing. The meiji shrine shinto ritual tour is highly recommended. We toured Tokyo on the east side with Molly and Yuri and had a great time exploring all the food choices and getting their recs for shopping and dining places in Asakusa and Akihabara. The sumo wrestling is just a fun family event so would rec.
Hakone Ryokan was superb and relaxing as an in between city stay
Kyoto was a favorite and we enjoyed our Tea Ceremony the most. The Gion tour was not necessary as we could have done on our own. The Thousands Tokyo is very well situated near the station allowing us quick in and out for exploration.
Hiroshima/Miyajima tour was well executed by our personal tour guide yuko who kept us on track but never made us feel rushed.
All of our train tickets were purchased ahead of time and we used our suica card for metro and short travel distances which worked great. Our guides were a big help in helping us navigate all this when asked.
I highly rec Kim Kim for those travelers that need some help with coordinating hotels, transfers and ideas for tours. I was fully involved in all the decision making with Marii guiding me along the way.
I really enjoyed our 2 main chats to put together all the days and tours which helped personalize our trip.
We were exhausted at the end of the day but really enjoyed the whole trip and will be back to Japan to enjoy at a bit of leisure. Awesome country with amazing people who were very welcoming.
We returned back to Tokyo for another day and loved the Wagyu beef and sake tasting tour. Probably should have done earlier in our tour so we could enjoy the correct sake for the rest of the trip!

Hotel Reviews
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Ginza PREMIER
Tokyo

After our other two hotels, this one is mediocre. But pricing of hotels in ginza are astronomical so this was more of a budget hotel, with a comfortable room. Breakfast was okay but not as nice as the other stays in Shibuya and Kyoto

Authenticity & Character
very basic
Location
Staff
helpful when needed but didn't go out of the way
Cleanliness & Comfort
clean but no real ambience
The Thousand Kyoto
Kyoto

Great location and the staff is very helpful with navigating the area and trains. Make sure to come out the central hall at the station to get to the hotel. We went out the wrong way. They were very helpful in transferring our bags back to Tokyo and it only took a few minutes on our end.

Authenticity & Character
beautiful lobby
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
room was big enough for the 3 of us
HAKONE GORA BYAKUDAN
Hakone-machi

A must for a first time traveler. But one night is enough.

Authenticity & Character
the decor in the room was amazing
Location
one with nature
Staff
treated us like royalty with great attention to detail
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya
Shibuya

Decent size room for 3 people. Well situated near Shibuya station but quiet. Breakfast was amazing and service excellent

Authenticity & Character
the decor
Location
Staff
everyone was very kind
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Marii McDonald

My favorite activities were the knife making ...
Japan | Jun 3 - Jun 11, 2026

Terry
Terry F.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Jun 19, 2026
My favorite activities were the knife making and the gold leaf chopsticks. I really liked all the wood I saw in Japan. Tons of the signage is just a large slab with their name on it. I did bonk my head fairly hard by looking down at the floor construction while walking through a samurai house, the wood working was fascinating. The ceiling height not so much. 4 out of the 5 places we stayed were absolutely incredible, top notch. The hyatt in kanizawa, was not bad by any means. It's... Read more

My favorite activities were the knife making and the gold leaf chopsticks. I really liked all the wood I saw in Japan. Tons of the signage is just a large slab with their name on it. I did bonk my head fairly hard by looking down at the floor construction while walking through a samurai house, the wood working was fascinating. The ceiling height not so much. 4 out of the 5 places we stayed were absolutely incredible, top notch. The hyatt in kanizawa, was not bad by any means. It's just the other 4 were much better.

Everything tour wise went great, each guide met us in our lobby and had local/native knowledge of the areas we toured. I asked each day if the driver would eat lunch with us, and was told no, and that I should not get him a lunch from the restaurant. That felt strange to me.

So much of the history has burned down and been rebuilt, but it was neat to see things that had survived

Hotel Review
Patina Osaka
Osaka

The view of the castle from the room is amazing! The staff greeted you and walked you through your room. We only stayed the one night, but it was a great start to the vacation

Authenticity & Character
Location
It is right across the street from kyoto castle, amazing view from our floor
Staff
You feel very welcomed right away
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything was perfect
Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Bangkok, Thailand | Replied on Jun 19, 2026
Hi Terry, welcome home, and thank you for sharing your feedback! I'm so glad to hear you had a great trip and that the knife-making experience and gold leaf chopsticks were some of your favorite activities. It’s also wonderful that you enjoyed seeing all the beautiful woodwork around Takayama. I'm happy that four of the five hotels worked out well for you. Thank you for your honest feedback about the Hyatt Kanazawa. Kanazawa is a smaller city with fewer hotel options, so I chose it for its... Read more

Hi Terry, welcome home, and thank you for sharing your feedback!

I'm so glad to hear you had a great trip and that the knife-making experience and gold leaf chopsticks were some of your favorite activities. It’s also wonderful that you enjoyed seeing all the beautiful woodwork around Takayama.

I'm happy that four of the five hotels worked out well for you. Thank you for your honest feedback about the Hyatt Kanazawa. Kanazawa is a smaller city with fewer hotel options, so I chose it for its boutique style and location, but I'll definitely keep your comments in mind for future trips.

As for the drivers and lunch, I understand why that felt a bit strange. In Japan, guides and drivers usually eat separately and take care of their own meals, so that is completely normal. In some ways, it's similar to tipping—while your gesture was very thoughtful and appreciated, it isn't generally expected as part of the local culture.

It sounds like you had a wonderful time exploring Japan’s rich history and culture, and I’m glad the local guides were able to share their knowledge, stories, and insights along the way to bring each destination to life. Experiences like these often help create a deeper connection with the places you visit.

It was a pleasure helping you plan this trip, and I’d be happy to help with your next adventure whenever you're ready!

Warm regards,
Leny

I cannot recommend Leny enough!
Japan | May 27 - Jun 6, 2026

Elizabeth
Elizabeth P.
Las Vegas, NV | Reviewed on Jun 18, 2026
I cannot recommend Leny enough! From the very beginning, she took the time to get to know both me and my daughter and what we hoped to experience on our mother-daughter trip to Japan. She truly listened to our interests and created a personalized itinerary that was perfect for us. She arranged our train tickets, coordinated activities, and handled so many details that made the entire trip stress-free. What really set her apart was the support her and her team provided while we were... Read more

I cannot recommend Leny enough! From the very beginning, she took the time to get to know both me and my daughter and what we hoped to experience on our mother-daughter trip to Japan. She truly listened to our interests and created a personalized itinerary that was perfect for us. She arranged our train tickets, coordinated activities, and handled so many details that made the entire trip stress-free.

What really set her apart was the support her and her team provided while we were actually in Japan. Whenever we had questions or needed guidance, we could reach out through WhatsApp and receive quick, helpful assistance. It truly felt like we had someone looking out for us every step of the way.

Leny is incredibly kind, friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely cares about creating meaningful travel experiences. Thanks to her, my daughter and I were able to enjoy an unforgettable trip together and make memories that will last a lifetime. Her attention to detail, responsiveness, and personal touch made all the difference. I would absolutely use her services again and highly recommend her to anyone planning a trip to Japan or any other destination.

Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Bangkok, Thailand | Replied on Jun 19, 2026
Hi Elizabeth, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lovely feedback and experience with my team and me. Most of all, I'm so happy that I am able to help bring this mother-daughter trip to Japan to life and create memories that will stay with you both for a lifetime. It was also a pleasure working with you throughout the planning process and getting to know both you and your daughter along the way. Thank you for trusting us with such a special mother-daughter trip. Wishing you... Read more

Hi Elizabeth, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lovely feedback and experience with my team and me.

Most of all, I'm so happy that I am able to help bring this mother-daughter trip to Japan to life and create memories that will stay with you both for a lifetime.

It was also a pleasure working with you throughout the planning process and getting to know both you and your daughter along the way. Thank you for trusting us with such a special mother-daughter trip.

Wishing you both many more wonderful adventures together, and hopefully, our paths will cross again in the future. I would be happy to help curate another meaningful trip for you and create even more special memories along the way.

Warm regards,
Leny

Leny did an amazing job from start to finish
Japan | Jun 6 - Jun 11, 2026

J
Julie M.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jun 15, 2026
Leny did an amazing job from start to finish. She helped us find activities catered to our children's interests and everything on our itinerary was truly a wonderful time. We were frankly nervous as we do not speak the language of our destination and we had never ventured out on a trip this far from home. But Leny made the planning process way less stressful and opened our eyes to a few adventures we hadn't even considered. Read more

Leny did an amazing job from start to finish. She helped us find activities catered to our children's interests and everything on our itinerary was truly a wonderful time. We were frankly nervous as we do not speak the language of our destination and we had never ventured out on a trip this far from home. But Leny made the planning process way less stressful and opened our eyes to a few adventures we hadn't even considered.

Activity Reviews
Kyoto Ramen & Gyoza Cooking Class with Professional Chefs
Kyoto Ramen & Gyoza Cooking Class with Professional Chefs
Kyoto

We all had a really wonderful time and would happily come back to this experience again if we are back in Kyoto.

Quality of Experience
The staff truly made the experience a fun and engaging time
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The staff truly made the experience a fun and engaging time
Transport
we met at a clearly designated meeting point and our guide brought is to the nearby kitchen. very easy to find and very clearly marked.
Afternoon Bamboo Forest & Monkey Bike Tour
Afternoon Bamboo Forest & Monkey Bike Tour
Kyoto

Very exciting experience. We had a wonderful time and really enjoyed getting to see a side of Kyoto we couldn't have otherwise. It was so helpful to have a guide lead the way from the money park and the bamboo forest so we could simply enjoy the experience and not worry about navigating.

Quality of Experience
really cool to see the city by bike and from the monkey park
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Don was fantastic - very knowledgeable and committed to safety
Transport
easy to find - we met outside of the train station to it was very convenient
Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Bangkok, Thailand | Replied on Jun 15, 2026
Hi Julie, Welcome back home! I hope you're recovering nicely from the jet lag. Thank you for the opportunity to help plan your short family adventure to Japan. It was a pleasure working with you in planning this trip, and I'm so happy to hear that you had such a wonderful time together. Thank you as well for your kind words. Knowing that the activities matched your children's interests and that the trip helped create special family memories means a lot to me. I understand how daunting it... Read more

Hi Julie,

Welcome back home! I hope you're recovering nicely from the jet lag.

Thank you for the opportunity to help plan your short family adventure to Japan. It was a pleasure working with you in planning this trip, and I'm so happy to hear that you had such a wonderful time together.

Thank you as well for your kind words. Knowing that the activities matched your children's interests and that the trip helped create special family memories means a lot to me. I understand how daunting it can feel traveling to a country where you don't speak the language, especially on a first visit, and so far from home. I'm happy that I was able to make the planning process less stressful and help introduce a few experiences that may not have otherwise been on your radar.

Thank you again for placing your trust in our team and me. I hope this was the first of many adventures to Japan, and I would be pleased to help with your next visit whenever you're ready to return.

Warm regards,
Leny

It was fine.
Japan | May 25 - Jun 9, 2026

C
Ceri P.
Waimea, HI, USA | Reviewed on Jun 11, 2026
It was fine. Leny booked the things we asked her to and, for the most part, they were executed on as planned (there was only one issue, where the driver was 30 minutes late and we were notified 10 minutes before the tour was supposed to start and no one ever explained what happened).
The recommended tours and activities were pretty good, they didn't feel particularly geared for children (like the ramen cooking class started with a 20 minute lecture on ramen, which isn't really what kids...
Read more

It was fine. Leny booked the things we asked her to and, for the most part, they were executed on as planned (there was only one issue, where the driver was 30 minutes late and we were notified 10 minutes before the tour was supposed to start and no one ever explained what happened).
The recommended tours and activities were pretty good, they didn't feel particularly geared for children (like the ramen cooking class started with a 20 minute lecture on ramen, which isn't really what kids want) even though we had specifically requested them for kids.
I would have liked more direction on what we should be doing, there was very little of that, just booking what we asked, maybe that's all they are supposed to do but it would have been nice to have some guidance. For example, I showed the itinerary to a friend who pointed out we didn't have Fushimi Inari in our plans for Kyoto but KimKim never mentioned this at all.
Overall, it was executed fine, communication with the local specialist was good and easy in the app, but for the very high price (they mark up all the tours extravagantly AND charge you a fee which is a percentage of the marked-up tours), I think I was looking for something more.

Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Bangkok, Thailand | Replied on Jun 15, 2026
Hi Ceri, Welcome back home! Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. I'm pleased to hear that the arrangements were generally executed as planned and that communication throughout your trip was smooth and easy. I want to apologize again for the delayed driver. Following our investigation with the local partner, we were informed that a significant traffic accident had affected the route that morning, resulting in the driver arriving approximately 30 minutes late. While I... Read more

Hi Ceri,

Welcome back home!

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. I'm pleased to hear that the arrangements were generally executed as planned and that communication throughout your trip was smooth and easy.

I want to apologize again for the delayed driver. Following our investigation with the local partner, we were informed that a significant traffic accident had affected the route that morning, resulting in the driver arriving approximately 30 minutes late. While I completely understand your frustration, I would note that such delays are quite rare in Japan, where punctuality is generally held in very high regard. In fact, the same partner successfully handled your station pick-up and drop-off in Kyoto for your NINTENDO Museum visit.

While the accident and resulting traffic disruption were outside of our control, I agree that a clearer explanation should have been provided at the time of the delay. For that, we apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding.

Regarding the activities, I appreciate your comments about their suitability for children. The experiences incorporated are based on the interests shared, family suitability, and availability. I completely understand your point regarding the lengthy introduction during the ramen experience, as younger travelers are often more interested in the hands-on portion. This is valuable feedback, and I will share it with our partner for future consideration. It would also have been helpful to receive more feedback during the planning process regarding the level of child-focused engagement you were seeking, as this would have allowed me to explore alternative options or tailor recommendations more closely to your children's interests and expectations.

As for Fushimi Inari, it is certainly one of Kyoto's most iconic attractions. However, it is also one of the most crowded sites in Japan, particularly during peak travel periods. When designing itineraries, I try to balance famous landmarks with overall enjoyment, comfort, and pace, especially for families traveling with children. Rather than focusing solely on checking off well-known sights, my goal is to create a more enjoyable and less crowded experience. That said, I appreciate that it may have been something you would have liked to include, and I could have highlighted it as an optional visit.

Regarding value, I would respectfully note that my role extends far beyond simply booking tours. The service includes researching and designing a customized itinerary, recommending accommodations and experiences, coordinating with multiple suppliers, managing reservations, arranging transportation logistics, making adjustments throughout the planning process, and providing support before and during the trip. While much of this work happens behind the scenes, it is intended to create a seamless travel experience and save travelers a significant amount of time and effort in planning a complex trip independently. This approach has been reflected in the experiences of many of my past travelers, who have shared positive feedback not only about the destinations they visited but also about the planning support, recommendations, and assistance provided throughout their journey.

Thank you again for your honest feedback and for trusting me with your family's trip. I appreciate the opportunity to have helped plan this trip, and I will certainly keep your comments in mind when working with future families.

Warm regards,
Leny

Leny was absolutely amazing. She was patient,...
Japan | May 29 - Jun 7, 2026

Nima
Nima P.
Florence-Graham, CA | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2026
Leny was absolutely amazing. She was patient, listened well, and did the best job planning. Read more

Leny was absolutely amazing. She was patient, listened well, and did the best job planning.

Hotel Reviews
&Here TOKYO UENO
Tokyo

Loved it. Great location

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Karaksa hotel grande Shin-Osaka Tower
Osaka

Hotel was great. Beautiful space. They were delayed on check in. A bit far from things

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Intergate Kyoto Shijo Shinmachi
Kyoto

Very clean, loved the room, a bit far from things though

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
PROSTYLE RYOKAN TOKYO ASAKUSA
Tokyo

Loved this space, the traditional style, and location. Breakfast wasn't my favorite.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Osaka Local Foodie Walking Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
Osaka Local Foodie Walking Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
Japan

We got sent to the wrong location. the guide was rushed. He didn't seem that interested.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Welcome to Osaka
Welcome to Osaka
Japan
Full Day Kyoto and Nara Tour with English Speaking Guide and Vehicle (Private)
Full Day Kyoto and Nara Tour with English Speaking Guide and Vehicle (Private)
Japan

Loved it. However, our guide could have been a bit better.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tea Ceremony in Kyoto (Private)
Tea Ceremony in Kyoto (Private)
Japan

It was good. However, it felt like it was lacking and a bit quick.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Tour
Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Tour
Kyoto

We loved this tour guide. It rained all day, but it didn't affect our day. She pushed through and so did we.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sushi Making Experience: Craft Authentic Sushi
Sushi Making Experience: Craft Authentic Sushi
Kyoto

What an amazing couple. We felt welcomed and stayed after to chat. They recommended some great places/.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Trip from Tokyo to Mount Fuji with an English-Speaking Driver
Day Trip from Tokyo to Mount Fuji with an English-Speaking Driver
Tokyo

Masa listened and gave us the best experience. He was patient and we enjoyed the day with him

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Best of Shibuya Food Tour
Best of Shibuya Food Tour
Tokyo

We had the best food and the guide was informative.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Half-Day Walking Tour: EasternTokyo Your Way (by Public Transportation)
Private Half-Day Walking Tour: EasternTokyo Your Way (by Public Transportation)
Tokyo

Had the best time with Lisa. Got to feel what it was like to be a local. She was super fun. The tour was tailored for us.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome (Yokoso) to Tokyo!
Welcome (Yokoso) to Tokyo!
Tokyo

Driver was awesome. He was punctual and it was a smooth drive.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Tokyo, Japan | Replied on Jun 12, 2026
Hi Nima, Thank you, and welcome back home! I'm so happy to hear that you had a wonderful time in Japan with your family. It was a pleasure helping plan your trip, and I hope you came home with many great memories. I’m sorry to hear that you felt the Osaka food tour fell a bit short of your expectations. I’m currently reviewing the feedback with our local partner, particularly regarding the guide's engagement and overall experience. I’ll be in touch with you directly. That said, I hope the... Read more

Hi Nima,

Thank you, and welcome back home!

I'm so happy to hear that you had a wonderful time in Japan with your family. It was a pleasure helping plan your trip, and I hope you came home with many great memories.

I’m sorry to hear that you felt the Osaka food tour fell a bit short of your expectations. I’m currently reviewing the feedback with our local partner, particularly regarding the guide's engagement and overall experience. I’ll be in touch with you directly.

That said, I hope the overall trip was a great experience—from exploring Japan's culture and sights to enjoying some shopping and quality time with your family.

Thank you again for trusting me with your Japan adventure. I would be delighted to help you plan any future trips to Japan whenever you're ready to return.

Take care, and I hope to hear from you again soon!

Warm regards,

Leny

Recently took our family of four to Japan for...
Japan | May 23 - May 31, 2026

Kimberly
Kimberly G.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jun 08, 2026

Recently took our family of four to Japan for 10-days. We booked through KimKim travel with Leny and had a great experience. The recommendations were spot on and the family had a fantastic time. Reservations were no hassle and the train travel was pretty intuitive. I especially like the convenience of the mobile app that KimKim provided, it was a convenient and handy way of accessing our itinerary and train reservation QR codes. We were on the app constantly to check where and when we should be. I would definitely use KimKim again for Japan.

Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Bangkok, Thailand | Replied on Jun 09, 2026
Hi Kimberly, Welcome home, and thank you so much for your kind review! I'm so happy to hear that you and your family had a great time in Japan and that everything went smoothly. It was a pleasure helping you plan your trip. I'm especially glad the kimkim app was useful during your travels. Having your itinerary, train reservations, and trip details all in one place certainly makes things easier when you're on the go. Thank you again for trusting me with your family vacation. It was... Read more

Hi Kimberly,

Welcome home, and thank you so much for your kind review!

I'm so happy to hear that you and your family had a great time in Japan and that everything went smoothly. It was a pleasure helping you plan your trip.

I'm especially glad the kimkim app was useful during your travels. Having your itinerary, train reservations, and trip details all in one place certainly makes things easier when you're on the go.

Thank you again for trusting me with your family vacation. It was wonderful curating this trip for you and working with you throughout the planning process. I'm happy to hear that the recommendations were a good fit for your family and that you had such a memorable time in Japan.

If Japan ever calls you back, I would be delighted to help again :)

Warm wishes,
Leny

An Unforgettable and Seamless Journey Through Japan
Japan | May 23 - Jun 6, 2026

Keimy
Keimy S.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 08, 2026
Our 15-day trip to Japan was incredible, and Marii made the entire planning process easy and stress-free. She provided great suggestions that we incorporated into our itinerary, and we loved how the trip included a little bit of everything—from traditional cultural experiences to modern attractions. The tours were fantastic and gave us a well-rounded experience of Japan. Highlights included a tea ceremony, a food tour, and exploring different regions and aspects of Japanese culture. We... Read more

Our 15-day trip to Japan was incredible, and Marii made the entire planning process easy and stress-free. She provided great suggestions that we incorporated into our itinerary, and we loved how the trip included a little bit of everything—from traditional cultural experiences to modern attractions.

The tours were fantastic and gave us a well-rounded experience of Japan. Highlights included a tea ceremony, a food tour, and exploring different regions and aspects of Japanese culture. We also appreciated having free time built into the itinerary, along with Marii's excellent recommendations for places to visit, restaurants to try, and activities to enjoy on our own.

I would also like to recognize the wonderful guides we had throughout our trip. Every guide was knowledgeable, engaging, and welcoming. They made us feel comfortable from the start and helped create memorable experiences in each destination.

One of the highlights of our trip was our tour of Hakone and Mt. Fuji with Masashige. He took us to several beautiful viewpoints to see Mt. Fuji and shared fascinating information along the way. Seeing Mt. Fuji from these locations was truly unforgettable and one of the biggest highlights of our trip.

We were also pleasantly surprised by Kanazawa and Hiroshima. These destinations offered a different pace and were less crowded, allowing us to experience another side of Japan. Yoshiko, our guide in Kanazawa, and Lisa, our guide in Hiroshima, made these tours especially meaningful through their knowledge, storytelling, and passion for the local history and culture.

Another guide who left a lasting impression was Moeka during our Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Garden Tour. She had such wonderful energy and thoughtfully took us to quieter locations before visiting the bamboo forest. One of the most memorable parts of the tour was learning traditional calligraphy. She wrote our names in Katakana and guided us as we practiced writing them ourselves. It was a relaxing, unique, and unforgettable experience.

Hakone also deserves a special mention. The scenery was absolutely beautiful, and being surrounded by mountains and nature was the perfect way to slow down, disconnect, and appreciate Japan's natural beauty. It quickly became one of our favorite places on the trip.

All hotel, transportation, and activity information was easy to access. We experienced a couple of minor issues with Shinkansen tickets and a chopstick-making reservation, but Marii and her team responded immediately and resolved everything quickly. Their communication throughout the trip was excellent, including helpful reminders and detailed instructions before each tour, which made navigating Japan much easier.

Everyone we worked with was kind, knowledgeable, and professional. It was clear that a lot of care and attention went into planning our trip. Thanks to Marii and her team, our trip was smooth, well-organized, and truly unforgettable. We enjoyed every minute of it and highly recommend Marii and her team to anyone planning a trip to Japan.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Resol - Akihabara

Great location! Rooms were cozy and comfortable and staff was attentive.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Gora Kansuiro
Hakone

Loved our stay here! Staff was very kind and we loved the traditional aspect. The in-room onsen was perfect and we also enjoyed the public open air baths. The breakfast and traditional Kaiseki dinner were delicious!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Royal Park Canvas Osaka Kitahama

Amenities were great and staff was attentive. Its in a good location and has a quick access to the subways and trains.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Shizutetsu Hotel Prezio Kyoto-Shijo

Clean and friendly staff. This is a busy area so forwarding your luggage might take longer than usual on some days. The staff was very attentive.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa
Kanazawa

Loved this hotel and its amenities, specifically the public bath. Staff was kind and very helpful when forwarding our luggage to our next location.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
karaksa hotel colors Tokyo Yaesu

Friendly and helpful staff. Very clean and breakfast was amazing!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Marii McDonald
Marii
Marii McDonald
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Jun 18, 2026
Hi Keimy &Steven, Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and detailed review. Reading about your experiences from so many different angles truly means a lot to me😊 From the very beginning of the planning process, you guys were such a positive, kind, and enthusiastic couple. It was genuinely a pleasure for me to help create this journey with you, and I feel very fortunate that our paths crossed. What made this trip special is that it was truly a collaborative... Read more

Hi Keimy &Steven,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and detailed review. Reading about your experiences from so many different angles truly means a lot to me😊

From the very beginning of the planning process, you guys were such a positive, kind, and enthusiastic couple. It was genuinely a pleasure for me to help create this journey with you, and I feel very fortunate that our paths crossed.

What made this trip special is that it was truly a collaborative effort. You both had a clear vision of the experiences you wanted, and you always took the time to research my suggestions and thoughtfully consider how they fit into your travel style. I do not doubt that your openness, curiosity, and preparation were a big part of why the trip was such a success.

Thank you for trusting me and my team with your adventure in Japan. It brings me so much joy to know that you created wonderful memories here.

I already look forward to the day you return to Japan and discover even more of what this country has to offer😊 Next time, I highly recommend visiting in autumn; the colors, scenery, and atmosphere are truly magical.

We'll be waiting for you!

Warm regards,
Marii

Japan and South Korea Adventure
Japan | May 10 - May 30, 2026

S
Steven B.
Canada | Reviewed on Jun 07, 2026
All the guides and drivers in Japan and South Korea were amazing. We saw many incredible sights that we would never been able to negotiate without professional guides and drivers.
All of the guides were very knowledgeable on all the historical and religious sites. All were fluent in English as well as many other languages.
They were able to add local perspectives which was very informative.
Read more

All the guides and drivers in Japan and South Korea were amazing. We saw many incredible sights that we would never been able to negotiate without professional guides and drivers.
All of the guides were very knowledgeable on all the historical and religious sites. All were fluent in English as well as many other languages.
They were able to add local perspectives which was very informative.

Activity Reviews
Best of Shibuya Food Tour
Best of Shibuya Food Tour
Tokyo

Our tour guide was amazing. All of the food delicious and the restaurants super authentic.

Seoul Adventures: DMZ Tour, Korean Cuisine, And More of the City (Private)
Seoul Adventures: DMZ Tour, Korean Cuisine, And More of the City (Private)
Seoul

The DMZ was fascinating. Well worth touring, excellent guide, super knowledgeable

Full Day Kamakura with English Speaking Guide and Vehicle (Private)
Full Day Kamakura with English Speaking Guide and Vehicle (Private)
Tokyo

Amazing!

The Alluring Nami Island (Private)
The Alluring Nami Island (Private)
Seoul

Such a beautiful peaceful place. The ferry was fun and fast. Our guide was very knowledgeable and treated to a wonderful Korean donut . Great day

Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Jun 08, 2026
Hi Steven, Welcome back home, and thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us. My team and I are so happy to hear that you had a great trip. It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed not only the destinations, guides, and food experiences, but also the local insights and stories along the way. Those personal perspectives often bring a destination to life and make the experience even more memorable. Thank you again for trusting us with your Japan & South Korea trip.... Read more

Hi Steven,

Welcome back home, and thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us.

My team and I are so happy to hear that you had a great trip. It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed not only the destinations, guides, and food experiences, but also the local insights and stories along the way. Those personal perspectives often bring a destination to life and make the experience even more memorable.

Thank you again for trusting us with your Japan & South Korea trip. It was a pleasure helping you plan it, and I’d be delighted to assist you with another in the future.

I hope you're settling back in well and adjusting to the time difference without too much trouble.

Wishing you all the best and a wonderful week ahead!

Warm wishes,
Leny

Leny was phenomenal. I’m so gappy we trusted ...
Japan | May 26 - Jun 6, 2026

W
William M.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jun 07, 2026

Leny was phenomenal. I’m so gappy we trusted her to plan our honeymoon. This was the best trip my wife and I have ever taken.

Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Jun 08, 2026

Hi William and Madi, welcome back home!

It made me so happy to hear that you had such a wonderful honeymoon in Japan. I hope it was everything you imagined and that you brought home many special memories together.

Thank you for trusting me to be a part of planning such an important trip. It was a pleasure working with you both, and I’d love the opportunity to help with your next Japan adventure someday.

Warm wishes,
Leny