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  3. Explore Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hakone

Japan 2025
Japan | May 15 - May 25, 2025

D
David S.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on May 26, 2025

Leny did a great job planning and the whole team provided excellent support while we were in Japan.

Hotel Reviews
Dusit Thani Kyoto

Great hotel but the location is not ideal. Perhaps something in Gion would have been better.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Okura Tokyo
Tokyo
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Fufu Hakone
Hakone

Cool and interesting authentic Japan experience.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Aoyama Grand Hotel
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Mt. Fuji and Hakone Full Day Tour with English Speaking driver (Private)
Mt. Fuji and Hakone Full Day Tour with English Speaking driver (Private)
Japan

Harry was great and Hakone beautiful. But lots of car time -- maybe a bit too much.

Half-Day Tokyo Tour with English-Speaking Guide
Half-Day Tokyo Tour with English-Speaking Guide
Tokyo

Probably the weakest link in the itinerary. Guide's English was not great. We spent a lot of the day on the subway going from location to location, which could have been better curated.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Best Of Shibuya Food Private Tour - Evening
Best Of Shibuya Food Private Tour - Evening
Tokyo
Half-Day Kyoto Tour with English-Speaking Guide (Private)
Half-Day Kyoto Tour with English-Speaking Guide (Private)
Kyoto

Good, well-informed guide. But we really only saw the Nijo-jo castle,

Hidden Arashiyama Nature Half-Day Tour
Hidden Arashiyama Nature Half-Day Tour
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kyoto Nishiki Market Food Tour - Daytime (Private)
Kyoto Nishiki Market Food Tour - Daytime (Private)
Kyoto
Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on May 27, 2025
Hi David, Welcome back home! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback—I appreciate it. I’m happy to hear you enjoyed most of the experiences and felt well supported both in the planning and on the ground. I’ve taken note of your comments about the Tokyo city tour, especially regarding the guide’s English proficiency, and I’ll pass that along to our local team. We want every part of your trip to feel smooth and enjoyable. I also understand your thoughts on the Hakone... Read more

Hi David,

Welcome back home! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback—I appreciate it. I’m happy to hear you enjoyed most of the experiences and felt well supported both in the planning and on the ground.

I’ve taken note of your comments about the Tokyo city tour, especially regarding the guide’s English proficiency, and I’ll pass that along to our local team. We want every part of your trip to feel smooth and enjoyable.

I also understand your thoughts on the Hakone tour and the amount of time spent in the vehicle. Finding the right balance between sightseeing and avoiding busy tourist spots—as Harry preferred—is something we’re always working on, so your input is very helpful.

Thanks, too, for sharing that staying in the Gion area in Kyoto would have suited you better. While it can be quite busy, I had picked a quieter yet convenient spot—but it’s good to know your preference for next time.

We’ll keep all your feedback in mind as I continue to improve our trip planning. Thanks again for your insights, and I hope I get to help you plan another amazing Japan adventure in the future!

Best regards,
Leny

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