Once in a lifetime trip to Japan

Japan | May 24 - Jun 3, 2026

Beautiful hotel in a great location. It was very comfortable and they treated us very nicely upon arrival. The breakfast buffet was one of our favorites during our trip to Japan. I wish we had more time at this location but this was just a one night stay that allowed us to get settled before our transfer to Kyoto.

This hotel is located near a lot of restaurants and shopping. It was a great location for us to do our day trips during our time in Kyoto. The beds were firm but comfortable. The room was nice and had everything that we needed during our stay. The breakfasts were very good. The concierge was very helpful for a couple of things that we needed during our stay. This is a more modern place to stay but we were right at home here.

We loved this hotel. It was our favorite of the places we stayed in Japan because the room was the most comfortable and more spacious. The breakfast buffets were very good (they do get crowded) and just what we needed to start our day. Great views of the city from our room on the 23rd floor. Easy to walk to all types of food, shopping and gaming.

Our private tour of Arashiyama with Peco was fantastic. She guided us on a beautiful hike up the mountain to see the monkeys, and the views over Kyoto were incredible. We visited several shrines along the way, each with its own story that Peco explained so well. One of our favorite moments was walking through the peaceful garden of a home once owned by a famous Japanese movie star — a spot we never would have found on our own. Peco was warm, knowledgeable, and made the entire experience feel effortless. We loved every part of this tour and highly recommend it.

Our hidden‑route hike at Fushimi Inari with Ryoma was outstanding. He guided us through a quiet bamboo forest used for harvesting, then led us up a much less crowded path to the mountaintop — steep steps, but beautiful and peaceful. Along the way, we even met a carpenter who helps maintain the shrines, which made the experience feel truly special. The carpenter even allowed us to try our hand at planing a board using a hand tool. At the summit, Ryoma helped us make an offering at the shrine, explaining each step clearly. After the hike, he took us to a family‑owned restaurant that’s been in business for over 116 years, where we enjoyed a traditional Japanese meal sitting on the floor. We ended the day with delicious matcha ice cream.

We had a great time visiting the Samurai Ninja Museum. This was a very informative experience. We were guided from the 3rd floor down to the 2nd floor to see different information on the history of the Samurai and Ninjas. We had the opportunity to participate in a ninja star throwing contest and get our photos taken as we dressed like a Samurai. Full tour that didn't take too long.

We had a fantastic day in Nara with Peco, even with the rain. She guided us through the beautiful temple grounds and gardens, and we loved getting to see — and feed — the famous Nara deer. Peco shared great stories and history throughout the day, making each stop feel meaningful. She took us to a cozy local restaurant for lunch, where we enjoyed delicious food, and later introduced us to a sake tasting that was a fun surprise. We ended the day riding the bullet train back, which was a great experience in itself. On the ride to Nara, we experienced the special train that was very comfortable and relaxing. Peco was warm, knowledgeable, and made the entire day enjoyable despite the weather. We highly recommend this tour.

Our Akihabara tour with Yuuki was fantastic. He took the time to learn what our son likes and brought us to shops that carried merchandise from his favorite games. He even helped our son track down a specific Pokémon card he wanted for his collection, which made the day extra special. Yuuki also took us through several arcades and played games with us, which made the experience fun and interactive. For lunch, he brought us to a revolving sushi restaurant that was a hit with all of us. Yuuki was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the entire tour feel personalized and enjoyable. We highly recommend this experience.

Our bar‑hopping evening in Tokyo with Tadashi was outstanding. He took us to three very different local restaurants, each with its own style and specialties. We started with incredible Wagyu beef and sake — both seared and served in a bowl of noodles — and Tadashi, being a sushi chef, explained every dish and drink in wonderful detail. The second stop focused on fresh seafood, sushi‑style, and the final restaurant featured Okinawan cuisine with delicious pork dishes. The beer at the last stop was pretty good, especially mixed with the fruit juices. We ended the night with Blue Seal sugar cane ice cream, which was absolutely heavenly. Tadashi was warm, knowledgeable, and made the entire experience fun and memorable. We highly recommend this tour.

Our guided tour of Tokyo with Masa was excellent. He asked what we were most interested in and tailored the day perfectly. After enjoying beautiful city views from a high‑rise observation deck, he took us shopping for Harry Potter, Pokémon, and Star Wars merchandise — a big hit for our family. We had a delicious lunch at a shopping center, where we enjoyed ramen and dumplings, and then spent the afternoon walking through the Emperor’s grounds, taking in the peaceful scenery and learning about the history of the area.

Our sushi‑making class with Nobu was a wonderful experience. He taught us about the different types of sushi and guided us step‑by‑step as we made several varieties ourselves. Nobu was funny, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable, and his expertise made the class both educational and fun. Best of all, we got to enjoy the delicious sushi we created. This was a highlight of our trip, and we highly recommend it.