Girl’s Japan trip 2026
Japan | Apr 7 - Apr 15, 2026

Marianne
Marianne O.
Peachtree City, GA | Reviewed on Apr 22, 2026

Our visit to Japan was amazing from beginning to end. Our guides Nao and Yuki were wonderful. Nao was so happy for us to view Mt. Fuji and the beautiful cherry trees which were in peak form that day. She was happy to bring us shopping for some specific things and picked a great lunch spot on our Mt. Fuji day.
Yuki was especially concerned with us understanding him and even brought visual aids with him. He was constantly concerned with our comfort and happiness. He made time for us to stop for ice cream and shopping, brought us to my favorite lunch spot with the conveyor belts delivering our food and was very patient with our group of 8 women. He was a great translator during our tie dye experience and seemed to really enjoy showing us around.
We loved the first and last hotels, as they were a bit smaller and gave more personal service. The Kyoto Tokyu Hotel was very nice but maybe a little big and touristy for my liking, although they had a lovely gift shop.
I enjoyed Tokyo and Osaka as cities and also the surrounding areas. In Kyoto, maybe because of where we stayed I did not get a good feel for the city itself. However, we loved the tea ceremony, day in Miyama and the Philosopher’s Path, which we did from Kyoto.
All of our activities were so well planned and we enjoyed them all. Thanks to Sandy for the arrangements and for including everything we asked for.
Japan was so clean and beautiful. The people we met were gentle and polite. The food was delicious. The public transportation was easy to navigate. The bullet train was clean and comfortable. We even got lucky with the weather. Our only rain was during a travel day and our day at Mt. Fuji was sunny and clear.
Thank you, Sandy, for putting together a trip that I will remember fondly forever.
I will go to Kim.Kim again when planning my next adventure.
Marianne O’Shaughnessy

Hotel Reviews
Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
Kyoto

This hotel was a bit big for my liking. Too many big tour busses, a line up for breakfast in the morning and locates on a busy street. However, it was clean and beautiful inside and the gift shop is lovely.

Authenticity & Character
A bit too big and commercial
Location
I would have like to be in a quieter area where I could stroll to shopping and food.
Staff
Staff was friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were a bit cramped for 2 people but very clean. I didn’t love the step up to the bathroom.
The Royal Park Canvas Osaka Kitahama

I loved the size and location of this hotel. It was next to the subway stop and a short walk to the river.

Authenticity & Character
Breakfast was beautiful and delicious.
Location
Loved jumping on the subway and walking along the river.
Staff
Very friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was clean but a bit cramped for two of us.
Asakusa View Hotel Annex Rokku
Tokyo

The Asakusa View Hotel Annex was wonderful. I think being in the Annex and not in the larger hotel across the street was good. I like the feel of a boutique hotel and I got it here. The food was good, the staff friendly and helpful and the rooms were roomy and made the most out of the space. 2 of us were very comfortable here.

Authenticity & Character
The breakfast included traditional Japanese foods and the geisha show in the evening was enjoyable.
Location
On a pedestrian mall and easy to walk and shop any time of day.
Staff
The staff was friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were spotless and they made the best use of space so 2 people were very comfortable.
Activity Reviews
Chase Cherry Blossom with Meiji Jingu in Tokyo
Chase Cherry Blossom with Meiji Jingu in Tokyo
Tokyo

The wooded area we walked through was beautiful and I enjoyed the temple and museum.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Asakusa Sumo Club: Sumo Show Admission with Chankonabe in Tokyo
Asakusa Sumo Club: Sumo Show Admission with Chankonabe in Tokyo
Tokyo

This was a fun activity. A great way to spend lunchtime. Probably the most touristy thing we did but I’m glad we included it.

Quality of Experience
The MC was knowledgeable and spoke both English and Japanese perfectly. The wrestlers were entertaining and fun to watch.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi Tour with Onsen experience
Full Day Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi Tour with Onsen experience
Tokyo

Knowing that Mt.Fuji isn’t always visible made our day so much more spectacular. We had a clear view of the mountain all day. To add to it, the cherry blossoms were at their best the day we visited. It was a magnificent day!

Quality of Experience
Our guide Nao did a great job. We made the decision not to climb higher on the path because it would be another 2 hours. I think it was a great decision as we had a wonderful view from where we were.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was wonderful today
Transport
Our driver was always there when we needed him.
 Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kyoto

Don’t miss this experience! It was so much fun picking out a kimono to wear and getting dressed up. The tea ceremony was wonderful, we learned a lot and had a great time.

Quality of Experience
The staff was great and the girl leading our ceremony was wonderful
Guides, Drivers and Staff
We were on our own today-took a taxi to the spot, had a little difficulty getting there. The staff at the tea ceremony was wonderful.
Transport
Had a hard time communicating with the taxi driver but it all worked out.
Half Day Bamboo Grove and Monkey Park Tour
Half Day Bamboo Grove and Monkey Park Tour
Kyoto

Loved our walk around the monkey park. It was beautiful and the monkeys were sweet. I enjoyed feeding them and seeing the babies.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was great and so was our driver. The staff at the park were all very friendly.
Transport
Our driver was always there when we needed him
Local specialist: Sandy Ren