This was our first “vacation” trip to Japan and we wanted to blend a traditional travel trip with a cruise that also covered Japan. Angel was able to make this happen very well, adding some hiking elements that were perhaps not on your typical US travelers wish list.
Hotel Reviews
Great location to many sites, restaurants, and the subway
Hakone Hotel Kajikaso
Hakone
It appears to be a nice hotel. Unfortunately the arrival time ( 5 pm ) and an early morning departure time ( 7 am) didn’t allow us to enjoy the facility. I think the travel TO the hotel was way too long ( not the hotel’s fault but a travel planning fault )
Authenticity & Character
full traditional experience
Location
Train station error. The trip plan did not specify that the local station was 30 minutes from the station we needed to be at for our travel
Following the experience in Hakone, this hotel seems large and not comfortable.
Authenticity & Character
Felt like a Disney land hotel
Location
Probably our worst KimKim moment when after a tough hike we realized the hotel was 2 miles away from the end of the hike with no easy way to get to the hotel. We ended up with a taxi, but were very frustrated
Staff
Really didn’t see much of the staff. Cafeteria style dining was just too much
Kiso Mikawaya
Kiso-Fukushima
While the property doesn’t look very good, the river front option for the room and dining area was great
Authenticity & Character
Again the look of the hotel is not appealing to the eye
Location
convenient to the hike
My wife and I are “split” on this hotel. It’s nicely restored in a beautiful town along the trail. But the windowless room was a real problem for me.
Authenticity & Character
Beautiful restored property
Location
Right on the trail.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Window less room was a problem
Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring
Nice blend of modern and traditional Japanese hotel
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kanazawa-Eki Nishiguchi
Kanazawa
Really liked this hotel - near good shopping and the train station
Location
Walkable from the train station
Richmond Hotel Premier Kyoto Ekimae
Kyoto
Nice location near the train station, which is amazing.
Activity Reviews
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi & Oishi Park
Japan
Driver was on time. But the activities were boring. The restaurant recommended by the guide was very overpriced ( our most expensive meal on a 40 day trip )
Quality of Experience
Not much to see
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Again, I felt the driver was only focused on the dining experience. And we kindly paid for his lunch at an expensive tourist trap
Transport
He was on time,, and had a nice van
Tokyo Highlights Day Tour with Tsukiji Outer Fish Market
Tokyo
Our guide, Ayumi, was excellent! She helped us navigate the practicalities of the Japanese train system and Tokyo subway (use of the Suica Card)…as well as provided an overall overview of Japanese history, culture and religion. In addition, she made wonderful recommendations for dining and activities for us for the remaining days in which we were on our own. Her English was also excellent. She refused accepting a tip from us saying it was not the Japanese custom.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Good to experience subway in Tokyo. (Angel, you might disclose up front that Tokyo uses subway extensively …and that while crowding is common, the trains run on time AND are easy to navigate since they have English)
Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kyoto
This was a highlight of our trip: it felt authentic and gracious, showcasing an important Japanese custom without cheapening the experience. This Tea Ceremony experience is a MUST!
Quality of Experience
5:00 PM time was perfect! Need to disclose that one should arrive at 30 minutes before to ensure enough time to change clothes and take pictures.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Need to disclose that the location of the ceremony required a cab drive since it was somewhat removed from our hotel (though we walked back using Google Maps)
Kanazawa Full Day Walking Tour
Kanazawa
Great mix of sites and places, Nice use of bus and taxi to help out
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Saya was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed spending the day with her.
Full Day Gokayama and Shirakawago Tour from Kanazawa
Japan
There was still more to do in Kanazawa versus going by car to Gokayama. And both sites we visited seemed to be the same
Quality of Experience
Boring
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Driver was nice but seemed to be in a hurry
Transport
Didn’t like being in a taxi versus a car
Kyoto's Cultural Treasures: Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji
Japan
Yuki was an exceptional guide and with so much to see in Kyoto was able to give us a quality experience.
Many sites in Kyoto were very crowded, however
Quality of Experience
good pace. Detailed explanations of Japanese culture
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Good use of public transporation
Full Day Tour of Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Sagano Scenic Railway
Kyoto
The second day in Kyoto was a good shift from the first. Nice to see the landscape around the city
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Half day with Osaka Castle
Japan
Our driver/guide was on time and very knowledgeable. He spoke very good English, too
Guides, Drivers and Staff
I appreciate that we made sure we were at the cruise port before departing
Local specialist: Angel Tang
