Kyoto Tours in October 2027

The trip was well designed providing time in both cities and smaller towns in the countryside. The walks were well planned and always interesting. Our guide, Zachary, was excellent and made sure we had the best experience possible in Japan.

The itinerary was thoughtfully designed, allowing us to explore a wide range of fascinating destinations throughout the trip. Activity level was 1, not 3 as advertised. The hotels were comfortable, with two exceptions: Hotel SUI Kyoto Kiyomizu in Kyoto - Situated on a busy main road, the hotel suffered from significant noise even during nighttime hours due to poor sound insulation. Breakfast was consistently overcrowded. Route Inn Kawaguchiko - The room was small and dimly lit, with a window facing a concrete wall just two metres away. The décor was dated; it felt like the last renovation was done in the 1980s, and the breakfast offering was disappointing in both quality and variety. In contrast, Hotel Monterey Akasaka in Tokyo stood out as the best accommodation - stylish, comfortable, and well located. Dining independently was a highlight of the trip. We enjoyed excellent meals at various local restaurants, often at very reasonable prices. However, the two complimentary dinners provided in Takayama were surprisingly poor in quality. In hindsight, it would have been preferable to explore dining options on our own that evening as well. Public transportation was generally a positive experience and added to the trip's authenticity. That said, the day spent navigating Kyoto’s local buses and trains resulted in more time waiting than sightseeing. Additionally, the transfer from Kawaguchiko to Tokyo consumed most of the day. A chartered bus would have significantly reduced travel time to under two hours, and allowed for a more relaxed and efficient transition.

The overall tour was very enjoyable and memorable. The tour guide we had (Tomoe Namihisa) was wonderful. Very informative, knowledgeable, courteous, and very well organized. She made the tour so enjoyable. Also the bus driver Hide was also very courteous and drove us safely to each destination. His driving skills was impeccable. Overall, we all enjoyed this tour and would definitely refer our friends and family to take this tour. We liked it so much we are planning on a return trip to Japan.

Really enjoyed the trip, although we underestimated the level of fitness required to complete all the walking/hiking/climbing involved. For all that we had a wonderful time, and there were options to short circuit some of the more challenging hikes.

This trip fulfilled all my expectations and more. My fellow travellers were kindred spirits. The level of walks was slightly more demanding than I expected, but I managed and our guide offered flexible options for people who wanted less walking some days. The food and accommodation was first rate. I have travelled with World Expeditions in the Himalayan region and knew them to be reliable. This trip did not disappoint.

A very memorable trip! What made the trip so great was all of the hands on experiences: sushi making, origami, tea ceremony, stencil making, gold leaf making. The Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel's restroom was filthy. The toilet, sink, and tub were nasty. The other hotels' restrooms were very clean. The Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba, Odakyu Hotel de Yama had stains in the carpets.