It was an excellent trip, and we had a great time.
Hiromi was an A+ guide. Her skills, attitude and pleasant personality made the trip very enjoyable. I highly recommend her to other clients.
We were very much exposed to a side of Japan most tourists do not see. With many meals at restaurants and exploration of locations when we were the only foreigners. Exactly how we like it. Hiromi took us to a local restaurant after restaurant for lunch that we never would have found. And every meal with her was a great conversation on various topics. The lunch at Sushi Iwa in Kyoto will never be forgotten as Jessica kept up with the chef’s lunch special and more pieces of sushi than she had ever eaten in one meal. Same with the shopping. Hiromi found the stores that Jessica was seeking off the beaten path. Places with high-end products, great service and very good selection. Similarly, when Hiromi learned that there was a parade in Kyoto one day, she rearranged our schedule so she and I could take it in. Great experience. Great insight on her end that this was something I would enjoy doing and then working to make it happen. You could tell she listened, researched on the go and adapted to what we liked and did not like. Makes all the difference when you do that for your guests.
Mandarin Oriental was perfect, just as it had been the last time we stayed there. The cooking lesson and dinner with Kyoko was very unique.
Myojinkan was an excellent ryokan with an exceptional dinner and breakfast. Kanazawa was a favorite. Many great sites, and I found some great places to purchase pottery and art. Amazing community and people. Dinner at Kaido was an A+. The food was as good as it gets. One of our most memorable meals in restaurants we have eaten around the world. We, the chef, his assistant and our food/wine. A dining experience we will never forget.
Hiromi did a phenomenal job of keeping us in locations that felt intimate and less crowded. Kudos to her for always going above the expected in situations like these. The tea ceremony, calligraphy lesson and time with Sarah Brayer were also A+ experiences. Each one is unique and memorable. Whatever you can do to add these experiences to the itinerary, the better the trip. Each one provided a different and exceptional insight into the country and culture. The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, was as good as it gets. No complaints. Great location. Great staff. The room was perfect. Exactly the base camp you want when exploring.
Mt. Koya and the Souji-in Temple were very good. Great escape after the crowds in Kyoto. Very much enjoyed our days there.
And you were exactly right about not wanting to miss a stay at Sasayuri-Ann. The accommodations were like nothing we had ever experienced, and Matsubayashi-san, his wife and family were perfect hosts. We enjoyed every minute of our time there and with them. The hikes, the meals, the conversations, and the attention to detail were above and beyond. Could have stayed for an entire week at this property and gotten to know them both even more. A++.
Great work as well with all of the transportation. The car service and drivers were always reliable and exactly what we needed. Made the trip much easier and enjoyable. They worked with Hiromi to make our days as smooth as possible.
Overall, we did not want the trip to end, and I wish I could have convinced Jessica to spend another week in the country. But that provides us a reason to return to Japan in a few years. It is an amazing country, and it still feels like there is much more to explore.
Thank you for all of your work in making it a superb trip. Have already recommended JapanQuest Journeys to several others.