All Reviews for Private Charter Tours

We had the pleasure of doing an 8 Hr tour with the driver Hiroshi Yano. He was extremely knowledgeable of details and history, which kept it very interesting. His car was very clean and comfortable and he also had a great sense of humor. He spoke English very well. He was also accommodating to change the original itinerary based on our needs since we had since some of the sites the day before. I for sure would highly recommend him and this tour agency which was also very accommodating in returning several email questions prior to our booking.

With transportation included to our accommodation, it was an easy move. Our humble guide took many photos at various points and adjusted the pace and timing to match our stamina. Additionally, the kind guide treated us to jelly, miso soup for lunch, tankan pound cake, and tea. Even though it was mid-August, we were able to make a round trip to Taiko Rock without suffering from heatstroke or giving up. The explanations about the climate, plant life, and geological layers were enjoyable. When I mentioned that I would participate in the Jomon Sugi tour the next day, the guide provided precise advice about the equipment. I'm grateful to the guide. I wonder if the songs playing in the car were the guide's own performances? Just a thought.

宿泊先までの送迎付きで、らくらく移動。
素朴なガイドさんがポイントポイントで写真をたくさん撮ってくれ、私達の体力に合わせたペースと時間の配分をしてくれました。
さらに、親切なガイドさんで、ゼリー、お昼のお味噌汁、たんかんパウンドケーキと紅茶をふるまってくれ、8月中旬でしたが、熱中症にならずに、くじけずに太鼓岩まで往復できました。
気候、植物の植生、地層なども解説してくれて、楽しかったです。
また、翌日縄文杉ツアーに参加すると話したら、装備品について的確なアドバイスをしてくれました。ガイドさんに感謝です。
車中、流れていた歌は、ガイドさんの弾き語りだったのでは？ なんてね。

I participated despite feeling unwell, but the guide was so interesting that everyone was sore from trekking to Jomon Sugi, yet we forgot our fatigue and had a great time. The guide even showed us how to take photos and provided items, making it a fun tour for the ladies! You definitely should go to Taiko Rock in the morning! The guide, Tsumagari, was really great!

体調不良での参加でしたが、ガイドさんがおもしろくて、みんな縄文杉の筋肉痛でしんどかったけど、疲れを忘れとても楽しいトレッキングでした。写真の撮り方とか、アイテムまで出してくれて、女子には嬉しい楽しいツアーでした！太鼓岩は絶対朝から行くべきです！！ガイドのつまがりさんめっちゃ良かったです！！

I was able to enjoy the tour in fluent English. My friend from Europe, who was accompanying me, was impressed that it wasn't "Japanese English"! The service was kind and attentive, which was great!

流暢な英語で観光して頂きました。
同行していた友人（ヨーロッパ）が、ジャパニーズ英語ではない！と感動していました。
親切丁寧で良かったです！

The driver was very kind, and I was able to enjoy sightseeing that exceeded the charm of Kanazawa. Next time, I want to spend more time and visit places I couldn't go to this time.

ドライバーさんがとても親切で、金沢が持つ魅力以上の楽しい観光が出来ました。
次はもっと長い時間を使って、今回まわりきれなかった場所にも行ってみたいです。

It seems that the only course that covers Shiratani Unsuikyo, Taiko Rock, Wilson Stump, and Jomon Sugi in one day is this one from Veltra. The meeting time is at 4:30 AM, and we disband around 5 PM to 6 PM. Whether you choose just the Shiratani Unsuikyo course or just the Jomon Sugi course, you will still experience muscle soreness the next day. In that case, it might be better to do it all at once (laughs).

However, this course is for those who are physically fit and confident in their stamina, as it is designed for the chosen ones. I, who honestly underestimated it and don’t usually exercise much, ended up waiting at Wilson Stump while the other members went on to Jomon Sugi. I was satisfied that I was able to reach Taiko Rock (which was incredibly beautiful on that clear day) – it felt like a miracle.

Also, I felt it was great to have a guide because they not only know the paths well but also consider the pace. Before the tougher climbs like Taiko Rock and Jomon Sugi, they suggested leaving our backpacks behind (which is something beginners might not think of). Thank you, Mr. Shimozono. I look forward to your help again next time! ^^*

1日で白谷雲水峡～太鼓岩～ウィルソン株～縄文杉を巡るのは、ベルトラのこちらのコースだけのようです。
朝4時半集合で、解散は17時～18時くらい。
白谷雲水峡だけのコースでも、縄文杉だけのコースでも、翌日筋肉痛になるのは変わりません。でしたら、1回で済ませた方がよろしいかと(笑)
ただし、日頃から運動していたりして、体力に自信のある、選ばれし者たちのコースでもあります。
日頃大した運動もせず、正直舐めてた私は、ウィルソン株手前で他のメンバーが縄文杉まで行ってくるのを待つことに。太鼓岩(晴れ渡ってめちゃくちゃ綺麗だった)まで行けたのも奇跡だったので満足しています。
また、ガイドを頼んでよかったなぁと感じるのは、道に詳しいのはもちろんのこと、ペース配分を考えてくれることです。太鼓岩や縄文杉など厳しめの登りの前には、ザックなどの荷物を置いていくようにしてくれたり(意外と素人は考えつきません)。
下園さん、お世話になりました。またお世話になるときにはよろしくお願いします^^*

Even as a family of beginner hikers, we were able to see Jomon Sugi! The encouragement from our guide and the fact that the weather improved despite the forecast of heavy rain was truly amazing. If I had to be picky, the guide's explanations were a bit lacking, and there wasn't much time for taking photos, which prevented it from being completely satisfying. However, we did encounter monkeys, making it a fun memory overall.

登山初心者の家族でも縄文杉を見る事が出来ました！ガイドさんの励ましや大雨の予報で降ってたにも関わらず天気の回復予測も当たっていて凄いの一言でした。欲を言えばガイドさんの解説が少ないのと写真を撮る時間があまり無かったことが大満足にならなかった要因です。でも猿にも遭遇したりと楽しい思い出になりました。

I believe many people trek without a guide, but the explanations from the guide at various landmarks are truly wonderful. Even when walking the same path, it feels like each step has its own meaning, which doubles the enjoyment. The scenery is reminiscent of "Princess Mononoke," and for a moment, it made me forget the passage of time.

確かにガイドさんなしにトレッキングをなさるかたも多くおられるかと思いますが、ガイドさんからところどころ名所での説明は、やはりすばらしいものがあります。同じ道を行くにも一つ一つ意味があるような気分になり楽しさ倍増でした。本当に景色は、もののけ姫のようで、しばし、時を忘れ忘れさせてくれました。

A representative came to pick us up at the airport and provided a thorough explanation.

I truly appreciate all the help from start to finish.

I had requested a set including a backpack as an option, and they flexibly accommodated the delivery. They also kindly contacted me in advance. On the day of the trip, we were blessed with great weather. They shared various local knowledge and climbing techniques with us.

I highly recommend participating in the economical plan that allows you to climb all at once! Even if you're not very confident in your physical strength, if you do a little exercise regularly, I suggest visiting not only Jomon Sugi but also Shiratani Unsuikyo since you're going there anyway.

I am in my early 30s, and my mother is 60 years old; we went to experience the world heritage site that my mother had dreamed of. During the descent, my mother was even more energetic than I was. For us, it was better to do it in one day rather than splitting it into two.

Please make sure to go! 😊

空港まで担当の方がお迎えに来ていただき、丁寧に説明をしていただけました。

最初から最後まで本当にお世話になりました。
心から感謝してます。

オプションでリュック等のセットを依頼していたのですが、柔軟にお届けのご対応頂き、
事前連絡も優しくして頂けました。
当日、とても天候に恵まれました。色々な現地での知識や登り方を教えてくださりました。

一気に登るお得なプランはぜひご参加いただきたいと思います！
少々体力に自信がなくても日頃運動を少しされていて、
せっかく行くのなら、縄文杉だけでなく白谷雲水峡も行くことをお勧めします。

私は３０代前半、そして母は６０歳、母が夢見ていた世界遺産に出会いに行きました。
下りの時なんて、私より母の方が元気でした。
私たちの場合、２日に分けるより、１日で行ってよかったタイプです。

是非ぜひ行ってらしてくださいね！＾＾

I participated alone, but I climbed with three other participants and the guide. There were many sights along the way, so I never got bored while climbing. During the hike, I saw deer, and I was lucky to spot a Japanese macaque on the way to Shiratani Unsuikyo. The view from Taiko Rock was amazing! Although it's often cloudy, the last part is a bit steep, so I definitely recommend climbing all the way to Taiko Rock! I was picked up at 8:00 and dropped off at the hotel at 15:30, and I had a relaxing and enjoyable time. I want to go again!

1人で参加しましたが、他の参加者とガイドさんと4人で登りました。道中見所がたくさんあって、登るのに飽きずに登れました。登山中、鹿もいましたし、白谷雲水峡に行く途中にはヤクザルもみれてラッキーでした。太鼓岩からの眺めは最高でした！雲がかかってることも多いそうですが、最後少し険しいぐらいなので、ぜひ太鼓岩まで登って欲しいです！8時にピックアップしてもらって、15:30にホテルに送ってもらって、ゆっくり楽しませて頂きました。また行きたいです！

I read in reviews from those who experienced it that you can enjoy the tranquility of the forest in the early morning, so I requested the early morning tour. We departed from the hotel at 5 AM, had our lunch at the Shiratani Unsuikyo parking lot, and then went trekking. In the Forest of Mononoke, they set up a kotodama for us to take photos, and they provided detailed explanations about the forest's ecology and plants, making it a fun climb up to Taiko Rock. We took a lot of photos and were very satisfied. Climbing early allows you to enjoy Taiko Rock without crowds, so you can take photos without waiting, which is great.

体験された方の口コミから、早朝の方が森の静けさを独占出来るとあったので早朝ツアーを希望しました。朝5時にホテルを出発、白谷雲水峡の駐車場でお弁当を食べてからトレッキング。もののけの森ではコトダマをセットして撮影させてくれたり、森の生態や植物の説明まで詳しく案内して頂いて、楽しく太鼓岩まで登れました。写真もたくさん撮ってもらって大満足でした。早い時間に登ると太鼓岩も空いていて、写真も待たずに撮れるから良いですよ。

Thanks to our veteran guide, we had a wonderful day. It was a tight schedule, so I was worried about whether we could walk the whole way, but we made it to Jomon Sugi safely. If it had just been us, we might have given up along the way. If the opportunity arises, I would definitely like to walk again.

ベテランのガイドさんのおかげで、楽しい一日を過ごしました。厳しいスケジュールだったので、全部歩けるか不安でしたが、無事、縄文杉まで行けました。私たちだけでは、途中で諦めていたかもしれません。
機会があれば、是非また、歩きたいです。

We, a group of 7 adults, chose the tour having browsed the internet. The review was good and what we experienced was great! Taiji san is knowledgable, helpful and very accomodative. He picked up us at the hotel on time. We discussed and agreed the itinerary, modified one. We added Nenba and Halal Ramen Tokyo to end the day.
Taiji san is a skillful driver. Driving 10 seater Toyota Hiace he skillfully manouvered in very narrow Tokyo streets when we tried to locate Halal Ramen. Taiji san even attended our exhibition the next day. For us, Taiji san is beyond a tour guide, he is our new friend in Japan.
Arigatou gozaimasu Taiji san!

I signed up at the last minute, but there were two other participants, and we had a great time climbing together. They took care to adjust the pace according to our physical condition, and we climbed to Taiko Rock while enjoying various explanations, capturing many wonderful photos! It was reassuring to be guided by a veteran. After checking if we still had the energy, they took us to a special spot that was particularly beautiful. It seemed to be just before the busy summer season, so we really enjoyed it and had a fantastic trip.

ギリギリに申し込んだのですが、お一人の参加の方が他に2人いて、楽しく登れました。体調に合わせてペースなど配慮していただき、ゆっくり色々解説しながら太鼓岩まで登り、素敵な写真もたくさん取れました❗️ベテランの方にガイドしていただいたので、安心でした。体力が残っていればと聞いてくださった後に連れて行ってもらった、とっておきの場所が特に素敵でした。今はまだ夏の繁忙期より少し前だったようで、堪能でき本当に良い旅となりました。

We were picked up at our hotel at the exact time as mentioned. 1st, we went to the Fujisan heritage center, and on the way our tour guide explained us everything! History, roads, emperors and my favorite THE LAST SAMURAI :) 2nd part of our day was the yummy yakiniku lunch and 3rd we went to Gotemba Premium Outlet! (shopped til we dropped haha). It was supposed to be the last part of our tour but our guide (Taiji) was kind enough to drive us around tokyo and the busy streets of Ginza! What a bonus!
Rating: 200%

P.S: car ride was about 1 hr and 30 min :)

I apologize for the late post.

As a woman in my 30s participating alone, I can say that this was an absolutely wonderful tour. It was a trekking experience with our guide and six participants, including a couple and sisters, and we were blessed with great weather, making it a memorable experience!

About ten years ago, I had a traumatic experience on Mount Fuji and vowed never to go near a mountain again. I truly hadn't approached one since, but when the opportunity to visit Yakushima came up, I decided to face my trauma and participate, albeit with some apprehension. This experience made me realize the importance of having a good guide.

The pacing, explanations about the plants, and various considerations were truly outstanding. While it would be a lie to say I didn't get tired at all, the breaks and encouragement (like jokes) at just the right moments were greatly appreciated. Of course, the greatness of Jomon Sugi was impressive, but I also enjoyed the natural scenery along the way and was able to capture great photos at various spots while having fun!

Reflecting on my unforgettable experience from ten years ago on Mount Fuji, I remember it being tough, with a large group (around 20 people?) and feeling left behind, which still lingers in my mind. Because of that, I had distanced myself from mountains, and I now feel that I have truly missed out. This experience reinforced the importance of choosing the right tour company.

This time, I felt that I would like to go again, which was very positive. I look forward to the next opportunity!

投稿が遅くなってしまいました。

30代1人女性での参加でしたが結論から言うと、とても素晴らしいツアーでした。
ガイドさん、参加者の姉妹とご夫婦の6名でのトレッキングでしたがガイドさんにも参加者にもお天気にも恵まれ、最高の思い出となりました！

約10年前に富士山のトラウマから、二度と山には近づかないと誓い
本当に近づいていませんでしたが今回屋久島へ行くことになりせっかくなので・・とトラウマと戦いながら＆身構えながらの参加でしたが、ガイドさんの大切さをあらためて感じました。

ペース配分や植物の説明にもろもろの気遣いなど本当に素晴らしいものでした。
全然疲れなかったといえば嘘になりますが、疲れたなと思ったタイミングでの休憩・励まし（ジョークなど）、先読みして気遣っていただいている感じがとてもありがたかったです。
縄文杉の偉大さはもちろんですが、
行く途中の自然も楽しみながら写真スポットはしっかり抑えて楽しく進むことができました！

富士山の忘れもしない10年前を振り返ると、しんどい・大人数（20人くらい？）・置いてけぼり、のようなトラウマがあり今も強く残っているのですが、そのせいで山を離れていたこともあったので本当に今まで損をしていたなという気持ちとツアーの会社選びは大事だと今回感じました。

今回、「もう一回行きたい」と思えたこと、とても良かったです。
また是非宜しくお願いします。

I suddenly decided to take a solo trip to Yakushima. I wanted to see Jomon Sugi, but I was worried about what might happen along the way if I was alone, so I requested a guide. Since the guests were just a couple staying in Miyano-ura and me staying in Awa, I think we were able to communicate in a cozy atmosphere. Also, our guide, Nakaji-san, was a veteran and very reliable, so I was glad I could participate without feeling isolated. It seems that the pickup times differ by 30 minutes between Miyano-ura and Awa, so as various sites suggest, if you find early mornings tough, I recommend staying in Awa.

I usually run, so I wasn't worried about walking for a long time, but the tramway path was indeed difficult to walk on, and I ended up looking at my feet to avoid spraining my ankle (which is understandable). Additionally, it seems there was an emergency transport this time, and the tram was dispatched. I was moved to see that a tram actually runs on that tramway, which is something so obvious yet still impressive (I apologize for the blurry photo).

Next time, I definitely want to enjoy the night and morning at Jomon Sugi with an overnight stay.

急遽思い立っての屋久島一人旅。縄文杉は見たいけれど、ひとりでは途中で何かあった時が心配だな、と思いガイドをお願いしました。
ゲストは宮之浦宿泊のご夫婦と安房宿泊の私だけだったのでこじんまりとコミュニケーションが取れたと思います。また、ガイドの中路さんはベテランでとても頼もしく、一人でも疎外感を感じずに参加できたのでよかったです。宮之浦と安房ではピックアップ時刻が30分違うようで、いろんなサイトでも案内されている通り、朝早いのがつらい方は安房宿泊をお薦めします。
普段から走っているので長時間の歩きは心配していませんでしたが、やはりトロッコ道が歩きづらく捻挫を恐れて足元ばかりをみて歩くことになってしまいました（これは仕方ないですね）。また、今回、救急搬送があったようでトロッコが出動していました。あのトロッコ道を本当にトロッコが走るのだ、と当然のことなのに感動しました（写真がボケていて申し訳ありません）。
次回は是非1泊で縄文杉の夜と朝を楽しみたいと思います。

It was a a long but awesome activity! We really enjoyed the sights in Mt Fuji! Great experience!

I planned to walk 22 km in 10 hours, but it ended up taking me 11 hours. However, I was able to achieve my goal. The organizers adjusted to the pace of the participants and made sure we had time to take photos, which allowed us to enjoy the experience. I was relieved to make it in time for the last bus.

22kmを10時間で歩く予定を11時間かかってしまいましたが目的を達成することができました。
参加者のペースに合わせてくれ、写真を撮る時間を確保してくれたので楽しむことができました。
終バスに間に合って、ホッとしました。

The pickup was on time, and I was able to enjoy the explanations about Yakushima. I also received a lecture on how to walk, and I finished the walk without any injuries.

時間通りに送迎して頂き、屋久島についても説明してもらい楽しむことができました。
歩き方もレクチャーしてもらい、怪我なく歩き終えました。

Guide was extremely friendly and knowledgable. We found anew friend in Japan!

I was worried about the weather and my physical condition, but I managed to do a proper warm-up and took on the challenge. While I was able to maintain my stamina, I did twist my ankle a bit, possibly due to my usual lack of exercise.

There were seven participants this time. One person injured their foot and had to wait at a rest point (they missed seeing Jomon Sugi, but they were able to visit Shiratani Unsuikyo), and another person participated until the end despite being in pain. Despite these challenges, we adhered to the final deadline and completed the course in about 12 hours and 30 minutes (which was an hour later than usual). This course is known to be hard, to the point that some guides refuse to take it, and one guide reportedly suffered a stress fracture due to doing this route repeatedly.

However, despite the busy schedule, the satisfaction of being able to see the highlights of Yakushima's trekking in one day was immense.

This time, there were discrepancies between the tourists and the guides regarding preparations, which caused some confusion about what to bring. We prioritized decisions based on the situation on-site, which turned out well (though there were some gaps in explanations). There were similar issues with other items needed (it seems that what's necessary can vary by season), and I felt a strong desire for more standardized guidelines.

天気と自分の体力が心配でしたが、なんとかｗしっかりと準備運動して挑みましたが、体力は何とか持っても、日ごろの運動不足がたたってか、足を少しひねることがありました。

今回は７名が参加していました。一人は足を痛め途中休憩ポイントで待機（縄文杉はみれませんでしたが、白谷雲水峡OK）、一人は体を痛めながらも最後まで参加。そんなこともありましたが、最終のデッドラインを守って、約１２時間３０分の行程（通常より１時間遅い）で終了。
このコースは、ハードだから元から受けないガイドさんやこれが恐らくこれが原因で疲労骨折したガイドさん（連日この内容だった為）がいるほどのものらしいです。

ただ、忙しい内容ではありますが、屋久島のトレッキングの見どころ？が一日で見て周れる満足感は一入でした。

今回、観光の方とガイドの方の言い分に相違があり、持ち物の準備で困ることもありましたが、現場優先で決断。よかったです（説明に過不足あり）。他の準備物にもそのようなことがあり（時期によって、必要・不必要があるそうですが）、しっかりと統一されたものがほしいと感じました。

This is a challenging course that is originally meant to be completed over two days, but we did it in one. It requires not only physical strength but also the mental fortitude to not give up. There were times when I felt like I might break. However, the sense of accomplishment and emotion was multiplied many times over. Thanks to the guide's consideration and pacing, I also have fond memories of being unable to move for two days due to muscle soreness and fatigue.

本来は2日かけるコースを1日でまわるため厳しいコースです。体力だけでなく、諦めない気力も必要だと思います。私も何度か心が折れそうに。でもその分達成感と感動は何倍にもなります。ガイドさんの心配り・ペース配分のおかげもありました。2日は筋肉痛と疲労で動けなくなったのもいい思い出です。

Taiji was our tour guide on this trip just this March 2017. He brought us to a temple, the lake with Mt. Fuji view and Gotemba shopping area. All with considerations on our end. He was very friendly and accommodating, answered questions about the trip.
We had lunch with him and he shared stories with us. He also asked questions about us and he also took our pictures.

He even offered to wait for our shopping time and when we're about to get off, he asked if we have plans for the next day because he's willing to give a city tour. However we do have planned itinerary already so we just thanked him.

He also helped me find my purse which I lost on that day. Sadly, we weren't able to retrieve it.

I recommend him as a very friendlya nd helpful tour guide. He speaks english well and can converse naturally.

It's worth to spend the money because you get to visit more places and be able to stay longer an the area that you like.

I wasn't very confident in my physical strength, so I chose the course to Taiko Rock, but it wasn't too tough, and the guide's explanations and stories were interesting, making for a wonderful day. The guide's love for moss was amazing! I think they provided explanations that made the course even more enjoyable, including stories from "Princess Mononoke." This time the weather was perfect, but I would like to see the lush forest as well, so I want to go again. Thank you very much!

あまり体力に自信がなかったので太鼓岩までのコースにしましたが、辛くもなく、ガイドさんの説明やお話しも面白く、とても良い1日になりました。
ガイドさんの苔に対する愛情がすごかった^ ^
もののけ姫のお話しと合わせて紹介してくれたり、よりコースを楽しめる説明をしてくれたと思います。
今回は晴天で最高でしたが、潤った森も見てみたいのでまた行きたいです。
ありがとうございました★

It was my first time tracking, but I was able to climb without any issues.

The breathtaking view at the top...!!!!
I was truly moved.
I highly recommend the set to Taiko Rock.

初めてのトラッキングでしたが、
問題なく登れました。

登りきった先の超絶景…！！！！
本当に感動です。
太鼓岩までのセットを強くお勧めします。

I had a great time! I visited the beautiful Shiratani Unsuikyo, the mossy forest, and Taiko Rock. The tour has a wonderful guide. I highly recommend it! (｡Ő▽Ő｡)ﾉ

とても楽しかったです！
きれいな白谷雲水峽、苔むす森、太鼓岩に行きました。ツアーは素敵なガイドさんがいますょ。おすすめです！(｡Ő▽Ő｡)ﾉ

I thought the Jomon Sugi would be too physically demanding, so I chose this course. The guide was a cheerful middle-aged veteran man. He was knowledgeable about plants and took photos for us at various spots, which was enjoyable. We were also able to take great photos with the camera we brought!

縄文杉は体力的にムリかなと思って、このコースを選びました。ガイドさんは、愉快な中年ベテラン男性。植物にも詳しく、随所で写真も撮って頂き、楽しかったです。双方持参したこだまでいい写真も撮れました！

On the morning of our tour, our guide, Taiji was waiting when we exited our hotel lobby. After introductions, Taiji familiarized himself with folding my wife’s wheelchair. Once we were in our seats, we explained that we would prefer not to participate in the hot springs bathing. Taiji accepted this and said we should still see the lakes and towns along the way to Mount Fuji as they are quite remarkable.

Taiji took us to the World Heritage Site Visitor Center where we watched an informative video about Mount Fuji. It was there that my wife noticed photography by Rocky Tanaka. We later learned Taiji and he are friends. At the end of our tour Taiji arranged for us to meet with Mr. Tanaka so we could view his gallery and purchase a piece of his art.

From the Visitor Center, we traveled on to see lakes and ponds which have formed by snow melt from Mount Fuji. Some of the villages along the way also exist only because Mount Fuji is towering in the distance. Mount Fuji is a Religious symbol to the Japanese.
We saw and ate white strawberries for the first time. We saw a traditional Japanese home with a thatch roof that will last for 100+ years. We saw bonsai trees and gardens and shops and fish ponds with giant fish and markets. We ate a traditional Japanese meal in an authentic Japanese restaurant where no one spoke English except for us. The food was DELICIOUS and the portions were HUGE! Then we continued on to the Fifth Station.

Taiji is an exceptional tour guide: He was a very safe and capable driver. Even in the high traffic areas of Tokyo’s interstate, we felt we were in safe hands. His English is impeccable and he is extremely articulate. His manners are first rate and he was professional, observant and intuitive. He has a seemingly unending knowledge of Japanese history and culture.