All Reviews for Cultural Experiences

We had a wonderful time making our wax & PVC ramen at this workshop. It was fun and engaging and we highly recommend it!

The guide was interesting and amazing. They kept the participants engaged with various stories and talked throughout the travel and the tour. (It's a tough job.)

Not only were they entertaining, but their knowledge was incredible. Even during traffic jams, they flexibly brought up different topics, which impressed me. They also included recent topics, and I felt they must be constantly learning and staying updated on what to discuss during tours.

I participated in the tour the day after visiting the National Treasure Exhibition, and I thought the guide was a treasure of Nara. I hope they continue to do well and stay energetic. Since I came from Tohoku, I can't often go to Kansai, but I would recommend it to my friends, and I personally want to participate again to meet the guide. Thank you very much!

ガイドさんが面白くて最高でした。
参加者を飽きさせずに色々なお話をしてくださり、移動中、ツアー中もずっとお話ししてくれました。（大変なお仕事です）

面白いだけではなく、知識量が半端ないです。渋滞した時も臨機応変に違う話を出したりと感心しっぱなしでした。
また最近の話題もあり、普段からツアーで話すことを、アンテナを立ててキャッチしインプットして勉強しているんだろうなと感じました。

今回、国宝展を見た次の日にツアー参加したのですが、ガイドさんは奈良の宝だと思いました。これからも元気で頑張ってほしいです。
東北から参加したので、なかなか関西に行けないですが友だちに勧めたり、私自身ガイドさんに会いにまた参加したいと思いました。
本当にありがとうございました！

The Nara Kotsu sightseeing bus tour included lunch and was a full-day course. This tour provided a sense of security. The service was polite and punctual, and I received a cute towel handkerchief as a memento. The guide's explanations included history with a touch of humor, which was just right.

I was able to visit the places I wanted to go, and having prior explanations helped deepen my understanding of things that I might have just passed by. The tour was packed with visits to Hōryū-ji, Chūgū-ji, lunch & shopping, Jikō-in, Yakushi-ji, and Tōshōda-ji, and involved quite a bit of walking. Some participants finished in half a day, so it seems like it can be arranged according to one's physical condition and schedule.

Lunch was kamameshi, which was average... Since it was a souvenir shop, I could do some shopping and received a 10% discount coupon. *There aren't many shopping places on this tour.

At Jikō-in, which I visited for the first time, I was able to enjoy tea service and spend a relaxing time. In the end, I could also see the Suzaku Gate from the bus window, and I thoroughly enjoyed Nara, feeling like I time-traveled back to the Asuka and Heian periods throughout the day. With entrance fees, lunch, tea, and a gift included, it was very economical to efficiently visit so many places in one day!

奈良交通の定期観光バス、昼食付きの一日コースでした。
このツアーは、安心感しかないです。
対応も丁寧で時間も正確、参加記念に可愛いタオルハンカチもいただきました。
ガイドさんの説明は歴史からちょっとしたユーモアあり、ちょうどよい感じです。

行きたかった場所にも行けたし、ただ見るだけでは通りすぎてしまうようなものも、事前に説明があると理解が進みます。
法隆寺・中宮寺・昼食&買い物・慈光院・薬師寺・唐招提寺と盛りだくさんで、かなり歩くツアーでした。半日で終了するかたもいたので、体力や都合に合わせてアレンジできそうです。

お昼は釜飯で、普通でした…お土産店なので買い物もでき、10%オフ券をいただきました。※このツアーでは、買い物する場所はあまりないです。

初めて知った慈光院では、お茶の持てなしもありゆっくりした時間を過ごせましたし、最後には朱雀門も車窓から見ることができ、一日かけて飛鳥・平安の時代にタイムトリップした感じで奈良を満喫しました。
入場料もお昼もお茶もつき、プレゼントもあり、一日でこれだけの場所を効率よく回れるのはとてもお得でした！

I have been to Nara twice before, but both times it was rainy and I was not satisfied. I thought it would rain again this time at Hōryū-ji, but I was glad it was sunny.

僕は以前に２回奈良に来ましたがいずれも雨で満足しませんでした。今回の法隆寺はまた雨かと思いましたが、晴れて良かったです。

The night view was wonderful. Seeing Odaiba, the Rainbow Bridge, and the Tokyo Skytree from the boat was the best. I thought the fireworks festival would surely be lovely as well.

素晴らしい夜景でした。お台場、レインボーブリッジ、スカイツリーなど　船から見るのは最高でした。花火大会もきっと素敵なのだろうと思いました。

We had a lot of fun and would recommend to everyone!

It was my first time on a traditional houseboat, and it was so much fun! The food was excellent... Those who are prone to seasickness might want to be careful!

初屋形船でしたがとっても楽しかったです
お料理も最高。。。
船酔いが激しい人は気をつけた方がいいかもしれません！

The weather was favorable, and it was pleasantly cool, almost cold, on the boat. We were able to take turns and go up on deck, where we enjoyed fireworks and drones nearby. I was truly impressed by how different the fireworks in Tokyo are! I would love to participate again next summer!

お天気も恵まれ船の上は涼しく寒いくらいでしたが、交代して船上にも上がれて打ち上げる近くで花火やドローン等思考を考慮されておりさすが東京の花火は違うなぁ〜と感激！又夏もあれば参加したいと思います♪

The workshop facilitator was pleasant and dedicated. All the information was provided to continue the practice of kintsugi. I enjoyed it very much, as I like meticulous work. I strongly recommend it.

The yakatabune was full and quite cramped. The event was lovely, and the tempura was delicious, so I had a great time.

屋形船は満員で、かなり窮屈でした。イベントは素敵でしたし、天ぷらが美味しかったので、楽しく過ごせました。

I confirmed the details of the tour in advance and I am satisfied. More than that, the female tour guide was cheerful, had a clear and easy-to-understand voice, and explained everything well. She was also very considerate, and my wife was happy that she joined the tour.

ツアーの内容は事前に確認済み。満足です。それよりもツアーガイドの女性が明るく、聞き取りやすい大きな声で説明も上手でした。また、気が利く方で妻もツアーに参加して正解だったねと喜んでいました。

We used this place with five friends from middle and high school.

The weather was perfect, the food was excellent, and since everyone loves to drink, the alcohol was great too. It was so much fun to do some sightseeing in the city after a long time!

The cute guide, the boatman, and the lady in charge of the food were all wonderful.

Everything was just fantastic.

It was also lucky that we had the place to ourselves due to a cancellation from another group.

中学　高校の同級　熟女5人で利用しました。

お天気も最高　お料理も最高
全員のんべなのでお酒も最高
久しぶりの都内観光とっても楽しかったですよ～

案内の可愛い❤お嬢さんに船頭さんお料理担当のお姉さん

何もかも最高でした。

たまたま他の組がキャンセルで
貸切だったのもラッキーでした

While it's common to see maiko and geiko, opportunities to take photos or have conversations with them are not easily come by. This time, I had a very precious experience that became an unforgettable memory of my trip.

舞妓さんや芸子さんは見ることはあっても一緒に写真を撮ったり会話する機会は簡単にはありません。今回はとても貴重な体験をし忘れられない旅の思い出となりました。

彼女のダンスを見ることができ、彼女とゲームをし、昨日のようにお茶を準備するのも見ました - 素晴らしい体験でした！

We were able to see her dance, I played a game with her, and we also saw her prepare tea like yesterday - great experience!

The male and female staff on the yakatabune were very kind, and since the person at the next table didn't come, the winner of rock-paper-scissors received free sashimi (my grandmother won against the staff). A Russian traveler won the crab and gifted it to us.

They also packed two portions of delicious takikomi gohan for us as they had some left over. The kind staff made it a wonderful memory. I want to ride again. I highly recommend it!

屋形船の男女スタッフさんがとても親切にして下さりまた隣の席の方が来られなかったのでじゃんけんで勝った人に無料でお刺身（祖母）がスタッフさんとじゃんけんで勝ったので頂きました。蟹はロシア人旅行者が勝ちプレゼントしていました。

美味しい炊き込みご飯も余ったからと2パックも詰めてプレゼントして頂きました。
親切なスタッフさんで最高の思い出になりました。
また乗りたいです。凄くお勧めします。

It was my first time on board, and it was a great experience. I enjoyed delicious food while sipping on drinks and experiencing something out of the ordinary. My family who accompanied me also said they wanted to go again. I would like to create another opportunity to go. There were seats available, and there was also one restroom.

初めて乗船しましたがとても良い体験でした。お酒を楽しみながら美味しいご飯を食べて非日常を味わえました。同行した家族もまた行きたいと言っていました。また行く機会を作り、行ってみたいです。座席も椅子、トイレも一つありました

Kumamoto Castle is currently undergoing renovations, so you can only follow a designated route, but this means it wasn't too crowded, allowing for a leisurely visit. The Waku Waku Museum was a facility fully dedicated to entertaining its guests. I was given helpful tips on photo spots around the castle, which was great! 👍

熊本城はお直し途中のため決まったルートしか進めませんが、それはそれで混雑しすぎないのでじっくり観光できました。わくわくミュージアムはお客さんを楽しませようと全振りしている施設でした。お城の写真ポイントを教えてもらい役立ちました👍

At the Hōryū-ji Treasure Museum, I was able to see a Kannon statue that is usually not on display. At Tōshōdai-ji, I was shown a flower called keika, which resembles a white hydrangea. There were so many Kannon statues that I couldn't tell them apart, but the guide pointed out which one it was, allowing me to see it. Even though the viewing time for the keika had passed, thanks to the skill of the veteran guide, I was allowed to enter and experience something that I couldn't have done on my own. The guide's explanations were delivered in a relaxed and humorous tone, and I was really glad to have participated in the tour. I've been to Nara many times, but this was my first tour. I highly recommend the tour for those who want to explore efficiently!

法隆寺の宝物館では通常目にふれることができないという観音像を、唐招提寺では瓊花(けいか)という白いガクアジサイに似た木の花を見せていただきました。観音はたくさん仏像がありすぎてよくわからなかったところを、ガイドさんがこれ、と教えてくださり見ることができました。瓊花も拝観時間が過ぎていたのに、さすがはベテランのガイドさんの手腕で入園させていただき、個人ではできない体験ができました。ガイドさんの説明もゆったりとユーモアある口調で、ツアーに参加して本当に良かったです。何回も奈良には行きましたが、ツアーは初めてでした。効率よく廻りたいかたはツアーはおすすめです！

I took my niece to make the ramen sample food and we had fun! Just a short walk from the train stop. The people there are very friendly and easy to talk to. I hope to visit again one day.

I had the opportunity to experience the traditional Japanese craft of kiriko for the first time. Thank you for the thorough explanation. I'm glad that I was able to create a lovely piece by generating new ideas from my mistakes. If there is another opportunity, I would love to participate again.

初めて日本の伝統文化切子の製作を体験させていただきました。
丁寧なご説明をいただきありがとうございました。失敗したところから新しいアイデアを生まれ、可愛い作品を出来上がって良かったです。
また機会がございましたらぜひよろしくお願い致します。

We ended our trip here and it was the most relaxing, yet rich experience. The art of Kintsugi is extraordinary and absolutely points me back to my faith and how my broken pieces don’t discount me from the love of Christ. I thought I knew most of the process, but the time spent went deeper than my current knowledge and enhanced my love for the art form even more! It’s a must if you are in Tokyo, or even if you aren’t, make the trip.

It was better than I expected. Although we were delayed due to traffic on unfamiliar roads, thanks to various considerations, my whole family was able to enjoy it very much.

Thank you.

予想以上に良かったです。
慣れない道での渋滞により開始時刻が予定より遅れてしまいましたが様々な配慮のお陰で、家族全員とても楽しむことができました。

ありがとうございました。

In June, I thought it would be difficult to use a car for sightseeing in Kamakura, but this time, by using this tour, my family and I were able to leisurely enjoy the beautiful hydrangeas at Meigetsuin and the famous bamboo grove at Hōkokuji. Thanks to the experienced taxi driver who was knowledgeable about the roads, we received accurate advice like, "It's not crowded right now," and we were able to enjoy our sightseeing comfortably. I am already planning for the next visit, hoping to bring my parents who have difficulty walking along with us.

6月の鎌倉観光は、車の利用は難しいと考えていましたが、今回このツアーを利用して家族で、明月院の美しいアジサイや、竹林で有名な報国寺をゆっくりと観光できました。道に詳しいベテランタクシードライバーの方のおかげで、「今なら空いていますよ」という的確なアドバイスをいただき、快適に観光を楽しめました。
次回は足の不自由な両親も一緒に訪れることができればと、今から計画を立てています。

Male in his 20s / Germany
I’m currently living in Tokyo on a student visa from Germany, and this was my first time trying out Ninja Zen Meditation.

The staff picked me up at the meeting spot and guided me to the venue, so I didn’t have to worry about getting lost. The place itself was a really cool traditional Japanese house. Just stepping inside made it feel like I was entering a completely different world, which got me really excited for the experience.

The meditation wasn’t just sitting quietly but included unique movements like walking blindfolded and using a wooden sword, which kept things interesting and fun. I never felt bored because the balance was just right, and I found it easy to focus.

There was also an English interpreter the whole time, so I could easily follow along without any stress.

They also gave us a booklet on the “Kuji-Goshin-Ho” (Nine Syllable Protection Method) and an English pamphlet about Ninja Zen Meditation, both of which I’m definitely taking back to Germany as great souvenirs.

It's just a one-minute walk from JR Uji Station, making it easy to stop by before or after sightseeing. It's also conveniently within walking distance from Byodoin Temple's Phoenix Hall. You can rent bags for kimono, undergarments, and geta, so I didn't have to prepare anything myself.

JR宇治駅を出て徒歩1分のところにあるので観光前や帰りに立ち寄りやすいです。平等院鳳凰堂からも徒歩圏内で便利です。
着物用の手提げ鞄、肌着、下駄も借りられるので何も自分で準備しなくてよかったです。

I made a reservation to enjoy the cherry blossoms while avoiding the crowds. It was a wonderful cherry blossom viewing experience, allowing me and my two companions to savor it at our leisure.

人混みを避けて桜を楽しみたくて予約させて頂きました。仲間と三人だけでゆっくりと堪能させて頂き最高なお花見が出来ました。

In Gion, even if you look for opportunities on Hanamikoji, it's quite common not to actually meet a real maiko or geiko. While guiding first-time foreign visitors to Japan, I found a program that offered a chance to see a maiko's dance at a relatively low price, take photos together, and even experience traditional entertainment. I signed up with some skepticism. While you wouldn't be able to see real traditional entertainment for this price, such opportunities, which are held for many tourists, might be quite rare and valuable.

祇園、花見小路で機会を伺っても、実際の舞妓ちゃん、芸妓さんにはなかなか会えないのが普通です。
外国人の初来日者を案内していて、かなり安価で舞妓さんの踊りが見られて、一緒に写真も撮れる、お座敷遊びも見せてもらえる、というプログラムを見つけ、やや半信半疑で申し込みました。
本当のお座敷遊びなら、こんな金額では全く見ることが出来ないけれど、多くの観光者を招いて行われる、こんな機会は、なかなか貴重かもしれません。

Highly recommend. This was our favorite part of a great trip! Toshie is a wonderful teacher and she has set up this easy-going experience so that it's fun and accessible for everyone. Absolutely worth the price!

Our group was two couples, it was just us; I think she extended the time because she saw we were having fun. Skill and language are no barriers, she has pictures, labels, and experience doing this for many years and it's easy to learn from her and incredibly fun! She serves tea and snacks to enjoy and you can chat casually as you work and wait for things to dry. Plus you get an incredible, one-of-a-kind souvenir/gift/memento out of it! (Which she packages securely for you to travel without worry of damaging it.)

As a tourist who doesn't speak Japanese, this was the activity that left me feeling the closest connection to the culture.

Let me start by saying this art form is so cool and everywhere in Japan. And make no mistake, this is an art studio that has been passed down for generations. We had a great time and learned a lot of new things, immersing ourselves in this unique art form with wonderful teachers. Highly recommend.

The ship, the food, and the show all made for a wonderful memory. In particular, the thoughtfulness of the staff was very pleasant. Thank you very much.

船・料理・ショー共に、素晴らしい記念になりました。
特に、スタッフの方の心遣いが、とても心地良いものでした。
ありがとうございました。