All Reviews for Cultural Experiences

I signed up for the 1:00 PM session, and despite it being the middle of a holiday weekend, there were few participants, so I felt very fortunate to be almost directly in front of the maiko in the front row. The responses during the Q&A were very polite, and I was able to hear enjoyable and interesting stories. The maiko was very cute, and I, as an older man, couldn't help but feel a bit smitten. I would like to take advantage of this opportunity again if possible.

13:00からの回に申し込みました、連休の中日にもかかわらず参加者が少なく最前列の舞妓さんのほぼ正面でとても得した気分でした。質疑応答のお応えもとても丁寧で楽しく興味深い話が聞けました。とても可愛らしい舞妓さんだったので私の様なオジサンは鼻の下が伸びっぱなしでした。また機会があれば利用したいと思います。

It would be better to offer fewer items but of higher quality. The guide was very good, but there were loud customers who made it hard to hear.

量少なくもっと質の良い物出すと良いです。　ガイドさんはとても良かったけどお客様で大きな声出してる人達がうるさくて聞こえなかった。

This was such an awesome experience. I learned so much and would take this again! The instructor spoke English and Japanese, was friendly, patient, and kind. I was able to choose a clear glass (I wanted a pink one but was told I could only choose clear sadly) and they had many additional options for an extra charge (also clear). They have stencils, or you are able to draw free hand on your glass. You are provided a piece of glass to practice on before you attempt your design. The setting was intimate with only 4 cutting machines (there were other studios that were larger on other floors) which I liked because it felt more personal. I didn't need glasses or an apron like I thought I might. You can take photos of your glass when you finish in a lit photo box which makes your pictures look amazing. The room was a little warm for me, but I brought a tiny hand fan with a stand and it was perfect. We were asked to remove our shoes and wear public slippers, so I recommend wearing socks.

The guide's explanations were easy to understand, and the tour focused on important sites, so despite the short duration, I was able to enjoy visiting many famous temples with satisfaction.

ガイドさんの説明がわかり安く、重要な対象に搾った見学だったので、短時間にも拘わらず、多くの有名なお寺を満足して楽しく観光できました。

It was my first experience with Edo Kiriko, and I was able to finish my piece thanks to the careful guidance I received. I got so focused on the work that time flew by. Although I couldn't make it as beautifully as the examples, I think it turned out to be a piece with character. (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)

初めての江戸切子でしたが、丁寧に教えてもらい、作品を仕上げることができました。
作業に集中しすぎてあっという間に時間が過ぎてしまいました
お手本みたいに上手にはできなかったものの、味のある作品になったと思います(๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)

I had the opportunity to do the waterfall meditation for the second time. I felt a divine energy in a place where the mountain is considered a sacred body and where Kukai performed the waterfall meditation. Both my body and soul were thoroughly purified. The Rainbow Dragon God revealed itself to me. I want to come again. I am grateful to the staff for teaching me various things. Thank you very much.

2回目の滝行をさせて頂きました。
山が御神体で空海さまが滝行されたと言う場所で神氣を感じました。
身も魂もすっきり浄化されました。
虹龍神様が姿を現せて下さいました。
又、来たいです。
スタッフの方、色々と教えて頂き感謝です。
ありがとうございました。

I've now been to Yamato Sample twice and tried two different kits, and I can confidently say this is one of the most unique and fun experiences I've had on my trips to the country! This is a good place to both try your hand at crafting as well as learn a bit about techniques used to make realistic food.

The craftsmen that help you are, as you can imagine, incredibly knowledgeable and have a great sense of humor; additionally, they have a nice lil shop near the front that shows some of their more intricate works that are for sale. I have tons of friends that are constantly planning their own trips to Japan and this is one of the few places I always recommend to them.

I participated alone. I was nervous when putting the pattern into the glass, but I was kindly and carefully taught, and I was able to create it enjoyably. I had a really fun time.

1人での参加でした。模様をグラスに入れるときは、ドキドキでしたが親切丁寧に教えていただき楽しく作成する事ができ、とても楽しい時間を過ごす事ができました。

It was sunny and hot at the time of departure, but by the time we arrived at Hōryū-ji, the weather started to look ominous, and by the time we visited Chūgū-ji, it had turned into light rain. However, thanks to this, we experienced a completely uncrowded and luxurious sightseeing trip.

I had checked the reviews before booking and was aware of the high reputation, but not only were the World Heritage sites, national treasures, and important cultural properties impressive, but the work and attentiveness of the bus guide and driver were also outstanding.

出発時は晴れて暑かったですけれど、最初に訪れた法隆寺に到着した頃から雲行きがあやしくなり、次に立ち寄った中宮寺からは小雨混じりの天候となりましたが、おかげでいずれも全く混み合うことのないがら空き状態で、本当に贅沢な観光となりました。
申込前に口コミをチェックし随分評判が高いことは認識していましたが、訪れる先々の世界遺産、国宝、重要文化財の数々はもちろんのこと、何よりもバスガイドさんとドライバーさんのお仕事ぶりと気配りが素晴らしかったです。

The instructor was guiding six people at once, so there was inevitably some waiting time, but the explanations were incredibly thorough and easy to understand, allowing even someone as clumsy as me to create something that looked good!

When it comes to grinding glass, it's natural to be cautious and worry about breaking it, but it seems that applying a bit more pressure actually helps achieve deeper cuts. Once you grasp the technique, you can cut to a certain extent as you wish, but be careful not to overdo it, as it can be difficult to fix mistakes if you get carried away.

I had already decided on the design I wanted to create from the beginning, so I didn't take many risks, but among the participants, there were those who thought, "Since I came all this way, I want to make something I really want to!" and challenged themselves with more complex designs (samples were provided).

In the end, we polished our finished pieces beautifully and took photos while lighting them. They sparkled and looked so beautiful; I was very satisfied.

お兄さん1人で6人いっぺんに指導するのでどうしても待ちが発生しますが、説明は凄く丁寧で分かりやすく、不器用な自分でもそれっぽく作ることができました！
ガラスを削るとなると、どうしても割れないようにと怖々削りがちになりますが、思い切って力を入れた方が深く削れて良かったみたいです。コツが掴めればある程度思ったように削れたりもしますが、調子に乗って長く削りすぎると修正がきかないのでそこだけはご注意を。。。
自分は作りたいデザインを始めから決めてたのであまりチャレンジはしなかったですが、参加者の中には「せっかく来たのだから出来そうなものより作りたいものを！」と複雑なデザインにチャレンジする方も（サンプルは用意してあります）。
最後は出来上がった作品をキレイに磨いてもらって、ライティングしながらの写真撮影。キラキラしてとてもキレイで大満足でした。

I walked a lot. The guide was experienced and the explanations were very good. It was a popular course, and I was glad to visit various places. If I had to say something, I felt that the lunch could have been a bit better.

よく歩きました。
ガイドさんはベテランで解説は非常に良かったです。人気コースで、色々回れて良かったです。しいて言うなら、ランチもう少し内容良いといいなと感じました。

Value for the tour price ★★★★★
You can efficiently see the highlights. Since the admission ticket and lunch (I didn't think it was as bad as other comments suggested) are included, I would say it's reasonable!

Guide ★★★★★
Not only did they provide information about the places we visited, but they also shared insights about other tourist spots in Nara City (so I could recognize Ikoma Mountain!), which was wonderful.

Convenience of transportation ★★★★
Even though it was a bus tour, we walked 13,000 steps, so I give it 4 stars. The grounds of the places we visited are spacious, and it's not the tour's responsibility. Compared to using public transportation, it was much easier. I recommend participating in comfortable shoes.

Personal disappointment
I think the visit to Jiko-in was unnecessary. I enjoyed the matcha and sweets, but there were similar sentiments from other participants regarding the content of the discussion. I would have preferred to spend that time exploring Daibutsuden more leisurely.

ツアー料金分の価値★★★★★
見どころを効率的に見て廻れる。参観チケット代と昼食(他の方のコメントほどひどいとは思いませんでした)も込みなのでリーズナブルと言えるでしょう！

ガイドさん ★★★★★
訪れる先は勿論、奈良市内の他の観光名所についても教えて頂き(生駒山が見分けられるように！)素晴らしかった。

移動の便利さ★★★★
バスツアーなのに13000歩も歩くので★4つ。訪問先の境内は広いしツアーの責任ではありません。公共交通機関を使って廻ることを考えたら全然楽。歩き慣れた靴での参加がおすすめです。

個人的な残念ポイント
慈光院の訪問はいらないと思います。お抹茶とお菓子を完食しておいてなんですが。ツアーの他の参加者からも同様の感想がありました(お話の内容が…)。削ってその時間分大宝蔵院をゆっくり見たかったです。

I experienced zazen (seated meditation), shakyo (sutra copying), and shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine). Although I wasn't used to sitting in seiza (formal sitting posture) and zazen, it felt different from yoga, and just meditating in the temple away from the hustle and bustle of the city helped me switch my mindset. It would be better if there were more buses available for access, but the extraordinary experience I had was very good.

座禅、写経、精進料理を体験してきました。
正座や座禅など慣れていない態勢でしたがヨガとも違い、都会の喧騒をはなれたお寺で座禅しているだけで　気持ちの切り替えができる感じでした。
もう少しアクセスのバスが多く出ていると良いのですが、体験できた非日常体験はとても良かったです。

The kids didn’t know what to expect but afterwards they raved about this experience. They made the regular sized parfait and enjoyed choosing the decorations first with a sample parfait, then pouring in the silicon icecream and arranging the decorations. The man helping was very friendly and patient. It was great to have this experience which we probably couldn’t do anywhere else in the world!

I wanted to efficiently visit famous spots, so I used a one-day sightseeing bus. The weather was nice, not as hot as in midsummer, and the guide's stories were wonderful, making it an enjoyable experience. I also want to try seasonal limited courses. My first time sightseeing in Nara was great. I'm satisfied.

有名どころを効率的に回りたくて、一日観光バスを利用しました。お天気も良く、真夏ほど暑くなく、ガイドさんのお話も素晴らしく、楽しむことが出来ました。又、季節限定コース等行ってみたいと思います。初めての奈良観光良かったです。満足です

We had a very nice experience. The vibe was very good and comfortable. We chose to make a pizza clock and bought some of the keychains made by the shop.

Since it was a weekday, there were just under 20 participants, and everyone adhered to the schedule, which ran smoothly. I think it would be difficult to navigate efficiently on your own, and it was very helpful that they provided information with photos beforehand about things and places that are easy to overlook. The guide's stories on the bus were informative, and the driver was very cheerful, making the experience enjoyable. Their consideration in preparing sun umbrellas and rain umbrellas, as well as attending to any injuries, was excellent, so I would like to participate again if the opportunity arises.

平日だったので参加者も20名弱で、皆さん時間を守られてスケジュール通りに運行されました。個人では効率良く回る事は難しいと思われますし、見落としてしまいがちな物や場所も見学前に写真つきで教えてくださったのでわかりやすかったです。バスの中でのガイドさんのお話もためになり、ドライバーさんはとてもにこやかで楽しく過ごせました。日傘や雨傘の用意や怪我の手当て等気遣いが素晴しかったので、ご縁があればまた参加したいです。

Both the driver and the guide were very pleasant, which made me feel at ease during the tour. I was able to enjoy not only the sightseeing spots but also hear about the local areas along the way, making for a fun and fulfilling day in the vehicle. The time allocation at the tourist sites was also just right, and I was very satisfied. Thank you very much.

運転手さんとガイドさん共に感じの良い方で安心してツアーに参加できました。
観光場所はもちろん、道中の地域の話なども聞けて車内でも楽しい時間で充実した1日を過ごせました。
観光地の時間配分もいい感じでしたし大満足です。
ありがとうございました。

The female host of the boat was very kind and lively, taking photos for us. Moreover, since it was her birthday, she surprised us with a celebration even though we hadn't informed anyone in advance, and the people around us warmly joined in the celebration! She was very happy, and it created a warm and enjoyable atmosphere!

One thing to note is that if you plan to drink alcohol, it might be a good idea to take motion sickness medication in advance, as the boat can sway and make some people feel queasy.

船の司会の方？(女性)がとても親切で盛り上げてくださり、写真を撮っていただいたりさらには彼女が誕生日ということで事前に知らせていたわけでもないのに急遽サプライズをしてくださり、周りの方たちも暖かく祝ってくれました！！彼女もとても喜んでおり暖かく楽しい空間でした！
注意点はお酒飲む場合、船の揺れもあるため酔いやすい方は酔い止め薬をあらかじめ飲んでおくとよいかもです！

The guidance from the knowledgeable guide was impressive at key points. It was fun for my spouse and me to play the game of finding hidden characters like the corner demon. We were moved by the art that has been passed down for over a thousand years.

深い知識をお持ちのガイドさんの案内が、要所要所で感激しました。隠れキャラみたいな隅鬼など、見つける遊びは夫婦で楽しかったです。1000年以上も前から伝わる芸術に感動しました。

I often go to Asakusa, but I didn't know I could have such a wonderful experience! I definitely want both domestic and international visitors to try it!

よく浅草に行きますが、こんな素敵な体験ができるなんて知りませんでした！是非国内外の方に体験していただきたいです！

I was able to efficiently visit Hōryū-ji and Yakushi-ji, which are located away from the center of Nara. The guide provided thorough explanations, so the content was excellent. It was a very enjoyable sightseeing experience. Thank you very much.

奈良の中心から離れた法隆寺や薬師寺などを効率よく巡ることができました。
ガイドさんがしっかり説明してくれるので、内容もバッチリでした。
とても良い観光になりました。ありがとうございました。

Had an awesome time and would highly recommend. The restaurant is gorgeous and the staff extremely hospitable. The kaiseki dishes were very well liked by the three of us and their proprietary sake was excellent.

Our interpreter Peter was super chill and knowledgeable. Lastly our maiko, Kana Sue was fascinating to watch - the makeup, hair style, kimono, and all the meanings behind each intention of dress; the couple of dances she performed; and the hospitality services. Not to mention learning of her and many other girls' extremely committed lifestyle choice and what that entails to become a geisha was an eye opening seminar.

I would have liked to see some singing and instrument playing, but perhaps requesting a geisha over a maiko would have been prudent. An interpreter is necessary unless your fluent. Overall it was a highlight of my trip and I would do again.

I was moved by the process of selecting the glass, choosing the design, and creating the final piece. Additionally, I was even more impressed that we could take photos of the glass.
I wasn't confident in the processing, but they explained everything carefully and allowed us to practice, so I was able to create something.
Thank you for this valuable experience.
I will enjoy delicious drinks from the glass we designed ourselves.

グラスを選んで、デザイン選んで、自分で加工して、と一連の流れを経て、作品が出来上がることに感動。かつ、グラスの写真撮影もできて、さらに感動。
加工は自信なかったが、丁寧に説明してくれて、練習もさせて頂いて何とか形になりました。
貴重な体験をありがとうございます。
自分達でデザインしたグラスで美味しい飲み物頂きます。

I was able to clear my mind and refresh myself by doing zazen without thinking about anything. After listening to the temple's talk, I felt like my worries started to fade away. The shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) was very delicious!

座禅で何も考えずに頭の中を空っぽにすることができ、リフレッシュになりました。その後お寺さんのお話を聞いて考えていたら悩みがなくなってきた気がしました
精進料理がとても美味しかったです！

I participated in the rain brought by the wandering typhoon. I struggled with choosing a design due to the complexity of the many sample cuts and the difference in my own skills after practicing. I was nervous that if I carved too deeply, I might create holes. With the teacher's advice, I was able to complete it somehow. Next time, I want to challenge myself with a more complex design! (I had fun participating even on my own!)

迷走台風のもたらす雨の中参加しました。
たくさんある見本のカットの複雑さと
練習してみての自分の力量との差をどうしようかと図案選びに悩みました。
深く彫ると穴が空きそうでおっかなびっくり。
先生のアドバイスもありなんとか完成出来ました。
次回はもっと複雑な図案に挑戦してみたいです！
(1人でも楽しく参加出来ました！)

We participated as a couple and had a very enjoyable time.
We enjoyed a comfortable cruise!
We were able to stop the boat twice to admire the view from the second floor, and after taking our time to take photos, we truly savored the scenery. Thank you!
The female captain kindly took photos for us, and they turned out much nicer than the ones we took ourselves!
The food consisted of freshly fried tempura served one after another, and we were full and satisfied!
I would love to ride again when sightseeing in Tokyo!

夫婦での参加でしたが、とても楽しい時間を過ごせました。
快適なクルージングを楽しめました♪
途中で2回も船を止めて2回からの景色を眺めることが出来て、ゆっくり写真をとったら、景色を堪能する事が出来ました。ありがとうございました♪
女性の船長さんが、サービスで、写真を撮って頂きましたが、自分で撮るより、よっぽど綺麗に撮れました！
料理は、揚げたての天麩羅が次々と出していただき、満腹、満足でした！
又、東京見物の時には乗りたいと思います♪

It was a quick 90 minutes. We participated as a couple, and the staff was very attentive, allowing us to create our favorite original glasses! Starting tomorrow, I'll enjoy my favorite sake with them! Thank you very much! ♪

あっという間の90分でした。夫婦で参加しましたが、スタッフさんが、とても丁寧な教えてくれて、気に入ったオリジナルグラスを作ることが出来ました！これで、明日から好きな日本酒を呑みますね！ありがとうございました♪

We rented a private boat as a family. It was a hot day with a 12:00 boarding time, but the boat had a roof, so it wasn't hot at all, and it felt very pleasant. We had lunch on the boat, bringing our own rice balls and other snacks. Along the way, a convenience store boat came by, and we bought some pickled cucumbers, which made for the perfect lunch with our rice balls and croquettes! They got really close to us, and their maneuvering skills were impressive.

The captain spoke to us gently at key moments, showing consideration for our family's relaxing time. It was a very satisfying hour! Thank you!

家族で貸切で乗りました。12:00からの乗船で暑い日だったのですが、船には屋根もあり暑くなく、とても気持ちよかったです。船の中でお昼ご飯を食べました。おにぎり等持ち込みました。途中水上コンビニの船が来てくださり、きゅうりの浅漬を買い持ち込んだおにぎりとコロッケで最高のランチが出来ました！ギリギリまで近寄ってくれてその操作技術が素晴らしかったです。
船頭さんは要所要所で穏やかに話しかけてくださり、家族でゆっくりしている時間を気遣ってくださいました。大満足の1時間でした！ありがとうございました！

I am more satisfied than I expected. The food was delicious, and the boat停船 at a beautiful viewpoint for enough time to enjoy the night view. However, there were no markers at the boarding area, so I was worried if this was the right place until the departure time.

期待していた以上に満足です。食事も美味しく、夜景の綺麗なポイントでは十分な時間停船するので夜景も楽しめます。ただ、乗船場には何も目印がないので、出航時間までここで良いのか心配になりました。