All Reviews for Food & Drink Experience

It was a scorching day with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees, but here, a cool and pleasant breeze was blowing. I made a reservation for noon and arrived around 11:30, but my seat was already prepared, so I didn't have to wait. The food was delicious, and I was able to spend a relaxing time in nature. After resting at my seat for a while, I took a stroll nearby, and it was just the right time to head back for the bus (everyone gathered, so we departed early). I thought the riverbed would be along the Kamo River, but considering the coolness and the sense of relaxation, I'm glad I signed up for this tour.

気温が35度を超す猛暑日でしたが、こちらは涼しく気持ちいい風が吹いていました。12時の予約で送迎を申し込み11時半くらいに到着しましたが席は用意されていたので待たされることは無かったです。お食事もおいしく、自然の中でゆったりとした時間を過ごすことができました。しばらく席で休んだ後近くを散歩してちょうどよい感じで帰りのバス時間となりました(みんな揃ったので早めの出発でした)。川床は鴨川沿い、と思っていたのですが涼しさと癒やされ感を考えたらこちらのツアーを申し込んでよかったと思います。

This was a great activity. The food and beer was delicious and filling and the entertainment was fantastic. We were able to talk with our Maiko for a few minutes and take a picture with her after her performance. We did not speak very much Japanese (only the very basics), but that did not diminish our experience. We had a great time, and it was nice we didn't have to spend a ton of money on one dinner like some other activities that are available with maiko. I would definitely recommend this if you'd like to meet a maiko and see her perform.

dinner was great, super good service. Make sure to wear mosquitos repellent

great unique experience! I lived in Japan for 4 years and this was something I never got to do.

Maiko spoke good English, which was a huge relief and surprise. Dance was cool, food was good, and the all you can drink alcohol was too much fun.

On the day of the event, it was unfortunately rainy and felt a bit cool, but I was able to escape reality for a moment while enjoying a delicious meal (I chose sukiyaki) at a riverside location with an outstanding view, accompanied by the dance and stories of the maiko. (Laughs) Of course, photography was also perfectly allowed!

I heard that out of the five riverside venues, four were open for guests, and we had four maiko come to us: Umetae and Fumikou from Kamishichiken, and Kikuyae and Kanesue from Miyagawa-cho. (Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I couldn't meet Fumikou... so sad.)

Above all, I was really pleased with the attentiveness and care of the staff. I highly recommend this place! Ladies! (Laughs)

当日は生憎の雨で少し涼しく感じられる天気でしたが、抜群のロケーションのなか川床で美味しい食事（すき焼きを選択）を頂きながら舞妓さんの舞やお話しでひととき現実逃避してきました～。（笑）　もちろん写真撮影もバッチリいけますよ！

聞いたところ5つある川床のうち4つ入客あった様で舞妓さんも、上七軒から梅たえさん・ふみ幸さん　宮川町から菊弥江さん・叶季（かなすえ）さんの4名が来てくれてました。（時間の都合でふみ幸さんとはお目にかかれませんでしたが・・・悲）


なにより、スタッフのみなさんの気づかい心くばりも嬉しかったですね～・・・ここ、お薦めですよ！奥様～♪（笑）

We had a wonderful time learning to make basic dashi, chirashi, and then using our dashi to make chikuzenni (simmered vegetables). Dishes made in this class may vary by season. The instructor was patient with excellent English and no experience or knowledge other than basic knife handling (vegetable chopping & peeling) is required. It was a great experience to be able to cook in an actual restaurant kitchen. After the food we made was ready, our dishes were supplemented with other items made by the restaurant staff and sake sampling flight. We finished by learning the proper etiquette for chopstick handling and opening and closing formal Kaiseki bento before eating the fruits (vegetables) of our labors.

100% would do this again, and even though we did have some experience with Japanese cooking we were able to improve our skills greatly. 10/10 all around!

The hosts are the kindest people. We had so much fun talking and cooking not one but three different dishes!

We made:
-Okonomiyaki
-Miso-soup
-Onigiri

We never had any Okonomiyaki since we don't like seafood as much so we were skeptically but the dish was just delicious! We knew and loved Miso Soup and Onigiri and now we know how to make all 3 dishes by ourselfs - it's actually so simple!! Definetly recommended.

My family and I really enjoyed this class! Everyone was so friendly and kind. Everyone spoke a mix of Japanese and English. (My parents don't speak any Japanese and they felt very welcome and had no trouble communicating in English.) Keiko is a great teacher, and we all felt like we'd be able to make Okonomiyaki by ourselves after this class. After we cooked the main dish, we had a nice meal with everyone that included soup, onigiri, and sweets alongside our okonomiyaki. We left with full bellies! We'd definitely recommend this experience!

Wakana-san was amazing!
Such an amazing cultural experience. I went with my family...2 grandparents, 2 parents, 2 children (9yo, 11yo). We let the children do the "work" for udon making, and Wakana was so patient! She speaks English clearly, and easily understandable. The steps were easy to do for the children. While we were waiting for the udon, Wakana showed us how to make different origami. After, we got to enjoy the delicious udon! We are excited to make udon at home!

I only knew Harajuku for the gothic-lolita kawaii fashion so it was very interesting to see the back alleys and food places I normally don't see in guidebooks. We got to sample a lot of regional specialities and lots of desserts (my favorite!) Our friendly guide was super knowledgeable and was flexible to cater to our entire group. But be prepared to swim through the crowd and possibly wait on lines for some of the treats.

Our guide Asami did a great job taking us to places with great eats! She made sure to give us background info about the places we were visiting and even explained Japanese customs and table manners. She also accommodated personal requests (getting specific souvenirs, etc.) which made the tour feel more intimate.

I did expect this tour to feature more Instagrammable food, but it wasn't so much the case. Nonetheless, everything we ate was good. I especially loved the sesame ice cream!

The guide was fun and knowledgeable. The tour of the whiskey distillery and sake brewery was great. The sake brewery did not have an English translation but the guide translated for our group. We went to a great spot for lunch that was recommended by the guide. Amazing, I recommend the tour and especially if you need help with translation. Our driver was very friendly and accommodating interacted with the party. Highly recommend the tour.

I heard that Nara has a lot of local sake, but I thought it would be difficult to explore efficiently. Then, I found a great tour and eagerly participated. I was surprised that the taste of sake varies greatly depending on the brewery. I was impressed that the type of sake rice and even the sweetness and richness of table rice differ. At Sharyō-ji, I was able to taste six different kinds of sake while enjoying delicious vegetarian cuisine. In the end, we ran out of time, but it was a very satisfying and enjoyable tour. I ended up buying a lot of sake too.

奈良は地酒が多いと聞いていますが、なかなか効率良く巡ることが難しいなあと思っていたら、良いツアーを見つけてウキウキと参加しました。
蔵によって日本酒の味が全く異なることにびっくり。酒米、酒米の種類、食米でも甘さやこくが異なることに感心。正歴寺では６種のお酒を試飲しながら、美味しい精進料理をいただけました。
最後、時間は押しましたが、非常に満足した、楽しいツアーでした。
お酒もたくさん購入してしまいました。

We loved our first workshop with him so much last year, that we had to come back for a second time. This time we made a glutenfree Japanese curry. Sato-san adjusted the recipe for us and made a delicious curry that we could enjoy. We will definitely make this curry at home. Sato-san is a wonderful person which makes the workshop even more enjoyable. It was a real challenge for him to make a glutenfree curry for us. Luckily, he accepted the challenge and made a wonderful Japanese curry recipe. We would definitely recommend this cooking workshop to everyone that likes Japanese cuisine.

We missed the shuttle bus so taking a taxi was our only option. The Hotel Monterey Kyoto front desk was so kind and willing; she called the cab and informed the taxi driver where to drop us off which saved us a lot of time. The shuttle from the restaurant came out and met us about a mile away as the roads get narrow and difficult to find for drivers unfamiliar with that area. The cab fare came out to be about $35-40 from the Hotel (which was less than what I expected). I highly recommend catching the shuttle service on time (be there early as they will leave exactly on time!)-- not only it's more comfortable having someone drive you to the restaurant, but it will save you time and money.

The restaurant is located in a very secluded and quiet area, completely surrounded by nature. They will greet and walk you to your designated table. The guiding lights in the complete dark woods make the ambience more beautiful. All meals will come out in your eating pace... which is important because I eat pretty slow and sometimes course meals rush you to hurry up and eat. I wasn't sure how to eat fish properly (whether I was supposed to eat the whole entire fish or leave the head or tail), so the older lady came over and removed all the bones for me. Service was fantastic.

There were two Maikos that night-- both Maikos came around, very willing to take pictures and answer questions/ conversate with you. When they start their dancing, I couldn't help but to stare in awe. They look like walking dolls. They also had goodies before the show (i.e a fan, canvas bag, etc). It was a pleasant experience. I highly recommend this tour. I want to do this again if I travel back to Kyoto in near future.

From the drive out of Kyoto Center up the cool hills past traditional tiled roofed houses, to our evening end with our gracious hosts smiling behind us as we walked back over the rope footbridge with the twinkling Japanese lanterns lighting the lush green river - A Magical Evening indeed.
Arriving at sunset, you see the beauty of the hot spring resort with our tables overlooking the river and mountain forest. We ordered the snow course (full- larger Kayseki) dinner. Traditional hosts (who speak only a little English) took us to our low tables set with course 1, gift Japanese fans and menu's in English. Sake and beer is additional. We had 2 Maiko's that evening, each separately visited all the tables to take pictures. (they speak Japanese, but can answer a little of English questions) Food was fresh, delicious and so artistically presented course by course. The beautiful dance & musical entertainment was lovely in the intimate setting. Each group had their own tables and the room is not too large. Splurge and treat yourself to this special experience.

We were picked up on time by our guide Tom Harada. He was very throughout and thoughtful in planning what we should visit and made all the different sites arrangement efficiently . He is knowledgeable about the itinerary on hand . His approach is filled with dedication and heart . I would recommend to anyone looking for an English speaking guide to reserve Tom Harada. You will not be disappointed.

This tour is "twice as enjoyable" not only because of the riverside setting but also because you can meet maiko. Three maiko came to visit us. They went around to each table, allowing us to enjoy friendly conversations. It was amazing to see the dance up close. Last time, we had sukiyaki for our meal, so this time I opted for kaiseki. The summer dishes like hamo sashimi and grilled sweetfish were delightful. Additionally, there was a lottery event (on the 3rd and 5th of the month), which added to the excitement! (Although I didn't win anything... (^^;))

川床だけでなく、舞妓さんにも会えるという「２度おいしい」ツアーです。舞妓さんは３人来てくれました。各テーブルに回ってきてくれるので、気さくにおしゃべりを楽しむことができました。舞もすぐ近くで見ることができて最高でした。前回は食事がすき焼きだったので、今回は懐石にしてみました。鱧おとしや鮎の塩焼きなど、夏らしい料理で良かったです。また、今回はちょうど抽選会(３と５のつく日)があって、ワクワク感を楽しめました！（何も当たりませんでしたが…(^^;)）

We all had a lovely time and our sensei was excellent. She was so patient and kind. Highly recommended. We learnt how to make udon noodles and look forward to using our new skill at home.

Momojiya has a very relaxing atmosphere, and I had plenty of food to eat! Please check out temples in the area, if you have time.

I want to tell my daughter about this wonderful place. The fresh green was dazzling. I thought I might feel lonely traveling alone, but that wasn't the case at all. The driver and everyone else were very welcoming, so I didn't feel lonely. The greenery of the mountains is beautiful.

こんなところに素敵な場所があるなんて、娘にも是非教えたいです。新緑のあおがまぶしかったです。ひとりたびで寂しいかと思ったが、そんなこともなく運転手さんはじめ皆さんが快くもてなしてくれたから、寂しいとはおもわなかったです。山の緑ステキですね。

The atmosphere by the river, the delicious food, chatting with the maiko, and watching the fireflies were all wonderful! I want to take my grandmother next time. ^^

川床の雰囲気、おいしいご飯、舞妓さんとのお話、ホタル鑑賞全てが良かったです！
今度はおばあちゃんを連れて行ってあげたくなりました^^

My parents took this tour and had a wonderful time. The setting was beautiful and the evening couldn’t have been more perfect with nice warm weather. They really enjoyed the meal of Shabu Shabu and felt the meat was tender and delicious. They really enjoyed meeting the Maiko and admiring her beautiful clothing and make up as well as her dancing. They staff were all very friendly and the included transport back to their hotel was very convenient.

We were so glad that we decided to purchase this dinner. The restaurant have an amazing view of the river and eating at the kawandoko (terrace on top of the river) is an experience not to be missed. We got the shabu shabu meal and it was perfect since when we went, it was raining and cold, so it was the perfect warming up meal for us.
The maiko came at around 7 and talk to each of the table, take photos and answer a few simple questions. She can't speak well in English, but she can understand if you speak basic English and very slowly. Then she performed 2 dances, they both very elegant and beautiful.
At around 8 pm, the restaurant switch off the lights, so that we can watch fireflies around the riverside. Apparently this is only happens in June. It was truely an amazing and unforgettable experience for both of us.
The pick up and return transfer is pretty efficient too, very happy overall. Definitely would recommend!

This tour is especially recommended for adult women! It's guaranteed to boost your femininity. The fresh greenery of Kibune is a place where nobles once sought coolness, crossing mountains to reach this coveted summer retreat. Below the suspension bridge flows a clear stream, accompanied by the sounds of waterfalls and rivers, as well as the calls of the stream frogs. Enjoy delicious mountain and ocean delicacies. Additionally, you'll have the chance to interact with maiko and watch their dances. The experience concludes with firefly viewing, making it a truly precious experience that you can't normally enjoy. The staff were very pleasant, and I felt great throughout. I had a wonderful time. Thank you very much!

特に、大人の女性におススメ！女子力アップ間違いなしのツアーです。新緑の貴船。そこは、かつて貴族が涼を求め、山を越えて行った憧れの避暑地。吊り橋の下は清流。滝と川のせせらぎ、カジカの鳴き声。美味しい山の幸、海の幸。そして、舞妓さんとの触れ合いと踊りの鑑賞。最後の締めは、蛍鑑賞など、全てのものが普段では味わえないとても貴重な体験。お店の皆様もとても感じが良く、気持ち良かったです。とても楽しめました。本当にありがとうございました。

This trip was very pleasant experience. I was there with my mom and we both enjoyed very much. Food was great. Two people share a hot pot, with one big plate of Japanese beef and one plate of vegetable! The highlight was to watch Maikos dance in a very close distance! I can see her holding her pose and dancing slow but gracefully. It is breathtaking! I would say this is the best trip you can do to get the completely Kyoto experience! Love it!!

One you find the assembly point its all plain sailing the guide. Was knowlegble and gave a lot of information as to where things at the market come from the breakfast was great eating like a japanese with all fresh food. It was by far one of the. Best tours i have been on and by far the best guide

This was a fun and informative class using your hands and special tools to form the sweets. The only thing of note is that (traditionally) the sweets are not flavored which would improve the tasting experience.

Hi Keiko,
We keep in mind a very good moment and experience with you, for us share this cooking lessons, the lunch and the discussion has been very enriching.


Thank you so much.

My wife and I greatly enjoyed this tour. Jennifer-san, our guide, did a great job in explaining the Maiko and Geiko (Kyoto preferred name for Geisha) culture while we walked through three of the five Hanamachi (Geiko districts). She showed us tea houses and homes, talked about schooling and careers. She also showed us some of the supporting professional such as teachers, dressers, and hair stylists. We even caught a few glimpses of Maiko headed to work.

As we strolled in the early evening we admired the Cherry trees in blossom and watched the night settle in. Then after a short walk along the river, we had an excellent meal at a small restaurant. Sushi, pickled vegetables, tempura, soup, wagyu beef, pork, sake, and of course - rice.

It was a great experience. Come prepared to walk a bit and to enjoy a variety of Japanese foods.