“8 hours in Kamakura from Yokohama ”

First off, being met by a guide, at the hotel is always a plus. If you like guides who are up front, matter of fact, and who knows the area she is offering a tour for, Yoko is a great choice. If you like face to face sharing of historical information attached to the many temples and shrines in Kamakura, Yoko is a great choice. If you want to have a personalized tour taking into account your own tour goals, interests, and lunch preference, Yoko is a great choice. There certainly was a lot of walking. Yoko was upfront about the tour in her narrative, and kept to her word of covering the “must see” things but also took us deeper into Kamakura neighborhoods to explore the “off the beaten path temples/shrines/sites. It is not a hike for those without stamina. Nor one for. those who may be sensitive to the heat of Japan’s July. Despite the challenge is weather and terrain (balanced by my own limits of physicality) Yoko gave us ample time to rest in the shade, use the facilities, have a drink or snack, or peruse an AC chilled store, all the while also being sure we covered as much as we could in the 8 hour shared experience. Yoko provided a first time run through experience that was both informative and intriguing…enough so that my 17 year old son was attentive, and excited he was able to enjoy Kamakura the way we all did. Japan can be very busy, especially at the transit stations, so I would suggest you keep up with your guide, don’t feel rushed just stay close because they are trying to get you somewhere in the time given. If you are looking for a leisurely stroll without a time based march through the day, then don’t choose this tour. There is lots of steps to take (literally) to cover the terrain that Yoko would like to show. It was a ethno-cultural day of temples and shrines, and that was a lot to take in. We got what we expected to get, and hopefully enough confidence to return on our own some time in the future.

“Yoko is a powerhouse”

Yoko was guiding us through the masses of Tokyo with great pace and knowledge even though we were quite tired after de 14 hour flight so was really helful of extending our tour to two day shorter tours . Highly recommended.

Yoko T.

(155 reviews)

Wow, thank you so much for a great review, Sir. It was a great pleasure for me to guide you and your great family. I really loved talking with your wife who expressed so much positive comments about East Gardens and Meiji Jingu Shrine etc. I was also amazed with the politeness of the younger group including your beautiful and active daughters. I hope you enjoyed more sake after the ones at Asakusa and other spots in Japan. Thank you so much again!!

“Tokyo tour with a pro”

Loved the time we spent with Yoko in Tokyo. We had planned for a trip to Mt Fuji initially, but as the weather was very unfavourable, Yoko offered to show us around some of the most interesting sites in the city. She knows Tokyo inside out, spoke perfect English, and was very pleasant company all throughout. I ended up regretting that I did not book more days with her, but I am thankful for the one I had. Otsukaresama deshita.

Yoko T.

(155 reviews)

I really appreciate your great review. I had so much fun with you, your wife Ioana and your friends. I was deeply amazed with your group reading SHOGUN and the numbers of Japanese movies you saw before you came to Japan. I still believe Mount Fuji is the most beautiful in February. I will dream of you coming back with your daughter some day. I hope you have a nice flight back tomorrow. Arigato gozaimashita!! Thank you again for the wonderful time. See you!!