What‘s Included

Reviews

• All our best spots in a day

  Steve J,

  Feb 28, 2025

  5.00

  Yama was terrific from the time we booked until we said goodbye in Kobe. The ride was so roomy and comfortable. We researched the city and submitted a list of our wants. Yama created a custom itinerary and sent it to us. We approved it and he kept in touch. When one part of our tour became unavailable due to maintenance, he notified us right away and provided a work around. The tour was professional and thorough. He took pictures of our group during the tour and sent them to us right away. He made every stop very interesting and we left with wonderful memories.

• A great day touring Kobe with a wonderful guide.

  Mark F,

  Feb 3, 2025

  5.00

  Yama-san was our wonderful, energetic Kobe guide. Born and raised in Kobe, he had lots of “native” info. He was also very prepared. Before our tour, he communicated ideas about our itinerary in excellent English. On discovering the herb garden was closed, he smartly suggested visiting two sake breweries instead. He also gave clear, detailed directions from our hotel in Osaka to our meeting place at the train station in Kobe and was there to greet us on our train’s arrival. Yama-san immediately led us to our very nice driver of a large, comfortable van. We headed to the impressive Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and Maiko Marine Promenade, boasting the second longest suspension bridge in the world. Yama-san described the building of the bridge and also his childhood years before that, when he’d fished there with his father. We then went to Chinatown where we walked up and down the colorful, crowded street (fortuitously during the Chinese Lunar New Year). We next visited Kitano Ijinkan town. Yama-san summarized its history, showing us examples of how wealthy businessman and diplomats lived in the early to mid-20th century, including a former US Consul’s home. That's where he talked about the devastating 1995 Kobe earthquake that destroyed many of the Ijinkan homes, and more tragically, killed over 6,000 people. He was at home that morning and relayed personal details of that day. From there, we drove to two sake breweries which we found extremely interesting and thoroughly enjoyed. We learned the intricate process of how sake used to be made and how that has changed with modern technology. Happily, we got to sample saki at both breweries and bought some to bring home as a memory of our day in Kobe with Yama-san. Mark and Suzan, Miami

• Nice day in Kobe

  Linda F,

  Jul 16, 2024

  5.00

  Norio was a terrific guide. Despite the misty weather, we had a great tour. We really loved our visit to the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and the view from Mount Rokko would be just amazing on a clear weather day. If you take this tour, ask for Norio!

• Excellent guide and sightseeing in Kochi

  Geraldine N,

  Mar 30, 2024

  5.00

  Our guide Yama was excellent! He was very informative, friendly, courteous, upbeat and positive. He shared many interesting sights and facts about the places we selected and went beyond by taking so many group pictures for us . He spoke excellent English. We would highly recommend this guide .