Himeji

Had a wonderful day exploring Himeji, Kobe, and Katsuoji! Our first stop was Himeji Castle. It’s huge, and those steep staircases really made me wonder how anyone could have conquered this castle back then! So glad this beautiful piece of history has been preserved. Some areas are still under renovation, but the main keep is in great condition. I also got some cute souvenirs and sweets before leaving! Next was Kobe Harborland, Umie & Mosaic for lunch and a shopping. We could see Kobe Port Tower nearby, although the weather wasn’t great, so I couldn’t get very close. We ended the day at Katsuoji Temple. I wasn’t able to make it all the way up to the main temple, but the entrance and gardens were already beautiful and breathtaking. A big thank you to Ms. Wenling Huang of Lion Travel for taking such good care of us, keeping us well-informed throughout the tour. She always made sure I was okay. ❤️ And thanks to Kho-san, our amazing chauffeur, for getting us safely to every destination.

This was truly an amazing experience! I highly recommend our dedicated tour guide, Nick. He was very friendly and came prepared with a book of picture cards, offering humorous and lively explanations that made the entire trip rich and diverse. Himeji Castle in August can only be described as scorching hot, but Nick thoughtfully provided salt candies to help us prevent heatstroke. He guided us through the entire castle, revealing its charming splendor and teaching us so much! At every attraction, he made sure to tell us about local characteristics and recommend local specialties. In just one day, I gained a deeper understanding and a more lasting impression of Osaka and Kobe! I hope to have the chance to join such a wonderful tour again. Everyone should definitely support Nick! :)

The tour was amazing! The driver was very patient, sharing helpful tips for various attractions in Nikko along the way. When we got lost, he even came to guide us back. The itinerary was very well-planned. Highly recommended!

they don't give any map of the places, they just drop and go. Overall good experience.

Guide was very knowledgeable on the history of Emoji and it’s castle. Since it was raining, she offered alternative options to continue the Tour day. I recommend.

We had an amazing time of this tour, our guide Etsuko was amazing, she went above and beyond to make our tour truly memorable. She was kind, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable.

This tour was thorough and interesting. Our guide, Marielle, was delightful. She spoke English and Japanese fluently, and was very knowledgeable about the subject matter. Although the weather was foggy and rainy, that only added to the mystique of the castle and temple. Several scenes from the Tom Cruise movie The Last Samurai were filmed on the temple grounds. Be prepared to walk a LOT and climb a little. Highly recommended!

we were the only two participants and what a great cycling experience it was. I could recommend this to everyone!

The Kansai–Hiroshima Pass is definitely worth it. It includes the sightseeing bus that lets you hop on and off at Hiroshima's major attractions, which saved me both time and money while exploring the city. I do feel that one day isn't enough to fully experience Hiroshima, as there are many more places worth visiting. The pass also offers excellent value because it can be used on JR lines to travel to other destinations within its coverage