Things to do in Matsumoto

Suesy was a great guide, friendly and knowledgeable, her energy made a rainy day much better. However hiking in the rain, I missed much of the scenery due to fog, was absolutely drenched as well. Proper rain gear and waterproof shoes are recommended for rainy days. Otherwise a cool experience.

First, I'd like to thank our tour guide, Ms. Anna, for leading us on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route tour on May 8th. From the moment we boarded the bus, she provided very detailed explanations and repeated them in both Chinese and English. It seemed like if there were Japanese participants, she might have even explained it in Japanese again. She was able to explain the origins of everything, from the history of Tateyama and its scenic spots to the herbs on the Chizushi bento box, which was truly impressive. Furthermore, during the tour, she would always be the first to arrive at the meeting point, holding her flag high, and would frequently offer helpful tips, such as information on limited-edition local products, seating areas, recommended seating positions on public transport, crowd control, and perfect timing. In short, she is a truly admirable person. Regarding the attractions, I honestly feel we were very lucky. I initially thought it would be a day ruined by heavy rain, as it was pouring heavily on the way to Tateyama Station... My heart sank at that moment. I thought, "How are we going to enjoy anything like this?" However, from Tateyama Station onwards, the rain stopped. Then, at Murodo, at a crucial moment, there was only fog and wind, but the visibility was still very good, making the experience uniquely enjoyable. The fog even created a snow-like, yet not quite snowy, atmosphere. Besides our own group, I saw many other tourists having a great time. Later, at Daikanbo, there was no rain or fog when we were at the observation deck or riding the ropeway. We were able to take in the entire panoramic view, which was truly breathtaking. Any photo taken there could easily be a postcard. At Kurobe Lake and Kurobe Dam, I had heard there would be significant rain, but by the time our group arrived at Kurobe Lake, the rain had stopped, and visibility was incredibly high. The unobstructed view of the dam was another kind of spectacular and magnificent sight. Was our group blessed with some special luck? Thank you to our tour guide and the hardworking driver. Watching him drive precisely and smoothly on the dark, winding roads on the way back showed his extensive experience. Most of the tourists, including myself, slept soundly. Thank you to all the staff for providing us with such a wonderful experience on this one-day tour! I would definitely recommend this to friends who aspire to travel independently but also want an easy way to experience the Kurobe Tateyama Alpine Route.

This was my second time booking with this travel agency. We departed on time and arrived back in Nagoya exactly at 6 PM. The journey was smooth, and there were only eight of us on the shuttle bus, which made it very comfortable. I’m satisfied with the service, even though the weather wasn’t ideal—it was raining and the Alps didn’t show. I still had a great experience overall. I would definitely book again next time.

The meeting point was easy to find, and the departure was on time. Even though it was rainy and cloudy on the day we went, we were able to comfortably walk the 3.5 km without getting tired. Our guide, Yamada, provided detailed explanations in both English and Japanese. We made three stops at rest areas, and we arrived back in Nagoya on time, around 7 PM.

I was initially a bit anxious as I booked this tour despite its lack of reviews and I’m a solo female traveller. I’m returning to Tokyo now and wanted to share my experience. The long drive is worth it for a great view of Kamikochi if you’re short on time. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and found the price very reasonable for a 9-hour round trip. The weather was perfect, enhancing the beautiful scenery. My guide, Cathy, was accommodating and kind, making me feel safe and taken care of. The driver also drove safely. I highly recommend this tour, but be prepared for a long day! There’s plenty of opportunities to nap during the bus ride anyway.

Kamikochi, known as "God's Homeland," truly is the most beautiful hiking destination. Walking along the Azusa River trail, nestled beneath the Hotaka mountain range, is incredibly refreshing. The breathtaking scenery, where the clear stream intertwines with the Hotaka peaks, is stunning and truly uplifting. Our tour guide, Yukino, was exceptionally dedicated on this trip. She meticulously prepared all the information, including introductions to attractions, suggested routes, and food recommendations, providing comprehensive details to all participants. She also catered to both Chinese and English-speaking guests, proving to be an incredibly diligent and responsible leader. Highly recommended!

A very enjoyable tour with a knowledgeable and extremely enthusiastic guide. We loved the walk through Kamikochi despite the thunderstorm!

I've participated in other one-day tours in Japan before, but there's no comparison without a benchmark. This time, our tour leader, Xiao Yu (Yukino), truly exceeded expectations. Giving her 101 points wouldn't be an exaggeration! I want to sincerely thank our tour leader, Xiao Yu (Yukino), and our driver, Mr. Sun. Both were incredibly responsible, polite, and meticulous in their work. Throughout the trip, Xiao Yu (Yukino) thoughtfully sent us reminders via messaging apps about various important details, such as things to note, meeting times, and appropriate clothing for the weather. Everything was perfectly organized, making us feel very secure and allowing us to fully relax and enjoy our vacation. What's even more commendable is that Xiao Yu (Yukino) proactively offered to take photos for the group members! Not every tour leader does this, and it was a huge bonus! Driver Mr. Sun also drove very smoothly and safely, and his demeanor was very friendly. Additionally, I must mention that the fellow travelers on this tour were of very high quality; everyone was incredibly punctual and polite, making the entire trip exceptionally smooth. An impeccable professional team, combined with excellent fellow travelers, created a top-quality travel experience. If you're planning to book a two-day tour to Tateyama Kurobe and Kamikochi, choosing this tour is definitely the right decision!

My group of 6pax have enjoyed our 2D1N tour of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, we were especially fortunate to have such an excellent guide in Ms Zhang, 张静娟. Our itinerary was well scheduled and Ms Zhang's detailed explanation of the places that we're visiting is clear and precise. She has also advised us of the nice local food that we should try. The 6 different transportation is an experience as we crossed the Alps and the mountains to reach the snow walls. The highest point of the wall was 11m, unfortunately, it was raining when we reached the snow wall, our photos was alittle blurry and wet but our excitement has compensated for the weather 😂