Travel Review: Luxury Birthday Trip to Japan, Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Cooking Class, Tea Ceremony, Ryokans & Onsens

I would have reviewed the one hotel in Kyoto more carefully, and likely chosen another.

For the day in Hakone, if we had know there was a major sporting event taking place right outside our "private relaxing onsen" early in the am, I would not have stayed at that extremely expensive property.

I also would have requested private transfers around Hakone as the logistics of changing trains multiple times with the heavy crowds and a lot of luggage really tested our patience.

I would have requested the guide give us some "heads up" on Japan culture, i.e. attire at Ryokans, Onsen etiquette...

Travel Company's Comments

Dear Laura,

Thank you very much for traveling to Japan with us and for sharing your feedbacks regarding your trip. I am glad to read your positive review and appreciate your comment regarding the negative experiences.

I am sorry that you have not been able to enjoy Hakone fully as it was the New Year holidays and public transportations tend to be very crowded by locals, with special events organized across the country, especially in this popular destination for Tokyoites. I should probably have suggested an additional service of private transportation to avoid the crowd, even though we would have reached the budget limit. We will make sure to always offer this option for our future Guests whenever there are public holidays.

In Kyoto, the hotel is a popular 4 stars hotel - but with more average standards than the others hotels you have stayed at during your stay and I do understand that you may have felt disappointed by the gap. As the travel dates were so close and with limited availabilities around the New Year holidays, choices were limited but we will make sure to clarify it even more to our future Guests whenever the remaining available hotels are somewhat different.

Finally, I would like to thank you for your kind words towards our guides and activities. We select them carefully and aim to share the best Japan has to offer to our Guests. 

Again, thank you very much for traveling with us and for your review.

Best Regards