Beautiful Kyoto Spring Garden Tour

We knew very little about Japan and even less about our travel company, having been referred to them by Zicasso. We explained to our assigned coordinators our interest in food, exercise, and culture. They diligently created an itinerary and then worked with us patiently as we evaluated the presented options, and efficiently helped us to evolve our travel plans all the way through our departure.

Based on the professional manner in which they listened to us and helped us plan our trip, we had a good feeling. Still, we left for Japan not fully knowing what to expect.

The outcome was a trip that far exceeded our expectations. Every aspect of the plan unfolded with impeccable professionalism, reliability, ease, and comfort. When we needed to move from one destination to another, the transportation was arranged with remarkable attention to detail. For example, on our two encounters with the Shinkansen (bullet train), with our prearranged reserved seats, we were pleasantly surprised to find that, each time, our seats were located exactly where it was easiest to store our luggage, in space available only to the four of us.

Our hotels and planned dining events were four- and five-star quality.

We received white-glove treatment throughout the trip, such as an unforgettable private tea ceremony with one of Kyoto’s preeminent hostesses. Our visits to shrines, onsens (hot springs), cultural events, and overnight stays at remote Buddhist monasteries were orchestrated with impeccable planning, delivering us to each locale with hospitable private drivers. Everywhere we went, we were always made to feel like VIPs.

Perhaps most impressive was the selection of our private guides. We had three during the course of our two-week trip, and each was well versed in English, incredibly knowledgeable, well prepared, and could not have been more accommodating and kind. They coordinated our adventures, which included biking around Mt. Fuji, canoeing in Lake Kawaguchi, hiking in the Wakayama mountains, visiting the Hakone hot springs, touring us through Koyasan at the top of a sacred mountain, and educating us on the many historical sites, such as the Imperial Palace and the Kongobuji Temple, the famous shrines of Fushimi, the burial grounds at Okunoin, and the innumerable sights, sounds, and dining pleasures of Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone, and Koyasan.

Our takeaway was that Japan is a land of wonder, with happy, kind people, a culture that values technology, hygiene, spirituality, sustainability, and discipline, and we look forward to returning to explore it further. When we do, we will again utilize the services of this travel company. Their remarkable choreography and orchestration, down to the finest detail, had us singing their praises at every turn of this trip.

Our mother-daughter trip to Japan was truly unforgettable and much of that was thanks to Zicasso’s travel company. From the very beginning, they listened carefully to our interests and designed an itinerary that felt completely personalized to us.

One of the things that impressed me most was how thoughtfully they incorporated our interests into the trip. I mentioned that my daughter loves animals and they built in experiences that became some of our favorite memories, including animal cafés in Tokyo, the bowing deer in Nara, and the monkey park in Arashiyama.

The hotel selections were outstanding. Every hotel was perfectly located, allowing us to easily explore the surrounding neighborhoods after a day of sightseeing and discover great restaurants and local gems. The highlight was our stay in Hakone at a traditional ryokan. Our room felt like something out of a movie—beautiful, serene, and almost dreamlike—with its own private onsen overlooking nature. It was one of the most memorable experiences of the entire trip. They also booked us into a luxury hotel in Tokyo for our final nights and its beautiful spa was the perfect place to relax and recharge before our flight home.

The guides they selected were exceptional. They tailored each day to our interests and provided wonderful local insights that we never would have discovered on our own. In Nara, on an especially hot day, our guide suggested a local shaved-ice shop, and it was pure bliss—a cool cloud of deliciousness when we needed it most. Our guide at Fushimi Inari seemed to know everyone and took us to hidden spots that most visitors never get to see.

The attention to detail throughout the trip was remarkable. One example that stands out is the train seating they reserved for us. We had luggage that was slightly larger than a standard carry-on and they managed to book the only seats in the train car with convenient baggage storage space. It made traveling between destinations so much easier and more comfortable.

They also arranged unique cultural experiences that became cherished memories. We participated in a calligraphy class at a beautiful Kyoto gallery with a knowledgeable and encouraging teacher, and we left with meaningful keepsakes we created ourselves. Another highlight was a Japanese home-cooking experience with a gracious local hostess who not only taught us traditional recipes, but also took us on a walk through her neighborhood and a beautiful local park. It was a wonderful opportunity to experience everyday life in Japan beyond the typical tourist attractions.

What sets this travel company apart is its ability to combine flawless logistics with authentic, meaningful experiences. Every detail was thoughtfully planned and every recommendation felt personal. They helped us experience not only the famous sights of Japan, but also the culture, hospitality, and local moments that made the trip truly special.

I would recommend this travel company without hesitation and would happily work with them for a future trip to Japan.

Overall, the trip was culturally enriching, enjoyable, and educational. The guides were outstanding. The communications through the app with Zicasso’s travel company were easy and prompt. Having the tickets for the Shinkansen took away any stress with navigating the system, and the reserved seats were always at the end of the car with the extra luggage storage, so thoughtful! Everyone did their best to help me navigate restaurant dining, and for that we are so thankful. It was a challenge!

Kanazawa was delightful. The restaurant suggested by our travel company was terrific. Kyoto is magical. Concluding the trip at our hotel near Mount Fuji was wonderful, restful, and beautiful. Quite a contrast to Tokyo.

We have a couple of observations. We struggled with jet lag, which made the first 2.5 days of guided tours exhausting. We arrived on Monday afternoon and would have been better served with a free day on Wednesday or Thursday instead of Friday. By the time we arrived in Kanazawa on Saturday, we were hungry and tired.

While we appreciate the uniquely Japanese onsen experience, it was not to our liking. The chef did an amazing job accommodating my food restrictions, but set multi-course dining is not our style. And to have huge meals for dinner and then again breakfast in an environment with little opportunity for activity was uncomfortable. This experience is not for everyone, and it is expensive.

We would prefer to have stayed another night in Kyoto and made a day trip to Hiroshima. The guide and driver were not needed in Hiroshima.

We would recommend our travel company to friends and family. The guides and ease of train travel made the trip!

Overall, the trip was truly fantastic, and we really have nothing to complain about; quite the contrary. We were extremely pleased with the experience. All of the services provided by Zicasso's travel company were very professional, and despite some occasional language limitations, everyone went out of their way to make the trip enjoyable and memorable. We greatly appreciated all the thought and effort that went into organizing everything.

If I were to mention a couple of areas that did not quite live up to the otherwise exceptional experience, I would highlight the hotel in Kyoto and one of the tour guides.

The hotel in Kyoto was probably the biggest disappointment. Both the accommodations and, particularly, the location were not ideal. It was quite far from many of the places we wanted to visit, which meant spending a fair amount of time getting to and from transportation and ultimately to our destinations. Given how wonderful the rest of the trip was, I think a more centrally located hotel would have made the Kyoto experience even better.

One of our guides was also not quite at the same level as the other guides we had. She has an excellent command of English, but she often seemed to be in a hurry, and we sometimes had to engage her quite actively before getting explanations about the places we were visiting. This was in contrast to our other guide in Kyoto, who was exceptional. She was knowledgeable, engaging, warm, and very attentive to our questions and interests, and she really helped bring the experience to life.

These are relatively minor points in the context of what was otherwise a phenomenal trip. We truly enjoyed every aspect of the journey and are very grateful for the care, professionalism, and attention that went into making it such a memorable experience. Thank you again for helping create such a wonderful trip for us.

Thank you to Zicasso’s travel agent for a trip of a lifetime. The guides and drivers took the trip to the next level. We loved the hotels and the tours! Everything went flawlessly, and we are grateful for all the advice we were given at the beginning of our conversations on where to go and what to do throughout Kyoto, Hakone, and Tokyo. We would highly recommend this travel company to anyone considering Japan.

It was a fabulous trip overall, with one tour guide hiccup that I’m working on resolving, but in general, the trip was well organized and had pretty good tour guides throughout. We especially loved our e-bike ride in Kyoto and our spunky, energetic, and caring guide in Osaka.