Reviews

Sano Tour 

Hi Yuko, thank you for having us these 2 days. It was 2 days of many firsts, first time having Sano ramen, visiting a sake brewery and tasting directly onsite, making my own Sano bamboo ramen. It was a rare chance that we got to have a native like you to bring us around and explain more about the local food/culture, connecting us closer. Thank you so much especially for your arrangement of the tasting with the local food and translating the ramen class information. It was a unforgettable experience for all of us ~ Victorine from Singapore

Ashikaga~Sano~Tochigi Tour

Yuko is a gem. She listened to everything we were hoping to do and put together the perfect itinerary - but I think the best part was the wonderful people she has in her circle. I never felt like I was in a typical ‘tour’ situation being shuttled through activities. Everyone we met was genuine, kind, and truly interested in sharing their crafts and culture. The 2 days we spent with Yuko were a real standout on our trip. If you want a personal, off the beaten path experience, Local Living Tour really stands up to its name. ~ Jennifer from Brooklyn, NY

3-day Adventure in Tochigi

My fiancé and I recently embarked on a 3-day adventure in Tochigi, carefully planned and curated by Yuko through her Local Living Tour, and it exceeded all our expectations. From the outset, Yuko took the time to understand our interests before we even arrived in Japan. She crafted a personalized itinerary that seamlessly blended culture, food, tradition, and nature.

We found ourselves participating in a traditional Japanese cooking class, where we prepared local dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients. The hands-on experience not only satisfied our taste buds but also deepened our appreciation for Japanese culinary traditions. Adding to the coolness factor, we did it at a local inn, who's owner was 10th generation owner of the small establishment. We made sushi and miso soup from the Edo period.

One other highlight was visiting a historic sake brewery established in 1673. Here, we delved into the art of sake-making and enjoyed a curated tasting session, complemented by a traditional wisteria live dance that added a unique touch to the experience.

Yuko's deep-rooted knowledge of the region, her connections to locals, and her genuine passion for sharing their traditions and hidden gems made our journey truly special. For example, we stayed at an off the beaten path Ryokan w onsen, where we were likely the first foreign visitors. The owner of the Ryokan was kind and generous and she was 55th generation! Food and views were amazing! Throughout the entire experience, Yuko was facilitating, translating, and helping with pictures. She even helped us get on the right bus and train to our next destination!

For travelers seeking an experience that goes beyond the typical tourist destinations, I recommend booking with Yuko. Her dedication to creating meaningful experiences for tourists is genuine and we are immensely grateful for the unforgettable memories she helped us create. ~ Saul from Chicago, IL

​Personalized Tour

Yuko was absolutely incredible as our tour guide for 2-3 days! Even before we arrived, she took the time to get to know our interests and carefully curated a personalized itinerary that exceeded all our expectations. She also assisted with hotel bookings and logistics, making everything seamless and stress-free.

What really stood out was Yuko’s attention to detail and her passion for sharing authentic, local experiences. Thanks to her, we were able to visit off-the-beaten-path locations and support small, local businesses—something that was really important to us.

From a hands-on cooking class, indigo dyeing workshop, and a sake brewing tour to a mesmerizing Japanese flute performance, traditional dance performance, and a visit to a stunning flower park—every moment felt special and thoughtfully planned. We even got to enjoy light hiking and a serene monk-guided sound bath meditation, which was such a unique and peaceful experience.

Yuko brought warmth, professionalism, and genuine care to everything she did. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide, and we’re so grateful for the unforgettable memories she helped us create. Highly recommend her to anyone looking for a deeper, more meaningful travel experience in Japan! ~ Stephanie from IL