Tokai

The original itinerary was for July 30th, but the tour didn't make it to the scheduled departure date. KKDay informed me that I could change to a later, already booked tour. The communication was clear, timely, and excellent. The three-day itinerary was well-planned, especially the hotel on the first day, which was better than expected! The second day's itinerary required some physical exertion, like commuting uphill; those who enjoy transportation would likely appreciate it. The third day's visit to the Gassho-zukuri village was the grand finale, so I recommend conserving your energy for exploring. Our guide, Manman, was very helpful, providing many local details and recommending things to buy, enriching the trip. I especially loved the yogurt available at Kappa Bridge—it was delicious!

Communication with the locals plays a big part in the enjoyment of a trip, so it would be perfect if the driver paid just a little more attention to communication.

There were three guides/instructors on the group, and they were very kind, giving us plenty of rest time. However, it's definitely not for beginners; it requires more training. The 5th to 7th stations are manageable for beginners, but the 7th to 8th stations become quite challenging, with many slopes and rocks to climb. It's tough for city dwellers or those with weaker cardiovascular systems. We also had to face two strong storms before reaching our mountain hut, hiking from 12 PM to 7 PM, which was quite difficult. It would probably be easier if there weren't strong storms. On the second day, some members of the group went to the summit, while others chose to rest in the hut. Even with good weather, you can still see the Miraiko (Mountain Light). Going to the summit and back would add 3 hours to the hike, and the descent would also take more than 3 hours. We hiked from 7:30 AM to 10:45 AM, so it depends on how strong your goal is—is it a life goal? We got a 4-person room in the mountain hut; I don't know if we booked late or if the price wasn't high enough—but the experience is unforgettable and will stay with you for a lifetime.

This time, the buy-one-get-one-free deal was incredibly cheap; the transportation cost alone would have been more than that. The meeting point was the Marunouchi South Exit of Tokyo Station. There were quite a few tour guides waiting as soon as you exited; just find the one to join your group. The tour leader, Liu Bin, was very nice. He took us to lunch (optional, at our own expense). The itinerary was a bit rushed because there were four attractions, but it was still quite good. I knew there weren't many opportunities to see Mount Fuji in the summer, and we even encountered summer rain, but Mount Fuji still made an appearance. I'd like to join a KKDay day tour again if I have the chance.

Choosing a day tour saves you the hassle of finding buses and the fatigue of driving yourself. While driving offers freedom, the driver is also a tourist, which can be exhausting! A day tour starts with confirming your guide in the morning, and the entire day is entrusted to them. We had a Chinese-speaking guide who shared the route through Kamikochi, highlighting key sights along the way and showing us local delicacies like ice cream, apple pie, and yakitori (a type of grilled meat). She took good care of us throughout the trip. Back in Nagoya, she even recommended must-see attractions and good dinner options. She was incredibly thoughtful and considerate – a fantastic experience! 👍👍👍