Thank you for watching my channel! I appreciate your interest in Hakone's onsen experiences. Unfortunately, I haven't personally stayed at any ryokans in Hakone, so I don't have firsthand information to share. However, Hakone is one of Japan's most famous hot spring areas for international travelers, so I'm confident there are many ryokans that meet your criteria of a private in-room onsen and kaiseki dinner service. While I can't provide specific recommendations, I'm sure you'll find an excellent accommodation that suits your needs. I hope you have a wonderful time in Hakone and enjoy the perfect onsen experience you're looking for!

I'm so glad you found the video helpful! Thanks for watching and for your kind feedback!

The right path leads to a hidden shrine with a sacred rock. You can reach the summit from there, but bushes are overgrown and not recommended. It's an interesting detour for the adventurous, but the main trail is safer and easier. Thanks for asking - it's a less-known spot that adds to the mountain's mystery!

There's actually another hidden toilet near the summit. However, it's quite tricky to find, and it also closes in the evening. This shrine is so popular and gets so many visitors, so I think the facilities could really do with some improvement. Having better signage and perhaps longer opening hours for the toilets would make a big difference for a lot of people.

Thank you so much for your comment! You're absolutely right! It can get pretty hectic at the summit with all the tourists, and the lack of clear signage makes it even more challenging. I'm so happy you took the time to share your experience! It's invaluable to hear that many people, including yourself, found it a bit tricky to navigate. Thanks again for visiting and for taking the time to share your thoughts!

The drive to Norikura Highlands is not very hard. However, the elevation is over 1,500 meters, so the seasons move faster than in Tokyo or Kyoto. In winter, the roads are icy and impassable, and winter tires are required. Norikura Highlands is a wonderful place, so I hope you will research when to visit and how to get there, so you can enjoy the beauty of Japan's nature!

@@tour-guide-KENZO Yes I will do more research! The lure of sulfur hot springs there is irresistible.

Thank you for your comment. It is true that Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, etc. are now overcrowded with tourists. As a tour guide, I would be very happy if more travelers would be interested in beautiful local areas of Japan such as Shimane Prefecture. Thank you for taking the time to watch my video. Have a nice trip!

Thank you so much for your comment. Glad it helped!

Thank you for your comment! Yes, there are a lot of taxis available at the most attractions in Kyoto. You can also use an taxi app such as "Uber" and "GO". I hope you have a great time when you visit Kyoto😊

Thanks for sharing your wonderful memories! I am amazed that you were able to find that back road on your first visit. I think such coincidences are the best part of traveling, and I hope you continue to enjoy making wonderful "mistakes" on your travels!

I’ｍ glad you like it! Thanks for your comment 😊

You're so welcome! Thank you for leaving your comment. Have a nice trip to Japan😆

Thank you for watching and commenting on my video! There are many bicycle parking facilities in Kyoto. Most of the major tourist attractions (temples, shrines, gardens, etc.) offer free bicycle parking. As for restaurants, shops, etc., it is safe to ask the shop owner when entering. For train stations and large commercial facilities, you will need to use a nearby paid parking lot. Otherwise, city contractors will patrol the area to remove illegally parked bicycles.

Thank you very much for your message (and my apologies for the delayed response)! If you would like to contact me, you can send me a message through Instagram. Here is my account: instagram.com/tour_guide_kenzo/. My schedule for May is almost completely full, but if we are lucky enough to have the right timing, I may be able to offer some guidance for a short period of time😉

Thank you very much for your wonderful comment! I had a feeling that you have probably visited Kyoto several times. Although there is a problem of over-tourism, I hope that those gardens will continue to be maintained for quiet worship😉

@@tour-guide-KENZO kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6nNlKeOedF5Zq8si=my6J0mtfTthMlCqE I finally put together a video of my favorite gardens in and near Kyoto. The quality isn’t great because KZbin used to limit the size of uploads, but I think you know all of the gardens

Thanks for watching!

Glad you think so!

Thank you for watching my video and leaving your comment! If you start early and use taxi between the bamboo forest and Kinkaku-ji, as well as Kinkaku-ji and Nishiki food market, it should be possible. Maybe you can skip Tenryu-ji and Kennin-ji. Best wishes for your wonderful trip!

@@tour-guide-KENZO Thank you for your advice.😊

Hi Warwic-san, Thank you for watching my video and leaving your comment! Kiso Valley will be so beautiful during early May with lots of fresh green leaves throughout the mountains! Enjoy your 3 week holiday and share the value and beauty of the old post towns to your family and friends🥰

I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed my video! There was still snow even in March! I hope your hike up Mt. Atago was a good experience for you. When you have the chance to come back, I suggest trying out Mt. Daimonji and Mt. Rokko as both are popular mountains.

Thanks for your comment! I recommend staying from 9am to 6pm. Have a nice trip!

Have fun!

Thank you for taking the time to watch my video and leave a comment! I am sharing the official website that unfortunately doesn't have an English page. You can visit the website using this link: kyoto-fushimi.or.jp/fune/ In case you face any difficulty in understanding the website, I have also provided a link to Google translation of the same page: kyoto--fushimi-or-jp.translate.goog/fune/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=ja&_x_tr_hl=ja&_x_tr_pto=wapp To help you further, I am sharing other websites that are written in English. You can check them out using these links: kyotosakeexperience.com/get-on-canal-boat-in-fushimi/ sharing-kyoto.com/see_fushimi-jikkokubune Due to global warming, the best season for cherry blossoms in Kyoto is getting earlier every year. Based on my prediction, the best time to see the flower rafts would be around the end of March.

Thank you for your comment. The end of March is the busiest time of the year in Kyoto, so you may not be able to move around as much as you would like. In that case, I recommend that you relax in a place with beautiful cherry blossoms. Although not on our list, the cherry blossoms at Kyoto Imperial Park, which is relatively uncrowded, is wonderful. If you like to manage to see two additional spots, skip Kenninji Temple and go in the following order. 1, Fushimi Inari shrine (by train or subway) 2, Bamboo forest in Arashiyama (by JR train) 3, Tenryu-ji Buddhist temple (on foot) 4, Nishiki food market (by train) 5, Ginkokuji temple and Philosopher Path (by taxi) 6, Kiyomizu-dera temple (by taxi) 7, Gion district (on foot) 8, Ponto-cho alley (on foot) Have a nice trip!

Thank you for your comment. It is possible to rent a bicycle for consecutive days. In that case, please make sure that the hotel you are staying at has a space for you to park your bike. If not, you may be asked to return the bicycle. There are many bike rental stores near Kyoto Station and throughout the city. Please exercise caution to avoid accidents and enjoy safe cycling.

Thanks for your comment. I am glad my video is helpful to you. Have a wonderful trip to Japan!

Camping on this mountain is quite restricted, but possible in some places. Since there are no campgrounds and you are camping in the wild, you will need to bring all your own equipment and water. Please note that bonfires are prohibited due to the danger of wildfires.

Thank you for your comment, Mt. Bunagatake is difficult to climb depending on the season and weather conditions. Every few years there are deaths on the mountain, so please do not underestimate nature and be very careful.

Thank you for your comment. In Japan, many onsen, particularly traditional ones, have a policy of not allowing people with tattoos to bathe. I'm not sure about the current policy of the onsen mentioned in the video. So, if you're worried about this, I suggest you inquire individually or book a room with a private onsen. Sorry, I am not much help. Some onsen have recently become more accepting of tattoos. I wish you have a great trip!

That'll be fantastic! Thanks a lot for your comment, it means a lot!

Thanks for your comment! I can guide up to 10 people in Kyoto😃

@@tour-guide-KENZO how much for 5days trip?

Thank you for asking! My rate is 10,000yen (≒ 65 USD) for 1 hour. You can combine half day tours and a full day tours.

Thank you for watching my video! My instagram is here. instagram.com/tour_guide_kenzo/

The average temperature in Kyoto in June is 77°F (25°C) to 63°F (17°C) . According to the weather forecast, early June is another good month to visit Kyoto. It’s usually warm but not hot. There are sunny days, but toward the end of the month, the rainy season begins. However, it doesn’t usually rain every day. So I recommend early June.

Thank you for your comment. Yes, Fushimi Inari is always very crowded...! Only between nighttime and very early morning (until 7am), there are still fewer people.

Thank you! You can contact me through Instagram! instagram.com/tour_guide_kenzo/

@@tour-guide-KENZO I already messaged you in instagram but no reply

Thank you for your comment! I wish you'll find your favorite way to enjoy sushi.

You are more than welcome! Thanks for watching!

Thank you for taking the time to watch my video. In response to your question about open-air baths in Japan, it's difficult to recommend any specific ones as there are countless options available. However, all three open-air baths that I introduce in the video are great. If you're interested, I suggest checking out Google Maps or the websites of the respective facilities to learn more. Unfortunately, I don't live near Tokyo, so I may not have the most accurate information. I hope that your trip to the Onsen will be a memorable one!

Thank you for watching my video and for leaving a comment! In early June, the weather in Kansai can be a bit hot and humid, but I don't think it will be raining heavily just yet. Accommodation prices are reasonable during this time, making it a good time to travel. To prepare for any potential bad weather, it might be a good idea to plan some indoor activities. If you happen to be in Kyoto, you might consider visiting a Japanese garden that features beautiful moss. I hope you have a pleasant trip!

thanks for the info ♥ @@tour-guide-KENZO

Thank you for letting me know about the link malfunction. I will address it immediately.

You're welcome!

It's great to hear from you! I hope you're excited about your trip to Japan. Thank you for your comment! If you don't mind staying in a Western-style hotel, then there should be no problem finding a room for a single person in or around the onsen area. However, if you're looking for a traditional Japanese hotel (ryokan), it might be a bit trickier as most of the onsen ryokans are designed for groups. In some well-known onsen towns such as Hakone, Kaga Onsen, Arima Onsen, and Kinosaki Onsen, they might offer more flexible room options. Please ask a local tourism office in each onsen town. I hope you have an amazing trip to Japan!

Thank you so much!@@tour-guide-KENZO

Glad it was helpful!

Both are very nice! Kakizore Valley is a more secluded place. I would recommend visiting both if possible. Also, I am not a local specialist in that area, so I recommend that you check with local guides or inn staff for more detailed information.

Glad you liked it!

Thank you too!

Yes of course! Nakabusa onsen nakabusa.com Right under Mt. Tsubakuro, one of the best mountains in Japan Alps. It has only Japanese website, so you might want to ask tour company’s help to book it. Okuhida onsen village is a great one too! www.japan-guide.com/e/e5942.html

Thank you so much!! :) Greetings from Germany :) @@tour-guide-KENZO

And.. do you have a video about going to japan in Winter? We will stay there at the end of Dezember (for 12 days). But we really want to go to some onzens and to a nice village where not a lot of tourists are. Can you recommend something? Thank you really so much @@tour-guide-KENZO

Unfortunately, I don't have any videos related to that topic. However, if you're interested in visiting a snowy village and relaxing in a hot spring, I can suggest some places for you such as Okuhida Onsen, Takayama, Hida Furukawa, the Joetsu area, and the Tohoku region.

Thank you so much :) @@tour-guide-KENZO

Thank you for taking the time to watch my KZbin video and for leaving your comments! Personally, I have a strong fondness for hot springs in the Tohoku area, so I apologize if my ranking seems a bit biased. Nonetheless, there are many other hidden hot springs in different regions that are equally amazing. However, in terms of having white, cloudy, mixed bathing hot springs that I personally adore, I believe that Tohoku is the best. Regarding your question, it appears that both hot springs are accessible by public transportation, such as trains, buses, and taxis. Nevertheless, if you plan on exploring the vicinity, it would be more practical to rent a car. For more details, it would be best to inquire with local guides or tourist associations. Please refer to the link below for additional information. Aomori aomori-tourism.com/en/ Aomori guide aomori-tourism.com/asset/foreign/licensed-guides Akita www.akita-tourism.com/member/index/en Akita guide www.akita-tourism.com/member/index/private/en Please be aware that the road leading to the hot springs is usually blocked by snow during the winter season, which typically begins in late November and lasts until around April of the following year. Thank you again for your interest in Japanese onsen culture. I hope you enjoy your wonderful trip!

Thank you so much for watching my video and even subscribing the channel!

Thank you for your comment! You should take train, subway and taxi to cover those places. Kyoto's bus system is little complicated. If you travel with a group of 3 or 4, taxi is the best! Have a nice trip!

Thanks