The tour was very interesting. The guide was very personable and informative. She also was willing to share her insight into local culture, often with great humor. The bus was very comfortable. The food at the restaurant for the all day trip was average, nothing special. The best part was the ice cream for dessert. My only complaint is the guide moved very fast for such a large group. The last folks off the bus had a hard time keeping up. It was also difficult for older travelers.

I was a little disappointed we couldn't visit the Imperial Palace (was a Saturday tour) and that the alternate sites weren't explained, because we visited one on our own beforehand. But the tour was still more informative than we found on our own.

The day trip was most enjoyable with interesting comentory by the guides, especially the Kyoto tour guide, who did a great job in controlling some noisy groups on the coach who where making it difficult to hear. Everything was well organised and easy to understand.

Overall, my family enjoyed this tour even if it was raining hard. We found Nijo Castle and Todaiji Temple amazing! We got to see the interiors of Nijo Castle and my daughter really enjoyed feeding the deer at the Todaiji Temple. The statues inside the temple were all massive it was awesome. The part I like least about the tour was the terrible lunch (part of the food was cold and did not really taste good) and how we were rushed during the tour of the Imperial Palace. We were not really given time to take photos. If you linger a bit (5 min or so) for picture taking, you miss out on the explanation from the tour guide. She was rushing from one building to the next and did not really wait until the whole group was nearby before giving the history of the place. Same with the tour guide in the afternoon. He was really nice but I wish he would wait for the whole group before he gives his spiel. It would help if the tour guides inform us ahead of time the itinerary for the place - i.e. stop at the gate to get tickets, then see the temple for explanation, then 20 minutes free time (shopping, feed the deer), etc... so we know where to go and when we can take photos of the place.

Overall, my family enjoyed this tour even if it was raining hard. We found Nijo Castle and Todaiji Temple amazing! We got to see the interiors of Nijo Castle and my daughter really enjoyed feeding the deer at the Todaiji Temple. The statues inside the temple were all massive it was awesome. The part I like least about the tour was the terrible lunch (part of the food was cold and did not really taste good) and how we were rushed during the tour of the Imperial Palace. We were not really given time to take photos. If you linger a bit (5 min or so) for picture taking, you miss out on the explanation from the tour guide. She was rushing from one building to the next and did not really wait until the whole group was nearby before giving the history of the place. Same with the tour guide in the afternoon. He was really nice but I wish he would wait for the whole group before he gives his spiel. It would help if the tour guides inform us ahead of time the itinerary for the place - i.e. stop at the gate to get tickets, then see the temple for explanation, then 20 minutes free time (shopping, feed the deer), etc... so we know where to go and when we can take photos of the place.

Tour was great, lunch was terrible.

We were disappointed to miss out on the Imperial Palace in Kyoto but Nara was definately a highlight. We were there during Golden Week, so everything was quite crowded and there was a lot of traffic. This may have been what cut into our time at each location. Our guide was very soft spoken and difficult to understand and hear but when we did, she was very informed and interesting. An extra 15 minutes would have been so appreciated at Golden Pavilion and Nijo Castle for pictures and the opportunity to feed the deer and souvenier shop. If we did that, we wouldn't have heard anything the guide said.

For history buffs, the Kyoto and Nara trip is definitely worth while. The very competent, English-speaking guides were friendly, informative, insightful and humorous. You really get the whole package of seeing wonderfully preserved historic buildings while enjoying Kyoto's and Nara's scenery.

Excellent tour. maybe a litle rushed in the morning. Excellent, pleasant and well informed tour guide. Would highly recommend it.

Wonderful trip with a professional guide. Thanks a lot to the organizers!