Kyoto Vegetarian Tastings

Our guide, Laiana, was absolutely superb. She was personable, knowledgeable and warm. By the end of the tour, we had forgotten that she was a tour guide. It felt like we were exploring the city with a friend who wanted to show us her favorite spots.

Marie was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The tea and the fermented food tastings were excellent. She was a pleasure and we had a wonderful time.

From the moment we stepped into the private tea tasting, it felt like entering a completely different world—one defined by calm, care, and an almost reverent appreciation for tea. What truly elevated the entire experience, however, was our teacher. Their depth of knowledge was nothing short of astonishing. Every detail—from the origin of the leaves to the subtle differences in processing methods—was explained with such clarity and passion that it transformed each sip into a story. You could tell this wasn’t just expertise; it was a genuine love for the craft. The tea itself was absolutely exquisite. Each variety we sampled was more nuanced and flavorful than the last, with layers of aroma and taste I had never noticed before. The experience was paired with a thoughtfully prepared selection of food that complemented the teas beautifully. Every bite felt intentional, enhancing the tasting experience and making the whole session feel indulgent without being overwhelming. What surprised me most was just how fun it all was. This wasn’t a stiff or overly formal class—it was engaging, interactive, and filled with moments of delight and discovery. We laughed, asked questions, compared favorites, and left feeling not only more knowledgeable but genuinely inspired. All in all, this private tea tasting was an unforgettable experience and such a unique, enjoyable way to explore the world of tea. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone—even those who think they already know tea.

We had such a lovely time with Thomas! He was very knowledgeable, engaging and funny! We gained great insight into Japanese whiskey culture and discovered new favorites.

The whiskey and sake tasting tour led by Thomas was incredible! Thomas was a very knowledgable host and was a great guide who explained everything given to us from proper etiquette, to history in great detail. The places he took us to for the whiskey and sake tasting and also the restaurant for dinner were absolutely incredible in terms of quality of food and atmosphere. Some of which were some of the best foods and drinks I’ve had so far! Absolutely must try and would gladly book again!

Had a wonderful time on this tour thanks to our extremely knowledgeable guide, Gabriela. She took us to all the bars and restaurants and I enjoyed every one we went to. The staff at each place we went to were so nice and very engaging. Gabriela herself was very friendly and personable, and she gave great recommendations on what to order. I have lived in Japan for almost 6 months now, but on this tour I was able to try some foods that I have never eaten before. Gabriela taught us a lot, not just about food, but also about the places we visited and then Japan/Japanese society and culture from a broader perspective. Got a lot of fresh insight to life in Japan. Arigato Gabriela, 10/10 recommend!