23 Mar 2023
Although there may not be many reviews on viator for this tour, I hope that would not deter anyone from trying it. If you like learning about the culture and history while enjoying beautiful sights and delightful small treats with great company, this tour is the one to choose.
My family and I have been on a handful of food tours around Japan and this tour stands out as one of the top. Sumile, Narumi, and Mama-san make this tour so warm and enjoyable. They are wonderful guides that truly love their town and they made us feel so comfortable. We were touched by their welcoming and genuine care. We had a relatively large group (8) with an infant (20 months) and they were so accommodating. They let us stop and buy items at many small shops and even helped us find a fishing store that was not originally included in the tour.
As a side note, we were able to bring a stroller and use it throughout the tour without any problem. There is a lot of walking and some hilly areas but Sumile always matched our pace so it was fine.
Overall, I and my whole group would highly recommend this tour especially if you are looking for a quieter tour away from the crowded hustle and bustle of the typical large food tours. We have nothing but great things to say about this tour and thank you to Sumile, Narumi, Mama-san, and Shioya town for sharing your town with us for a short moment. It has created wonderful, lasting memories that we will remember preciously from here on. Ichigo Ichie (一期一会)