The Delatorre and Laguio families, hailing from Green Oaks, IL, and Manila, embarked on a multi-generational family trip to Japan in late June. The group included grandparents in their 80s, parents in their 50/60s, and young adult children in college. They began their journey with a 3-night stay at the Conrad Tokyo, enjoying the perks of Hilton Impressario’s added amenities that included breakfast, hotel credits, VIP status, and free upgrades to bay view rooms! The family had a wonderful time at this modern hotel, especially appreciating their club-level access on the 37th floor, which featured four complimentary food and beverage presentations daily, along with all-day non-alcoholic beverages. The lounge, newly renovated with a dedicated concierge, provided a luxurious experience and also amazing views.

Their Japan experience kicked off with a private tour of the Imperial Palace and Gardens, catering to the grandmother’s love for temples and gardens. In the afternoon, some family members had a blast exploring the streets of Shibuya by go-kart, a popular activity often dubbed the “Mario Kart” experience. The following day, the family, known for their love of food, took a privately guided City Highlight/Food tour, gaining insights into Japanese culture and history. They visited several shrines, the Tsukiji Outer Food Market where they enjoyed lunch, a department store food section in Ginza, and the vibrant Harajuku area. We had arranged a private van to facilitate their travel around the city with ease.

From Tokyo, the family took a high-speed train to Kyoto for a 4-night stay at The Thousand Kyoto hotel, conveniently located next to the train station. On their first night, they embarked on another privately guided food tour, although the focus on temple food wasn’t a big hit as none of them were vegetarians. For two and a half days, they toured Kyoto with a private guide using a van for the full day tour. They traveled all over the city exploring pavilions, rock gardens, the bamboo forest, temples, Gion, and the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine. These tours offered a diverse array of sites, catering to the interests of all family members. A full day in Nara was guided privately and also with the convenience of a van. It included visits to palaces, temples, shrines, and Nara Park, where interacting with the deer was a trip highlight.

Overall, the family cherished their time together in Japan, enjoying its unique culture, history, and of course the cuisine!