Stories from past travellers
Kuroko Boutique Tours has received 91 reviews on Google and has a 5.0 star rating. You can read these stories on Google, or keep scrolling to read the highlights from previous trips.
"Loved the quirky and unexpected, alongside museum visits and craft workshops""
"A very enjoyable, action packed introduction to Japanese modern art and the culture, crafts, food and scenery of Shikoku. Rika, our tour guide, took us to out of the way little restaurants where we experienced fresh and authentic cuisine. She ensured that our itinerary was varied and flexible, managing to fit in the quirky and unexpected, alongside museum visits and craft workshops. Even our hotel accommodation varied from classy art deco to traditional style tatami inn. We had fun, thanks in no small part to Rika's attention to detail and the needs of a disparate group of travellers."
- Helga Hart
"Our guide Yuki was particularly thoughtful and attentive"
"We loved our tour of Northern Japan with Kuroko Boutique Tours. Everything was fabulous! Scenery, food, accommodation, onsens, learning about Japanese culture, nature and art. Kuroko had everything covered and Rika and her team were so helpful in the planning stage too. Our guide Yuki was particularly thoughtful and attentive and it was always a pleasure to be in his company. We look forward to joining more of their unique Japanese tours soon."
- Murray Davis
"Rika & Nae were the most fabulous guides and went above and beyond"
"I've just returned from an amazing holiday in Japan curated by Kuroko Boutique Tours. 7 days in Matsumoto with hikes, yoga, food and the arts, all of my loves. We had a further extension of 3 days self guided in Kyoto too. Rika & Nae were the most fabulous guides and went above and beyond to help with any of my questions. They shared with us their knowledge and stories about Japanese culture, took us to amazing restaurants and the hikes were incredible, what a beautiful country. I fell in love with Japan and look forward to returning in the near future to explore more! Thank you to the team at Kuroko for making my holiday a memorable one ❤️🇯🇵"
- Donna Western
"We learned the local story, not just the tourist story."
"We have just returned from the inaugural Kuroko Okinawa trip and can honestly say that it truly exceeded all our expectations...and those expectations were already high after heariing great things from friends who have done multiple Kuroko tours. Travelling in a small group with additional local guides meant we felt absolutely connected to the places we visited. We learned the local story, not just the tourist story. Accommodation and food was excellent, activities were exceptional and Rika made everything work seamlessly. We have immediately signed up for the Northern Japan trip next year!"
- Linden Hall
"Exceeding every expectation this tour delivered in spades."
"A truly memorable experience, the Food and Nature tour of Hokaido with the awesome Rika from Kuroko BoutiqueTours. Exceeding every expectation this tour delivered in spades. Amazing and varied meals in restaurants that the solo travel would never find let alone get a booking. Beautiful and varied accommodation. Onsen resorts large and small. Hikes in breathtakingly beautiful locations. All made possible by the knowledge and expertise of Rika, who, as the owner of Kuroko gives her clients 110%. Thanks Rika. Loved it all."
- Felicia Symonds
"A wonderful mix of Japanese culture, hiking and art."
"Rika and her team gave us a unique and amazing tour of Kyoto, Matsumoto and the Nakasendo trail. A wonderful mix of Japanese culture, hiking and art. All aspects were carefully orchestrated and curated to give us a special experience. Organisation and planning to maximise our tour was seamless. Flexibility to explore unique food and cultural experiences as they arose brought us all joy. Rika and her team are generous and supportive, ensuring that not only the tour but our days before and after went smoothly. We highly recommend a tour with Kuroko Boutique Tours for a special insight to Japan."
- Nicole Okeefe
"A real sense of camaraderie"
"I had a magical time at Kawazu yoga retreat. Not only a beautiful setting with onsen, but great excursions to beautiful villages and temples nearby, bushwalking, fantastic food, and a real sense of camaraderie. Tour leader Rika is a great group facilitator and guide.Highly recommend this sublime experience!"
- Jill Chapman
"Artists' workshops and spaces that would not usually be open to tourists"
"Rika took our small group on an unforgettable adventure through Shikoku. With her leading the way, we were able to see and experiment in a lot of artists' workshops and spaces that would not usually be open to tourists. The food and timing of each stop along the way was perfect and made for a stress-free trip!"
- Victoria Pater
"If you want to experience the real sense of Japan, especially Shikoku, go with Rika and Kuroko."
"Best trip ever - Rika and Joan offered and delivered a perfect, unique experience on the Autumn Arts 2025 Tour. Their attention to all of the elements of a special tour from the smallest detail to the "surprise" experiences made the whole trip wonderful. The size of the group was delightful (as were our fellow travelers), the accommodations unique and comfortable even elegant, and oh, my god, the FOOD! Cannot recommend Kuroko more highly. If you want to experience the real sense of Japan, especially Shikoku, go with Rika and Kuroko."
- Shelley Marmon