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Cannon Xiao

I adore Japan! Its rich cultural tapestry, captivating history, delectable cuisine, warm-hearted people, and breathtaking landscapes truly captivate my heart. My passion for Japan runs deep—not only do I appreciate its traditions and natural beauty, but I also actively engage with its music, dramas, video games, anime, and broader cultural expressions. In fact, to better understand and enjoy these aspects, I even took the initiative to learn Japanese on my own.

Engaging in conversations about Japan with culturally-minded travelers brings me immense joy, and I find fulfillment in assisting them in crafting an experience that aligns with their desires. My travel philosophy centers around the belief that life and travel are opportunities for personal reflection and growth. I am fervently dedicated to sharing this philosophy with our guests, ensuring that their journey through Japan becomes a meaningful exploration of both the external wonders and the inner self.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Japan is a fascinating country where ancient traditions harmoniously coexist with modern innovation. From the elegance of tea ceremonies and the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms to the refined craftsmanship of sushi, every element of Japanese culture tells a story that continues to inspire me. My deep appreciation for Japan extends beyond personal interest—I specialize in designing immersive Japan tours that highlight the country’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant culinary scene.

Whether a traveler is passionate about serene natural landscapes, time-honored traditions, delicious local cuisine, or the colorful worlds of anime and video games, I excel at creating thoughtfully tailored itineraries that reflect their unique interests. My goal is to ensure every guest experiences the very best of Japan through meaningful encounters and unforgettable moments."

How did you get involved in travel?

"When I was 16, I left China to pursue my studies in Malaysia. At the age of 20, I moved to Melbourne, Australia, where I lived and worked for ten years. Eventually, I returned to Shanghai. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to many countries and regions, meeting people from all walks of life and diverse cultural backgrounds. These experiences not only broadened my worldview but also deepened my appreciation for the unique traditions, landscapes, and stories each destination holds. It was through these meaningful encounters that my passion for travel truly took root, ultimately guiding me toward a fulfilling career in the travel industry."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"One of the most unforgettable travel experiences I had in Japan was in the charming town of Kamakura. Among all its historical treasures, what left the deepest impression on me was visiting Hase-dera Temple. As I wandered through the peaceful temple grounds, I came across hundreds of small Jizō statues tucked away along moss-covered paths. Each statue, lovingly placed, seemed to embody the prayers and emotions of people who had come before me. The quiet beauty of the temple, paired with the soft chanting of monks in the distance, created an atmosphere that was both spiritual and deeply moving."

Cannon is part of the following groups: Japan Travel Agents, Japan Family Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice

Recent trip reviews for Cannon

Absolutely phenomenal trip in Japan
Japan | Oct 23 - Nov 1, 2026

Leigh
Leigh H.
Columbus, OH | Reviewed on Nov 02, 2026
Absolutely phenomenal trip from start to
Finish. Everything was thought of and well planned out. The choices were on point. I appreciate the local considerations in planning the trip and Cannon was fantastic throughout the planning and trip itself.
Read more

Absolutely phenomenal trip from start to
Finish. Everything was thought of and well planned out. The choices were on point. I appreciate the local considerations in planning the trip and Cannon was fantastic throughout the planning and trip itself.

Hotel Reviews
Tokyo Dome Hotel
Tokyo

Great location and amenities. Really good area of Tokyo and hotel was spacious. Great morning breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Accommodating to all visitors
Location
Lots around it so made a lot within walking distance
Staff
Very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Well maintained hotel
SAKURA TERRACE THE GALLERY
Kyoto

Loved this hotel - great location to many things and the amenities are great. The breakfast was awesome and loved the vibe of the lobby area around the fire pits.

Authenticity & Character
Felt a part of the area; loved the onsen
Location
Close to train station and two malls
Staff
Super friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Amenities like onsen, bar area, and gym are great
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
Osaka

Hotel was well situated and very modern. Close to the train station.

Authenticity & Character
Didn’t feel like a big hotel but had relaxing vibe
Location
By trains
Staff
Very helpful and friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Excellent common areas and room
Activity Reviews
Osaka: Guided Walking Tour with a Native Expert – Top Sights
Osaka: Guided Walking Tour with a Native Expert – Top Sights
Osaka
Quality of Experience
Liked it was a group tour
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was super knowledgeable
Transport
Meiji Jingu Cultural Walk with Tsukiji Market
Meiji Jingu Cultural Walk with Tsukiji Market
Tokyo

Excellent day seeing sights and hearing all the history. It was very comprehensive in nature. The guide really infused history and culture in the whole walk and we carried that thru our whole trip.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
She was excellent and gave us many other recommendations for the city
Transport
Helpful to learn the transportation with guide there
Mount Fuji Day Trip: Adventure around Lake Kawaguchiko
Mount Fuji Day Trip: Adventure around Lake Kawaguchiko
Tokyo

Really nice to spend the day out and about the area. Guide was very informative.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Excellent
Transport
Kyoto’s Cultural Treasures: Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera & Gion District
Kyoto’s Cultural Treasures: Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera & Gion District
Japan

An entire day learning the history and seeing many sights. Really enjoyed the time with the guide as we went thru the city. It was good to learn to navigate the buses. Guide is flexible to time and interests too. We packed in a lot in a day!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Excellent
Transport
 Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kyoto

This was super fun to dress up and learn the history of the team ceremony. We really enjoyed this cultural immersion.

Quality of Experience
Fantastic
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Nara City Tour, Overnight in Osaka
Full Day Nara City Tour, Overnight in Osaka
Japan

We really enjoyed the day in Nara both for the sites, the deer and the restaurant we stopped at. It was a great place to spend time.

Quality of Experience
lol
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Great driver and comfortable ride
Transport
Excellent
Local specialist: Cannon Xiao
Cannon
Cannon Xiao
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Nov 03, 2026

Dear Leigh,

This is Cannon. It was an absolute pleasure helping you plan this trip, and I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed the journey.

I really appreciate the trust you placed in me throughout the planning process. It was wonderful getting to know your travel preferences and helping bring everything together. I hope you'll take home many wonderful memories from your time in Japan!

Wishing you all the best, and thank you again for choosing to travel with us! 😊

Warm regards,
Cannon

Cannon and our drivers did an amazing job hel...
Japan | Oct 15 - Oct 24, 2026

Jessica
Jessica A.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Oct 31, 2026
Cannon and our drivers did an amazing job helping us navigate through Japan! We couldn't have done it with without them! It put us at ease knowing we had accommodations, transportation and itinerary planned out. Read more

Cannon and our drivers did an amazing job helping us navigate through Japan! We couldn't have done it with without them! It put us at ease knowing we had accommodations, transportation and itinerary planned out.

Hotel Reviews
the b asakusa
Tokyo

Clean, comfy, great location and good breakfast!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Next to subway stations and tourists attractions
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Park Hotel Kyoto
Kyoto

Clean, comfy, safe and great location!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Near train station!
Staff
Kind, friendly and accommodating!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Fresh bedding and towels daily
Activity Review
Osaka & Nara Day Trip with Osaka Castle and Minoh Park
Osaka & Nara Day Trip with Osaka Castle and Minoh Park
Japan
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Cannon Xiao
Cannon
Cannon Xiao
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Nov 03, 2026

Hi Jessica,

Thank you so much for your kind words! It was a pleasure helping you with your Japan trip. I'm so glad everything went smoothly and that you felt at ease throughout your journey. I'll also be sure to share your lovely feedback with our drivers!

Wishing you all the best, and hope to welcome you back to Japan someday!

Warm regards,
Cannon

A time was had!
Japan | Oct 15 - Oct 24, 2026

James
James S.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Oct 26, 2026
What a memorable trip all around Japan! We honestly couldn’t have done it without Cannon. He went above and beyond from start to finish, helping us plan our trip, answering any questions we had while we were there, and making sure we had great recommendations for places to visit, eat, and explore. Tokyo was an absolute highlight, especially getting to experience Akihabara and all the amazing things to see and do in Asakusa. Having Cannon’s guidance made the entire trip so much easier and... Read more

What a memorable trip all around Japan! We honestly couldn’t have done it without Cannon. He went above and beyond from start to finish, helping us plan our trip, answering any questions we had while we were there, and making sure we had great recommendations for places to visit, eat, and explore.

Tokyo was an absolute highlight, especially getting to experience Akihabara and all the amazing things to see and do in Asakusa. Having Cannon’s guidance made the entire trip so much easier and allowed us to enjoy our time without worrying about all the little details.

We had an incredible experience exploring Japan and made memories we’ll never forget. We’re already talking about going back, and we would absolutely recommend Cannon to anyone planning a trip to Japan. His help and dedication truly made a difference in our experience!

Hotel Reviews
the b asakusa
Tokyo
Authenticity & Character
Location
So close to a train station and being a easy place to get into festivities
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Park Hotel Kyoto
Kyoto
Authenticity & Character
Location
A great little coffee shop beside it and also close to a train station
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Osaka & Nara Day Trip with Osaka Castle and Minoh Park
Osaka & Nara Day Trip with Osaka Castle and Minoh Park
Japan

The highlight of this trip was definitely getting to check out Osaka Castle. You really need a full day to see everything there but it was still a great time. Nara was great too just have to be careful with the deer because they will check every pocket to see if you have snacks.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Cannon Xiao
Cannon
Cannon Xiao
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Oct 28, 2026

Hi James,

Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to leave a review. It truly means a lot to us! I'm so happy to hear that you had a wonderful time in Japan. I hope you'll have the chance to return someday and explore even more of Japan's amazing cities and hidden gems!

Wishing you all the best, and we’d love to welcome you back to Japan in the future!

Best regards,
Cannon

We really enjoyed Uni, our guide for the food...
Japan | Oct 9 - Oct 16, 2026

C
Courtney R.
the Netherlands | Reviewed on Oct 19, 2026
We really enjoyed Uni, our guide for the food tour. He spoke fluent English and was very personable. Cannon was very responsive and helpful. The employees at the Ryokan Gyokutei were wonderful the entire stay, serving us dinner even though we were late because of traffic. We loved the facility. Unfortunately alot of our drivers didn't speak English so it was difficult to communicate with them. The drop off at airport on the last day was disappointing. We were very confused about where... Read more

We really enjoyed Uni, our guide for the food tour. He spoke fluent English and was very personable. Cannon was very responsive and helpful. The employees at the Ryokan Gyokutei were wonderful the entire stay, serving us dinner even though we were late because of traffic. We loved the facility. Unfortunately alot of our drivers didn't speak English so it was difficult to communicate with them. The drop off at airport on the last day was disappointing. We were very confused about where to meet our driver at the train station. He seemed to be rushed and dropped us off far from the doors of the airport. We would have liked more guidance on how much time to allot to each activity so that we wouldn't fall behind on our itinerary.

Local specialist: Cannon Xiao
Cannon
Cannon Xiao
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Oct 20, 2026
Hi Christen & Courtney, This is Cannon! Thank you so much for sharing your feedback. I'm really glad to hear that you enjoyed the food tour with Uni and had such a lovely stay at Ryokan Gyokutei. It's wonderful to know that the staff took such good care of you, even with the traffic delay. I also really appreciate your kind words about my support throughout the trip! 😊 I'm sorry, though, that some of the transportation arrangements, especially the airport transfer on your last day, caused... Read more

Hi Christen & Courtney,

This is Cannon! Thank you so much for sharing your feedback. I'm really glad to hear that you enjoyed the food tour with Uni and had such a lovely stay at Ryokan Gyokutei. It's wonderful to know that the staff took such good care of you, even with the traffic delay.

I also really appreciate your kind words about my support throughout the trip! 😊 I'm sorry, though, that some of the transportation arrangements, especially the airport transfer on your last day, caused confusion and stress. I can understand how frustrating that must have been, particularly at the end of your trip. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Your feedback about driver communication and having clearer guidance on timing for each activity is also very helpful, and I'll keep it in mind to help make future trips smoother for our travelers.

It was a pleasure helping you plan your journey, and I hope you'll take home lots of wonderful memories from Japan. Thank you again for traveling with us!

Warm regards,
Cannon

Cannon was amazing. He helped plan the trip ...
Japan | Sep 26 - Oct 10, 2026

R
Rosa S.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Oct 17, 2026
Cannon was amazing. He helped plan the trip making revisions as we discovered places we wanted to see. A few days before we left he reviewed the itinerary with us, answering our last minute questions, which was super helpful. His suggestion for Kim Kim to provide private transportation for us from and to the airport made the trip so much easier. We took one suitcase that was larger than carry on, and he arranged our train tickets to provide space in the oversize luggage area of the... Read more

Cannon was amazing. He helped plan the trip making revisions as we discovered places we wanted to see. A few days before we left he reviewed the itinerary with us, answering our last minute questions, which was super helpful. His suggestion for Kim Kim to provide private transportation for us from and to the airport made the trip so much easier. We took one suitcase that was larger than carry on, and he arranged our train tickets to provide space in the oversize luggage area of the train car, making managing our luggage as we moved from town to town easy. He really "listened" to our description of the kind of trip we wanted. We ended up with the perfect mix of group tours, a private tour for one day and lots of time on our own. The hotels were great, and he helped in the planning so we only stayed in 4 cities ( I did not want to move too often) but the helped us get some day trips to other cities/sites we wanted to see. He listed in our itinerary directions for using public transportation and times of day to visit certain sites. Once we were in Japan, he responded to our questions with suggestions for transportation (IE when a train or taxi was the best option) and restaurants. His restaurant suggestions provided us with a wide variety of various types of Japanese dishes. Cannon responded quickly to our questions. He often offered options for site seeing with the pro and cons of each. We had a great time and are thankful to Cannon,

Hotel Review
The Hotel Sanraku Kanazawa
Kanazawa
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Hidden Fushimi Inari Hiking Adventure: Discover Kyoto Beyond the Crowds
Hidden Fushimi Inari Hiking Adventure: Discover Kyoto Beyond the Crowds
Japan

The hike was great. We saw and learned so much on the way to Fushimi Inari. Our guide was very knowledgeable. It was fairly strenuous; my knees are weak and I used a hiking stick. There were lots of stairs, some without rails. I am so glad I did this hike and would do it again.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and Wood Carving Village
1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and Wood Carving Village
Kanazawa

The day was great. I appreciated the stops especially seeing Ainokura and being able to make paper! The transportation was good, group size large enough to enjoy others insights and small enough to be able to ask questions.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
All were courteous, helpful and considerate. Guide very knowledgeable.
Transport
Local specialist: Cannon Xiao
Cannon
Cannon Xiao
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Oct 26, 2026

Dear Rosa,

Thank you so much for your kind words! It was truly a pleasure helping you plan your Japan adventure. I’m so happy to hear that everything came together well and that you enjoyed the perfect balance of guided experiences and time to explore on your own. It means a lot to me that I could help make your trip smoother and more enjoyable. Thank you again for trusting me with your journey, and I hope to help you plan another adventure in the future!

Best wishes
Cannon

Japan Tour
Japan | Sep 28 - Oct 12, 2026

K
Kamran M.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Oct 16, 2026
The tour was very very good overall. The hotels were probably two star hotel, very small rooms, OK breakfast, except the one in Hakone ( very interesting hotel). The most interesting part of our tour was our visit to Biovortex (Kyoto). Origami in Tokyo was fun and appreciated. Shirakawa-goh and Gokayama trips were very interesting too. All the shrine/temple visit recommendations were good, Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine and Daisho-in Temple were our favorite and we learned a lot. Visit to Hakone... Read more

The tour was very very good overall. The hotels were probably two star hotel, very small rooms, OK breakfast, except the one in Hakone ( very interesting hotel). The most interesting part of our tour was our visit to Biovortex (Kyoto). Origami in Tokyo was fun and appreciated. Shirakawa-goh and Gokayama trips were very interesting too. All the shrine/temple visit recommendations were good, Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine and Daisho-in Temple were our favorite and we learned a lot. Visit to Hakone and cable car and rope car rides were excellent. As for guides and drivers, Mr Ko was ok, could have been more helpful with luggage. Mr. Motoki Watanabe and Mr. Masahiko Joguchi were excellent guides. Ms. Tomo was very good and tried her best. The guide from Snow Monkey (Justin) was good, he was disturbed by other tour participants, they were trying to do their own thing and getting separated from the group. And finally Mr. Yuan (driver to Tokyo) was extremely helpful A++.
The trip transportation arrangement was very good and timely, seat selections were appreciated. Thank you Cannon. We are experts in Japan’s transport system now.
We also visited YUSAI-TEI House in Kyoto, on our own( friend’s recommendation), we recommend that it should be recommended to others who are planning this tour. Restaurant recommendations will be helpful too. Our most favorite parts were Biovortex (unexpectedly excellent) and YUSAI-TEI and navigating the transport system. All was great.

Hotel Reviews
Shinagawa Prince Hotel
Tokyo

Very small rooms, OK breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
DAIWA ROYAL HOTEL D-PREMIUM KANAZAWA
Kanazawa

Room very small, ok breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Granvia Hiroshima South Gate
Hiroshima

Small rooms, ok food.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo
Kyoto

Small room, food ok.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tokinoyu Setsugetsuka
Hakone-machi

Excellent room, very authentic food.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Cannon Xiao
Cannon
Cannon Xiao
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Oct 20, 2026
Hi Kamran, This is Cannon! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me. I'm really happy to hear that you had such a great trip to Japan! It's wonderful to hear that Biovortex and YUSAI-TEI turned out to be such memorable highlights, especially when some of these experiences were unexpected. And it sounds like you've become quite the expert at navigating Japan's transportation system! 😊 I really appreciate your honest feedback about the hotels, guides, and drivers, as well as... Read more

Hi Kamran,

This is Cannon! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me. I'm really happy to hear that you had such a great trip to Japan!

It's wonderful to hear that Biovortex and YUSAI-TEI turned out to be such memorable highlights, especially when some of these experiences were unexpected. And it sounds like you've become quite the expert at navigating Japan's transportation system! 😊

I really appreciate your honest feedback about the hotels, guides, and drivers, as well as your suggestions for future travelers. I'll definitely keep your recommendation of YUSAI-TEI in mind when helping other clients plan their trips.

I'm also glad that the transportation arrangements worked well and that you enjoyed the journey overall. Thank you again for trusting me with your Japan trip. It was a pleasure helping you plan it, and I hope you have many more wonderful travel adventures ahead!

Best wishes,
Cannon

Active Japan trip. Cannon was extremely helpf...
Japan | Oct 2 - Oct 13, 2026

Rob
Rob C.
Canada | Reviewed on Oct 14, 2026
Active Japan trip. Cannon was extremely helpful throughout the planning of our Japan trip as well as during the trip when he was very accessible by email and the kimkim app. The transportation arrangements showed off Japan’s great transportation infrastructure and provided us with a nice variety of ways to experience it. Also a nice variety of places to stay and things to do. Read more

Active Japan trip. Cannon was extremely helpful throughout the planning of our Japan trip as well as during the trip when he was very accessible by email and the kimkim app. The transportation arrangements showed off Japan’s great transportation infrastructure and provided us with a nice variety of ways to experience it. Also a nice variety of places to stay and things to do.

Hotel Reviews
the b asakusa
Tokyo

Small rooms but otherwise very nice

Location
Fuji Kawaguchiko Resort Hotel
Fujikawaguchiko

Great view from hotel room. Popular with those who liked onsens but we didn’t do that. Food was good

Location
Near the lake
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean
Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo
Kyoto

Great location

Location
Near train station
Hotel Vista Osaka Namba

Well located. Good breakfast.

Location
Near busy part of Osaka which was interesting
Staff
JR Clement Inn Imabari
Ehime

Good location. Helpful staff

Location
Near train station
Staff
Helpful. Spoke English well
Benton Guesthouse, Nostalgic Showa-era Private Full House Rental

Lots of room. Choice of beds. No breakfast but near to store. Near cycling route and they catered to cyclists.

Authenticity & Character
Tatami mats or western bed options.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Green Hill Hotel Onomichi
Onomichi

Great location at the end of the cycling route and near the train station.

Cleanliness & Comfort
Nice that they had coin laundry as we were due for that.
Shinagawa Prince Hotel
Tokyo

The buffet breakfast was disorganized and crowded, even at 6am. Staff in bar/restaurant on 39th floor were rude, snooty and overbearing. The view was nice but didn’t make up for the cover charge, service charge or overpriced drinks. Lots of additional amenities but they all came at significant extra cost.

Location
Near train station but not some of the more interesting neighbourhoods.
Staff
Give people a table to sit at in buffet and make it larger.
Cleanliness & Comfort
At least it was clean
Activity Reviews
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi, Arakurayama Sengen Park &   Oshino Hakkai
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi, Arakurayama Sengen Park & Oshino Hakkai
Japan

Oshino Hakkai was crowded and we could have skipped that. The Sengen Park hike was good but unfortunately the mountain was not visible due to cloud. The lake was nice

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Polite. Nice vehicle. Traffic was terrible and it took 3.5 hours from the Tokyo hotel. Would have been better to leave earlier probably. Driver seemed to be looking at his phone a lot while driving (not just the phone for maps)
Kayaking on Lake Kawaguchiko with Mt. Fuji views
Kayaking on Lake Kawaguchiko with Mt. Fuji views
Fujikawaguchiko

Guide was great. Scenery wonderful. Sturdy kayaks. Rest of our kayaking group was experienced too, so we got to travel well down the lake. Nice view of Fuji from the lake

Full Day Nara City Tour, Overnight in Osaka
Full Day Nara City Tour, Overnight in Osaka
Japan

Certainly worth seeing this area for the temple and the ridiculous number of deer.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Osaka Local Food Walking Tour (Join-in)
Osaka Local Food Walking Tour (Join-in)
Osaka

Enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. We were the only two in the group so we were able to try the foods and places that we hadn’t already experienced.

Local specialist: Cannon Xiao
Cannon
Cannon Xiao
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Oct 15, 2026

Dear Rob,

This is Cannon.

Thank you so much for sharing this! It was a real pleasure being part of your Japan adventure. I especially appreciated all the feedback you shared along the way—it helped me understand what mattered most to you and made it easier to fine-tune the details as your trip unfolded.

I hope you’ve returned home with plenty of wonderful memories, a few favorite discoveries, and perhaps some inspiration for your next adventure. Japan always has more to offer, so I’d love to help you explore another side of the country if you ever decide to come back! 😊

Best Reagrds
Cannon

Cannon - the glue that made our trip seamless
Japan | Sep 30 - Oct 13, 2026

Melissa
Melissa G.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Oct 14, 2026
Cannon was the glue that made our trip seamless. Planning a trip to Japan can be overwhelming because there is so much to see and do. Our family had figured out the broad strokes of our itinerary, but we didn't know how to put everything together in a logical and navigable way. Cannon filled in the blanks, helping us with transportation details, the order of our events/tours, suggestions for open times, and other critical elements that made our trip smooth and easy. He got back to us... Read more

Cannon was the glue that made our trip seamless. Planning a trip to Japan can be overwhelming because there is so much to see and do. Our family had figured out the broad strokes of our itinerary, but we didn't know how to put everything together in a logical and navigable way. Cannon filled in the blanks, helping us with transportation details, the order of our events/tours, suggestions for open times, and other critical elements that made our trip smooth and easy. He got back to us immediately when we had questions, both before and during the trip. He took the time to organize a call before we left to walk us through every day's plan so we felt comfortable or could edit things together. We couldn't recommend him more highly for your trip to Japan. It's so worth it to have someone like Cannon to help you, especially if this is your first trip to this amazing country.

Local specialist: Cannon Xiao
Cannon
Cannon Xiao
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Oct 14, 2026

Hi Melissa,

This is Cannon!

Thank you so much for your kind words! 😊 It was a real pleasure helping your family plan your Japan trip. I’m so glad everything went smoothly and that you felt comfortable throughout the journey. Japan is such a wonderful country, and I always love sharing its beauty and unique experiences with visitors from around the world!

I hope you made lots of wonderful memories in Japan, and I’d love to help you plan another adventure here in the future!

worried how many of canon's responses were ge...
Japan | Sep 12 - Sep 26, 2026

D
diane w.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Oct 04, 2026
worried how many of canon's responses were generated by AI.
It did take care of everything. restaurant suggestions appeared to be popular tourist spots, rather than local gems.
KimKim was most responsive, which was great. it would be nice to know how much was a human and how much was AI
. Trip was good.
Read more

worried how many of canon's responses were generated by AI.
It did take care of everything. restaurant suggestions appeared to be popular tourist spots, rather than local gems.
KimKim was most responsive, which was great. it would be nice to know how much was a human and how much was AI
. Trip was good.

Hotel Reviews
tsumugi tei - 1 min from Nagiso Station, Nakasendo Base

wonderful experience. it would have been nice if there had been 4 beds. The meal from across the street was a real gem and would recommend for anyone.

Authenticity & Character
great meal from across the street
Location
near train station
Cleanliness & Comfort
Suiun

very very nice. central location in Gora, Hakone.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Monkey Park Tour
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Monkey Park Tour
Japan

good. guide was flexible because of poor weather

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
 Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kyoto

pretty touristy.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi, Oshino Hakkai and Oishi Park
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi, Oshino Hakkai and Oishi Park
Tokyo

too regimented and cookie cutter.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Tokyo City Tour
Full Day Tokyo City Tour
Tokyo

maybe too long of a day

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
public transportation is awesome
Kyoto's Cultural Treasures: Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji
Kyoto's Cultural Treasures: Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji
Japan

maybe too long of a day

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
local buses and trains were great
Local specialist: Cannon Xiao
Cannon
Cannon Xiao
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Oct 09, 2026
Hi Diane, Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I'm really glad you had a good trip and that I was able to help make things easier along the way. And yes, I do sometimes use AI to help with my English, but the planning and arrangements are something I work on personally based on what each traveler is looking for. I also appreciate your comment about the restaurants. It's a good point, and I can see how finding more local spots would have made the experience even better. Thanks again for... Read more

Hi Diane,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I'm really glad you had a good trip and that I was able to help make things easier along the way.

And yes, I do sometimes use AI to help with my English, but the planning and arrangements are something I work on personally based on what each traveler is looking for. I also appreciate your comment about the restaurants. It's a good point, and I can see how finding more local spots would have made the experience even better.

Thanks again for choosing to plan your trip with us. It was a pleasure helping you, and I'm happy to hear you had a good time in Japan!

Best regards,
Cannon

Both our tour guides, Yumi and Yuki, were fan...
Japan | Jul 25 - Aug 3, 2026

E
Ellie M.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Aug 10, 2026
Both our tour guides, Yumi and Yuki, were fantastic. Yumi in particular went above and beyond and really tailored our tours to our interests, she even helped us reserve a taxi when we got to Hakone. Overall we had a wonderful time! Read more

Both our tour guides, Yumi and Yuki, were fantastic. Yumi in particular went above and beyond and really tailored our tours to our interests, she even helped us reserve a taxi when we got to Hakone. Overall we had a wonderful time!

Activity Reviews
Kyoto's Cultural Treasures: Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji
Kyoto's Cultural Treasures: Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji
Japan

Yuki was a fantastic tour guide, we learned a lot and loved our tour!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Tokyo City Tour with Akihabara district
Full Day Tokyo City Tour with Akihabara district
Tokyo

Yumi was an awesome tour guide!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi with Oshino Hakkai
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi with Oshino Hakkai
Japan

Due to the heat, our tour guide Yumi suggested some different locations that fit with our interests. We had a lot of fun!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Cannon Xiao
Cannon
Cannon Xiao
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Aug 12, 2026

Hi Ellie,

I’m so happy to hear that you had such a wonderful time in Japan! I’ll definitely pass along your kind words to Yumi and Yuki, I’m sure they’ll be very happy to hear your feedback.

Thank you again for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review. We really appreciate it!

Best regards,
Cannon