Ancient & Modern Japan

Allister Brimble   -  Traveled, March 2024

A great overview of Japan This is a really good tour. Starting in Kyoto where you visit a number of temples, then moving through the countryside to various locations, then to Hiroshima and finally to Tokyo for the modern part of the tour. By the end you get a really good sense of what Japan is. The group leader, Gary was excellent! With a few small tweaks with regards to some of the accommodation I’d have given 5 stars. Most Inspirational Moment The food and friendly Japanese people! Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader Gary was the highlight of the tour. He was very knowledgeable and very efficient at organising groups. Advice for Potential Travellers You might have to sit on the floor to eat at one of the hotels. It's a great experience but you will struggle if you have stiff legs or knee's. Bring comfy walking shoes as you can be doing 20000 steps a day. Suggestions The only small negative I have is that exodus could have pre-warned people about the possibility of sitting at tables at floor level (a lot of the group were not flexible enough). I also think the final hotel in Tokyo was fairly low standard and as we paid well for the tour could have been a lot better.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/16/2024

Kenny Boyd   -  Traveled, March 2024

A fantastic introduction to Japan This train tour of many contrasting areas of Japan gives an excellent experience introduction to a beautiful exciting country. An excellent variety of accommodation close to transport hubs made exploring very easy. Most Inspirational Moment There was no single moment but it was all about the experience. The country is very different from the west but safe and friendly so easy to comfortably explore. Thoughts on Group Leader Quinlan was the perfect guide. Infinitely helpful and patient. Knowledgeable and energetic. Well organised and great company. Advice for Potential Travellers Don’t come to Japan cold. Do a little research on cultural differences, food and the language. It’ll make life much easier. Smart phones make navigating the cities easier (Japanese sims from Amazon?) and travel cards on iPhones make life easy too. You need a little cash but not loads; Most places use cards but there are a few exceptions that should be prepared for. Public transport to and from airports are easy but do your homework in advance. Suggestions The most disappointing aspect of this tour was the Exodus support in the UK. We were asked to provide passport copies for our JR pass; this was pointless as you need the real thing to get them and proved a lack of communication with the Japanese third party provider. Also, when requesting additional nights the prices quoted (on two occasions) were twice the price of those achievable when booking direct (a heck of a mark-up!).

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/16/2024

Paula Reason   -  Traveled, April 2024

A packed trip full of Japanese delights A full programme that explores Japan both ancient and modern. The kindness and civility of all the people that we met was lovely Most Inspirational Moment Japanese art and culture…. Many moments Thoughts on Group Leader Tadaoki was kind and gentle and was with us the whole trip. Kan came in halfway through and was like a magician making any problem disappear and making our wishes come true. I wanted to see some Japanese woodblock art which did not seem possible on the schedule with museums shut on a Monday but he made it possible. Advice for Potential Travellers The schedule is packed but there is still plenty of time for your own things. Plan these and book in advance like teamLab and the imperial palace in Tokyo. Research ways to see Mount Fuji as you still have a day with your rail card to travel for free from Tokyo

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/30/2024

Peter Kane   -  Traveled, April 2024

Ancient and Modern Japan Overall positive, a good overview of Japan, covering a lot of ground from Kyoto to Tokyo. The group of 15 bonded well and guide was excellent. Transport on bullet train excellent Areas for improvement – quality of accommodation fairly basic, around 3*. Strengthen context/tours of big cities to give more of an overview. Most Inspirational Moment Visit to Hiroshima, very moving. Thoughts on Group Leader Quinlan Advice for Potential Travellers Learn a little Japanese before you go, as helps to breakdown barriers. Suggestions Improve flight options as the exodus route via Hong Kong not used by group. Review group size - 15 a lot to keep together and for eating purposes.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/27/2024

Sharon Lindsay   -  Traveled, March 2024

Stunning cherry blossom I enjoyed my trip. I had not considered the impact of the trip relying on public transport. Also, there were fewer opportunities to eat dinner as a group with the leader which I suspect reflects how busy it is in Japan. On previous trips with Exodus, I have particularly enjoyed learning about the local way of life from a local guide but realistically on this mode of transport there was very little opportunity to have that insight even if the guide had been local. Most Inspirational Moment Cherry blossom at Kamakura Thoughts on Group Leader Charles was an adequate tour leader. I do feel that leading a group using public transport in a very busy country is very challenging. Advice for Potential Travellers I feel there is a real need to ensure that wifi connection is available to access Google maps. I did not anticipate how much free time there would be; Google maps is really essential. Research and booking of activities before leaving for the trip would ensure best use of free time. There was no option to go to a tea ceremony as advised in the trip notes. There were other activities which perhaps could be shared e.g. team labs. Suggestions I felt disappointed to be provided with a "Denny's" voucher for breakfast in Tokyo. Apart from being inappropriate the voucher did not cover what would be viewed as a reasonable breakfast.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/14/2024

Noreen Orton   -  Traveled, March 2024

Disappointing trip organisation Japan did not disappoint despite 3* hotel stays, lack of opportunities that purported to be arranged locally by your tour leader and are subject to availability none of which were available, poor planning of travel necessitating tickets bought on the day at the station, basic information provided at tourist sites and lack of organisation that curtailed one of the main Japanese sites. Most Inspirational Moment Matsumoto castle at night and Okochi Sanso Gardens (not on itinerary) Thoughts on Group Leader A lovely man but questioning his experience of leading a group. Provided only information on sites that we read in leaflets, should have purchased train tickets evening before or early in morning rather than have us constantly wait for him to buy tickets whilst we waited, when asked about arranging a tea ceremony I was sent web links even after informing him there was no spaces all March and into April. He did provide links to Tokyo possibilities however several were for groups and others for minimum 2 people - difficult when a solo travellers. Advice for Potential Travellers Book all activities before trip - cultural, theatre, tea ceremonies, sumo wrestlers etc. do not rely on guide or company. Ensure you have read up on all temples/shrines before trip. Do not expect group dinners and there will not be one at the beginning of the trip. Suggestions Flights on Singapore airlines significantly longer than other airlines. Final hotel provided the smallest rooms ever to the point where one had to climb over bed to reach the only chair. A single room booked but still had a ‘single supplement’ applied?! All this could have been overlooked but the trip to Hiroshima left me angry . The itinerary was swapped that day on basis it would rain and better to be indoors. However, that meant arrival in Hiroshima was in the afternoon. A quick walk round the park and on to the museum which was packed and the guide had not booked online so had to queue for tickets. At this stage we were left with limited time as had to catch a train. Result we had to quickly fight our way through corridors of exhibits packed with people in a one way system seeing scarcely any displays and unable to read anything. This was not only disrespectful, leaving me angry and frustrated but was the trip that emotionally had the most meaning during this holiday and the shortest. Visit of all. One that has left this trip most disappointing.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/10/2024

Niamh Byrne   -  Traveled, March 2024

Ancient and Modern Japan The holiday was an interesting introduction to a country with an intriguing culture Most Inspirational Moment Seeing Mount Fuji and walking the back streets of Kyoto where there are many temples and shrines tucked away. Thoughts on Group Leader He was at all times polite and good humoured. Advice for Potential Travellers Consider carefully when to visit Japan. It was cold and quiet wet in March. Later would definitely be better for viewing gardens. Suggestions As lots of tours in Japan use public transport so be prepared to spend a lot of time getting to places.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/16/2024

Parwinder Sekhon   -  Traveled, October 2023

A lot worse that we had expected The guide was not experienced. An example was he did not give details of where the group should meet up and at what time when visiting a temple on day 2. One member of the group got lost. We wasted time looking for her and then time when she managed to contact the guide for him to go and get her. The guide had little knowledge and essentially managed to get us from one place to another. He read short extracts from a book (2-3 minutes) at each site, in very broken english, which was not detailed and provided no further information than reading the placards at the shrine / museum we were at. Save for the ryokan in Yudanaka, the accommodation was of a much worse standard than the cost of the holiday warrants. Ryokan at Takayama (which is 2 star) was unacceptable level given the price paid. It is simply unacceptable for seventeen people to share 2 toilets for 2 days (there were 4 toilets, 2 male and 2 female unless you went to a different floor where there was another 2). It was rundown and the food was below par. The sushi was frozen, which you would not expect in Japan. The description in the itinerary was misleading. The visit on day 2 to historic Gion did not take place in the early evening as suggested but instead at around 3 pm and the guide simply pointed down a street and said there were no Geishas. Because this was done earlier, we then went to Nijo castle, which we should have gone to first, and it was closed as the guide took us there after 4 p.m. That was a wasted afternoon of travelling rather than an interesting day of culture. Day 8, there was no stroll at night to the castle. Day 10 there was no evening orientation tour of Tokyo as suggested. Most Inspirational Moment The snow monkeys in Yudanaka where good. Thoughts on Group Leader The guide was not experienced. An example was he did not give details of where the group should meet up and at what time when visiting a temple on day 2. One member of the group got lost. We wasted time looking for her and then time when she managed to contact the guide for him to go and get her. The guide had little knowledge and essentially managed to get us from one place to another. He read short extracts from a book (2-3 minutes) at each site, in very broken english, which was not detailed and provided no further information than reading the placards at the shrine / museum we were at. Advice for Potential Travellers Do not book this trip, it is a waste of money.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/25/2023

Alex M   -  Traveled, June 2023

Trip of a lifetime! This is such a well designed itinerary to see the real Japan, from their rich history and Culture to the modern side it was amazing how you travel through their history along the trip. You get to see a LOT of places along the way in a manner that feels like you have accomplished a lot but not too quickly. I think anyone going to Japan has to be prepared for a lot of travelling and moving around, especially as almost everything is on public transport. Don’t let this put you off as it is the best public transport in the world! So clean, always on time, friendly and respectful people – coming back to the UK after the trip was a real shock after we got experienced to the Japanese way. Most Inspirational Moment Staying in the Ryokans up in the Japanese Alps was a surreal experience. We had an 11 course dinner at a traditional homestay and it was a real pinch me moment. Everyone was keen to learn about Japanese Culture, try the food (myself included), and it was just such a wholesome experience. Managing to go 2 weeks only using Chopsticks and no cutlery was a very proud moment too :) Thoughts on Group Leader Keigo was incredible. His attention to detail and knowledge about everywhere made all the difference. Without him we would have been totally lost and only had a fraction of the experience. Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared for a lot of walking, often in tourist sites and on the transport system. The country is an attack on the senses to really try to just immerse yourself in the surroundings instead of always hunting for the perfect photo. Be prepared for all types of weather - an umbrella can come in handy. Suggestions This is a great trip for people trying to get a real experience of Japan with excellent guides. There is real value in staying in perfect locations in Kyoto and Tokyo which other companies don't offer and a real reason why I chose this trip over some of the other Japan tours out there

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 07/18/2023

Stuart Jackman   -  Traveled, May 2023

May 2023 My wife and I greatly enjoyed our trip to Japan. It was a wide ranging trip covering a good number of Japanese sites and experiences as much as you might expect in the time we were there. Most Inspirational Moment The trip to Hiroshima was thought provoking and an important inclusion with the trip. We also very much enjoyed the Japanese Alps. Thoughts on Group Leader Aki was generally a good leader. He does have a very heavy accent which made it difficult to always follow what he said, one had to be at the front of the group and listen closely. He had a good knowledge of history. Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared for a lot of train travel and for a country very different to what you might expect. Be prepared to embrace cultural differences in all aspects of life. Suggestions I think any trip to Japan should include a visit to Mount Fuji rather than it being an extra cost add on. The minshuku in Takayama was disappointing and not up to the quality we would expect from Exodus. The town was one of the best places on the trip but the accommodation was the worst. We were looking forward to the minshuku experience but it could have been of a higher quality. The communication re the arrival and travel to Kyoto could have been more comprehensive.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 05/26/2023

Sasha Heriot   -  Traveled, April 2019

Excellent taster of Japan This trip was an excellent way to experience many different aspects of Japan, although I feel like I have only touched the surface, and I want to go back! Japan, the people, and the food are all truly wonderful. Most Inspirational Moment I loved being out of the cities and experiencing more of the countryside and mountainous regions. One of the highlights was seeing Mount Fuji appear over the hillside whilst ascending in a cable car. We did this on one of our "free" days. This day trip was suggested by our tour leader who also accompanied us for the whole day. Another highlight for me was the thermal baths experience. Thoughts on Group Leader Our first leader, although very pleasant, was very inexperienced. I was grateful to Exodus that they changed our leader on day 3. The new leader was excellent and ensured that we all had an enjoyable holiday. Advice for Potential Travellers Do not expect a relaxing holiday. The days are very long and you will do lots of standing on very crowded public transport and a huge amount of walking almost every day. Although it is very popular in blossom season, I would have much preferred to go when the weather was warmer. We have blossom in the UK after all! Knowing now how easy it is to get around Japan on public transport, I would be very happy visiting there independently. I flew with KLM (connected in Amsterdam both ways), which seemed a much better choice than the group flight - no long mid-night connections, more "direct" route and shorter flight time. Suggestions The country is very easy to get around using public transport, however it would have been much better to have had a minibus/coach to get around the sights in the cities, as the local public transport "experience" made the days very hectic, somewhat stressful, and much longer than they needed to be. I feel that if local public transport is used, the trip should be graded higher than a 2 as some people on the trip did struggle with the long days. and the huge amounts of standing and walking.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 05/19/2019

Beverley Evans   -  Traveled, April 2019

Amazing country, trip felt rushed though This trip gives the opportunity to see a lot… which is great BUT I have to say it felt like we were running from place to place. Public transport is efficient but a little constricting. It would have been good to have a minibus in Kyoto as the traffic did not seem bad there. This then relieves the feeling of missing out on things as you are made to choose between things to do due to timings of buses/trains etc. Most Inspirational Moment Seeing Mt. Fuji was AMAZING... such a shame this is not part of the itinerary! We went to Lake Kawaguchi, instead of the suggested Hakone and it was the best day of the entire trip. The friendliness of the people and the general feeling of safety. Japan is a wonderful place. Thoughts on Group Leader Decky was fantastic and had a very hard job keeping everyone happy. He encountered some difficulties but always found a solution. He was very kind and knowledgeable and was great to talk to. Advice for Potential Travellers Pack an umbrella. Make the most of the ample convenience stores (7Eleven and Family Mart) as they are great for picking up breakfast items and snacks for the day. Also they do excellent sushi etc. Wear really comfortable shoes as there is a LOT of walking... 7-12 miles a day. Some of the temples have a lot of steps. Don't be afraid of the Tokyo underground... it's busy and looks confusing but it's easy to use once you get the hang of it... and ask for help. The people are really friendly and will go out of their way to assist you. Make sure you have handy pockets for the train/bus passes. You'll need them all the time. Be prepared to sit on the floor when up in the mountains. Also, maybe pack wetwipes for the Ryokan unless you enjoy communal showering! Suggestions I felt the trip was a little over priced. The first Ryokan we stayed in was VERY basic. Zero privacy to wash and one toilet per floor.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 05/14/2019

Eric Watts   -  Traveled, April 2019

A hectic agenda with some nice moments The first problem was sleep deprivation, 18 hours in the air with a gap at Dubai and the time difference of eight hours means you need time to recover. We did not have adequate time the departure was 8am the next morning which meant getting up at 6.30 to get organised and have breakfast. A better option would have been to fly the day before and spend the first night in a hotel in Osaka. The sleep deprivation has knock-on effects such as the difficulty in arranging the lights and blind switches in the Kyoto hotel. They were simple to use once you got used to them but caught me out as I was unfamiliar -there was an opaque blind behind the translucent blind and it was not possible to tell this until the daylight woke me up at 5 AM. It would have been useful to have the hotel staff demonstrate how to use all the controls as it meant I had a second night of poor sleeping. There were too many sites to see in Kyoto and Tokyo meaning very early starts and late finishes with inadequate time to recover before going for meal and then having little time to digest before going to bed which also impairs sleep.. Most days we stopped for lunch and apart from the sushi lunch meals were mediocre and usually in soulless shopping malls. A long break for lunch is unnecessary and simply prolongs the day. Taking a snack and a brief lunch break would mean an earlier finish and some time to relax in the evening. The traditional meals were good but too often we went out in the evening to very crowded and uncomfortable restaurants on occasion sitting on stools at the counter which is a very poor substitute for a comfortable meal to celebrate the end of a busy day. On one occasion in Kyoto and two in Tokyo it was hard to find a comfortable restaurant other than going for a pizza which is not what we intended in visiting Japan. Although the express trains were good local trains are often too crowded for comfort and judicious use of a minibus would have been very helpful: for example New Year’s Day there was hardly any traffic on the road but we were in dreadfully crowded trains and given the option I would far sooner stay in a coach than trudge along a dreary the street market in the rain. There are too many boring markets and too many visits to shopping dreary shopping centres. It was a major mistake to try and see all sides Tokyo in one day. If the morning consisted of the shrine, sky Tower and the Imperial Palace that would have been sufficient and then we could choose extras for ourselves such as the art museum. Visiting the shopping area to see the equivalent of Oxford Street and then to visit the street market which have nothing of interest, all in the pouring rain was a sad waste of the afternoon. Finally although your information included average rainfall figures it did not adequately explain that we could be out all day in prolonged rain so that on the last Wednesday everyone was soaked through. My waterproof clothes were too heavy to be worn in hot weather and I do not normally take an umbrella when going walking but it was the best way of dealing with warm rain and it would be helpful to make that point prominently in your info. Japanese art and culture is interesting and I really enjoyed what we saw but unfortunately there was far too little and too much time spent travelling. Most Inspirational Moment There was no single inspirational moment. Many of the shrines were impressive, Mount Fuji is spectacular and the cruise on the nearby Lake was delightful. The Zen gardens were impressive. The Hiroshima visit was very educational and presented some unpleasant truths in a very powerful way. Thoughts on Group Leader He worked very hard, was very energetic and very helpful. He had the unenviable task of trying to keep everybody happy all the time and he tried to his utmost to do this, this meant that most of us joined in with trying to see everything, which in retrospect, was not the best idea. It would have been more helpful to have a range of options so that there were alternatives e.g. for those with the limited interest in shops and markets. I enjoyed the visits to the snow monkeys and would have preferred to have spent more time walking in the surrounding countryside Advice for Potential Travellers Do your homework thoroughly so that you know what you want to see and what you don't want to. Prepare for the rain, an umbrella is more useful than an anorak because of the usually warm whether. Don't be swept along to see sites that don't interest you, street markets may be interesting for some but in Tokyo the goods on sale were incredibly tacky the market so severely congested that it's hard to move and the novelty value soon wears off Suggestions Given that Japan is a mountainous area would have much preferred more opportunities to walk in the countryside. The visit to the beach resort of Tokyo, in the rain was a dreadful waste of time so travellers should prepare options as alternatives to pointless activities. The travel notes gave too rosy a picture of Japanese public transport, although the express trains are good local and suburban trains that we used were often packed and we had to stand for long periods. It would have been better to have seen fewer sites but have been able to spend more time there to enjoy them

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 05/16/2019

Fiona Hodge   -  Traveled, April 2019

Japan. Ancient and Modern A superb trip, exploring a wide variety of destinations and experiences. Very stimulating. Wonderful to travel on public transport. I never expected to see and do so much. I loved the traditional wooden buildings / hotels we stayed in in the mountain areas. All the accommodation was excellent. Most Inspirational Moment The beautiful blossom , temples and the gardens. Mount Fuji. Japanese hotels and hospitality. The pace and excitement of the trip. The variety of experience Thoughts on Group Leader Decky is a beautiful and wonderful man. He was so kind, professional and good humoured. Knowledgable and entertaining. Outstanding group leader. Nearly broke down in tears to say goodbye. He was very supportive to members of the group with mobility problems. Gave everyone full and equal attention. Totally trustworthy and reliable. You had better keep him. Advice for Potential Travellers Only go on this trip if you have sufficient energy to walk long distances , maybe up to 9 miles. Try and go in April when the blossom is out. It is breathtaking. Suggestions Great trip for energetic enthusiastic and curious travellers

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 05/24/2019

Neil & Carole Bowman-Mahoney   -  Traveled, April 2011

Konichiwa and arigato! This trip exceeded expectations in many ways – incredibly well-organised with a good balance between group activities and private exploration. The breadth of Japanese culture, both ancient and modern, was well covered, the accommodations were excellent, the food was extraordinary and the transport system very impressive. And the Japanese we met were always polite, respectful, friendly and calm. We came home with the feeling that the UK has a lot to learn! Most Inspirational Moment Too many to choose - seeing Mt Fuji floating on a bed of cloud, Matsumoto Castle floodlit, a Kabuki performance, exquisitely presented and tasty food in the ryokans, onsen, standing on a station as a shinkansen raced through at 160+mph, the tragedy of Hiroshima, the architecture of the Shinto shrines, temples and gardens, and more. Phew! Thoughts on Group Leader Mayuko Terao was superb, and couldn't do enough for us. Her ability to keep 17 disparate adults in order while negotiating the often crowded and complex transport system was remarkable. Her knowledge, communication skills and sense of fun were second to none. She gave up much of her own free time to ensure that we got the most out of our visit. Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared for a lot of walking, often in crowded tourist sites and on the transport system. There are many convenience stores near the hotels to buy food if you don't want to pay for the expensive hotel buffet breakfasts (ryokans excluded). Our camera broke down towards the end of the trip, and it was SO liberating! So, don't view everything you see through a camera lens all the time. Japan is so visually engaging. Suggestions Thanks to everyone who made it such a memorable experience.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/30/2019

Angela Whitbread   -  Traveled, March 2023

Dream Come True!!! An amazing trip to japan to see its wonder and it didn’t disappoint. we were blessed with incredible weather which led to the blessing of seeing Mount Fuji fully during the day and at sunset which is mesmerising. the snow monkeys also came out to entertain us in such a beautiful location. we also had sakura viewings almost every day in abundance in the warm sunshine. spotting geisha wandering along and talking to each other as they were on the way to bookings was a lifelong tick of my list!! seeing a dance show complete with a comedy section which was totally relatable even if we couldn’t understand Japanese eating the most amazing food lots I have never had before and seeing how the real people of japan eat out and drink sake. Most Inspirational Moment seeing geisha, Mount Fuji, the snow monkeys, the amazing food, the onsens, sakura galore and celebrating my birthday not once but twice thanks to the fabulous guides Atsushi and Naoko who arranged for a birthday cake with candles which was a huge surprise, staying in traditional ryokan's was fun and the food in them was amazing. I couldn't have wished for a better trip just wanted to stay longer Thoughts on Group Leader Our guides Atsushi and Naoko are amazing, they couldn't do enough for everyone and were always answering any question's we had about customs and shrines/temples, suggesting places to eat and often coming with us and introducing us to some amazing food we hadn't even heard of before. sending us group WhatsApp messages and location sharing was a necessity and we had lots of links for shopping and places of interest which was invaluable. seeing them both have interactions with all group members and being very caring towards an older lady who was in need of some extra assistance was lovely. they are a good team together and new family members of mine now; we were blessed to have them. a huge thank you to them both for sharing their beautiful country with us all. Advice for Potential Travellers don't just go for the sakura go for everything japan has to offer and try the onsens they are amazing!! The transport is so efficient and clean, the staff on the trains always look impeccably smart, its a great insight into how the Japanese people get around. There will be standing but that's expected in such a busy country it super easy to get around on your own too. I will be going back for sure as I'm now in love with japan and all it has to offer Suggestions just book it you wont regret it!!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/15/2023

David Griffiths   -  Traveled, October 2019

Don't go for the Snow Monkeys! There are two reasons to go on this trip: in Spring for the Cherry Blossom, or later in the year to see the Snow Monkeys. We did the latter, and in fact the last departure of the year, the next being in April. We did not see any monkeys, and the people we spoke to, including the staff at the monkey centre, said that it was too early to see them. They come to a hot spring when it’s really cold. When we were there, it was not cold (avg 17 deg in the day), and in any case, the hot spring had suffered damage from Typhoon Hagibis and was not filling up. We spent a morning hiking to what was essentially a muddy pool for no reason. This was a real waste of time. Apart from this, the trip was enjoyable, but there are a number of free days which really should be filled up with – for example every person on our trip wanted to see Mount Fuji but we had to do that ourselves on a free day – I feel that this should have been part of the itinerary; the tour finishes in Tokyo with a free day on the Friday, and then another free day on the Saturday before being collected for the airport at 6.30pm. There’s lots to do in Tokyo, but we lost our guide before the tour finished. I don’t want to be only negative – we really enjoyed the vast majority of this tour, but it could have been so much better. Most Inspirational Moment Hiroshima - but we didn't have enough time there. Thoughts on Group Leader Hard working and well organised but didn't go above and beyond. He was great in explaining all the customs and etiquette. Advice for Potential Travellers Take plenty of cash - UK debit cards don't work in most machines and credit cards are not as widely accepted as in the UK.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/18/2019

Liz Hartley   -  Traveled, March 2019

Fascinating experience! You really couldn’t pack any more into 2 weeks! We walked round cities (lot of walking), visited temples, shrines, markets, gardens and castles and saw beautiful scenery from the trains. Our guide was very helpful and knowledgeable and always available for advice on what to do, where to go and where to eat in our free time. Most Inspirational Moment The cherry blossom, scenery and the beautiful gardens. The unique Japanese experiences - onsen hot baths, tea ceremony and kubuki theatre - were unforgettable. Thoughts on Group Leader Ayaka was so helpful and informative and didn’t lose anyone in the Tokyo subway! Advice for Potential Travellers You need to be pretty fit as on some days there was a lot of walking with only a break for lunch although we were given free time to look round places on our own. You don’t need to take shampoo, conditioner or shower gel as all the accommodation provided it. The hotels in Kyoto and Tokyo had washing machines and dryers. Be prepared for all types of weather - an umbrella can come in handy. Take binoculars if you are going to the kabuki theatre or are interested in birds.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/14/2019

Sarah Kerhoat   -  Traveled, April 2019

Fabulous, well paced trip to see the best of ancient and modern Japan This was a bucket list trip for me and I was really pleased with the pace and the amount we covered in two weeks. The travel dates that I chose were specifically to see the blossoms and although they were late this year, we were lucky to see them and experience their serenity in Tokyo. The trip has lots of other amazing things in it too. Most Inspirational Moment There were loads of great moments on this trip! Seeing the blossoms in Tokyo illuminated at night as well as in the day, seeing the Snow Monkeys eat and play, experiencing a traditional ryokan and an onsen (having plucked up the courage), getting up at 4am to Fushimi Inari Shrine and its thousands of vermillion tori gates (I can't recommend enough getting up early to see it, you avoid the crowds and experience an amazing peaceful atmosphere (if you do go, watch out for the kind elderly couple who feed the cats)), having some delicious wagyu beef yakatori in Takayama. Thoughts on Group Leader Shin was really good at getting us where we needed to be when we needed to be there which is essential when using public transport in Japan as everything is so orderly! He was also extremely helpful when we were trying to find things or place to see and spending extra time with us when he could. Advice for Potential Travellers Take a deep breath and try the onsen. Once you get your head around it, it is a lovely experience, albeit very hot. In the hotels we stayed in, there were laundry facilities so it is relatively easy to wash and dry clothes. Try an okonomiyaki japanese egg pancake. You cook them yourself at hot plates at the table in a restaurant or sometimes you can get them at a food market. If you want to try some of the food at the markets, confirm with your guide what time of day you will be there and eat less the mealtime before so you have room to try the food. Suggestions I'm so pleased I have visited this amazing country and would love to go back and see more of it, especially the northern region and the south island. This trip is fantastic at giving you an really good experience of Japan. If you are hesitating, just do it!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/26/2019

Vivien and Paul Newrick   -  Traveled, April 2019

Fast paced and exhausting tour of Japan - certainly not a leisurely holiday! It was great touring using public transport including bullet trains but it meant deadlines to catch trains. Because of this we sometimes felt rushed with not enough time to fully enjoy the sights we were visiting. But we certainly saw a slice of Japanese life. Most Inspirational Moment We loved the trees - the cherry blossom and perfectly sculptured conifers. We loved the bamboo forest and gardens nearby. We loved the traditional architecture of sliding panels and tatami mats. We loved the politeness and cleanliness of Japan with train guards bowing as they entered and left carriages. We loved the gardens sitting in nests of skyscrapers in Tokyo. We will miss the quirky Japanese toilets and the onsens. Thoughts on Group Leader We liked Shin - he organised tickets and reservations perfectly and with assiduous counting managed to keep the group together at very crowded stations during complex journeys. Advice for Potential Travellers Prepare for crowds everywhere and standing in trains and buses. Prepare to walk fast. Do your research before the trip to help use your free time. There are great food outlets at the stations where you can grab a picnic. Suggestions The Edo Museum in Tokyo was first class.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/29/2019