Temples, Trains and T'cherry Blossom
5 - Excellent
“An absolutely brilliant introduction to Japan: Plenty of time to see Kyoto and Tokyo as well as sampling the delights of the Japanese alps in Spring. And, of course, the cherry blossom. We went in April and hit it just right. We experienced ancient Japanese culture with an array of stunning temples and modern Japan where the simple phrase "Shopping" cannot do justice to the experience that is the Ginza (and other parts of Tokyo) on a Saturday. Nearly all the travelling on this trip is by train - which I thought was fantastic. Bullet trains and little narrow gauge jobs up in the mountains - and ALL of them we spot on time. Staying in Royokans was interesting - if a little challenging to my aging joints - and pretty basic but it's worth the effort for the experience and the hot tubs.”
The best Japanese adventure we could have hoped for
5 - Excellent
“We booked this trip to celebrate a birthday and we were not disappointed! The trip was well organised, the activities were great fun, and everywhere we stayed was comfortable and welcoming. Sammi was an excellent guide!”
10 days of bliss exploring Japan
5 - Excellent
“This was our first group tour - a lovely bunch of people. Hayley, our tour guide, has been a gem! She is very knowledgeable about Japan and kept us entertained. She made sure we had enough suggestions of activities to enjoy in our spare time. She was quick on her feet when we encountered issues far beyond anyone's control on the bullet train and kept her cool when plans needed to change. Hayley is very respectful of the Japanese culture and manners Things to bear in mind when considering this tour: Definitely forward your luggage from Tokyo to Kyoto - but that means bring a small carry on so you can have 3 days worth of clothing to take to Hakone and Takayama. For traveling after that - a backpack is the way to go. Leave enough space in your luggage for all the gifts you will be buying. Rooms are often shared - with the majority of bathrooms being shared. If a couple - bear in mind that the pods are separated by gendered dorms. Make sure you have comfortable walking shoes - there is a lot of walking and climbing stairs Some of the experiences that have made an impact on me during this trip have included staying in a temple and having a meditation session with a monk while it was snowing outside. A Kendo class with a 4th generation Sumarai descendant. Learning how to make our own sushi and embracing the Japanese way of life”
