I had the pleasure of having Meg as our tour guide during our trip to Japan, and she truly made the experience unforgettable. Megs knowledge of Japans history, culture, and hidden gems was remarkable. She brought each location to life with engaging stories and insights that you wouldnt find in any guidebook. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and she went out of her way to ensure everyone in the group was comfortable and had a great time. Whether it was helping us navigate the busy streets of Tokyo or guiding us through the temples of Kyoto, Meg was always attentive and patient. If youre looking for a tour guide in Japan who is knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate, I highly recommend Meg.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Home-stay, Hostel
Age Range
18-55 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kyoto, Tokyo, Nagano, Hakone, Os
Kyoto, Tokyo, Nagano, Hakone, Osaka, Kōyasan
19% OFF TODAY
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Simply Japan was our first ever tour and we can’t wait to do another. Since returning our friends and family asked us for our favourite thing was, but we are unable to name just one. Japan has always been on our list of places to visit, and having been there for work previously, we wanted to see and experience as much as possible, and this tour did just that.
David Lam was a fantastic guide, who not only taught us about the places we visited, but also just how to get around Japan by train and bus, exchange coins at a 7-eleven, foods to try and places to shop (and more!). The WhatsApp group was a great source of information, and an easy way to share photos between the group.
The tour pacing was just right for us, with enough free time to explore some parts on our own, although we mostly took David’s excellent suggestions and were not disappointed. When most of the group agreed to one of David’s suggestions, David would often help organise and/or ****** us to those destinations to ensure we maximised our time and enjoyment. This included the traditional tea ceremony and many of the dinner locations.
One of our highlights was the Mt Fuji tour with JTB Sunrise tours. This is recommended but not included in the Explore tour and can be very hit and miss depending on the time of year and weather. But in November your chances improve, and we even saw the first snow of the season. This tour included a ferry on a lake and cable car for more views of Mt Fuji and surrounds. Take the train option for the return, it only took half-an-hour, while the bus was likely to hit traffic and take at least 2 hours. You may need to book the tour before arriving in Japan.
The food highlight of the tour was the Hiroshima Okonomiyaki savoury pancakes. These were so good we went back again the following night to have more. Notable other meals included the first night in Tokyo with group, the gluten-free Tempura Asakusa Sakura in Tokyo, and Ramen Street at Tokyo station, although ordering the Ramen on the machines at the restaurants proved to be a challenge the first time.
Hiroshima was a highlight for us, and we want to come back to Miyajima, even stay a night, to explore the island more thoroughly. This was the only location on the tour where we felt rushed.
We averaged about 15,000 steps a day, peaking at 20,000 with some of the optional destinations. We knew the hotel rooms would be small, and they really were in Tokyo at Hotel Sunroute Asakusa, but all the other hotels and rooms were comfortable. Hotel breakfasts were more of a challenge, and we appreciated a more western breakfast by time we arrived in Hiroshima.
The weather was kind to us, with just a bit of rain in Tokyo and Kanazawa. It was about 15 degrees each day, so a jacket was needed most days, and something warmer for the early starts. Our flights were from Narita, so we organized our own train tickets from the airport, including from Osaka back to Tokyo at the end of the tour. There is lots of free wifi available, but we found having Ubigi e-sims on our phones handy when navigating around in each city, just turn off those apps that consume lots of data first. You will need to have some cash handy; David will give you advance warning when it is required, and the 7-eleven ATMs were good for withdrawing more cash. That said, we were able to purchase most things using a Wise debit card to minimise the currency fees.
We also wanted to thank David, Rachael and Explore for their assistance when one of us become ill, making it easier for us to stay an extra night in Kanazawa and catch up to the group on the train to Hiroshima. Did I mention the trains? A great way to see the countryside and wind down between cities.
Train tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Guest House, Hotel, Villa
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tokyo, Osaka, Miyajima, Kyoto, M
Tokyo, Osaka, Miyajima, Kyoto, Matsumoto, Jigokudani, Kanazawa, Hiroshima
24% OFF TODAY
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We enjoyed every minute of it. It combined a wealth of opportunites to get closer to an understanding of the Japanese view of life with many of the 'must see' sites. Add to that the exposure to a fantastic cuisine and a great bunch of fellow travelers, and what more could you ask for?
Food tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Villa
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kyoto, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Takayam
Kyoto, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Takayama, Matsumoto, Yudanaka
5% OFF TODAY
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I took this tour with my 26-year-old daughter as a belated graduation gift and it turned out to be one of the best things we've done together. We both love Asian food, history, and culture, but neither of us wanted to deal with figuring out trains or language barriers. This tour was the perfect solution.
Seoul was great. The subway system is clean and easy, and we loved how our guide gave us the confidence to use it ourselves. Seeing Deoksugung Palace and the tsunami-shaped City Hall was such a unique contrast. My daughter is into history, so the War Memorial really moved her. I was more fascinated by the traditional hanok homes in Jeonju.
Busan was cool and coastal. That view of the ocean behind the shrine was unforgettable. The ferry to Japan was surprisingly relaxing. We played cards, had snacks, and watched the sea.
Japan felt more spiritual to me. Miyajima and the Itsukushima Shrine were beautiful, and Hiroshima gave us a lot to think about. The hot springs at Dogo Onsen were so soothing after long days of walking. And I have to say that the bullet train ride to Tokyo? My daughter was giddy like a kid in Disneyland!
We both agreed that the night at Mount Koya’s monastery was something we’ll remember forever. Quiet, peaceful, and a total change of pace.
If you're thinking about bonding time with a loved one, this tour gives you experiences you’ll talk about for years.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Seoul, Tokyo, Mount Koya, Kyoto
Seoul, Tokyo, Mount Koya, Kyoto, Jeonju, Busan, Hiroshima, Matsuyama, Kobe
5% OFF TODAY
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Great experience! We saw wonderful parts of Japan, including Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, and Hiroshima. The hotels were wonderful! Our travel director was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. My advice to Trafalgar is to reduce the number of visits to temples and shrines. Maybe allow more free time. Also, there were too many set Japanese meals with no options.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Villa, Resort
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima, Lake Ya
Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima, Lake Yamanakako, Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Kotohira
6% OFF TODAY
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I think it was a lot of fun exploring different cities with a bunch of other travelers who were open to new ideas/experiences. Amie did a great job guiding us through this fast paced tour of Japan.
Museum and gallery visits
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hostel
Age Range
18-39 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima
Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima
19% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Very informative and fast paced. I believe following the tour we had a much better understanding of the Japanese including some of their customs and their way of life. Having an excellent tour guide like we had made the entire tour worthwhile.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima
Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Himeji
16% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
