Japan Tours in Fall

The whole tour was fabulous but made so by the quality of our tour leader Sam. He is so knowledgeable and conveyed the cultural and historic things so comprehensively. He was also kind and engaging. Japan was magnificent and I feel I’ve only brushed the surface.

The itinerary was thoughtfully designed, allowing us to explore a wide range of fascinating destinations throughout the trip. Activity level was 1, not 3 as advertised. The hotels were comfortable, with two exceptions: Hotel SUI Kyoto Kiyomizu in Kyoto - Situated on a busy main road, the hotel suffered from significant noise even during nighttime hours due to poor sound insulation. Breakfast was consistently overcrowded. Route Inn Kawaguchiko - The room was small and dimly lit, with a window facing a concrete wall just two metres away. The décor was dated; it felt like the last renovation was done in the 1980s, and the breakfast offering was disappointing in both quality and variety. In contrast, Hotel Monterey Akasaka in Tokyo stood out as the best accommodation - stylish, comfortable, and well located. Dining independently was a highlight of the trip. We enjoyed excellent meals at various local restaurants, often at very reasonable prices. However, the two complimentary dinners provided in Takayama were surprisingly poor in quality. In hindsight, it would have been preferable to explore dining options on our own that evening as well. Public transportation was generally a positive experience and added to the trip's authenticity. That said, the day spent navigating Kyoto’s local buses and trains resulted in more time waiting than sightseeing. Additionally, the transfer from Kawaguchiko to Tokyo consumed most of the day. A chartered bus would have significantly reduced travel time to under two hours, and allowed for a more relaxed and efficient transition.

I saw most of Japanese icons and great sights , the itinerary was well organized and lots to do, see and experience , recommend this one. went as solo traveller

The overall tour was very enjoyable and memorable. The tour guide we had (Tomoe Namihisa) was wonderful. Very informative, knowledgeable, courteous, and very well organized. She made the tour so enjoyable. Also the bus driver Hide was also very courteous and drove us safely to each destination. His driving skills was impeccable. Overall, we all enjoyed this tour and would definitely refer our friends and family to take this tour. We liked it so much we are planning on a return trip to Japan.

Raya was an exceptional leader. Charming and vivacious and extremely knowledgeable. She was caring of the needs of all the group members. She successfully guided us onto trains in hectic stations and was so enthusiastic about the culture and food of Japan. She also had two trainee Leaders - Marika and Parisa. They were both a real asset to the group and we loved all three of them.

This was a fantastic introduction to the many different parts of Japan. Our guide Raya was so good at making sure we navigated the busy schedule, and public transport ,as well as sharing her knowledge to ensure a wonderful experience on our first time in Japan.