7 independent reviews for Japan vacation, ancient and modern
Reviews for Japan vacation, ancient and modern
Chandra Kant Sharma review 3 May 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Matsumoto Castle and the walk on the Nakasendo Trail2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
No need to carry night clothes and slippers! All hotels provide a kimono (or equivalent) and slippers.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Can't say.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A good break as well as an appreciation of what Japan has to offer.Maura Giedre Vebeliunas review 11 Apr 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Being there! I enjoyed everything - lots of walking, shrines, temples, history, culture, and also the day-to-day things like learning about the different regions of Japan and how to enjoy the onsen. The food was great, the rest of the tour group was good, and I felt like we did a lot every day without feeling crazy rushed or unable to enjoy the places we went. And it was cherry blossom season - over a third of all my photos are just of flowers! (and another third is food!)2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Good walking shoes and a good coin purse! I ended up not wearing 2 of the sets of shoes I brought, since we were hardly ever at the hotel. I'd also recommend bringing a small handkerchief that you can tuck into your purse or daybag, since several bathrooms had no hand dryers. Light layers - the temperature in the morning was cool, but it warmed up quickly during the day. Also, if you are picky about pillows, I'd recommend you come prepared with something soft, as the Japanese pillows were harder than expected (I took a melatonin each night and was fine).3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes! We used a lot of public transportation, and our guide was helpful in explaining how we can minimize our impact - not just environmentally but also how to be respectful tourists in a 'unwritten rules' culture like Japan.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent! I would very happily do it again!Wendy Kreppel review 10 Apr 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The whole vacation was great and our guide, Mayuko, was fantastic. From the cherry blossoms in Tokyo to the the snow monkeys in the snow to the wonderful gardens and temples of Kyoto - it was all so interesting and varied. We enjoyed traveling by all forms of public transport and experiencing different kinds of food, also staying in ryokans. We felt we learnt a lot about Japanese life and culture.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
We walked many miles which was really good over the two weeks. I would recommend a certain level of fitness. Also, don't take too much luggage as Japanese hotel bedrooms are small and do not have much storage space.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Our guide took us to local markets, eating locally in all kinds of restaurants and cafes so that we could experience the Japanese way of life. We always used public transport and stayed in two different ryokans run by local families. We learnt to always take any rubbish or plastic home with us as the Japanese do.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Absolutely amazing - one of the best vacations we have ever had. Having such a good guide made all the difference as she was so knowledgeable about her country and also was always on hand to give us advice or helpful tips. We also had free days to explore further and see things which we were particularly interested in.Henrietta Curzon review 2 Dec 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Day trip to Arashiyama, in Kyoto suburbs. Lovely combo of temples, gardens and shopping2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Always have a pair of socks to hand as you’ll be taking your shoes off a lot!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We stayed in some local accommodation when we went north4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Vacation was great. The staff in the UK were not so great.Rosie Morgan review 27 Oct 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Fabulous people - so welcoming and polite. Loved the Onsens - open air thermal baths where you bathe naked!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Just do it - Japan is a great place to visit3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Somewhat - it's a very forward society.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Apart from the weather - typhoon - top marks!Allan Wild review 30 Nov 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Difficult to pick one experience above all others but probably the visit to the Snow Monkeys was the most enjoyable.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Book your own flight. The group flight was with Emirates and was therefore via their hub in Dubai. This added thousands of miles to the journey compared with a direct flight over Russia; a 30-hour journey at the beginning and end of the vacation is not a good start/finish and can be reduced by at least 10 hours each way.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Certainly the tour supported conservation both directly, by payment to the organisation protecting the Snow Monkeys, and indirectly by using public transport wherever possible. Also we were guided to local suppliers for food and drink, thereby supporting the community and gaining the best of traditional recipes.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Brilliant; the tour leader, Ayaka, went to great lengths to provide a variety of opportunities from morning to night such that we could experience as much of traditional Japanese life as possible.Ruth Martin review 13 May 2014
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
All of it - we loved it2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
do some research about the places being visited on the tour beforehand3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes to both4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
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