The back roads were so beautiful, hard yakka but that's what we wanted! Our guide, Rob, was fantastic. He had only short notice offor the job but he made our trip so enjoyable. Thank you so much Rob. Japan itself was a joy to see & the transport so dependable. So, our thanks to W E & Bec for all the great arrangements
10 days of bliss exploring Japan 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
Have been on many guided tours in the world. This tour tops them all. A couple from Canada made our group feel uncomfortable by being demanding and rude sometimes. Min did a great PR job Sculpture Park was amazing, especially the Picasso Museum. Seeing cherry blossom for the first time with Mountains of snow in background was a plus. Trying and tasting the local food was a gastronomical experience. With a small group I and the others received personalized attention. I have a problem with heights and stairs. I was lucky to have Mins arm to guide me so I didnot feel apprehensive or falter. Where would you like to visit next?: Not sure, but I don't like cruising. Only land travel. Congrats to your travel firm for such a wonderful experience to Japan. Special thanks to Min who did a great job and is a credit to your firm Jillian Fester
