4.5/5 Excellent
Excellent
207
Great
83
Average
9
Disappointing
3
Terrible
5
Japan Tour & Trip Reviews
Japan Tour & Trip Ratings
Tour Reviews
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T
Trusted Customer
Sep 2023
Written on
A Taste of Japan - Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka
Osaka in general and Umeda Sky building in particular
C
Charles
Sep 2023
Written on
A Taste of Japan - Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka
It was professionally arranged, organised and ran as per ...
D
Dharshi
Jun 2023
Written on
A Taste of Japan - Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka
Several highlights: 1 Scenic train to Takayama and the ryokan stay where the group really bonded. 2. Our tour leader Pedro - worked very hard to help us from the sta...
C
Chris
Jun 2023
Written on
A Taste of Japan - Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka
Excellent trip. Our guide Pedro was perfect. He was conscientious , planned well and had good people skills and a sense of humour. He spoke english as a native ...
T
Trusted Customer
May 2023
Written on
A Taste of Japan - Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka
I WAS SATISFIED WITH THE SALES ASSISTANCE I BOOKED MY EXPLORE HOLIDAY WITH
Japan Reviews
A first class company
Found company on the internet and we were a bit nervous. Alick Peng put a 12 day tour together for us, our dates didn't fit in with a full guided tour, and it was ma...
S
Stephen
Mar 2025
Written on
Simply Japan
Accommodation: was 3 to 4 star as outlined in the tour summary, very clean and comfortable. All of them provided Japanese sleepwear, which was a surprise. Sleeping...
D
David
Jan 2025
Written on
Simply Japan
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 ...
E
Edward
Dec 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
A wonderful and thorough visit of Japan! We had an outstanding tour guide Irene who went the extra mile to help us and make the most of our trip. We saw many interes...
Top Japan Tours
Japan Reviews
J
Joanne
Dec 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
This was a well-paced trip with an excellent itinerary and more free time than I've been used to on previous tours, allowing us to seek out the areas which appealed ...
R
Rose
Dec 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
Outstanding and very varied tour. Too many highlights to mention but we were particularly lucky to be there for the peak of the autumn colour in the amazing Japanese...
L
Liz
Dec 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
This was one of the best trips I have been on! Varied itinerary that included all the main sites but also included places off the beaten trail. Very smooth travel be...
T
Trusted Customer
Dec 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
Great trip. Lots of variety - cities and country. Lots of walking around the sights. Hotels close to the stations and only had to carry small bag anyway as main lu...
B
Beverley
Dec 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
This was my first holiday with Explore and it certainly wont be my last ! The tour guide Karique was simply brilliant, so charismatic, caring, thoughtful and organis...
Japan Reviews
G
Gillian
Dec 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
The group, guide and itinerary were excellent. It was a great holiday and a wonderful experience.
M
Mike
Dec 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
Simply Japan gave us just what we wanted - experience of Japanese culture, history and the natural environment. Yes, you are on your feet for most of the day, but i...
J
James
Dec 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
loved the trip, the group, the experience. Trip was full on but this enabled all aspects of Japanese culture, history and food to be taken in. The guide Giulia was e...
C
Clare
Dec 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
This was a fantastic trip - it covered a lot in a short period, and for someone who has wanted to visit Japan for years it definitely ticked all the boxes! Our trip...
Editor’s Take
What to Look For in Japan Reviews
Most trip reviews tend to focus on some or all of these 5 key areas, not all of which may be relevant to you: the tour guide, travel company, service level, country or countries traveled in, and the trip itinerary. Remember, just because you see a 1 star review doesn’t necessarily mean that person disliked the country.
Traveling in Japan can take a bit of adjusting, particularly for western travelers. The cultural nuances take some getting used to, and the language is difficult (not many Japanese people speak english).
Having a local guide in Japan is an extremely helpful way to get to know the culture and history, but it is also invaluable to have someone to ask about what food to order, and how to navigate the transportation. Without this, Japan may end up being a unique adventure but a stressful one.
Japanese food is a divisive topic; people either love it or hate it, or they love ramen and sushi and not much else. The flavors in traditional Japanese cuisine are quite unique - if your palate is not used to them you may feel a bit stuck as a traveler. Having an adventurous and respectful approach to food is key when traveling in Japan.
When you visit Japan, your tour itinerary will almost always include visits to a lot of temples and shrines of great importance to eastern religious history and Buddhism. In Japan, religion is a natural and common topic of conversation.
Some negative reviews for tours in Japan express frustration at the sheer number of Buddhist sites included on the itinerary. While you may experience some temple fatigue it's important to remember that they are an enormous part of Japanese culture and history. Having an open mind as you visit various temples will definitely help you enjoy the experience.
Accommodations in Japan can be very different that what western travelers are used - and most tours in Japan include stays at traditional inns, onsens, and homestays. If you are expecting westernized hotels, these kinds of accommodations may come as a shock. Especially considering the many cultural nuances and expectations when it comes to lifestyle in Japan. You are expected to remove your shoes at all times, and rooms are simple and minimalistic, beds are often comfortable mattresses on the floor.
If you want a professional take on traveling in Japan, see the Travelstride Japan Guide »
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