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 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
Fascinating trip. Lots to see & enjoy. Lots of travelling on the excellent Japenese trains. A great way to get a taste of the country & open the wish to see ...
Very good trip. Zee, our tour leader, was outstanding. Her knowledge of Japanese history and culture enriched our experience, and she was very responsive and sensitive to individual needs and preferences.
Simply Japan was a very good trip. Zee, our tour leader, was outstanding. Her knowledge of Japanese history and culture enriched our experience, and she was very re...
Justin Delany at Travelstride provided outstanding service in helping us navigate our way through the process of registering for our trip; providing Explore! with all the necessary information; and informing us what we needed to do to prepare for the trip
Justin Delany at Travelstride provided outstanding service in helping us navigate our way through the process of registering for our trip; providing Explore! with al...
Japan Reviews
N
Nick
Sep 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
Great from start to finish and the Explore Leader took the gr...
T
Tom
Aug 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
Fantastic holiday in Japan. Our excellent guide Tom was fantastic with a great sense of humour and energy. The accommodation options were brilliant including some ex...
T
Trusted Customer
Aug 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
A really good trip, with a couple of minor problems that I hope Explore will take on bord. The itinerary was well thought out but it didn't feel like we had enoug...
T
Trusted Customer
Aug 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
Most of the hotels were good but the one in Hiroshima was not, unfortunately. 1st, we were given a room in which a smoker had obviously been. The receptionist change...
Top Japan Tours
Japan Reviews
M
Mary
Jul 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
This was a great trip. We walked an average of 7 miles a day, and our maximum distance in one day was 10 miles. The itinerary was accurate and covered exactly what w...
T
Trusted Customer
Jul 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
We had a great time with the Explore Simply Japan trip. We lucked out with a very small group size of 5, which made all of the logistics a lot more manageable. Our g...
A
Anita
Jul 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
A trip of a lifetime!, made all the more brilliant by our excellent tour leader. A great chance to see the key sights and have unique experiences that allow you to u...
T
Trusted Customer
Jul 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
We enjoyed the tour, however, the 2nd day, which was a free day - the guide elected to take us to the Cat Shrine - in the pouring rain. I did not know exactly what t...
A
Alex
Jul 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
A very good introduction to Japan. The pace was fast with lots of walking, albeit mostly on the flat but we covered so much of the country as a result. Irene, our ...
Japan Reviews
T
Trusted Customer
Jul 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
Would not travel with this firm
T
Trusted Customer
Jun 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
The itinerary was generally good, however we were only told at the welcome meeting that the trip to Mount Fuji on the free day two days later was cancelled as the tr...
T
Trusted Customer
Jun 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
A wonderful introduction to this fascinating country and culture. Fast paced tour requiring a reasonable level of fitness. Japanese hotel rooms are all relatively sm...
S
Susan Y
Jun 2024
Written on
Simply Japan
Japan was a stunning country to visit and Explore took us to places which we not have found as independent travellers. Our leader was excellent and went the extra m...
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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