Customer reviews
The most important thing we can do to improve our service is listen to what our customers have to say and now you can read their comments unedited on our web-site.
Upon returning from Japan all our clients are sent a review form and this is where you can see what they are saying about the InsideJapan Tours' service.
Search the reviews, check the image gallery and see for yourself how our clients rate the InsideJapan experience.
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12 month average ratings
12 month average ratings
Overall Satisfaction
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Answered YES to using InsideJapan again * 97% | |
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Tour Leaders
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Travel Consultants
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* % calculated from respondents who answered the question "Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?"
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| Latest Reviews - Read what our travellers say |
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| Vicky Wood - Independent Travel, Dec 2011 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
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1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
Everything worked exactly as it was supposed to -- hotels, trains, guides, everything.
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
He was always ready to respond promptly by email or telephone to answer our questions.
3.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
4.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
The hotel rooms were all well located, clean and adequate in size -- which is what we wanted.
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
Perfect. Setting up reserved seats for most of our train travel was a really good idea, considering the business of the holiday season.
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
They were all good, but we were especialy grateful for Nagi, our Tokyo tour guide, who stayed with us for an unexpected hospital visit, and to the A-bomb survivor in Hiroshima who shared his story of the events of August 1945.
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
The food was outstanding. We especially enjoyed the Japanese-style breakfasts that were included a well as the fabulous spread at the onsen.
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
I would love to visit Japan again, and if I did so, I would use Inside Japan Tours. However, there are many other parts of the world that remain on my list of places to visit!
Review submitted: 21st Jan 2012 at 17:21
InsideJapan Tours says:
Hello Vicky! Thanks so much for your comments about your Japan trip over Christmas and New Year. I am really happy that all went well, despite your unexpected trip to a Tokyo hospital! We do take pride in the guides we use and I am pleased that Nagi san was of so much help.
Vicky and her family spent 12 nights in Japan and visited Tokyo, Yudanaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima. Whilst in Hiroshima they had a tour of the Peace Park and Museum which was conducted by a survivor of the Atomic Bombing. They found this to be a very informative and moving experience, which they say will last with them forever.
Vicky and her family spent 12 nights in Japan and visited Tokyo, Yudanaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima. Whilst in Hiroshima they had a tour of the Peace Park and Museum which was conducted by a survivor of the Atomic Bombing. They found this to be a very informative and moving experience, which they say will last with them forever.
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| Sue Tomlinson - Independent Travel, Nov 2011 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
|
1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
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We'd been looking at holidays in Japan for a few months and had not found any tour operators who had specialist (or even rudimentary!) knowledge of Japan. Then we were recommended Inside Japan Tours and spent many hours browsing through the website, learning so much about Japan and the variety that the country has to offer. Our 'bucket list,' grew ridiculously long. From our first tentative phone call, we felt that the staff had the expertise we were looking for: they knew Japan and they knew the British tourist. We felt engaged and within a few days of the first phone call a suggested itinerary arrived in the post, encapsulating all the things we really wanted to see and guiding us away from some of our more unrealistic suggestions. The service we received up to and including the holiday was friendly, personal efficient, professional and of an extremely high standard.
The 2 information packs we received prior to departure were extremely detailed and useful. Because they were personalised, everything was relevant to us and by the end of the holiday both books were well thumbed! When we arrived at our first hotel there was a welcome letter from the Japan office, and 2 pairs of chopsticks in cases, which we loved.
Our experience of Japan exceeded all expectations and we are still talking about it. We wanted to experience something of the culture, the history, and the lives of everyday people, especially in the rural areas. We were not disappointed. We loved the cultural heritage sites, meeting and talking to people and sampling the food, as well as observing what was growing in the fields, how they were tended and the specialist and everyday produce in the markets. We found the people friendly, courteous and helpful, the public transport system 100% reliable and everywhere squeaky clean and wholesome (no chewing gum on the pavements, no litter anywhere!). We had quite a demanding itinerary on some days, using several kinds of transport, but quickly grew confident in finding our way around because of the information and timetable we had been given, not tying us down to exact times but giving us options.
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2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Ruth was very responsive and helpful, listening to all our dreams and requiremnts and guiding us to a realistic itinerary. All emails were answered immediately and we were always informed when she wasn't in the office. This was first class service in every way. As a vegetarian, I never dare hope for too much from the gastronomic side of a holiday. But in all the places where breakfast and evening meals were included, the staff had been well briefed by Ruth, they were matter of fact about my preferences and my food was always just as delicious and varied as my carnivorous husband's fare.
3.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
4.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
The Toyoko Inns in Kyoto and Nara were of a good standard and we particularly enjoyed the traditional Japanese buffet breakfasts. The Hotel Dormy Inn in Kurashiki was at a rather noisy road junction but in compensation the breakfast buffet was outstanding. Where the holiday came in to its own was in the traditional Japanese hotels and ryokans. This is where we experienced the real Japan - the tatami mats, the sliding doors with paper panels, the futons, the meals served in rooms or in a dining room for one. The meals were never less than 10 courses, served in beautiful dishes and were dazzling (if not sometimes a bit challenging!) in their variety. If we'd been in conventional hotels, eating our each night, we'd have missed a gastronomic treat. We loved the way that all of the places we stayed in procided a kimono and jacket, so that we could go to meals dressed for the part.
We were prepared not to expect too much from the monastic lodgings at Koyasan, but they were fantastic - the table in our room had heating underneath the thick folds of the cover, there was an electric fire, plenty of warm bedding and the food brought to our room (vegetarian was the order of the day, hurray!!), was just as impressive in its varitey and attention to detail as the higher range places.
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
The Japan Rail Pass and the Kansai Rail Pass more than paid for itself. Timetables and instructions were excellent, the standard of transport superb.
Please note that the last leg of the train journey to Kansai airport was on a train that had compulsory reserved seats, so all passengers had to pay an additional (unexpected) levy.
Also, the timetable given in our information for the shuttle bus from Oboke (Shikoku)to Kazurabashi was only valid at weekends, the weekday timetable is different (this was a Friday), which led to some delay and uncertainty.
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
We had a guide for one of our 4 days in Kyoto (Ayako Kiyono). She very quickly helped plan an itinerary which covered the 4 places we wanted to see. Her knowledge of the bus network enabled us to cover everything. On our own we would have struggled to criss cross the city and find places. Ayako was most helpful in finding us a good restaurant in the evening before she left us, including helping me to order a veggie meal, which would have been very difficult on my own. We had looked forward to spending the day with a Japanese guide but found her a bit impersonal, maybe inevitable when you go to the same places all the time!
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
We saw very few European tourists, and were surprised by the multitudes of Japanese tourists everywhere. Two of the sites were unexpected 'grockle spots.' One was Kazurabashi in Shikoku. We'd imagined the vine bridge to be small, accessed through dense foliage, a bit of a 'Livingstone I presume' adventure. Instead we found crossing the road hazardous because of the coaches rolling through, queues to cross the bridge, and the 'vine' bridge is of course made of steel rope covered with vines (health and safety) and there was an adjacent brige specially built for spectators. As soon as we saw the roadside fencing, which was made of brown concrete, to represent vines, we suspected that the Disney corporation had come to Japan. The next day we fled to the hills and found the rural retreat we'd expected.
The second tourist trap was Kurashiki. Our hotel was conveniently close to the old town and as we approached it we were aware of a babble of voices, which soon became the roar of the crowds! The place was cheek by jowel with Japanese tourists and we could hardly see the buildings, let alone soak in the atmosphere. We retreated up the hill to a shrine and enjoyed the views and the peace and quiet. Then when we came down, the coaches had departed and we could stroll through the charming and historic streets. You were right, the restaurants close really early, so we couldn't eat there, all a bit disappointing.
You advised renting a phone, but we're glad we didn't as my T-mobile phone had full signal all the time (more so than in UK!)and was invaluable, especially as I was making arrangements with Japanese friends. You also advised against bringing adaptors and electric appliances as the voltage is too low. We found no problems with phone and camera battery chargers. Good advice about not bringing hair dryers, they were always provided and were most effective.
Food - see all our comments above. Vegetarians would have a hard time if they only ate out at local restaurants. The displays and menus seldom proclaim vegetarian dishes and the staff were usually incredulous when we tried to explain. One evening we were too tired to keep looking and I had to make do with a bowl of lettuce leaves, their version of a salad! However, the trad inns and ryokans were amazing, because they'd been primed, so please advise veggie clients that this is the way to go.
A couple of stories:
1. Miyajima has a very special atmosphere. First impressions are of a very crowded waterfront, orderly groups of school children disembarking from the ferry, constant streams of people thronging up and down the shoreline. But they are mostly small groups and families, we didn't get the impression of organised tours. The place is magical, with the deer and the torii gate and the shrines, pagoda and temples. The visitors all seemed under their spell, there was a real atmosphere of joy and of people feeling thrilled to be there. In the alleys behind there were so many interesting fast food stalls and small shops that we could have stayed for hours. We lingered around the torii gate, could have touched it, as the tide was out, and later that night saw it standing proud in the sea, with a passenger boat sailing through it, framed forever in our photos by pine branches and lit stone lanterns.
The next day we explored the Daisho-in, where they were preparing for a fire-walking ceremony the next day. There was so much to see, much man-made and natural beauty, so old and yet with evidence of current faith and devotion. In one of the temples a priest began a service, punctuated with heavy rhythmic drumming. We walked the length of the complex and began the ascent of Mount Misen. We frequently looked back to the mist-shrouded temple and the tiny torii gate out at sea. Every now and then the sound of distant drums reached us, as devotions continued. The crowds were soon left behind and we wound up the hill through the woods, following the stream until we reached the observatory. As we relished our well-deserved ice-creams we had to shoo away 2 deer who had suddenly materialised.
2. Mount Koya will always have a special place in our hearts. We steeped ourselves in the stories of Koyasan's founder, Kobo Daishi and visited all the ancient temples, shrines and the vast cemetery associated with him. The highlight was our monastic lodgings. The resident Yorksire terrier gave us a rousing welcome and we were shown by a novice monk to our large, clean and simple room. The rest of Japan had been far warmer than we'd expected for November, but Koyasan was far colder. We were as warm as toast in our room, there was an electic fire and as we knelt at the low table for our welcoming drink of green tea, we could feel the warmth emanating from under the quilted table cover, it was in reality a large electric blanket for us to snuggle up to. We changed into our kimonos and enjoyed a hot bath. The monk brought our food to us, 3 stacked trays of veggie food each, as delicious and interesting as any we'd come to expect from traditional inns. Later, as we sat in the peaceful Japanese garden, a bell was clanged loudly, summoning the community to worship and we sat and marvelled at the deep rhythmic chanting that came from the nearby temple. The next morning we joined them for the 6am service. The temple consisted of candle-lit chambers with visitors facing them them on benches. One and half hours passed so quickly, with chanting, gongs, cymbals and fires dancing up to the roof. At the end the leader explained the service to the visitors, with a summary in English for our benefit. Then we were all invited into the parlour for green tea, coffee, cakes and chocolate. The next day we crept out at 6am to catch the bus, the first leg of our long journey back to the airport. The monks had just started the chanting. It felt like a final blessing on our fabulous holiday in Japan.
The second tourist trap was Kurashiki. Our hotel was conveniently close to the old town and as we approached it we were aware of a babble of voices, which soon became the roar of the crowds! The place was cheek by jowel with Japanese tourists and we could hardly see the buildings, let alone soak in the atmosphere. We retreated up the hill to a shrine and enjoyed the views and the peace and quiet. Then when we came down, the coaches had departed and we could stroll through the charming and historic streets. You were right, the restaurants close really early, so we couldn't eat there, all a bit disappointing.
You advised renting a phone, but we're glad we didn't as my T-mobile phone had full signal all the time (more so than in UK!)and was invaluable, especially as I was making arrangements with Japanese friends. You also advised against bringing adaptors and electric appliances as the voltage is too low. We found no problems with phone and camera battery chargers. Good advice about not bringing hair dryers, they were always provided and were most effective.
Food - see all our comments above. Vegetarians would have a hard time if they only ate out at local restaurants. The displays and menus seldom proclaim vegetarian dishes and the staff were usually incredulous when we tried to explain. One evening we were too tired to keep looking and I had to make do with a bowl of lettuce leaves, their version of a salad! However, the trad inns and ryokans were amazing, because they'd been primed, so please advise veggie clients that this is the way to go.
A couple of stories:
1. Miyajima has a very special atmosphere. First impressions are of a very crowded waterfront, orderly groups of school children disembarking from the ferry, constant streams of people thronging up and down the shoreline. But they are mostly small groups and families, we didn't get the impression of organised tours. The place is magical, with the deer and the torii gate and the shrines, pagoda and temples. The visitors all seemed under their spell, there was a real atmosphere of joy and of people feeling thrilled to be there. In the alleys behind there were so many interesting fast food stalls and small shops that we could have stayed for hours. We lingered around the torii gate, could have touched it, as the tide was out, and later that night saw it standing proud in the sea, with a passenger boat sailing through it, framed forever in our photos by pine branches and lit stone lanterns.
The next day we explored the Daisho-in, where they were preparing for a fire-walking ceremony the next day. There was so much to see, much man-made and natural beauty, so old and yet with evidence of current faith and devotion. In one of the temples a priest began a service, punctuated with heavy rhythmic drumming. We walked the length of the complex and began the ascent of Mount Misen. We frequently looked back to the mist-shrouded temple and the tiny torii gate out at sea. Every now and then the sound of distant drums reached us, as devotions continued. The crowds were soon left behind and we wound up the hill through the woods, following the stream until we reached the observatory. As we relished our well-deserved ice-creams we had to shoo away 2 deer who had suddenly materialised.
2. Mount Koya will always have a special place in our hearts. We steeped ourselves in the stories of Koyasan's founder, Kobo Daishi and visited all the ancient temples, shrines and the vast cemetery associated with him. The highlight was our monastic lodgings. The resident Yorksire terrier gave us a rousing welcome and we were shown by a novice monk to our large, clean and simple room. The rest of Japan had been far warmer than we'd expected for November, but Koyasan was far colder. We were as warm as toast in our room, there was an electic fire and as we knelt at the low table for our welcoming drink of green tea, we could feel the warmth emanating from under the quilted table cover, it was in reality a large electric blanket for us to snuggle up to. We changed into our kimonos and enjoyed a hot bath. The monk brought our food to us, 3 stacked trays of veggie food each, as delicious and interesting as any we'd come to expect from traditional inns. Later, as we sat in the peaceful Japanese garden, a bell was clanged loudly, summoning the community to worship and we sat and marvelled at the deep rhythmic chanting that came from the nearby temple. The next morning we joined them for the 6am service. The temple consisted of candle-lit chambers with visitors facing them them on benches. One and half hours passed so quickly, with chanting, gongs, cymbals and fires dancing up to the roof. At the end the leader explained the service to the visitors, with a summary in English for our benefit. Then we were all invited into the parlour for green tea, coffee, cakes and chocolate. The next day we crept out at 6am to catch the bus, the first leg of our long journey back to the airport. The monks had just started the chanting. It felt like a final blessing on our fabulous holiday in Japan.
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
Expertise, knowledge, flexibility, good at listening to client's wishes. We had a truly tailor-made holiday which was excellent value for money and made us feel valued clients.
Review submitted: 15th Jan 2012 at 17:21
InsideJapan Tours says:
Sue, thank you for your amazingly detailed review of the trip. Not much more for me to say here accept that a trip to Japan really is full of amazing experiences and it seems that you really made the most of it.
I was interested to read about Kazura-bashi, the vine bridge in the Iya Valley. When I first visited in 2000 it was a lot less developed around here. It is a shame how the site has been built up to cope with huge numbers of coach tours during peak season. However, this is a very poor area of Japan so I suppose the tourists bring money into the area. Outside of peak season it can be very quiet though and two years ago I walked across this bridge with not another soul in sight!
It was also great to read your tales from Mt. Koya. It is several years since I have been up here but it can be truly magical.
Thank you for choosing InsideJapan Tours and I very much hope we can assist you with another trip some time in the future. There is, after all, a whole lot more to explore! - Alastair Donnelly, Director
I was interested to read about Kazura-bashi, the vine bridge in the Iya Valley. When I first visited in 2000 it was a lot less developed around here. It is a shame how the site has been built up to cope with huge numbers of coach tours during peak season. However, this is a very poor area of Japan so I suppose the tourists bring money into the area. Outside of peak season it can be very quiet though and two years ago I walked across this bridge with not another soul in sight!
It was also great to read your tales from Mt. Koya. It is several years since I have been up here but it can be truly magical.
Thank you for choosing InsideJapan Tours and I very much hope we can assist you with another trip some time in the future. There is, after all, a whole lot more to explore! - Alastair Donnelly, Director
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| Maryhelen Brown - 7 Night Winter Price Cruncher, Dec 2011 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
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1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
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very good service, excellent holiday.
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2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
3.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
4.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
esp good in kyoto; hotel room in shinjuku was a bit grubby; all locations well chosen.
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
When we arrived we realised the scheduled Hakone stop-over would not have been relaxed: too many travel hassles for too little free time; we therefore asked your agent to book us an extra night in Kyoto, which she did exttremely efficiently.
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
No Answer Given
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
For veggies, ingredients are more important than for other people, and it would be quite easy for the all the hotels to list ingredients in their buffets, in English, both at breakfast and other times. The comments in various guidebooks about the supposedly limited extent to which people understand English seemed to us to be out of date, at lest in Tokyo and Kyoto. Young people were especially happy to try a few words of English when we got stuck.
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
Knowledgeable and efficient staff; the meet and greet at the airport was an excellent way to start the trip. Good choice of hotels, and efficient back-up in Japan when we needed it. Advice for veggies was simple and proved useful as we found both the suggested restaurants in Kyoto and were well catered for there.
Review submitted: 15th Jan 2012 at 17:21
InsideJapan Tours says:
Thank you for your feedback. I am glad to hear it all went well for your trip and you enjoyed the hotels and suggested restaurants (my vegetarian colleague who lived in Kyoto will be very happy!) I'm sorry you decided not to go to Hakone this time - it should be a really relaxing option, with hot springs and some great Japanese cuisine. Being in the countryside means it takes a couple of trains to get there but the experience is usually well worth it (and made easier with the excellent luggage forwarding system). I hope next time you can visit for a little longer and maybe spend a couple of nights there to make those journeys worth the trouble!
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| Jordan Youngs - Mt. Fuji, Kyoto & the Japanese Alps, Nov 2011 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
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1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
Awesome! very well organized, easy to follow. I would highly recommend this company.
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
3.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
4.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
getting from the narita airport into tokyo - it wasn't clear how much each of the pasemo trains would cost. Accidently ended up on a more expensive train.
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
She was fantastic.
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
The food was great.
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
Hassle free.
Review submitted: 11st Jan 2012 at 17:21
InsideJapan Tours says:
Welcome back from your epic trip! I am really happy that the vacation went well and that the accommodation even exceeded your expectations. Japan does tend to have a great standard of accommodation, whether it be western style or traditional Japanese.
Jordan and his wife took a modified version of our Mt Fuji, Kyoto and the Japanese Alps tour, also managing to squeeze in a visit to see the sumo in Fukuoka. They stayed in a variety of western and Japanese style hotels, including the Iwatakan in Takayama.
Jordan and his wife took a modified version of our Mt Fuji, Kyoto and the Japanese Alps tour, also managing to squeeze in a visit to see the sumo in Fukuoka. They stayed in a variety of western and Japanese style hotels, including the Iwatakan in Takayama.
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| James Parkes - Independent Travel, Dec 2011 |
Overall Satisfaction
Good
|
1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
Locations were excellent, just the expense of Japan was the only negative.
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Excellent work organized a custom tour that suited my requests.
3.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
4.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
The pasmo card didn't quite cover the costs of public transport
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
No Answer Given
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
Meals were good but I don't like seaweed but it was still good. A print out of all costings would help when planning the next trip as it will allow customers to maybe adjust where money is spent
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
Unsure whether I'll tour or stay with friends I met on trip
Review submitted: 11st Jan 2012 at 17:21
InsideJapan Tours says:
Thanks for your feedback James, glad you had a great time and the accommodation exceeded your expectations. The costs are equivalent to other major first world destinations (London, Paris, New York etc), though despite the super-strong Japanese Yen you can still get meals and entrance to attractions for less than in the west.
I will be sure to explain how the PASMO works whenever I include it in future itineraries - it is loaded with 2500 yen which is enough for your airport transfer or 3-4 days sightseeing in Tokyo, but if it's used for everything then it will need to be topped up - the machines are in English and very straightforward to use, and the PASMO saves hours of trying to figure out the labyrinthine Tokyo train maps! I hope you'll be able to visit Japan again in future and it's great you made some new friends on the trip!
I will be sure to explain how the PASMO works whenever I include it in future itineraries - it is loaded with 2500 yen which is enough for your airport transfer or 3-4 days sightseeing in Tokyo, but if it's used for everything then it will need to be topped up - the machines are in English and very straightforward to use, and the PASMO saves hours of trying to figure out the labyrinthine Tokyo train maps! I hope you'll be able to visit Japan again in future and it's great you made some new friends on the trip!
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| Colin & Eileen Douglas - Japan Unmasked, Nov 2011 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
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1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
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We were very happy with the service and felt that we did a lot that we could not have done on our own
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2.
Tour Leader name and satisfaction rating:
Liam is very knowledgeable, told us lots of interesting anecdotes and information, has a good sense of humour,and was sensitive to the different interests and needs of the people in the group. He gave us lots of options & was very helpful with arrangements when people wanted to do their own thing
3.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Reassured us about finding vegetarian food
4.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
5.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
Toyoko inns were satisfactory, very good for washing facilities & internet, but we would have preferred more variety, and sometimes a bit larger room when there for two nights. The ryokans were a great experience, especially the second one at Takayama which was much more comfortable than the one at Nagano
6.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
It was fine, the bullet trains were great and taxi fares were reasonable. We were pleased that we had not taken big cases (as you advised) and feel that this should be emphasised even more in your information to prospective travellers, perhaps some advice on weight of luggage would help
7.
Please tell us your thoughts on the meals included during your tour.
Liam was good at explaining what the dishes were and ordering things to suit everyone when we went out as a group. The meals in the second ryokan were especially enjoyable in both the beautiful presentation & the quality of the food, and had catered well for our special requirements
8.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
There was a lot more walking involved on some of the trips than had been anticipated by some members of our group, one person in particular had to be helped a lot e.g. on the visit to see the snow monkeys.
On the first Sunday, before we met up with our group in the evening, we went to Harajuku and feel that it would have been a good idea if you had given a few suggestions on how to make the most of that first day without repeating later what was in the itinerary as we also went to the Meji shrine, not knowing it was in the next day's itinerary
9.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
10.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
We feel that we saw a lot of the country, its customs, culture and scenery, in a relatively short time. We especially liked getting into the countryside on the bike ride, seeing the farms, rice fields and small settlements at close quarters. Another highlight was the evening with the Geisha. The karaoke evenings were also great fun!
We were pleased that we got to visit some lovely gardens with spectacular autumn colour
Review submitted: 11st Jan 2012 at 17:21
InsideJapan Tours says:
Dear Colin and Eileen, many thanks for your feedback and for travelling with us. I am really please that you enjoyed the tour and that Liam looked after you well. Being vegetarian myself (and of the 'no fish' variety!) I like to make sure that our vegetarian clients get to eat lots of great Japanese food. There is indeed a fair bit of walking on this and most of the tours we run so we will look to emphasise that a bit more in our materials. Well, thanks again and hopefully we can welcome you back to Japan in the future. All the best, Simon.
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| Chris Legg - Independent Travel, Nov 2011 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
|
1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
Excellent service through out the trip. The itiniery provided was very user friendly and accurate. Could not have hoped for more!
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
His telephone manner was excellent. The itiniary he put together was perfect - it was like he had known me for years and knew exactly what I would like to see/do. Cheers Simon!
3.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
4.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
The highlights were ryokans and the temple. Much more interesting than the typical hotel accomodation. The only hotel I had reservations about and this is a small comment was the one in Kyoto. The breakfast was not good and you sit under bright, hot lights which makes the experience uncomfortable.
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
All good.
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
We had a guide in Kyoto. She was very good in terms of discussing the sites in Kyoto but was not so comfortable talking about Japanese society etc. But this might be a Japanese cultural thing. Or she had had enough of the barrage of questions we asked her!
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
The food in the traditional accomodation was one of the highlights of the tip. It was sometimes challenging but what an experience!
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
I would definitely use InsideJapan Tours again. Given the whole experience was first class.
Review submitted: 11st Jan 2012 at 17:21
InsideJapan Tours says:
Dear Chris, many thanks for travelling with us and I am really pleased to hear that you had a good time. I hope that you can visit Japan again sometime in the future perhaps with the whole family next time. All the best, Simon.
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| Jeanne Mosier - 7 Night Winter Price Cruncher, Dec 2011 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
|
1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
We had a wonderful trip to Japan. Inside Japan did a great job organizing our trip.
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Mat was an excellent travel consultant. He went out of his way to assist us many times and all his recommendations and efforts were helpful. The tour guides in Tokyo and Kyoto were knowledgeable and were helpful in understanding the culture.
3.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
4.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
No Answer Given
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
No Answer Given
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
Review submitted: 11st Jan 2012 at 17:21
InsideJapan Tours says:
Thanks Jeanne. I am really glad that you and the family had a good time when you swapped the mountains of Colorado for the mountains of Japan! Do get back in touch if you want to plan another trip, or even pop in to our office in Boulder!
This trip combined the two major cities of Tokyo and Kyoto, and New Year's Eve was spent in a traditional ryokan.
This trip combined the two major cities of Tokyo and Kyoto, and New Year's Eve was spent in a traditional ryokan.
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| Angus Porter - Independent Travel, Dec 2011 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
|
1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
Really good trip - faultless organisation
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Maddy was a complete star throughout - friendly, responsive and thoroughly professional. Many thanks!
3.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
4.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
No Answer Given
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
No Answer Given
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
Review submitted: 10th Jan 2012 at 17:21
InsideJapan Tours says:
Thanks for your feedback, Angus. I had great fun planning this trip for Angus and his family. They went to visit their son who is living in Japan, and it reminded me of when I was planning a trip for my own family when they came to visit me in Japan! Angus and his family stayed in Tokyo and Kyoto, and even had time for some skiing in Hakuba.
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| Graham Wilkins - Japan Unmasked, Nov 2011 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
|
1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
A great introduction to Japan and your travel pack was wonderfully informative. Only wish we had had another day in both Tokyo and Kyoto.
2.
Tour Leader name and satisfaction rating:
Liam is extremely enthusiastic and looked after us very well. We would have liked his tour sheets a little earlier in order to better plan ahead. I think we even surprised him by how much we had seen on our free day in Kyoto.
3.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Very prompt in answering the emails and gave us confidence to use Inside Japan Tours.
4.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
5.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
We particularly enjoyed the minshuku at Takayama where the owners looked after us very well.
6.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
The train service is brilliant and the one coach journey was fine as were the local buses that we used.
7.
Please tell us your thoughts on the meals included during your tour.
We pretty much eat anything and we found the food interesting and well prepared. However, I have to confess we did have 2 MacDonalds and one KFC!
8.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
9.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
10.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
The service, attention to detail and value for money were all excellent.
Review submitted: 10th Jan 2012 at 17:21
InsideJapan Tours says:
Welcome home Graham, and many thanks for your kind words. Our Japan Unmasked group tour is a fantastic itinerary that show you the full contrasts of Japan; rural to urban, old to new, mountains to coast.
We will bear in mind your comments on the daily tour info sheets; we know it is nice to be able to see what is coming up, to help you plan your days. Well done for confessing to a couple of fast-food visits during the tour. Nothing to be guilty of here; even a trip to the Golden Arches in Japan offers something unusual - prawn burger anyone?! Harry
We will bear in mind your comments on the daily tour info sheets; we know it is nice to be able to see what is coming up, to help you plan your days. Well done for confessing to a couple of fast-food visits during the tour. Nothing to be guilty of here; even a trip to the Golden Arches in Japan offers something unusual - prawn burger anyone?! Harry
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InsideJapan meets Masterchef at Destinations - 27/01/2012
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