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.
How are we doing?
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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| Graham Seal - Independent Travel, Apr 2012 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
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1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
The best tour company I have every been on vacation with and I've used a few !
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Very efficient, friendly easy to talk to and knowledgable. Made us feel unique
3.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
4.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
All was excelelent even if the room at the monteray were a little small. The Fujimaya and the Ryokan for different reasons were the best, but there was nothing wrong with any of the hotles. Including breakfast was a good idea and well worth it, many tour companies did not, glad you did. For other traveller beware the cost of drinks inc tea and coffee in the bars !
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
First class, not one train or buss was late the whole week, we made every connection and it was reallt easy the stress less to get around. Also amazing , on the tube in rush hour and not pushing !
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
They looked after us really well. The service from Edo san who klnowing there was change of bad weather contacted us in advance at our hotel and then rearranged our day so a tropical storm did not ruin it was first class, even down to providing fruit in case we had missed breakfast. Rumi on the forst day stayed with us to 7pm and sorted out our passes and still insisted seeing us back to our hotel. The others were also good and got us to places we did not even know about
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
One very specific about the package. On our trip to Nikko the pack said take the first 2 coaches, this was a big ambiguous, it was the first 2 coaches as you ebntered the platform but was the last 2 on the train, a real nit pick I know but you guys are perfectionist !
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
Would not now look anware else, everything worked from the intenary you helped put together for us, to the guides, the hotels and the transport. We had an action packed 2 weeks with plenty of opportunity to get it wrong, but it was fantastic, everything down to the last detail worked. Elaine says thankyou for the private tea cremony by the way it was a highlight thatt made here holiday
Review submitted: 07th May 2012 at 17:23
InsideJapan Tours says:
Hi Graham, welcome home! Its great to hear that you had a fantastic time in Japan. Graham originally wanted to join our Spring Elegance tour, but as it was sold out, I devised a self-guided version of the tour with lots of days with private guides. I hope that the jolt back to English public transport has not been too hard for you! Thank you for letting us know about the coaches on the train to Nikko, we will update our reseources accordingly.
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| Matthew Bray - World Heritage, Apr 2012 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
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1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
This is my second time with you, as I had gone with you on a group tour (Essential Honshu) last year and wanted to get back to Japan to see the parts that I had a specific interest in, but wanted to have your expertise to support my journey.Overall (a few minor quibbles aside, which I will expand upon later), I was satisfied with the support I got, and would definitely recommend Inside Japan to anyone who wants to visit Japan be it on a group tour or by themselves.
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Overall David was a very good and helpful consultant and though I already had an itinery in mind, he came up with plenty of suggestions to get the best out of that itinery.
3.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
4.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
The hotels and Ryokan that David found for my trip all met my expectations. The Cross Hotel Osaka, right next to Dotonbori was particularly excellent. Minor grumble with the Ryokan in Kanazawa- the info pack said I would be getting a nabe (Japanese hotpot) for one of my meals- but that never materialised. I realise that nabe is more of a winter dish and this may have been an oversight on IJ's part and besides the two sets of kaiseki I had were still delicious.
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
The Japan Rail Pass is a god-send, and is absolutely vital to any trip in Japan, if you want to leave Tokyo. The Pasmo card came in very useful too- plus I had a bus to take me to Fuji Q Highlands and an Airport Limousine bus transfer to the airport (needed as the 14 day rail pass had run out on the penultimate day). As ever the instructions given to me in the guide proved vital in getting me to the right train/subway station or bus stop in time.
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
I did not have any extra guiding for part of my package. But looking back, it perhaps could have added to my short-stay in Kanazawa (a city, I had not been to one the group tour). I did not ask for it, but my travel consultant David did not recommend it to my either- it's minor details like that, which means why I rated my travel consultant as very satisfied (because as I said overall he did an excellent job), rather than superb service.
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
One other minor quibble- the info pack said that I might expect a phonecall from the office to see how my journey was coming along. I never got the phonecall, and even it should be noted that the guidebook did say might- it would still have been nice to get the phonecall- as though I did have no major problems..the phonecall would have been reassuring that the support was there, should I ever need it.
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
I've had two trips to Japan, now and absolutely love the country, and though it might not be within the next few years- I do see myself returning eventually. It has also been two straight years I have gone with Inside Japan and both as a group tour and self guided operator, overall I have been very satisfied with the service I have received.
Review submitted: 07th May 2012 at 17:23
InsideJapan Tours says:
Hi Matt, it sounds like you had a great time and I was happy we managed to get tickets for you to popular events like one of the biggest baseball games of the season. I take your point about pro-actively suggesting other elements such as guides - I have to say I haven't been to Kanazawa myself so I'll bear that in mind in the future. I take your point about the courtesy call, and I am looking to do this as standard from now on, though as you know one of the advantages of booking with us is that our dedicated Japan office team are always at the end of a phone. I hope you have the chance to travel with us again in the future! Thanks, David.
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| Lesley Wright - Japan Unmasked, Mar 2012 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
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1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
A friendly and efficient service, with excellent information booklets and all queries answered fully. The tour was weel planned and organised with the chance to se a wide variety of places, and take part in cycling, walking as well as sight seeing. We didn't fell herded as a group and had the choice to dip in and out of activities, but there was always advice and support in coping with such a different culture. The information provided on each place was excellent.
2.
Tour Leader name and satisfaction rating:
Tom was knowledgeable and helpful, never seemed pressured and had a wry sense of humour. Without his expertise we wouldn't have had such a wonderful culinary experience especially.
3.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Efficient and friendly responses
4.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
5.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
Comfortable and clean, though compact at times! Loved the lodgings, although Nagano was very cold!
6.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
Manageable but part of the experience.
7.
Please tell us your thoughts on the meals included during your tour.
Wonderful meals at a reasonable price - thanks to Tom's choices.
8.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
I found Japan to be a wonderful and gracious place. The tour gave the chance to see and experience so much and I have recommended Inside Japan to a number of friends planning a trip there.
9.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
10.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
Well organised, flexible, very helpful all round
Review submitted: 07th May 2012 at 17:23
InsideJapan Tours says:
Thank you for the positive feedback. It's great to hear that you enjoyed our Japan Unmasked small group tour despite the unseasonably cold weather.
One of the advantages of travelling on a Small Group Tour is that our tour leaders will take you to hidden, local restaurants and translate the menus for you. They all love their Japanese food and Tom Orsman is no exception!
One of the advantages of travelling on a Small Group Tour is that our tour leaders will take you to hidden, local restaurants and translate the menus for you. They all love their Japanese food and Tom Orsman is no exception!
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| David Gallacher - Independent Travel, Apr 2012 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
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1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
I cannot fault any element of the service provided
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Ruth was very efficient and enthusiastic from my initial enquiry onwards. Very quick and polite responses gave me great peace of mind from the outset
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 Inn in Tokyo had larger room and bed than expected. Fuji Hakone Guesthouse was amazing.
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
Transport was fine, we did miss the bus from Shinjuku to Hakone but that was entirely our fault!
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
I think that Hakone and the Guesthouse in particular was the biggest positive surprise.We did not really know what to expect from staying in a Ryokan but the relaxed and friendly atmosphere was amazing. The staff of the Guesthouse were so nice and friendly that we felt at home immediately, despite the relatively unusual surroundings. The baths were great also, of course! Another highlight was Claire being dressed up as a Maiko, pricey but very well worth the amazing results.
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
While we were relatively independent while in Japan it was god to know we had such experienced people who could be called upon if needed. One could see from the choice of hotel location etc that this experience was being brought to bear and so we would be very likely to draw on this experience again when planning another visit.
Review submitted: 06th May 2012 at 17:23
InsideJapan Tours says:
Delighted to hear David enjoyed his time in Japan! David and Claire's trip was based on our 7 Night Price Cruncher self-guided itinerary, showing that a trip in Japan needn't break the bank!
I'm glad that the Fuji Hakone Guesthouse in Hakone National Park was a particular highlight. The outdoor hot spring bath can be booked for private use here which is often a bonus for first time visitors to Japan.
I'm glad that the Fuji Hakone Guesthouse in Hakone National Park was a particular highlight. The outdoor hot spring bath can be booked for private use here which is often a bonus for first time visitors to Japan.
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| Terence Kent - Spring Elegance, Apr 2012 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
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1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
.
2.
Tour Leader name and satisfaction rating:
Steve was excellent. He knew Japan well, had a good sense of humour, and got on well with everyone in the group.
3.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
.
4.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
5.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
6.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
Using public transport gave us a good insight into Japan and added another dimension.
7.
Please tell us your thoughts on the meals included during your tour.
Good
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?
A good, well managed organisation
Review submitted: 06th May 2012 at 17:23
InsideJapan Tours says:
Welcome home Terry and thanks for your feedback. Its fantastic to know that you had a great time on Spring Elegance. We've been running this tour for more than 10 years and its great to know that it is still as popular as ever!
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| Susan Johne - Golden Route, Apr 2012 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
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1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
The level of service was excellent in the preparation and lead up and in the materials received for the selkf guiding.
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.
Excellent
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
Both our guides in Tokyo and kyoto were very good and our needs were willingly met.
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
The stay at the country inn was a must for a true Japanese experience.
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
As mentioned before the planning and prepartion was excdellent and the materials detailed and easy to understand. The accomodation was good and a comment on our last hotel in Tokyo i have alreday made on the telephone
Review submitted: 05th May 2012 at 17:23
InsideJapan Tours says:
Thanks for your comments Susan. Glad you had a great trip! Having a guide for the day in Tokyo and Kyoto is a really nice addition to any trip, allowing you to see these amazing cities through the eyes of a local. Harry, for Natasha.
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| Fiona Dixon - Independent Travel, Apr 2012 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
|
1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
Ruth was really patient with us as we took a long time to decide what we wanted to do. Excellent advice with regards travelling with young children and invaluable booklets that came everywhere with us!
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Ruth was really friendly and very informative. We had an amazing holiday, one we won't forget and we are already talking about when we will have a chance to return. Amazing hotels and ryokens. Our girls (5 and 6)have not stopped talking to friends and family about their experiences and the things they learnt; we were made to feel so welcome. What a fantastic experience for us all. The guides were superb and really informative and included the girls really well.
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.
Great - efficient
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
Excellent guides - really friendly and hugely informative. Essential to get to see the key sights efficiently with lots of extra info that you couldn't get from a tour book which we felt really important when travelling with our girls. It helped up to orientate and get a sense of the subway systems etc before going it alone the next few days. We couldn't have joined a tour given their age, but we wanted to really understand the culture/history. Shioji and Tyoko were superb.
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
The girls loved the onsen and really got into the whole cleaning before. I think they found the food in the ryokens quite hard. Even the children's meal...prawn and crab tempura caused a bit of a stir! But the meals were always huge, so they never went hungry and to be honest the experience was great for them!
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
Extremely informative, well organised and understood what we were looking for as a family group...tailored it to our needs, not trying to fit us to one of your packages!
Review submitted: 05th May 2012 at 17:23
InsideJapan Tours says:
At InsideJapan Tours we've always believed that Japan is one of the world’s most child-friendly countries. It’s extremely clean and safe, with low crime rates, spotless toilets and changing facilities everywhere as well as a super efficient public transport system. We know which hotels and traditional inns are the most accommodating for children (even if the food can be a bit challenging, it's good to hear that there was plenty of it!).
It's lovely to know that the Dixon family were well looked after by their private guides and that the girls learnt a lot during their trip. The Dixons followed a classic itinerary: Tokyo, Hakone National Park, Kyoto and Miyajima Island.
It's lovely to know that the Dixon family were well looked after by their private guides and that the girls learnt a lot during their trip. The Dixons followed a classic itinerary: Tokyo, Hakone National Park, Kyoto and Miyajima Island.
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| Nicole Lester - Independent Travel, Apr 2012 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
|
1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
As usual, InsideJapan Tours gave me excellent service.
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
I was pleased to see that Jocelyn remembered my expressing an interest in yabusame, let me know the date it would occur, and suggested the right train to go attend.
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
I happen to like Japanese food. I did enjoy very much the included meals, particularly at Sakura-no-Sho.
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
This was my 9th trip to Japan with InsideJapan Tours. Clearly, I am most happy with the service I have received, both in the small tour groups and independent travel.
I have been delighted with all the information provided, and everything is always well taken care of.
Review submitted: 05th May 2012 at 17:23
InsideJapan Tours says:
Thanks for your feedback Nicole and travelling with us for your 9th trip! I'm glad to see our service is still up to standard. I was so pleased that your trip coincided with the Yabusame so it was a shame it was so busy - to be expected I guess. Maybe another time. We're looking foward to having you travel with us again, Jocelyn.
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| Geoffrey Marshall - Independent Travel, Apr 2012 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
|
1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
We found IJT to be well organized and the documentation and information supplied to be generally very good.
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Our consultant was very quick to respond to our questions and had a good understanding of what we wished to achieve from our trip.
3.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
4.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
We thought the breakfast at the Apa Hotel in Kanazawa was below standard although the position of the hotel in the city centre was excellent. Paper cups for tea and coffee are not acceptable and the food selection poor. The tables and seating in the lobby seemed shabby and was unclean.
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
Transport provided was both efficient and effective.
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
Our guides were generally excellent but Hiroko Ota was particularly good.
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
We stayed for 2 nights at Gora in the Hakone area. There was a note in our documentation that it was better not to take our full luggage here because of limited space on local buses. In fact, our travel to and from Gora was most efficiently done by train using the free pass provided and luggage was no problem. If I had taken the trouble to take only a small pack for the 2 nights I would have been inconvenienced and seriously pissed off. I felt that this was an unusual but significant lapse in your otherwise excellent planning.
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
Value for money, inside knowledge, quality of guides, documentation provided. Have already recommended IJT to others.
Review submitted: 05th May 2012 at 17:23
InsideJapan Tours says:
Many thanks for taking the time to send us feedback about your trip. I am pleased to hear you had a great time and everything went to plan. I am sorry to hear about the breakfast at the APA hotel in Kanazawa. That's not the usual standard of service we expect from the hotels that we use. I will inform my colleagues and be careful when choosing this hotel in future. I hope this did not spoil the overall experience.
Thank you also for your comments about the luggage forwarding. We advise this as the mountain train can be really very busy (shoulder to shoulder standing room only) and there is little space to store luggage. The Ichinoyu Gora is a good 10-15 minute walk from the station with a steep slope at the end which is why we advise travelling light. Spring is also a very busy time to travel so the transport in the Hakone area is often busy.
It was a pleasure putting together your itinerary. Japan has so much more to offer and I do hope you will visit again in the future. I would be more than happy to put together an itinerary for you - Mark
Thank you also for your comments about the luggage forwarding. We advise this as the mountain train can be really very busy (shoulder to shoulder standing room only) and there is little space to store luggage. The Ichinoyu Gora is a good 10-15 minute walk from the station with a steep slope at the end which is why we advise travelling light. Spring is also a very busy time to travel so the transport in the Hakone area is often busy.
It was a pleasure putting together your itinerary. Japan has so much more to offer and I do hope you will visit again in the future. I would be more than happy to put together an itinerary for you - Mark
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| Maureen Page - Independent Travel, Apr 2012 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
|
1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
We were really pleased with everything , David has been great and his itinerary worked to perfection, we had an amazing trip.
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
We would like to commend David for all his organisation skill to enable us to have such a good trip. Is that enough sucking up!
3.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
4.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
All good except for the Mandarin Oriental in Toyko service in resturant not good.
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
The trains were nothing but amazing, we were always on time for everything
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
Most of the guides were brilliant but some could have spoken better English.
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
Well my husband left his new mobile on the train, we reported it to the station officer and to Inside Japan Tours in Japan, we told them where our next stop would be should it turn up, and low and behold 2 days later it was At our next hotel in Hiroshima Only in Japan amazing.
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
Because it all went like.clock work, attention to detail was great.
Review submitted: 04th May 2012 at 17:23
InsideJapan Tours says:
Many thanks for your feedback Maureen and I'm glad that everything went so well, especially as you were a bit apprehensive before the trip! I did take great care on the little details of your Info-Pack with detailed location maps and local timetables, so it's good to hear it proved useful! The trains in Japan are amazing aren't they, and the Japanese are such an honest as well as efficient bunch that lost items invariably show up.
I take your point about the Dinner with a Geisha experience - I have been wondering whether this is value for money and by the sounds of it perhaps it isn't. We do have a more exclusive experience we can offer at a proper traditional tea house in the Geisha area of Gion in Kyoto, and I should have flagged up the differences more clearly for you. Thank you for being so complementary about my arrangement of the rest of the trip, it's a nice boost after a busy cherry blossom season! Thanks, David
I take your point about the Dinner with a Geisha experience - I have been wondering whether this is value for money and by the sounds of it perhaps it isn't. We do have a more exclusive experience we can offer at a proper traditional tea house in the Geisha area of Gion in Kyoto, and I should have flagged up the differences more clearly for you. Thank you for being so complementary about my arrangement of the rest of the trip, it's a nice boost after a busy cherry blossom season! Thanks, David
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