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?"
Client Picture Gallery
| Latest Reviews - Read what our travellers say |
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| Albert Lembong - Best of Japan, 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?
Excellent. Really match to our dream.
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Maddy is a perfect person. Her information is very detail and clear,very helpfull for us who never visit Japan. She is honest,always reply our emails. Thanks Maddy.
3.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
4.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
All hotels and Ryokan what you choosed for us are perfect. Only in Takayama the Ryokan is under standard.Our room is too small, the temperatur regulator does not work well and noisy. Dinner and breakfast very basic , just make the people not hungry.
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
We got Japan rail pass, Pasmo and Hakone free pas.All are very helpfull, easy to use and comfortable.
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
in Tokyo we have little difficulty around our conversation but the lady tried very hard. (perhaps English is not our mother language ). But in Kyoto, Ms. Sumi is excellent, very communicative,she explain everything very clear. Honestly, the both are good tour guide.
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
InsideJapan Tours arranged very good meals for us, and best quality. (Again not in Takayama). But overall we like Japanase food and the rice.
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
We are very satisfied, beyond our are very expectation. Japanase people are polite, helpfull, and clean. I thing this taking part to make all your arrangement succes.
Review submitted: 29th Apr 2012 at 17:22
InsideJapan Tours says:
Thank you for your feedback Albert, it sounds like you had a great time in Japan. Albert and his wife went on our Best of Japan itinerary and had a fantastic time!
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| Paul Pleydell - 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?
Our relationship with Inside Japan has been longer than we expected due to the devastating tsunami of 2011. Our original booking was hand made to suit our needs and carefully considered to take in the needs of our whole family. This was backed up by helpful advice and great guidance founded on a real understanding of the opportunities available to us. Our trip was postponed and again this was handled very professionally. Well done to Ruth and the whole team.
Our trip to Japan did not disappoint from the clean, calm and contemporary Tokyo to hilly Hakone and the quiet and cultured shrines, canals and gardens of Kyoto.
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Ruth did a great job for us as we had no real knowledge of Japan. We trusted her advice and she did not let us down.
We also received fantastic support from Maddy and the Inside Japan team in Japan when we had need to change our plans part way through our tour as one of our party was unwell. Thank you all.
3.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
4.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
We stayed in the Asakusa View Hotel - rooms on the west side have fantastic views over the city and you can (may) see Mt Fuji. Rooms on the east side overlook the nearby temple and the new Skytree Tower. Go for the highest floor you can get for great views. This is a quiet and relaxing area of the city with lots to see within easy walking distance.
We loved the Ryokan in Hakone - the quirky hill train that gets you there, the open air hot spring onsen bathing and the 14 course meal with plenty of new flavours! We would suggest two nights - one was not quite enough to see all the area has to offer.
The Hotel Granvia in Kyoto is well placed and again great views if you go high. Plenty of restaurant choice especially in the nearby isetan shopping centre. Very good staff and service and well placed for getting around.
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
We used thirteen different types of transport during our trip. All were on time clean and a pleasure to use. We spread out in the spacious bullet trains and also squeezed into buses in Kyoto and subways in Tokyo. The japanese transport system is clear and logical, just allow time so you don't have to rush. Reserving seats was well worthwhile.
We travelled light with max' hand baggage sized cases so didn't forward any luggage and this was fine for all of our trip.
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
Tomoko - our guide in Tokyo was great, making contact in advance, taking time to discuss what we wanted to see and also taking us to a wide range of places that the children and grown ups loved. We will treasure the beautiful origami cards that she made for each of us.
Ayako in Kyoto not only gave us a fantastic day but also helped us to rearrange part of our trip. We saw and understood aspects of Kyoto that we would never have known about without her.
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
We found the Japanese friendly and always willing to help, all you have to do is ask.
We loved the contrast between the traditional and modern culture.
We tried some great food (and a few weird and unusual dishes) but a couple of times reverted to some western comfort food!
We added a few extras - Taiko drumming which was brilliant fun, a tea ceremony and lunch in a traditional house - fascinating and would recommend both.
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
We had a great time in Japan - despite a few changes in plan. I would happily recommend Inside Japan to others. We may go back but there are lots of other places in the world we are also keen to visit. If we do go back we will happily use Inside Japan again.
Review submitted: 28th Apr 2012 at 17:22
InsideJapan Tours says:
Thank you for the lovely feedback. We're delighted that the Pleydell family (including two young people aged 14 and 12) enjoyed their trip to Tokyo, Hakone National Park and Kyoto. It was no problem to rearrange the itinerary slightly and at short notice when one of the family members fell ill.
The Pleydells were keen to try some hands on Japanese cultural experiences such as tea ceremony and taiko drumming.
The Pleydells were keen to try some hands on Japanese cultural experiences such as tea ceremony and taiko drumming.
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| Sally Martin - 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?
Everything was perfect and our trip went flawlessly. The hotels were all great, the directions and advice were extremely helpful. We couldn't have done it without you!
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Mat listened carefully to our interests and helped us craft a great itinerary with very short notice. His expertise was invaluable.
3.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
4.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
We loved Hotel Richmond Asakusa and Fudo-in in Koyasan. The Royal Hotel in Kyoto not as good though perfectly acceptable (but I know it was hard for Mat to find us accomodates at all in Kyoto since we were booking with such short notice!).
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
Great! Everything went smoothly, your directions were so helpful. It would have been much, much more difficult to navigate the system without the Infopack.
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
The best guide was Tada in Kyoto - he was delightful and very knowledgeable. Our guide in Koya-san was also good and we very much enjoyed the bike tour in Tokyo.
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?
It would depend on what I was trying to do in Japan but, if it was at all complicated, I would definitely use Inside Japan again. I suppose if I were just going to Tokyo for a few days I wouldn't feel it to be necessary.
Review submitted: 28th Apr 2012 at 17:22
InsideJapan Tours says:
Hello Sally! Good to hear from you and that you really enjoyed your Japan trip. We do put a lot of work into the Info-Pack, so I am very glad that you found it Biblical in its usefulness! If you do travel back to Japan for more than a quick Tokyo stopover then please do get in touch as we will be more than happy to plan you another fantastic trip.
Sally and Terry booked a very last minute Self Guided trip in peak cherry blossom time. It took in: Tokyo (Richmond Asakusa Hotel), Matsumoto (Kagetsu Hotel), Kyoto (Kyoto Royal Hotel and Spa Hotel), Mount Koya (Fudo-in Temple), and finally back to Tokyo (Sunroute Shinjuku Plaza). It also included a cycle tour of Tokyo, and a private guide in both Kyoto and Mount Koya - Mat.
Sally and Terry booked a very last minute Self Guided trip in peak cherry blossom time. It took in: Tokyo (Richmond Asakusa Hotel), Matsumoto (Kagetsu Hotel), Kyoto (Kyoto Royal Hotel and Spa Hotel), Mount Koya (Fudo-in Temple), and finally back to Tokyo (Sunroute Shinjuku Plaza). It also included a cycle tour of Tokyo, and a private guide in both Kyoto and Mount Koya - Mat.
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| Michael Bull - 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?
We really couldn't fault ant aspect of the service we received, which translated into a fantastic experience in Japan.
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Our holiday was originally booked for April 2010, but we made the difficult decision to delay it following the earthquake. Jocelyn handled this very well, and without any fuss. She reminded us when it was time to rebook, and again handled all aspects with no problems. We were pleased we took up her suggestion of the Geisha Theatre whilst in Kyoto.
3.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
4.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
The locations of all the hotels were very good. At the Asakusa View Hotel we were upgraded to a larger room which was very spacious. The ryokan at Hakone was a completely different experience, and we both felt our trip would have been incomplete without it (we tried all the food, but did find some of it 'challenging'!). The Granvia in Kyoto is an excellent location, and our final night at the Park Hyatt in Tokyo was amazing!
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
Travelling by train and bus was much easier than we had anticipated. The Shinkansen trains were superb.Even the rural buses in Hakone had displays in English so we knew exactly where we were. No problems at all.
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
Mami-san in Tokyo and Suzuki-san in Kyoto were both excellent, and geared the days to things we wanted to see and do. We were amazed at how much they managed to pack in!
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
We enjoyed the opportunity to try all sorts of Japanese food. The Kaiseki meals at our ryokan were obviously of a very high standard, but we did find some of it difficult - there was more sashimi than we needed! Nevertheless we were pleased to experience it.
Unfortunately it rained all day in Hakone, but we found our way to the Pola Art Gallery which was an unexpected treat.
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
Having experienced your service once, I can't think why we would want to use anyone else! The Info-Pack was our bible whilst in Japan and had the answer to just about all our questions.
Review submitted: 28th Apr 2012 at 17:22
InsideJapan Tours says:
Thanks for your kind feedback Michael and so glad the trip went well after sadly having to delay it last year. A stay in a ryokan is not to be missed as you say, and the food is, if not to everyone's tastes, certainly an experience in itself! Do get in touch if you wish to travel again and we will be more than happy to help - Jocelyn
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| Rosemary - 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?
First day not too sure but after that really enjoyable two weeks which got better and better -
the information about mobile phones proved to be incorrect and a few were unable to make any connections even though we had 3g- nedd too be advised to sign up to international plan
ordinary adaptors were fine - so no need for anything else which had been a worry. Minor issues but caused anxiety.
Tom was great - slight concern that partner fell on last but one day and seemed bruised but had in fact broken two ribs. Tom took great care within hotel - would have been good if he had been around to make sure I was able to get everything on the bus for airport - did struggle a bit with tow cases and hand luggage -Altogether many wonderful memories and super group of people . Japanese made us feel so welcome
2.
Tour Leader name and satisfaction rating:
Tom was able to introduce us to a different culture and way of life with good humour - guided us all in right direction and recommendations were good. Well organised.
3.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
all questions were answered promptly and courteously - even the silly ones !
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.
No Answer Given
7.
Please tell us your thoughts on the meals included during your tour.
No Answer Given
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?
Review submitted: 28th Apr 2012 at 17:22
InsideJapan Tours says:
Hi Rosemary
Many thanks for taking the time to send us your tour feedback. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the Spring Elegance tour with Tom. Firstly, I am sorry to hear that you were unable to make calls from you mobile in Japan. The issue of 3g phones working in Japan is frustrating as it seems a little inconsistent depending on the UK network provider and individual contracts. Japan uses a different system to the rest of the world and there are no longer any GSM networks. I am also sorry to hear that your husband had a fall - I hope he has recovered.
I am always happy to hear that the Japanese are so welcoming. This makes the travelling experience more pleasurable and is one of the main reasons that all the staff at IJT are so passionate about Japan. Tom is an excellent tour leader and he is very knowledgeable about Japan. I'm glad he made your trip fun and entertaining. I'm sure Tom will be happy to read your feedback which I have passed on.
I hope your trip has inspired you to return to Japan in the future. I would be more than happy to put a trip together for you - Mark
Many thanks for taking the time to send us your tour feedback. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the Spring Elegance tour with Tom. Firstly, I am sorry to hear that you were unable to make calls from you mobile in Japan. The issue of 3g phones working in Japan is frustrating as it seems a little inconsistent depending on the UK network provider and individual contracts. Japan uses a different system to the rest of the world and there are no longer any GSM networks. I am also sorry to hear that your husband had a fall - I hope he has recovered.
I am always happy to hear that the Japanese are so welcoming. This makes the travelling experience more pleasurable and is one of the main reasons that all the staff at IJT are so passionate about Japan. Tom is an excellent tour leader and he is very knowledgeable about Japan. I'm glad he made your trip fun and entertaining. I'm sure Tom will be happy to read your feedback which I have passed on.
I hope your trip has inspired you to return to Japan in the future. I would be more than happy to put a trip together for you - Mark
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| Kay Ringwood - Japan Enchantment, 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?
We had a wonderful holiday and enjoyed every moment. The organisation of the tour was very efficient and our tour guide was superb. Our only comment was that it was a busy tour and we could have done with twice as long at every stop.
2.
Tour Leader name and satisfaction rating:
Ota-san made a very good holiday excellent. We felt we were on holiday with a personal friend and he worked with such enthusiasm to not only deliver the tour for the group, but behind the scenes looking after the interests of every individual.
3.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Booking was straight-forward. Impressed with the pre-tour information pack.
4.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
5.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
Large queues at breakfast time at some of the hotels, sometimes having to wait for a table, was our only complaint.
6.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
The transport all worked very well. We were worried beforehand about moving our luggage around, but it was not an issue. It maybe took longer hopping on and off buses, but you ceetainly see more, especially travelling by train through the countryside. A coach for the full day tours where there were lots of bus transfers might have been an idea, as we were waiting at bus stops quite a bit.
7.
Please tell us your thoughts on the meals included during your tour.
I decided that Japanese food was not to my taste, but I can't criticise the quantity or quality. The Japanese banquets at the Ryokan were an amazing experience even if I didn't eat everything. The tour guide requested alternative dishes for me at some of the set meals and I really appreciated that.
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?
Very well organised; would be confident that we'd be well looked after and considerable thought had gone into the choice of venues.
Review submitted: 28th Apr 2012 at 17:22
InsideJapan Tours says:
Thanks for your feedback Kay. Glad you enjoyed our Japan Enchantment group tour. The tour leader Ota-san is indeed an asset to us; glad he looked after you well. There is certainly lots to see and do at each stop on the tour, so we try hard to show our customers a good range of destinations in 2 weeks, without making the tour too rushed. We have many customers who come back to us for a 2nd, 3rd (or beyond!) Japan trip, which often takes in more time in places like Tokyo and Kyoto, where there is a lifetime's worth of discovery. We would love to help you plan a return visit to Japan, either another of our Small Group Tours, or a Self-Guided trip. Harry, for Natasha.
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| Tony Bowen - Independent Travel, Apr 2012 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
|
1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
Tour guide books extremely finite.Hotel accommodation consistently of high standard.One to one guide for Tokyo[extra] was excellent.very impressed with Kyoto hotel was very central and very good standard
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
courteous friendly extremely efficient
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 standard .Particularly impresed with acc on Miajyma island Super small mmother/son hotel c v friendly atmosphere.Kyoto hotel also v good c excellent breakfasts.
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
You should warn clients that they often have to hump luggage up and down stairs on subway
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
My guide in Tokyo was excellent.Very personable youg lady. Saw an immense amount of Tokyo in my 8 hours.Please pass on my sincere thanks and best wishes to her.
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
Japanese food of consistently high standard.Japanese people extremely courteous and friendly.Coiutry extremely clean-hard to find a rubbish bin as no rubbish!
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
Was very impressed with the allround service,v good accommodation, general guidance and transport arrangements
Review submitted: 27th Apr 2012 at 17:22
InsideJapan Tours says:
Thanks for your feedback Tony, and welcome home! Tony did a classic self-guided Japan itinerary, based on our 9-night Golden Route trip. We included a day with a private guide in Tokyo, which is a great way to get to grips with the city, its sights and Japan as a whole. Highly recommended to complement any Japan trip. Harry.
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| Dodie Leonard - Best of Japan, 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?
great
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
JKB was lovely but want to say that Harry and the others whom I would speak to occasionally were brilliant and their advice was always excellent.
3.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
4.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
some places exceeded it - The lovely garden room at Ichynoyu Shinkan with its own hot bath. The fantastic people at Tanabe Ryokan (lovely garden room again). We just got a thank you card from Mrs Tanabe for staying at her gaff and for the chocolate cow we left as a present. We were also really overwhelmed by the Dotonburi's generosity of spirit. It looks like a chinese hotel with its crazy old-lady carpet and painted ceiling dining room but they urged us to call home - overseas, on them - they gave free water and there was a myriad little touches that made us feel they cared. First hotel that gave you two pillows! The hida in takayama was the biggest room and we laughed at the sign that said ' unfortunately the hotel leisure wear is not a gift' There was plenty of tea and biscuits/cake!
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
fantastic trains and instructions for transport were spot on. really appreciated the timetable of trains for each destination. by the way the dotonburi sells discounted travelcard with the aquarium tickets. i wished i'd read their info pack before we went hurtling out to the aquarium could have save 400yen per person!! also not obvious that kanazawa loop bus day ticket also covers other buses other than the loop bus.
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
lovely, lovely girls. michael quite smitten with them. would have liked to have had a guide nearer the end of the trip to bombard with questions that had accumulated - ie what was that strange poster with the people and dog singing on about? what do japanese think of england - when it is so disorganised compared to japan! is it like going to a 3rd world country for them?
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
we really appreciated the dinners at the japanese places and glad you put us in such fantastic ones. we would never have been able to order - or known how to order japanese food - actually 50% of the time we just got bento from takashimaya because we could see what we were getting (and even then we still got surprised!) recommend Kura in matsumoto, really lovely people. we did go to le midi in takayama (and bumped into another couple with inside japan!!) - they are mean with their meat portions - 200g of sirlion with chips for 5700yen! it was delicious, I said to michael that of course we had to pay for a couple of this cow's spa treatments - facial and pedicure - or should we say hooficure. My mother said that they play classical music to the animals so we probably paid for a mozart concert as well.
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
we feel we only did the middle bit of japan and now want to go to kyushu or hokkaido. Michael smitten by onsen way of living and complaining now that he has to wash his own backside (i said i could sluice him down with the hosepipe) but he is now plotting how to get a japanese toilet plumbed in! wished i'd known you could have got tickets for moss garden in kyoto because it completely escaped me before we went that it was one of those places that needed to be applied to in advance. Organising geisha tickets for us and the tsukiji fish breakfast was sublime! michael wants to know if you could organise a branch of takashimaya in Inverness - and also tokyu hands! All the hotels chosen were superb for location and or food/accommodation.
Review submitted: 27th Apr 2012 at 17:22
InsideJapan Tours says:
Lovely to read your feedback! I'm very glad to hear you had a successful trip and fell in love with the same things we all have: onsen, bento boxes, sushi breakfasts and of course the loos that do everything for you... Having a guide is really invaluable for asking those questions and are obviously very charming too. We'd love to help you with another trip, there is so much more to see and many more onsen to experience... -Jocelyn
Dodie travelled on an extended version of our Best of Japan self-guided adventure, stopping in Takayama during the famous festival.
Dodie travelled on an extended version of our Best of Japan self-guided adventure, stopping in Takayama during the famous festival.
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| Ann Malamah-thomas - Japan Enchantment, Apr 2012 |
Overall Satisfaction
Good
|
1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
In general, a good tour which covered a great deal in a short time and provided a good variety of experiences in Japan. The hotels were mainly excellent, with the exceptions of the ghastly fawlty towers style place in Hakone, and the hideously cluttered room and freezing cold bathroom of the accommodation in Kirezawa.The travel was efficiently organised and provided a good way of seeing more of the country. There seemed little logic as to what was included in terms of entry fees to specific sights and what was not - surely it would be simpler to include either everything for a slightly higher charge or include nothing.
2.
Tour Leader name and satisfaction rating:
Ota-san did an excellent job of organising us all and getting us from many as to bs on time. He was both efficient and patient with a group that was not always easy. Although I understood his need to take the views and preferences of all tour members into consideration, he did seem at times to accommodate those who shouted the loudest at the expense of the less vociferous amongst us - thus we ended up eating just a few too many sandwich lunches in oder to please those who were not too keen on Japanese food (tell me, why go to Japan if you don't eat fish?!)when I for one had hoped for a more regular intake of Japanese cuisine. Also, he was not a guide, nor could be expected to undertake this role along with his group organiser one. But on a few occasions, eg. in Kyoto where we seemed to rush through a number of sights at great speed and with little explanation, we could have done with the option of a local guide (perhaps with a better command of English than the one we had in Kanazawa)and a less frantic pace.
3.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Apart from communication with Jocelyn about paying the bill did not really have much contact.
4.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
5.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
As above,mostly met my expectations with two notable exceptions. The ryokan room in Kirezawa was impractical, cluttered and generally hideous, with a freezing cold bathroom and toilet. The hotel in Hakone was a joke in terms of fawlty towers type breakfast service, lumpy beds, and viewless room (yes, the singles got the car park rooms here)packed with rubbishy furniture.
6.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
Very good, efficient, well-organised. Trains provide a good opportunity to see the country.
7.
Please tell us your thoughts on the meals included during your tour.
The kaiseki in Kyoto was the highlight for me, the tempura in Hakone coming a close second. The ryokan dinners I found quite disappointing - bland and fairly tasteless for the most part.The final dinner was not included but the restaurant organised for us. The view was tremendous, but the food was not really very 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?
Your well-organised tour got me around more places than I would have managed by myself, but if I were to go back I'd probably do it independently at my own pace getting local guides next time.
Review submitted: 27th Apr 2012 at 17:22
InsideJapan Tours says:
Dear Ann, many thanks for travelling with us on the Japan Enchantment tour and I am pleased to hear that you had a good time overall. I am sorry that the Fujiya Hotel in Hakone and the Tsuruya Ryokan in Karuizawa did not meet expectations. The Fujiya Hotel is an historic property and certainly could do with a spot of refurbishment in places but the location is great and the service and atmosphere usually very good. Sorry that it did not work out on this occasion, it sounds like they were having a couple of off days in the restaurant and we will certainly investigate the room allocation for solo clients there. In Karuizawa the ryokan also has a long history and is a very traditional place. We will pass on the feedback about the cold bathroom. We will also work on clarifying the inclusions on tour which should be made very clear each day. Thank you again for travelling with us and the feedback which we will act upon. Kind regards, Simon King, Director, InsideJapan Tours.
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| Leslie Beaumont - Independent Travel, Apr 2012 |
Overall Satisfaction
Good
|
1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
No general comment
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
I was pleased to meet Maddy and discuss the itinerary and pose some practical questions not fully answered in e.g. the Lonely Planet guide book. Maddy later answered other queries by e-mail.
3.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
4.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
Allowing for rather 'bijou' hotel rooms when one is travelling alone in Japan, the accommodation was OK. The Kosenkaku Yoshinoya in Tosukawa Onsen was very good indeed, despite looking rather grim on the outside. The room was lovely and the personal service (only a few guests) most welcome. The tattiest was Minshuku Azumaya-so in Yunomine: the baths there were dirty and unwelcoming and the room left a lot to be desired. The effect was somewhat cancelled out by the unfailing generosity of the lady owner/cook (?) who was charming and went out of her way to be helpful and provide good food. The Sunroute Plaza in Shinjuku was very good.
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
Fine but quite demanding, even for an old salt like me. It would be helpful for your Info Pack to include an ABC of how the buses work: board at the back, take a ticket, see the fare on the electronic screen at the front etc.
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
Ms Shioji Todokoro in Tokyo was just great: responsive to my requests and full of interesting information. We packed a lot in at a reasonable pace and she helpfully assisted me in making JR reservations too. The guide in Kumano Kodo was OK but didn't really engage on what I might have wished to do and the walk/hike was all rather moderate given the scope afforded in the area. Still, he did refund the bus fare you paid him: the buses between Hongu and Yunomine are free following last year's earth slides. He was informative and good company. Ms Akemi Yahagi seemed a little put out that I had ideas of my own for the day. Perhaps because it was a Sunday and last day of the cherry blossom holiday and all of Japan seemed to be in Kyoto that day ! I was the greyhound to her hare such was her pace. We even ran for one bus. But she was charming but hardly forthcoming with much information or background, quite the opposite of Ms Todokoro.
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
Specifically on my itinerary, you suggested I might hike on Wed 11 April from Yunomine to Totsukawa. Given that I had all my luggage with me that was, in hindsight, a totally impractical suggestion. You also failed to mention the need to get one bus to Hongu and another (from a different stop) to Totsukawa. Overall, I liked and coped well with the food, especially tempura and I developed a taste for (carp) sushi. Love the vending machines.
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
It depends how organised I would want to be. I feel sufficiently confident to be able to organise most travel without assistance having had the recent experience. But for first-timers, I think IJT provide a good service albeit at a premium-ish price.
Review submitted: 27th Apr 2012 at 17:22
InsideJapan Tours says:
Welcome home Leslie and I'm glad you had fun in Japan. Leslie came into our Bristol office to talk about his Pilgrim's Paths trip, and its always great to meet our clients face to face. Thank you very much for your suggestions Leslie, we have now added a 'how to use Japanese buses' guide to our Kumano Kodo destination guide.
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