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 rating
12 month average rating
Overall Satisfaction
calculated from 398 reviews submitted in the last 12 months
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Client Picture Gallery
| Latest Reviews - Read what our travellers say |
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| Evelyn Char - Independent Travel, May 2013 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
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1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
The arrangements and Info-Pack were excellent, very helpful, made things flow smoothly. Subway/bus pass insured "no hassles" frequent trips, we felt independent.
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Appreciate accessible communication prior to trip. Matt was personable, professional, efficient, knowledgeable.
3.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
4.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
Accomodations, esp. breakfast included, for price paid was fantastic. Only disappointment was onsen portion of ryokan was small, not scenic at all. Ryokan itself, and location, was what I expected, food served was excellent.
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
late night arrival and pick up at airport was much appreciated. Pre-purchased Shinkansen tickets with explicit instructions saved us from worry and frustration. Shuttle from Kyoto to Kansai airport was worrisome, suggest earlier pickup time to allow for unforeseen delays. Call from Nagoya office was reassuring but time not changed so we still worried.
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
Nobuaki Nagata-san in Kyoto is outstanding! Quickly learned we do not like crowds, took us to places of interest with fewer people. English is very good, personable, knowledgeable, can explain and answer questions in detail.
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
We had a wonderful trip, thanks to your efforts. The hotel breakfasts were more than adequate, a healthy way to begin our day. Info-Pack suggestions and routes for things/places to see were excellent. When ryokan staff could not explain to us about the shuttle coming earlier, they phoned your Nagoya office for help. That person was very clear in her explanation. It had not occurred to us to call them.
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
We travel to Japan fairly often to visit our son. The arrangements you made took the worry and frustration away, my Japanese language is not sufficient to be comfortable in making these arrangements. It also alleviated our son from having to interrupt his busy work time to do it for us. Gave us much more independence. The hotel in Tokyo was only minutes from his workplace, that was a bonus for all.
Review submitted: 19th Jun 2013 at 17:29
InsideJapan Tours says:
Hello Evelyn, many thanks for your kind comments! I was really happy to hear that your trip to Japan was such a success! We like to think that a big part of our job is taking the work and stress out of planning a trip, so I am very glad that you agree with this.
Nagata-san is indeed a very good guide, and having his own car gives you a lot of flexibility, as you found out. I am sorry to read that the onsen at the ryokan in Kyoto was perhaps a little sub-par, but it sounds as if the delicious food maybe made up for it in part.
After spending five nights in Tokyo seeing family and making your use of the included PASMO cards, Evelyn and her family spent four nights in Kyoto. Whilst here they had a full day tour and then, with their guide Nagata san, drove to the wonderful Miho Museum. (Mat)
Nagata-san is indeed a very good guide, and having his own car gives you a lot of flexibility, as you found out. I am sorry to read that the onsen at the ryokan in Kyoto was perhaps a little sub-par, but it sounds as if the delicious food maybe made up for it in part.
After spending five nights in Tokyo seeing family and making your use of the included PASMO cards, Evelyn and her family spent four nights in Kyoto. Whilst here they had a full day tour and then, with their guide Nagata san, drove to the wonderful Miho Museum. (Mat)
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| David Pleasence - Independent Travel, May 2013 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
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1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
The package Inside Japan put together exactly matched our requirements and the attention to detail was first class
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
David Wall organised the trip but left the company before we went to Japan. Harry then looked after the holiday and was in regular contact
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 top end Hotels in the cities and also experienced the Ryakon and Budist Temple where we slept on the floor
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
We used trains for the whole of our trip and the advice from Inside Japan made this very easy.
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
The guide in Tokyo was very good and arranged the day to meet our requirements.
The guide in Kyoto was full of interesting information and arranged the day very well. He was also interested in our trip.
The guide at Mt Koya made the rail journey very easy and gave detailed information on the Temples.
The guide at Hiroshima did not speak good English and was the one poor part of the trip.
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
The food was Japanese and vegitarian when we stayed in the Temple. It was very interesting and we enjoyed it but it was also good that we could go to Italian Resturants on two occasions for a change of food.
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
Inside Japan organised the trip to our requirements and then made certain everything was satisfatory whilst we were in Japan.
Review submitted: 18th Jun 2013 at 17:29
InsideJapan Tours says:
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| Lesley Kay - Independent Travel, May 2013 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
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1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
Fantastic holiday which exceeded our expectations in every way. No detail unaccounted for. Superb value for money.
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Vivienne was superb - she phoned us whilst we were in Japan to find out how our holiday was going and also when we arrived home.
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.
Fantastic value for money. Instructions easy to follow.
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
Two days included a guide (one day in Kyoto and one day in Tokyo) - really added to the experience.
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?
Excellent service, high quality information, good quality hotels, fabulous travel arrangements.
Review submitted: 17th Jun 2013 at 17:29
InsideJapan Tours says:
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| Eric Steinmiller - Independent Travel, May 2013 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
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1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
The accommodation selected was excellent, especially the Japanese style places. All of the included meals were really really good. The transportation was well laid out and went extremely smoothly. The luggage forwarding is a tremendous service. Our guides in Tokyo and Kyoto were awesome.
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Amy made the effort to understand the type of itinerary we wanted. She was very open to our suggestions, and steered us in the right direction where our desires were impractical. She was able to answer all questions we had.
3.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
4.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
The accommodation selected was excellent, especially the Japanese style places. All of the included meals were really really good.
Sleeping "on the floor" and eating the Japanese food gave us a much better feel for Japan than staying in all western style hotels (although we did enjoy the western food buffet breakfasts where available.
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
The transportation was well laid out and went extremely smoothly. The luggage forwarding is a tremendous service. People need not fear getting around Japan on their own with your guidance.
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
Our guides in Tokyo and Kyoto were awesome. It was great to have the guide in Tokyo our first day as she also showed us how to do many practical things like activate rail pass, top up Pasmo card, and do luggage forwarding.
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
As you will see from our answers to the forgoing questions, we were very pleased with your service.
We consider ourselves to be pretty experienced travellers, so we thought we would give you some more specific feedback below. Any of it that is negative is just intended to help you make the experience of those who go after us even better!We would discourage people from going to Ise unless they are deeply into religion, especially in a "rebuilding year".
7-11 ATM's stopped taking Cirrus debit cards and MasterCard in April, 2013. It requires patience to get money at the post office as sometimes the "lines are busy".
We went to the tuna auction in Tokyo at 4:30 but were nowhere near early enough.
The pictures of the accommodation in the info-paks are very helpful. The directions to the two places we stayed during the Shimanamikado trip were not accurate enough.
In Ise, we were directed to a train station exit 2, but there are no numbered exits.
We recommend adding to your Matsuyama info-pak the restaurant Oikendal which has great traditional food in a Japanese setting, and is steps from both the bath house and what was our accommodation.
The directions to the bike return in Imbari should be better.
You can not overstate the importance of using taxis on occasion to get around Kyoto. The sites are quite spread out and it is very helpful to take a taxi to make the best use of your time occasionally, and they are not that expensive.
The volunteer guide in Nara was fabulous. We tried to get one in Kanazawa but two days ahead wasn't enough lead time.
The restaurant recommendations in the info-paks may need an update. For example, one we went to find in Kyoto had gone out of business.
In our opinion, the "hike" to the Great Buddha in Kamakura is not worth it. That is, don't bother with the hike, but see the great Buddha.
In case it is a seasonal thing, you might forewarn people that there are a lot of school trips at the "tourist" sites at the time of year we went.
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
Review submitted: 16th Jun 2013 at 17:29
InsideJapan Tours says:
Welcome back, Eric! I'm happy that everything went perfectly and you enjoyed almost every aspect of your time in Japan. It's great that you used the luggage forwarding service as it's simple to organize and lets you travel without having to worry about keeping track of all your luggage. It sounds like you had a wonderful time, even though you didn't get to see the tuna auction (it's ridiculously popular!) and Ise was in a "rebuilding" year. Thank you for you insightful and useful comments--we will definitely consider them for future clients, especially the taxis in Kyoto!
Eric did a modified version of our World Heritage self-guided itinerary this May to make the trip truly his, such as adding Sumo tickets and a cycling trip across the Inland Sea to Shikoku. We happy to add any experiences you would like to an itinerary, or even whole destinations.
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| Johannes Botha - Tokaido Trail, May 2013 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
|
1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
Excellent communication and service from IJP on all aspects of the trip. Japan and the tour itself exceeded our expectations. Using public transport to get around, a tour leader who took meticulous care of every detail and gave us the 'inside' Japan perspective, and the flexibility of being able to go our own way on occasion made this the best the group holiday we’ve been on.
2.
Tour Leader name and satisfaction rating:
Andrew was a crucial element (if not the main) in our enjoyment of the trip and our emerging love for Japan. His exceptional proficiency in Japanese, knowledge of the way of life and obvious enjoyment of everything Japanese was inspirational. His skills in planning where we were going on the day, choosing or recommending restaurant, having our tickets ready for every journey, helping us choose bento boxes, answering our many questions, etc were great. He is an asset to your company.
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?
Scrupulously clean, helpful friendly staff, well located, great toilets.
6.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
The fact that public transport was our was of getting round was one of the reasons we chose this tour. We were not disappointed!
7.
Please tell us your thoughts on the meals included during your tour.
The one meal included in our trip was good - gave us an opportunity to taste a wider range of food.
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?
Using public transport, flexibility possible even if part of a small group tour, confidence in accommodation choice, having a tour leader who lives in Japan and speaks the language.
Review submitted: 16th Jun 2013 at 17:29
InsideJapan Tours says:
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| Karl-heinz Jung - Pilgrim's Paths, Apr 2013 |
Overall Satisfaction
Good
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1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
very well organised, good advice
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?
Nicest was in Totsukawa Onsen. Wonderful food.
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
Please advice travellers to travel really LIGHT. When taking the bus to Yusomine Onsen, you can ask the busdriver to stop where the road to the hotel leaves the main road.
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
Hiking guide, very nice, learnt a lot of him.
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
Good that meals were inlcuded - otherwise would be very difficult in the mountain area.
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
Good package, efficient booking, nice to be called in Japan to make sure everything is alright.
Review submitted: 16th Jun 2013 at 17:29
InsideJapan Tours says:
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| Gillian Chidgey - Secrets of Shikoku, May 2013 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
|
1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
Personal service to taylor my trip exactly as I wanted , with suggestions and discussions when I didn't know what I wanted... tickets and hotel reservations sorted beautifully , and day to day information for travel , arrivals and sights all to hand.
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Happy discussions; my consultant sounded relatively new to the service ,but there was a sense of her getting good back up and info from others.
3.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
4.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
I stayed in some beautiful hotels, in the Japansese style.
the more simple accommodation was adequate .
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
Terrific. Your buying the tickets , so clearly labelled and delivered to my hotel, made life very easy. Loved the trains; no problems at all in finding the right ones, or managing changes, with your details and of course helpful railway staff and signage.
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
No professional guiding.
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
I had a lot of included meals ,as I had been anxious about finding suitable places on my own.All included meals were enjoyable; chopstick skill improved. Coffee was more universally available than I remember 2 years ago, which I was pleased about.
At Takamatsu the japanese welcome and standard of accommodation was wonderful , but Kotohira was even better ,with roses in the bath and a better dining room.
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
You know the country and give good advice.
you set things up well.
Your information packs make life as straightforward as possible.
Review submitted: 15th Jun 2013 at 17:29
InsideJapan Tours says:
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| Alexander Wackett - Independent Travel, Jun 2013 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
|
1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
The tour documents that were provided were perfect and allowed us to enjoy Japan without having to worry about the travelling logistics that the language barrier could make difficult
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
Seemed to deal with 3-4 people through the process so wasn't exactly sure who my consultant was to be honest
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: 15th Jun 2013 at 17:29
InsideJapan Tours says:
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| John Massey - Independent Travel, May 2013 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
|
1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
Inside Japan Tours provided everything promised, and more. The information and instructions were extremely detailed and clear. Everything went to plan and we had a wonderful time in Japan.
2.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
We found Nathaniel Saito to be extremely responsive and helpful. He was efficient, well organised, and had a lovely manner. Because our interests did not fit into any established tour, Nathaniel had to craft our trip individually, and he did this extremely well. Nothing was too much trouble for him, and he was delightful to work with.
3.
How would you rate your package in terms of value for money?
4.
How would you rate the accommodation against your expectations?
We had a mix of superior and regular accommodation, and we found it all to be most satisfactory. Our accommodation in Tokyo at the start of our trip and on Naoshima Island was exceptional.
5.
Please give us your comments on the transport included in your package.
Everything worked as described and we had no problems - even when we only had three minutes to make a train connection!
6.
Please comment on any professional guiding included in your package?
We had guides for one day each in Tokyo, Nikko and Kyoto, and all three were excellent. We especially enjoyed Mr Ota in Nikko, because of his delightful personality. The only slight criticism we'd make is that the day tour in Kyoto was a bit too long and rushed, but this was mainly because the guide wanted to make sure we saw all of the highlights.
7.
How do you rate the usefulness and standard of information in the Info-Pack?
General Comments
My wife found the Japanese food a bit challenging, whereas I could live on sushi so I had no problems! The Japanese dinners served at the ryokan we stayed at in Kawayu Onsen was exquisite, but rather strange for our palates, and there was no alternative. The French restaurant at Benesse House on Naoshima was outstanding. Also, the overall service at Benesse House exceptional. We found the Japanese people extremely warm, friendly, polite and helpful. And the Japanese public transportation systems are amazing.
8.
Would you consider travelling to Japan again?
9.
Would you travel again with InsideJapan Tours?
We're generally independent travellers, but the arrangements made by Inside Japan Tours enabled us to have our independence while providing excellent support and assistance with the practicalities of travel in Japan. Also, IJP has expert, in depth knowledge of Japan and so is able to provide advice and assistance to make independent travel much less stressful (especially for non-Japanese speakers).
Review submitted: 15th Jun 2013 at 17:29
InsideJapan Tours says:
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| Arturo Toledo - Essential Honshu, May 2013 |
Overall Satisfaction
Excellent
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1.
How would you describe your overall level of satisfaction with us as your tour operator?
Inside Japan Tours provide with all the information that I needed to arrive in Tokyo and learn about it as well. My experience in Japan was an amazing one.
2.
Tour Leader name and satisfaction rating:
Very energetic, easy going, accessible, funny and always making sure everyone was having a good time.
3.
Consultant name and satisfaction rating:
My travel consultant gave me straight answers to my questions and in short time.
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: 14th Jun 2013 at 17:29
InsideJapan Tours says:
Hello Arturo! I am very happy to read that you really enjoyed your time on the Essential Honshu Small Group Tour. This really is one of my favourite Small Groups as you get to experience the very best in rural and urban Japan! Isn't Kamikochi just gorgeous.
Please do let me know if you fancy exploring another area of Japan. (Mat).
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