Testimonials

Mrs. & Mr. Wood

This tour was fantastic! There was a little of variety: castles, shrines, gardens, cultural experiences.. every day was different, and it kept things fresh and exciting.

Mr. Logan & Mrs. Castaneda

Fast paced, well organized, pleased with quick entry into shrines & gardens, enjoyed activities like maiko dinner, kimono experience, bonsai farm & sword museum visits. Excellent & informative guide, skilled bus driver. Enjoyed seeing daily street life from the bus tours. Was very impressed that our guide got us into sites early before crowds arrived, hotel staffs directed parking and luggage. The portions of Japan that we saw are extraordinarily clean, litter-free, graffiti free. Nice mix of gardens, shrines, museums, history, & culture. Twelve travelers is an excellent group size for one guide and driver. Jack and Edie Logan

Mr. & Mrs. Castaneda

The tour was wonderful. We enjoyed everything. It was filled with history, religion, culture and food.

Ms. Hopkins & Ms. Ulukaya

This tour was all I had hoped and more, a thoughtful mix of lovely gardens, fascinating temples, interesting cities/towns and unique experiences. The trip was very well planned, paced and executed, and the number and variety of things we were able to see was astonishing. Our visits to popular and potentially crowded destinations, such the Adachi Garden and Naoshima Art Island, were scheduled either early or late, minimizing the crowds encountered and increasing our enjoyment. The amount of time we had in each destination was carefully considered so I was never at loose ends or felt overly rushed. Each garden visited was unique and beautiful in its own way, and I couldn’t choose a favorite. There was also a delightful diversity of unusual experiences, all enjoyable: the bonsai nursery, the pottery studio, the tea ceremony in the private home, the dinner with the Maiko girl, the kimono experience were especially memorable. Accommodations were always comfortable, (our Hakone ryokan was particularly stunning!), and meals were tasty, authentic, beautifully prepared and presented. Our guide, Kimi, was wonderful: knowledgeable, resourceful, patient, kind and good-humored. She made this tour pure pleasure. Our tour size of 12 was just right and we were even blessed with the weather: we saw cherry blossoms all along our journey, and they were in full bloom by the time we reached Tokyo.

Mr. & Mrs. Crow

My husband and I just got back from our tour of Japan and would like to give you some feedback. We had an incredible time! It was a trip of a lifetime. I liked it even better than Paris and that is saying something!

Mrs. Maschal

I think we all came away feeling like we got exactly what we hoped for! The places we went were amazing - I was especially surprised by how much of the ART I enjoyed - spectacular. We really felt Kimi was extremely knowledgeable on all of the places and things we saw and that she genuinely cared about our experience. The hotels were wonderful. Favorites were the ryokan and the Hotel Royal Classic in Osaka. We probably could've spent an entire day at the sword museum (if you're into that - so much to learn) and Bizen Village (buying pottery! - we ran out of time there) The kimono exhibit, the architectural walk, the Ohara museum, the ChiChu! (another favorite!)...and on and on. Each day, we would say well they can't top this and the next day, even better!

Mr. Sash & Ms. Bruel

Absolutely outstanding . Kimiko was terrific

Ms. Watkins

My sister and I had a wonderful time on our tour. The gardens were stunningly beautiful and the cultural activities were delightful. Two highlights were the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum, with our learned and entertaining English guide who was a metal archeologist, and Hasshu-an with Grand Masters leading us in a tea ceremony and flower arranging. Other favorites were the Chichu Museum and Hakone Open Air Museum. Of course, we enjoyed the magnificent cherry blossoms nearly everywhere. Every day held special treats, many that we would never have found on our own. Our guide Kimi was always in good humor and kept us moving with a very busy itinerary, adapting seamlessly when site closures or other unforeseen circumstances dictated. The 12-person group was a perfect size for us and full of the loveliest people. I highly recommend this tour for anyone who wants to see many parts of Japan, not just the usual city sites.

Ms. Ann Granger

The tour and guide met all my expectations and more…it was a jammed packed week that offered a wonderful experience of Japan.