Memorable parts? Climbing Mount Fuji Tips? Check and double check the company's timetable of events to make sure that they have booked everything correctly. Local benefits? Yes, it did all that. Overall rating? The holiday itself was great but the planning, which is what we paid for, was bad. The timetable had us arriving back from Mount Fuji at 6pm but doing a tour at 2pm which then had to be cancelled but we ended up arriving back at 1pm so we would have had ... (more)Barry Kavanagh

Just being in nature was definitely wonderful. Also the food was amazing (more)Kirsten Mcewan

5 Star (more)Dora Secord

The post towns were varied and interesting as were the Ryokan. Japanese toilets even in the forests are unbelievably good ! (more)Kim Sharples

It was awesome and I am busy convincing friends to go. (more)Name withheld

This is the greatest trip I've ever taken. I loved our guide Satoko who had a great sense of humor... and the locations seemed untouched by tourism... I will be using you again in the future. (more)Ruby Wax

Not just a walking holiday, a real immersion in Japanese culture and history... Brilliant and Our guide was faultless. (more)Maggie Cooke

Memorable parts? So many it is really hard to choose one. Komano Koda was very special. The Kayaking and cycling around Onimichi were great. Nakasendo was also well worth it for all the old buildings. All the food was amazing. The guest houses with the Onsens were wonderfull especially after the long walk. Tips? Make sure you get an E SIM with plenty of data because there are some really special bars and restaurants that you can get to especially in the big cities and you ... (more)Roger Parkes

Memorable parts? There were so just many; the wine festival, the horse-racing, the taiko drumming, the tea ceremony and all the fantastic restaurants. If we had to choose one it would be staying in a Ryokan. Tips? The restaurants are tiny and hard to book, plan ahead when looking to eat out. Local benefits? This was mainly a city break, but we did engage with local people where there were few tourists such as the wine festival and horse-racing. Also, paying for the tea ... (more)Clare Patterson

Very good and varied, well led (more)Chris melville

Absolutely superb. Not a single quibble or criticism. We are ALREADY planning our next tour for next year with them. (more)Philip Darbyshire

Extremely well organised and thought out. A wide range of interest, covering so many aspects of the area. We were extremely lucky to have a truly great guide, Kinga, who was unfailingly helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and professional. She was the difference between a good and a great holiday. (more)Alisoun Roberts

The most memorable part of the holiday was walking for days with seeing hardly anybody, only wonderful nature. And the amazing food in the local inns. (more)Babette Braun

Hard to choose the most memorable moment. Bathing naked in hot sting under the stars. Walking snow packed paths, through the mountains. We had an amazing experience and the people at the inns couldn’t have been more kind and helpful. (more)Prue Thimbleby

Holiday was amazing, we had a great time and really want to go back to Japan in future. Riding the cable car over the top of a crevasse and seeing Mount Fuji for the first time - gave us goosebumps. (more)Sophie Blow

Memorable moments included practising calligraphy and wood block printing, sitting on the 14th floor open air rooftop overlooking the peace park in Hiroshima, sitting admiring Matsumoto black crow castle after dark. (more)Michael Jacoby

The snow monkeys, the city lights of Tokyo, the local restaurants and bars, the food and the friendliness & helpfulness of the people were memorable. (more)Alan Hope

Excellent. Another Responsible travel recommendation that exceeded our expectations. (more)Ann Taylor

We love the tour operator and highly recommend them. (more)John Palfrey

We loved Nijo Castle in Tokyo, also staying at the ryokan in Hakone, the food was fantastic and the area was beautiful! (more)Elizabeth Standard

The beautiful scenery, warm and wonderful people, challenging hiking. (more)Jerri-Ann Meyer

The most memorable part of the holiday was the temple complex at Kota-Hira and the town itself (more)Alison Twiney

If you want to get beyond the glitz and ‘hustle and bustle’ of cities, this is a trip for you. You will see and experience rural and provincial Japan close up and personal, and hopefully, like us, come away having loved it. (more)Richard Shortt

Seeing the cherry blossoms, the major shrines and the lovely people (more)Catherine Jones

One of our best. (more)Max Lever

10/10 - Very enriching and rewarding. We thoroughly enjoyed it... A million thanks! (more)Licinia Pereira

The most memorable part of the holiday was the train travel and scenery. (more)Stuart Ackley

The most exciting elements were the cultural differences and beauty of Japan. The most memorable was the stunning 'Japanese Alps' at Kamicochi. (more)John Harlow

Autumn colours were wonderful and the temples were most interesting. Excellent, with attention to detail, which made the tour very easy for the group. Hotels very good. (more)Ann Caroe

A good break as well as an appreciation of what Japan has to offer. (more)Chandra Kant Sharma

I enjoyed everything - lots of walking, shrines, temples, history, culture, and also the day-to-day things like learning about the different regions of Japan and how to enjoy the onsen… I would very happily do it again! (more)Maura Giedre Vebeliunas

Great tour of the most interesting places to visit. Too expensive for what was offered. Meals not included. Lots of "free time" so more visits not included. (more)Danielle Ceulemans

Absolutely stellar! It was everything I hoped for, and more. (more)Lark Burger

So many memorable things but I think just getting out of the city and seeing and being part of rural Japan was incredible. (more)Philip White

Travelling on local trains and buses and the opportunity to do lots of walking in beautiful places were the most memorable parts of our holiday. (more)Margaret Watts

So many things contributed to a wonderful holiday. The walks were beautiful, obviously of great historical significance, and challenging enough to have felt a sense of achievement in completion each day. Coupled with arriving at onsen to bathe and enjoy wonderful food and hospitality each night, this was for me a great combination. (more)Ross Carne

Hiking between post towns on the Nakasendo Trail; onsens; snow monkeys; our first tour leader Aya-san. She created a lovely group cohesion and experience. We all loved her. (more)Susan Rosen

The tranquility and beauty of the Kii Peninsula must be experienced. I want to return... I give this holiday five stars because it was so interesting and beautiful. My friend and I made it through and are pleased with our achievement! (more)Maria Dichov

Memorable parts? It was all memorable Tips? Be prepared for all the travel and be aware you go to places that are not so well-known - it really is like this - but it is great to have the opportunity to do this. Local benefits? Yes - sometimes - eg the smallish guest house on Yokoshima, the train journey in aid of victims of the earthquake a few years before in Kyush. Overall rating? (more)Denise Brady

Memorable parts? Hearing the Temple Bell ringing and the chanting of pilgrims as you walk down to a Temple through a forest of tall Japanese Cedars - magical! Tips? Reading up on the Shikoku Henro pilgrimage is valuable to appreciate the Buddhist history and principles underlying the Henro tradition Local benefits? Local accommodation was used where available, walking between Temples and public transport was used where practical as well as interactions with local people ... (more)Jennifer Steward

Excellent...Lots of highlights so difficult to pick one - perhaps the food tour in Tokyo? (more)Jeremy Gillman

We loved listening to the birds and cicadas and walking in the beautiful gardens. This is one of the many memorable moments as Japan and our holiday was full of them. The cities, the nature and the art. We did not have one experience that we did not enjoy. (more)Alison Pearce

A fantastic trip, very easy to travel, public transport is very efficient. Everything is spotless including many public toilets. The food is varied, interesting and healthy. (more)Jenny Freeman

It was mind-blowing and exceeded all of our expectations. This company made it so easy for us to navigate and maximise our time in Japan, totally fantastic! (more)Jenny Mcilwaine

So much was excellent, it is hard to decide. My wife and I love sumo so perhaps it seeing that live was the best but so much else was great. (more)John Miller

Memorable parts? Probably staying in two historic ryokan but the travelling over 4 days to two different locations was great fun as well. And the best moment was the sudden unexpected view of Mount Fuji from Oshino Hakkai. Tips? We are in our mid sixties and I was nervous beforehand about our ability to figure out the transportation by ourselves. In fact, with the helpful information plus clear ticketing, it was all very straightforward and went extremely smoothly. And local ... (more)Jane Williams