3 independent reviews for Walking tours to Japan
Reviews for Walking tours to Japan
Philippa Retigan review 22 Oct 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Experiencing the different culture in Japan and the contrast between the cities and the countryside. The food in most of the ryokans was amazing and quite frequently laid out like a visually stunning banquet. I am sure anyone would find enough to eat and enjoy, even if not particularly into Japanese food. We enjoyed wearing the kimono type gowns or pyjamas for dinner, with all of our fellow travellers, and the onsens were great.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It's quite full on, even though there are opportunities to relax during the walking part of the tour. Cast your inhibitions about shedding your clothing and enjoy the onsens (all single sex). Do try and get out and about on your rest days and use the subway and buses. We got lost at times, but used google translate to ask for help if we couldn't find anyone who spoke English. We arranged to rent a wifi router in advance of travelling, which we picked up at the airport on arrival. We therefore had internet for both phones the whole time. We went to Nara for the day, which we enjoyed, and which was an easy journey from Kyoto, but you could always stay on longer in Osaka at the end of the tour and visit Nara from there. Our guide was a mine of information, keen for us to see as much as possible and very helpful and considerate throughout. We packed far too many clothes, particularly as it's nice to wear the kimonos or pyjamas at the Ryokans. There are facilities for washing and drying clothes nearly everywhere.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes - we stayed several nights in local inns/ryokans and used public transport virtually throughout.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good. It will take a while to process everything we have seen and done.Lisa Thompson review 7 Nov 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We particularly enjoyed Kyoto which gave a mix of city living with the cultural experiences. We visited Sanjusangendo temple which holds 1001 life sized statues, which wasn't a highlight in our guide book but should be in our opinions....it was amazing!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Although there are ATMs in Japanese cities, they do not accept non Japanese debit cards even where the Visa sign is displayed. So either take cash, or look for 7/eleven stores whose shop ATMs oddly do accept them! For vegan / vegetarian travellers the local inns will be able to better accommodate your diet if planned in advance. Finding vegan restaurants in cities is tricky even with the address but the address is in English and the street /restaurant signs are obviously in Japanese. Having said that there are some such places and we did find 2.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Staying in the Ryokans would have boosted funds for those families but I'm not sure we benefited the community as such as many of the local museums we were supposed to visit were closed when we were there.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We really enjoyed it and were lucky enough to be in Osaka whilst the 'Unknown Asa' exhibition was on which was incredible. 200+ creative exhibitions including ceramics, textiles and other art forms.Una Dinning review 22 Oct 2013
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Walking in the countryside - seeing parts of Japan that I would never have discovered on my own and being guided by a reliable expert. Asuka, Dorogawa and the Mitarai Gorge were particularly memorable. Also - wonderful exotic food, charming ryokans and soothing onsens. (And the company of like-minded fellow travellers.)2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Ensure that you are fit enough to do the walking required, get a really good rucksack and carry as little as possible. There are drinks and ice creams in machines everywhere so you don't always need to carry large amounts of water. (You don't need to take toiletries, towels or night gear as all is provided by the highly efficient hotels). Be prepared for the rigours of sleeping on a hard floor with a rice husk pillow in the ryokans!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. We travelled on public transport or on foot. Not having a tour bus was refreshing as we had closer contact with local people. We stayed at family-run ryokans and experienced genuine locally sourced food, which was fresh, delicious and exquisitely prepared. Walking through villages, especially among farmers' fields helped us to understand local conditions and to see where our food came from.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This was an excellent trip. I have been on very few organised tours - this was by far the best. The tour guide, Alena, was an expert on Japan and made our trip very enjoyable and stress-free (& handled an accident with impressive efficiency and sympathy). The choice of hotels and ryokans was good - all well located and comfortable and the walks were wonderful!Holiday Reviews
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