Review

The tour was really well balanced. From the larger tourist sights like Mt. Aso to more remote areas you would never be able to get to with just public transportation like the Oboke gorge or the Iya Valley Onsen.

Outstanding in every was was our experience. Some larger hotel onsen to small more intimate onsens they all were excellent.The variety of rooms was great from tatami mat in the traditional rooms and sleeping with your futon on the floor to western rooms. All were 1st class.

The food was a high point for us. The Kaiseki dinners were outstanding, A dinning experience of a life time. Breakfast was generally in the hotels were you spent the might. The buffets offered were off the charts in most cases. Mix in Japanese traditional street food and truck stop snacks . Crazy but even the food in the 7/11s is really good as Mike taught us, the food was a real revelation.

Mike was a great guide, his knowledge of Japanese history and custom was very good. He never failed to respond to endless questions. It was also clear he enjoyed his work. He had the patience of a saint and a good but wry sense of humor.

Documentation was good and complete. The questions that I did have were quickly offered after contacting the company by phone or email.

Communication was great from the guide. We always were informed as to where we were going and what to expect during travel. Meetup locations and times were clearly explained. There was never a hiccup in the travel.

The tour transportation was well planned and varied. Every part of the tour worked well. We traveled by private van, airplane, bus, ferry, standard train, Shinkansen and subway. Everything was perfect from the meeting service when we arrived to the sending service when the tour was over. After our escorted tour was over we stayed for an additional 2 weeks on own. Mike taught us as the tour progressed how to read train and bus schedules etc. to feel confident on our own.