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Has anyone used InsideJapan? If so, would you recommend them? It would be our first time in Japan and we’d probably be looking at one of their self-guided trips if we used them.
In all honesty, save your £££ and instead use: https://www.japan-guide.com/
You can easily book hotels with Booking or Hotels.com (Booking has provided me with very good rates lately and if you book well in advance)
We used them a few years ago for a 21 day trip. The guides and activities they provided were absolutely first class, but there’s no doubt we paid a hefty premium for that.
Getting and using the Japan Rail Pass is straight forward and there’s a handy calculator on the Japan Guide to make sure that it’s cost effective for your trip.
We’ll be organising our next trip – Autumn 2024 – ourselves.
Japan is best explored on your own. Being completely lost all the time is part of the experience as a first timer. If you want a guide, you can do walking tours in Kyoto or other places. Most attractions also have guided tours in English.
We’re also looking at tour companies for a first trip to Japan. Reading the comments I see people suggest self touring, but we really want to use a tour company as not comfortable sorting it ourselves so does anyone have a recommendation for a reasonably priced tour company for a 10-14 day tour?
Japan is best explored on your own. Being completely lost all the time is part of the experience as a first timer. If you want a guide, you can do walking tours in Kyoto or other places. Most attractions also have guided tours in English.
You don’t stay lost for long; Japanese are wonderfully helpful. Love the place.
We’re also looking at tour companies for a first trip to Japan. Reading the comments I see people suggest self touring, but we really want to use a tour company as not comfortable sorting it ourselves so does anyone have a recommendation for a reasonably priced tour company for a 10-14 day tour?
It all depends what you’re after. A fully accompanied private tour would be exorbitant in Japan (unlike India for example), but a company like InsideJapan could provide a comprehensive itinerary and make all the arrangements for you but you’d have to get yourself from place to place – aka self-guided. And they could add value and provide specialist guides in one or more places depending on your interests. Or you could opt for a small group tour – InsideJapan, Exodus Travel, Intrepid. My only experience is with InsideJapan, when we were time-poor and it was easier to let them organise it.
Thank you GillyDee, that’s all really helpful!
Top tip. Himeji Castle is considered a must-see and it is spectacular. I would go back there just for the Koko-en Garden; even in early spring it was exquisite.
I have used InsideJapan for an escorted tour a few years ago and I would thoroughly recommend them. They were extremely organised, including posting me a PASMO transport card with credit already on it, so I could do the airport to hotel trip without having to worry about buying a ticket. The tour also booked me into lots of smaller ryokan places that I don’t think I would have found myself.
But if you’re looking for a self-guided trip, I’m not sure that InsideJapan represents value, as it’s essentially a marked up package tour. You can easily book the components yourself and can book a DIY version of their self-guided trips easily online. If budget allows, do InsideJapan’s small group tours (various price points). As a first-timer, you can’t go wrong with that and everything is organised for you.
When I went, the guides on their small group tours were all expats who speak Japanese, so they were very happy hosting dinners with the group or if you prefer to have a private dinner, recommend places. Having been on a number of small group tours (Explore, Exodus, GAdventures, Intrepid), I would grade InsideJapan on the really flexible end. You can join the group if you want but you can also easily opt out with help from the guide on what to do.
Top tip. Himeji Castle is considered a must-see and it is spectacular. I would go back there just for the Koko-en Garden; even in early spring it was exquisite.
You can organise a free tour round the castle as well: https://i-guide.jpn.org/
Highly recommended!Have visited Japan a few times. Although it needed some planning, it was relatively easy doing our own thing booking hotels either direct or through expedia etc and buying JR pass, which can also be used on Yamanote line (circular line) in Tokyo. We travelled pre Covid and after our first rush hour experience in Tokyo tried to avoid train/underground travel during peak times. It was certainly an experience.
If planning on staying in Osaka/Tokyo areas would certainly recommend visiting Mt Fuji, Nikko (shrines and park) Kanazawa (gardens and old town) Kyoto (so much to see) Nara, Himeji Castle and Miyajima Island. We also enjoyed travelling around Hokkaido in a camper van.
You will have an amazing time.
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