Review

Sharron Grodzinsky

Best of Japan Self Guided

June 10, 2026 - January 1, 1970

This was our second tour with Samurai Tours and we would do it again. This time we took our family, who had never been, and we felt they got an excellent feel for Japan and it\'s people. I is a great way to travel without the restrictions of a tour group and with only the people you want to be with. You get to do what you want to do at the times you want, outside of the travel between cities. It is also the most exciting way to travel but gives you a feeling of security knowing your reservations are secure and you can call them if you have a problem. We actually called when our train was delayed for three hours due to an accident on the rails. Only the second time that happened in about 75 years. That was exciting!

Itinerary

This Itinerary showed most of what anyone would want to see in two weeks. The only thing we found missing was the very easy tour of the temple of a thousand Torri Gates.

Lodging

Lodging was mostly very good. We asked for Japanese style rooms, and they are larger than usual rooms but for older Americans may be a bit uncomfortable. We were quite happy to have the combo f Japanese style with American beds at the last hotel in Kyoto. All rooms and hotels were clean and staff extremely accommodating.

Food

The food was beautiful. But for some of our group was not to their taste. Particularly the two girls, ages 6 and 11. I would suggest people order kids meals ahead of time. We did discover this option later in our tour. Also for the most part, there were no option for change in the \"set\" meals.

Guides

Our guides were knowledgeable and very accommodating and kind. In Tokyo the guide did not realize we knew some of the instructions he was telling us. However, he spent an extraordinary amount of time with me getting our reserved seats. If he had not have done that, I don\'t think we could have gotten the trains we were scheduled for as for the most times the reserved seats o the trains were full.

Pre-Tour Handbook

Excellent. We only had one time where we felt the instructions for directions were not fully adequate. That was in Kyoto where it said to go straight ahead to the hotel but really there was a left hand turn after the first block. Other than that it was perfect. Easy to follow.

Tour Organization

Very good.

Tour Transportation

We actually loved all the transportation. The trains run to the minute. All the trains buses, street cars, and funiculars were easy to find and close to our hotels and were in good condition . Everyone was respectful and helpful.

Would you go on another tour operating by Samurai Tours: Yes!

Would you recommend Samurai Tours to friends or family: Yes!