Rushed or planned itinerary

Been on this trip and the itinerary is solid. You get enough time in each place without it feeling like a bus tour. Meals not being included works in your favour in Japan — food is genuinely cheap and you get to pick what you want. Add a day in Osaka before or after if you can.

Did this about six years ago and the pace felt right to me. There is structure but also breathing room. Japan food costs are very reasonable by European standards — I was comparing everything to London prices so it felt almost free. Going back later this year but doing it independently this time. Happy to answer anything specific.

Just got back a few weeks ago. Pace is good — they move you around but it never felt frantic. The meals not being included is actually a feature not a gap. Everyone has different budgets and tastes and Japan has so many options that being told where to eat would have been a waste. Our leader would mention where she was eating and most of the group ended up joining her anyway. Food is very affordable, especially compared to Western Europe.

You see a lot so yes it moves quickly but that is the point. Food is cheap and the quality is consistently good. Worth it.

We did this last year and absolutely loved it. We arrived a day early which I would really recommend — gives you time to settle in and explore before the group dynamic kicks in. The guide was brilliant at bringing everyone together, particularly around meals. She would mention where she was going and most of the group ended up joining. That actually solved the included meals question for us — you end up eating together anyway. My husband is quite particular about food and Japan worked well for him because there is always plain rice and simple dishes available even in more adventurous restaurants. We added three extra days in Tokyo at the end and could easily have stayed longer. Happy to answer anything specific.

Worth knowing this tour pairs well with the Back Roads of Japan if you want more depth after finishing. Between the two you cover a lot of ground without much overlap. If you are landing in Tokyo add a few extra days at the end — Akihabara, Skytree, TeamLab Planets are all worth it and not on the tour. One note for anyone with dietary requirements: vegetarian options are genuinely hard to find outside of specific restaurants. Worth researching before you go.