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Japan and More
Japan and More
5
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Tour Japan with Becki and Shawn for an authentic cultural encounter. Get the total Japan experience on a fully escorted, small group tour of 8 people or less.
Shibuya, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan
Tours and Tickets by Japan and More
Rail Tours
3+ days
Recommended by 100% of travelers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$7,048
per adult
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
34 reviews
Excellent
34
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Julie M
2 contributions
Oct 2019
We traveled in November 2019 with Japan and More for its Highlights of Japan Fall tour and was one of the best trips we’ve ever had (and we’ve been on numerous international trips). We couldn’t imagine trying to navigate all the places and hidden gems of Japan without the fine guidance of Becki and Shawn. Their extensive knowledge of Japanese culture, language and geography provided us an extremely fulfilling and immersive trip. They handle all the logistics and planning of train tickets, itineraries, hotels, cultural experiences and more so that the participants can fully enjoy Japan and maximize their experience. Their itineraries are not mass-tourist based, so you feel like you are getting a more “local” feel mixed with popular attractions. We saw spectacular Fall foliage, gained a huge appreciation for the Japanese way of life, and indulged in unique cultural, historical and culinary experiences. You explore a lot of areas by foot, metro, and bullet trains, so the activity level is highly visual. The groups are small and limited mostly to 8 people, though we only had 4 in our group so was very personalized. Beck and Shawn give you tons of professional guidance, while at the same time feeling like they are friends traveling along with you. Their tour expertise truly lives up to its name, as we saw Japan and a LOT MORE! We highly recommend anyone planning a trip to Japan to consider their tours to make the most of your time and money.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, juliemM5836PV.
We're glad that you got so much out of your trip with us. It was great showing you all the things that we love about Japan, and sharing with you our knowledge of Japanese culture. It's always nice to have a group that appreciates Japan as much as you guys did. Hope to see you again in the future.
All the Best,
Shawn and Becki
Written April 30, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ted R
Falmouth, MA14 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Japan is a country with a history and culture that offers a compelling tourist experience. The people, food, street life and unique heritage sites are unlike any other place in the world. Yet to really take a deep dive into the essence of Japan, having a local guide who can plan a tour that encompasses all these areas is invaluable. When my wife and I looked at taking a trip to Japan, I was insistent that we find a local tour operator who led small groups and had a passion for Japan. Many web searches later, I came upon Japan and More. We booked a tour based solely on reading the customer testimonials and their web site tour description. How lucky we were to make that chance encounter the choice for our Japan trip.
Having just come off of their two week tour, I can now attest that if you really want to experience Japan, you will not find a better 14 days than what they planned for our visit. I won’t describe the details but it was truly wonderful. The diversity of places we visited, the unique experiences that we enjoyed and the friendships we developed during our two week tour was incredible. As I told Becki and Shawn from Japan and More on our last day, any future tours on our bucket list of world travel will be judged against the amazing time spent in Japan. I doubt we will find a better (or even comparable) tourist experience to what Japan and More shared with us. Their tour was the best travel experience you could ever hope for.
Having just come off of their two week tour, I can now attest that if you really want to experience Japan, you will not find a better 14 days than what they planned for our visit. I won’t describe the details but it was truly wonderful. The diversity of places we visited, the unique experiences that we enjoyed and the friendships we developed during our two week tour was incredible. As I told Becki and Shawn from Japan and More on our last day, any future tours on our bucket list of world travel will be judged against the amazing time spent in Japan. I doubt we will find a better (or even comparable) tourist experience to what Japan and More shared with us. Their tour was the best travel experience you could ever hope for.
Written October 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, Ted. We're so glad that you had such a great experience with our tour. We strive to make each day special and amazing, and it's great to hear that you and H. enjoyed the trip so much. We truly enjoyed showing you the very best of Japan, and hope that one day we'll have that opportunity again.
Written November 1, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Musonius
Dayton, OH11 contributions
Mar 2023
Although I am an experienced traveler, I recommend that anyone going to Japan for the first time do so with guidance, and Shawn and Becki are excellent guides! They are vastly knowledgeable about Japan, as well as fluent in Japanese. They have mastered the ins-and-outs of travel in Japan as well as the local customs. You can stick close by them if that is what you prefer, but they encourage you to explore, using WhatsApp to make sure you don’t get lost.
They have carefully chosen Japanese destinations that will allow you to experience its culture, history, and food. The hotels we stayed in were all first-rate. Shawn and Becki’s network of contacts made it possible for us to have some very special experiences. Our group got to take a class in ink-brush painting, do a meditation with a zen master, and chat with a geisha-in-training. I should add that what a group does depends on the expressed wishes of the group members.
Japan is a wonderfully strange place. Travel with Shawn and Becki, and you will get to experience both its mysteries and its magic.
They have carefully chosen Japanese destinations that will allow you to experience its culture, history, and food. The hotels we stayed in were all first-rate. Shawn and Becki’s network of contacts made it possible for us to have some very special experiences. Our group got to take a class in ink-brush painting, do a meditation with a zen master, and chat with a geisha-in-training. I should add that what a group does depends on the expressed wishes of the group members.
Japan is a wonderfully strange place. Travel with Shawn and Becki, and you will get to experience both its mysteries and its magic.
Written April 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, Musonius for such a wonderful review. We really enjoyed having you and J. with us this past spring. We're so glad you were finally able to come to Japan and enjoy the very best this remarkable country has to offer. I think the Fuji ryokan will be one of my favorite memories. -Shawn
Written April 30, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ilene
2 contributions
Oct 2019
This was the best international vacation experience I have ever had. I have been on a Rick Steve’s tour of Europe and this was even better. The extra-small group tour was an amazing stress-free way to explore Japan. It was great having American tour guides who had lived in Japan show us the best places to eat, shop and visit while explaining the different cultural norms. I am intimidated by the language barrier when traveling internationally and I don’t enjoy planning the logistics of a vacation so the tour was perfect for us. Everything went off without a hitch due to the meticulous planning of Becki and Shawn. We were able to relax and have fun and not have the stress of getting around an unknown place. We were taken such good care of and it was a pleasure traveling with our guides.
This tour exceeded every expectation I had and made my 2019 Mother-Daughter trip one of the best ever. Japan and More is a professionally run operation with a team that has a talent for what they are doing.
p.s. Do not believe Shawn when he says he is not good at karaoke.
This tour exceeded every expectation I had and made my 2019 Mother-Daughter trip one of the best ever. Japan and More is a professionally run operation with a team that has a talent for what they are doing.
p.s. Do not believe Shawn when he says he is not good at karaoke.
Written December 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, il3n3na.
We also had a great time showing the two of you around Japan. So glad the trip was stress-free and that you both had such a wonderful time. I also appreciate your compliment about my karaoke skills. We'll have to test it again next time you're in Japan.
Take care,
Shawn
Written April 30, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jane B
2 contributions
Mar 2019
My husband and I spent three great weeks in Japan with Becki and Shawn this past spring during cherry blossom season. It was fun as well as easy to tour with them as they already knew all the tricks, transportation paths, good restaurants, and perfectly located nice hotels along with the best places to visit. Ours was a group of just five people along with Becki and Shawn...the perfect size to have conversation when we wanted, different perspectives, and comraderie on various public transportation methods without being tied down to a slow moving large group on a bus. We appreciated working with them in advance too to design an itinerary that most interested in us, and they went out of their way to get in everything we suggested. We recommend also taking advantage of the opportunity to do a home stay visit they can arrange. We did and had a lovely visit with a family in their home with all of us cooking a traditional meal together. The quieter and serene Kiso Valley and Nakasendo trail times were highlights and quite the contrast to the hustle and bustle of the Tokyo and Osaka big city experiences. There is a good amount of walking, but every excursion is well worth it. Our three week trip gave us a great opportunity to absorb a good amount about Japan with Becki and Shawn as knowledgeable, personable, and patient guides. We wish them only the best as they continue to help others appreciate their second home and country they love!!!
Written December 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We're so glad you had such a wonderful trip with us. It is our goal to help independent travelers like you make the most of your time in Japan. We're glad we succeeded and you were able to relax and enjoy the food, sights and the culture. We had a great time showing you around Japan!
Written December 19, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
BackPacker321043
3 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Our 15-day tour with Japan and More was worth every penny. Becki and Shawn clearly love Japan, its people and its culture, and are passionate about sharing that love with others. The pre-trip consultation and the many educational videos available on the website helped us know exactly what to expect.
The small-group experience was absolutely perfect. We had great travel partners, and Becki and Shawn were always upbeat, friendly and fun. They took care of all hotel reservations and transportation arrangements. This allowed us to relax, enjoy, and simply soak in all that Japan has to offer. They were able to educate us about the significance of each of the sites we visited, and answer our questions, but we never felt overloaded with information.
We truly appreciated their efforts to educate us about the people of Japan and its cultural traditions, the aim being that we would make a good impression as visitors to this beautiful country. We loved the cooking class, and the opportunity to have dinner with a local family. Although most of each day was spent with the group, there were also opportunities for us to experience Japan on our own, shopping, eating out and exploring the area.
We took so many wonderful memories home with us, and we’re so thankful to Becki and Shawn for making it all possible.
The small-group experience was absolutely perfect. We had great travel partners, and Becki and Shawn were always upbeat, friendly and fun. They took care of all hotel reservations and transportation arrangements. This allowed us to relax, enjoy, and simply soak in all that Japan has to offer. They were able to educate us about the significance of each of the sites we visited, and answer our questions, but we never felt overloaded with information.
We truly appreciated their efforts to educate us about the people of Japan and its cultural traditions, the aim being that we would make a good impression as visitors to this beautiful country. We loved the cooking class, and the opportunity to have dinner with a local family. Although most of each day was spent with the group, there were also opportunities for us to experience Japan on our own, shopping, eating out and exploring the area.
We took so many wonderful memories home with us, and we’re so thankful to Becki and Shawn for making it all possible.
Written April 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your thoughtful and insightful review of your 15-day tour. It's clear that you had a truly remarkable experience.
We’re glad all the pre-trip preparations helped you feel more comfortable, and allowed you to fully immerse yourselves in all that Japan has to offer.
We had a wonderful time meeting the two of you and traveling around Japan together. We're glad that the small-group dynamic and the balance between guided activities and independent exploration were the perfect formula for you guys to soak in the beauty and significance of the sites you visited. And that the opportunity to engage with local families further enriched your understanding and appreciation of the Japanese people and traditions.
It's fantastic to hear that you were able to create so many cherished memories. Thank you for joining us, and we look forward to seeing you again.
Written May 1, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
david r
42 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
My wife and I travel a lot . Japan is our favorite destination and Japan and more provides the best Japan travel experience. Shawn and Becki provide the necessary information, handle countless travel details and allow you to absorb a culture and a country in a unique way. They also allow each traveler many choices on experiences to be gained along the way. My high opinion of this company was shared by all the travelers in our group of 8.
Written October 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We're so glad that we were able to show you and L. around Japan for a second time. As always, we enjoyed touring Japan with the both of you. Your company, your delightful humor, and your endless curiosity about Japan are always a welcome treat. As always, we can't wait to meet again some day soon.
Written November 1, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chris G
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Couples
We had a wonderful tour of Japan with Becki and Shawn of Japan and More tours. They have a deep understanding and love of Japan, its culture and customs, people, history and sites. In ten days we saw so much of Japan including Buddhist and Shinto temples and shrines, an autumn festival, a kimono museum, World Heritage sites in Nara and Kyoto, a dinner with a Maiko and much more. The tour is fast paced and you travel as the Japanese do - on subway, trains and foot. Traveling this way ensures you have many authentic encounters with the people of Japan. This was amongst the culturally richest ten days of our lives.
Written October 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, C.G. We're so glad you and K. had such a wonderful trip with us. Also, thank you for all the photographs, and photography tips. I can already see the improvements. The both of you were a true delight, and it was a pleasure showing you around Japan.
Written November 1, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Donna S
Monroe, CT23 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
Having never done a small group tour before, I was really excited for this new adventure. Booking this trip with Becki and Shawn was definitely the right decision! Their detailed information and communication before the trip was so helpful and I felt like they were friends before we even met in person. Our group dynamics were wonderful - everyone was so nice and we traveled well as a group. Becki and Shawn went above and beyond to make sure everyone had time to make the trip their own. Their knowledge of the complex rail and bus system was spot on and made our traveling effortless.
Although we were hit with an unexpected heatwave in September, Becki and Shawn made sure we did everything we came to do - sweat and all! They even gave us each a hand held battery operated fan to help with the extreme heat!
Highlights of the trip for me included a cooking glass at
" Mayuko's Little Kitchen" ( she was amazing!), a traditional tea ceremony and dinner with a Geiko (geisha)- loved it! A spontaneous stop to Karaoke on the way back to the hotel in Kyoto was so much fun!
The Japanese people were friendly, warm and kind and I was so impressed with the cleanliness of everything!
The relationships that Becki and Shawn have with the local people made these experiences one of a kind.
Japan is a beautiful country and seeing it with Becki and Shawn was just perfect!
Although we were hit with an unexpected heatwave in September, Becki and Shawn made sure we did everything we came to do - sweat and all! They even gave us each a hand held battery operated fan to help with the extreme heat!
Highlights of the trip for me included a cooking glass at
" Mayuko's Little Kitchen" ( she was amazing!), a traditional tea ceremony and dinner with a Geiko (geisha)- loved it! A spontaneous stop to Karaoke on the way back to the hotel in Kyoto was so much fun!
The Japanese people were friendly, warm and kind and I was so impressed with the cleanliness of everything!
The relationships that Becki and Shawn have with the local people made these experiences one of a kind.
Japan is a beautiful country and seeing it with Becki and Shawn was just perfect!
Written September 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We're so glad you had such a great time with us in Japan. It was fun showing you and C. around. We're glad that you enjoyed all the experiences we put together, and all the places we explored. We can't wait to see you again in the future.
Written November 1, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
fishman722
Evanston, IL11 contributions
We thoroughly enjoyed a comprehensive trip 15 day tour though a beautful, clean, and very different country. Becki and Shawn took care of all the logistics, hotels, and chose great locations and restaurants to visit. The time spent with our hosts enhanced our vacation. We cant imagine a better way to visit Japan. Leave it to Becki and Shawn.
Written June 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We appreciate you taking the time to tell us about your experience. We're excited to hear that you enjoyed your 15-day tour of Japan. It warms our hearts to know that you found Japan to be beautiful, clean, and unique.
We'd also like to thank you for your kind words about us. It was our pleasure to make your vacation special. It means a lot to us, and we're grateful for the opportunity to have been your guides to discovering Japan. If you ever decide to return to Japan, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Written August 29, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience