REVIEWS

Heather Rosenstein, New York

There are not enough adjectives to describe how incredible our two-week family trip to Japan was! With 6 adult children (one married couple), we left it to Scott and his team to plan the event after an in-depth conversation about our family and how to accommodate everyone’s different tastes and personalities. This was not an easy task, and to say that JapanQuest Journeys nailed it would be an understatement. From the moment we landed, every detail was smooth and carefully thought out. It all started with our guide Kiko, who, after two weeks, was an official member of our family. We learned a great deal from her about the country’s history, culture, and sights. Her intelligence, kindness, and humor made us all look forward to our morning meet-ups at our two vans with drivers who were just as friendly, often singing along as we connected to their Bluetooth.

“Sit back and enjoy the trip JapanQuest Journeys plans for you! Their knowledge, expertise, and professionalism will guarantee you the best trip you will ever take!“

With so many memorable moments, it is hard to describe all of them. Each spot, Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, and Naoshima, had unique experiences. Among the highlights, in Tokyo, we took a sushi-making and architectural tour. Kanazawa, seeing the gardens, the old village, the Ryokan selected for us, and paper making. Kyoto had so many highlights, including a meditation class in a beautiful setting, an authentic tea ceremony, drum lessons, a calligraphy class, and dinner with geisha, which included a musical game our entire family enjoyed! We ended our trip in Naoshima, which was a priority and surpassed all expectations. The art and installations we saw were so memorable, as was the island’s natural beauty and the Benessee House. Kiko’s input helped to make this part even better!

Leading up to this trip, I was overwhelmed by the social media in my feed: “12-day Itineraries,” best food and shopping, etc. My advice: ignore the noise and your urge to do some of it yourself. Sit back and enjoy the trip JapanQuest Journeys plans for you! Their knowledge, expertise, and professionalism will guarantee you the best trip you will ever take!

Chris Scott, Montana

We had a wonderful trip, and frankly, we thought the best thing about being in Japan was how nice the people were, as they consistently went out of their way to make us feel honored, respected, and happy. We absolutely loved our guide; her energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge enhanced our experience, and we felt like we “won the prize” for the best guide. The drivers were also exceptional, doing a good job and showing great kindness and helpfulness throughout the journey. A couple of them were so kind, and because they honor older folks and people with disabilities, they couldn’t have been more helpful to me. It was appreciated.

“Thank you for being so helpful in putting together a wonderful trip for us. I know it was last minute and we appreciate the help in guiding us by listening to what we wanted. With your knowledge of the country, hotels, restaurants and local experiences you did a ‘bang up job’.”

We loved the suggested experiences, from the “terrific” cooking class and the excellent sushi in Tokyo to the visit to the Nuno textile store. Kyoto was a standout favorite; we loved the “Japanese” wooded architecture and the special afternoon at the pottery expert’s gallery, which was a highlight. The visit to the Nishiki-Koji Market was a treat. We loved seeing all the offerings from each stall, and the variety of fish was more than we had ever seen. We did flower arranging, and it was a fun thing for us both. We also had fun doing the pottery repair, which we had not seen before. The end of our trip took us out to the Miho Museum, which was an excellent example of contemporary architecture.

The Mandarin Oriental provided a lovely stay with exceptional views of Mt. Fuji, and the restaurant choices were first-rate, and often had more food than we could eat. We had some favorites, with the highlight being the restaurant in the Park Hyatt in Kyoto. Our lunch in the sushi restaurant that Steve Jobs loved was high on our list.

Thank you for being so helpful in putting together a wonderful trip for us. I know it was last-minute, and we appreciate the help in guiding us by listening to what we wanted. With your knowledge of the country, hotels, restaurants and local experiences, you did a ‘bang up job’.

The Highsmith Family, South Carolina

Our trip to Japan with JapanQuest Journeys was truly unforgettable. From start to finish, everything was seamless and expertly organized. Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable, navigating both Tokyo and Kyoto with ease and precision. Thanks to their expertise, we saw all the iconic sights and hidden gems we never would have found on our own.

“Unforgettable Journey with JapanQuest Journeys!“

A dedicated driver was always ready and waiting to take us to our next destination, making the entire experience stress-free and efficient. We immersed ourselves in Japanese culture—visiting temples, markets, neighborhoods, and of course, indulging in all the amazing food Japan has to offer.

We couldn’t have experienced everything we did—or learned so much about the culture—without JapanQuest Journeys. They made the trip effortless, enriching, and full of memories we’ll treasure forever.

Highly recommend!

Family of Four, California

Jason Gilman orchestrated one of—if not our—best family trips ever. We loved exploring Tokyo’s diverse neighborhoods, touring Matsumoto Castle, staying in a serene ryokan nestled in nature, strolling Kanazawa’s beautiful gardens, and, of course, meeting the bowing deer of Nara. Our guide was exceptional—knowledgeable, warm, and so engaging that our young children formed a genuine bond and were sad to see her go. Five stars all around from both our kids and us (no easy feat!). Thank you, Jason—we can’t wait for you to plan our next Japanese adventure!  

“Five stars all around from both our kids and us (no easy feat!). Thank you, Jason—we can’t wait for you to plan our next Japanese adventure!”

Lissa and Farzanah Gangjee, Texas

Thank you for the most amazing trip. We’ve traveled a ton, and this was something special. Highlights include Zenagi, our guide Reiko, a yakitori dinner in Kyoto, Reverend Takafumi, ikebana, tea tasting with Oscar, and sumo. We could go on and on. Thank you for helping our family make so many memories. We are grateful! 

“Thank you for helping our family make so many memories. We are grateful!”

We truly had a great time and are happy to let others know they should definitely use your company!