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REVIEWS

Janet Hart, California

We read the fabulous reviews Scott received and wondered whether we would have the same experience. The short answer is an unequivocal “yes.” This experience has to be rated at or close to the top of our “trips of a lifetime.”

Scott listened to our interests and the items we wished to downplay or avoid. He quickly outlined a fabulous 4-week itinerary that enabled us to experience many of the highlights in Japan. Expensive? Yes, but it’s worth every cent. Scott booked us into excellent hotels situated in outstanding locations. He secured a wonderful guide (Emiko Sakaoka) who ensured we saw and did everything worth doing. She answered our questions, which helped us to learn a great deal about Japanese culture. While we aren’t fans of sushi we managed to eat very well. Every restaurant recommendation recognized our food interests and the special birthday dinner for Linda was a real treat.

“Scott booked us into excellent hotels situated in outstanding locations. He secured a wonderful guide (Emiko Sakaoka) who ensured we saw and did everything worth doing.”

We are grateful to Philip (the firm’s co-founder and located in Japan) for altering our itinerary to avoid the impact of Typhoon Hagibis. As the storm shut down the Tokyo airport and headed north, Philip quickly and seamlessly arranged for us to travel south via the train. Alternate accommodations were excellent and the touring continued without skipping a beat.

As for trip highlights, there are many. They include the friendly & interesting people we met, the exciting food markets we toured, the beautiful parks & gardens we walked through, the huge castles we toured, the inspiring temples & shrines we visited, the many and varied museums we saw, the efficient transportation system we used, the peacefulness of a stay in a ryokan or a Buddhist Temple we experienced. Yes, we loved the private dinner with the geishas, the private tour and discussion with the multi-generational lacquerware owner and the kimono maker, a private origami-making session, the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery Tour, the Mt. Koya cemetery walk/experience and the Sumo practice session. However, our lasting memory will be of the marvelous and unusual Japanese culture and the gracious people we met.

Our thanks to Scott, Philip, Miho, Emiko and the many folks behind the scenes who made our memorable trip possible.

Karina Mirkin, Los Angeles

Mimi, our guide made our trip! She was UNBELIEVABLE! Knowledgeable, fun, kind, anticipated all of our needs, and made our trip the best ever! She was very detailed and gave us little notes and maps and an entire folder to take home by the end of the trip.

We loved everything you proposed on your agenda. I fell in love with Kyoto. Loved Tokyo as well but there’s something so special about Kyoto. I would love to plan a future trip in the spring!

The sake brewery was incredible, Yoshi was our favorite! Yoshi was truly amazing! We learned so much!!!! The tea ceremony and meditation were also fantastic! The Taiko drum lesson was so fun!!! 

Everything else was perfect too! Thank you for taking care of every detail! It was so well planned, and I will recommend you to everyone that asks me!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our best trip ever!!!!!!!

Cathy Green, New Hampshire

We travelled to Japan with Scott’s office in late October/November 2023. From the planning to execution, we were extremely impressed with Scott and his team. We love to be actively involved in the planning of a trip, and Scott was very responsive to our requests and suggestions. He always replied to us promptly (often within minutes). We wanted to be a bit “off the beaten path” so Scott designed an itinerary that included not only Tokyo, Kanazawa, Takayama, and Kyoto, but Kamikochi National Park where we had an amazing day of hiking, Matsumoto in a beautiful ryokan, and a stay at the beautiful Aman resort in Ise Shima. His hotel/inn and restaurant recommendations were spot-on, and we ate some amazing food. We often had our room category upgraded; no doubt due to Scott’s relationship with the hotel. 

We have learned that the quality of a guide can make or break a trip. Our guide Tomo was wonderful—knowledgeable, kind, and fun. She went out of her way to understand our interests and show us the non-touristy side of the places that we visited.

The train network in Japan is great but some of the transfers can be intimidating (Tokyo Station at rush hour is an experience!). As part of their service, Scott’s office arranged for us to be met by their representative as we got off trains to guide us to our next transfer or accommodation, which made the travel completely stress-free. Scott and Tomo provided perfect suggestions for spending our time alone in Kyoto and Tokyo, which helped us plan our days without a guide. We highly recommend Scott and his team. Thank you!

Ellen Salwen, California

I worked with Scott to make my itinerary. He was fantastic and I highly recommend him. He is extremely knowledgeable. He responded to my emails and phone calls immediately and fulfilled any request I had. All of the scheduling for rides, flights, trains and private meetings with individual artisans was seamless. The guides he uses accommodate all requests made that veered from the original itinerary. Highlights of the trip were private meetings with a chef, gold leaf artisan, kimono artist, and a painter/printmaker currently exhibiting in New York.

Jeff Grinspoon and Jon Foley, Colorado

We traveled to Japan with Scott’s office in late October/November 2023. From the planning to execution, we were extremely impressed with Scott and his team. We love to be actively involved in the planning of a trip, and Scott was very responsive to our requests and suggestions. He always replied to us promptly (often within minutes). We wanted to be a bit “off the beaten path” so Scott designed an itinerary that included not only Tokyo, Kanazawa, Takayama, and Kyoto, but Kamikochi National Park where we had an amazing day of hiking, Matsumoto in a beautiful ryokan, and a stay at the beautiful Aman resort in Ise Shima. His hotel/inn and restaurant recommendations were spot-on, and we ate some amazing food. We often had our room category upgraded; no doubt due to Scott’s relationship with the hotel. 

We have learned that the quality of a guide can make or break a trip. Our guide Tomo was wonderful—knowledgeable, kind, and fun. She went out of her way to understand our interests and show us the non-touristy side of the places that we visited.

The train network in Japan is great but some of the transfers can be intimidating (Tokyo Station at rush hour is an experience!). As part of their service, Scott’s office arranged for us to be met by their representative as we got off trains to guide us to our next transfer or accommodation, which made the travel completely stress-free. Scott and Tomo provided perfect suggestions for spending our time alone in Kyoto and Tokyo, which helped us plan our days without a guide. We highly recommend Scott and his team. Thank you!

Ed Finger, Texas

I’m still on a high reflecting on my incredible journey to Japan. From the moment of arrival, everything worked out seamlessly thanks to the excellent work of Scott Gilman at JapanQuest Journeys. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Japan several times prior to this trip but knew this would be a different experience. Working with a company specifically geared toward Japan, I had no doubt this would elevate my experience.

The purpose of the trip was to photograph the Fall foliage. Not only was Mother Nature kind with magnificent color, but all arrangements (flights, hotels, car transfers, and local food) went as planned. I specifically wanted to immerse myself in Japanese culture experiencing rural life and nature in accordance with local Shinto ways. I’m also a huge “foodie” and wanted to experience local foods wherever I went. Each guide/driver I had was aware of this and went to special length to make this possible.

What were the highlights? Too many, but a few to mention…

Heading down to the town of Fujiyoshida and experiencing My. Fuji up close and personal was something I’ll never forget. Powerful, majestic and spiritual to say the leastl! Also, my guide, “Mimi-san,” was especially wonderful. I met her in the lobby of the Park Hyatt Hotel in Shinjuku where we headed to Tokyo Station together. She’d be with me on my journey to Kanazawa and the next couple of days following. I bonded with her from the get-go! Her sweet disposition, superb knowledge, and professionalism was over the top. I will forever be grateful for this incredible human! 

Also, the pristine location and exquisite villa at Sasayuri-Ann was magical to say the least. Was perfect for 2-3 days and some peaceful “Zen” time. Finally, Susumu, my driver I was so fortunately to have while in Kyoto
was over the top. Professional, accommodating, and courteous are understatements to describe this man.

I could easily go on and am already conjuring in my headed when I might return to Japan. SO many great memories made, and stories told about how wonderful my experience was.

Thank you again to Scott and his team at JapanQuest Journeys for making the trip over the top and more!!

BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY

So we can tailor your journey to your exacting needs, kindly take a few moments to complete our questionnaire. In doing so, please keep all of the members of your party in mind. We thank you in advance and look forward to designing your extraordinary bespoke journey. You can also contact us at [email protected] or 202.455.0095.

Note: An investment in a bespoke journey with us starts at $3,000 per person per day, based on double occupancy.