Travel Review: Vacation in Japan, Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Mt Fuji, Cooking Lesson, Kimono Museum

Japan and  our 18 day was fantastic , but I have to give mixed reviews to this travel company as follows:

Pros

They were very responsive during the PRE TRIP planning, and upon arrival gave us detailed instructions re train schedules, taxi instructions in Japanese

Ours was a combination of guided and self guided trip, and their guides and drivers were punctual and professional as that is a part of Japanese culture

As in any trip, some activities were incredible, and others could have been missed

Cons

My biggest issue  was with their owner who has no PR skills whatsoever!

Before the trip, his e mail was unwelcoming, inaccurate , and very unappreciative of our business and a referral I gave him before our trip even started of two couples that travelled with them

During the trip, we never heard from them to see how things were progressing, and I had specifically mentioned to them that we were celebrating a friends belated 60th birthday on this trip

All other companies  we have dealt with in  trips to over 68 countries would have at least acknowledged that occasion in some way, but not a word, card, congrats etc which takes me back to their lack of customer appreciation and the feeling I received from their owner that he thought he was doing us a favor rather than understanding that we have a lot of choices re travel companies

My only other major issue was that they could have been more proactive in dissuading us from 5 consecutive nights in ryokans with big Kaiseki dinners etc as that is overkill for anyone , let alone 2 couples in their 60's

They also give you a complete, but clumsy book upon arrival, and most of that material can be better gleaned from hotel or ryokan people. The real pertinent stuff should be sent before hand electronically, and should be less boilerplate, and more specific for your needs as this is not a budget trip

We wil be back to Japan for sure as it is a cultural, culinary, and nature lovers delight, but I do not know if this would be our company of choice