We’ve used Beaver Travel for several complex, multi-stop holidays over the years, and Japan was no different. Andrew and his team made what could have been an overwhelming trip feel completely manageable – great recommendations and support throughout.
Our route took us from Tokyo to Hakone, then on to Kyoto, across to the ancient mountain town of Takayama, and back to Tokyo for a final night before flying home – a brilliant mix of city energy, centuries-old temples, dramatic landscapes and deep, traditional Japan.
We flew direct from Heathrow with British Airways and the whole trip ran like clockwork, not least because Inside Japan had thought of everything, right down to IC transport cards and a portable WiFi device waiting for us on arrival.
The single moment that stopped us in our tracks came in Hakone. We rode the cable car up towards Mount Fuji – known as the “shy mountain” for its habit of hiding behind cloud – and then, just like that, it unveiled itself completely. An awesome, genuinely inspiring sight.
We’d booked the trip to coincide with cherry blossom season and paid the premium to do so. Two weeks before we left, a cold snap pushed the blossom back. We caught a glimpse, and what we saw was truly beautiful – and the way the Japanese celebrate the season is something special in itself. But honestly, there is so much to see and appreciate in Japan that we wouldn’t plan the trip entirely around it. Mother Nature can’t guarantee it.
We stayed in two traditional ryokans — the Musashino Bekkan in Hakone and the Hidatei Hanaougi in Takayama, with its open-air hot spring bath. The hospitality, the food, the onsens… AMAZING! If you do one thing in Japan, stay in a ryokan.
The Shinkansen bullet trains were a revelation too – fast, punctual, and an experience in themselves.
English isn’t widely spoken in the more rural areas, but Google Translate was an absolute game changer. We had a full hour-long conversation with the family owners of a restaurant in Takayama using it – one of the most memorable evenings of the whole trip.
Thanks guys – we would highly recommend.
Darren & Michelle
