Most Inspirational Moment
The free day in Takayama. Ancient village atmosphere, Cheery trees full of blossom cascading down over babbling brooks right through town. Just delightful - and the best burger lunch in Japan. This visit to Hiroshima museum was pretty sobering but if you have spent your life post 1945 then it is well worth the effort.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Good English and plenty of energy - perhaps a bit too much at times. He managed to herd our group around - on and off trains , metros etc without any mishap. BUT it was his first trip and he gave one bit of bad advice about using our JR passes on our spare day - which cost us ! Be careful.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Restaurants can be very challenging with not a word of English in sight. MY advice - head for the multi-story shopping malls. The all seem to have BIG food courts on the top floors - - that stay open long after the store have closed. Nothing like you'd find at Bluewater but really very good restaurants - lots of them so plenty of choice - and most had English menus. Head upwards to eat -at least in the cities. Overall it was a great food experience.
Suggestions
When can I go back?