Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

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102 Reviews

4.5 out of 5

Bethany James

Reviewed June 2017

Ancient and Modern Japan

This is definitely a trip worth booking. Japan is such a beautiful place and my partner David and I really felt that this tour is ideal for a first visit. If you would love to see Japan but are unsure which places to visit or how to work out the transport systems then this trip is ideal, you truly see a diverse range of places and are able to experience so many different things. If you’re like me and get a bit anxious with trains, buses and lots of people then I highly recommend booking this trip. Having a tour guide in Japan really allows you to relax and truly take everything in while your guide does all the confusing stuff for you.
From beautiful, traditional Kyoto to the hustle and bustle of Tokyo and everything in between, this trip is really worth experiencing.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's extremely hard to just pick one inspirational moment of this trip as there so many. Kyoto is a beautiful, friendly place with so many hidden gems which might be missed without a tour guide. However, the day trip to Nara has really stuck with me and if you're an animal lover like me then this should not be missed! What's not to love about crowds of cheeky deer bowing to you for a snack in front of the stunning view of a giant buddha statue. Truly amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ayaka Tsukamoto was an ideal group leader! She was extremely knowledgeable in every part of the tour and never ceased to go the extra mile, during free time to roam certain places she made sure she found us to tell us extra little facts and stories so we really knew the history of the places we were visiting. On our free days Ayaka went out of her way to make herself available and ensure a day never was wasted, she gave us all the information we needed to visit the places we wanted and had no problem accompanying us when we were unsure where to go. Ayaka has such a great sense of humour and really made us feel at ease in a country with a completely different culture to our own. She never rushed our group and allowed us to go at our own pace while making sure we never missed anything important. Ayaka truly made our holiday one to remember!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Comfy shoes are definitely a must, there's quite a lot of walking but it's definitely worth it. I was surprised at just how hot it was some days so make sure you take plenty cool clothes, we got lucky with just one day of rain so make sure you take a light raincoat too! I definitely over-packed my suitcase and didn't wear half the stuff I took, it's a casual trip so don't go nuts. I was far too strict with myself when buying souvenirs etc. and now i'm home I definitely regret not buying the things I wanted. There's so many lovely little things to take home, if you like it just buy it!

David Hunt

Reviewed May 2017

Ancient and Modern Japan

A well paced tour of Japan. We saw a lot but it never felt rushed. The mix of city, both Kyoto and Tokyo, with the smaller towns and countryside was well balanced. It’s an amazing country, so different to Britain, with the modern skyscrapers sitting side by side with the temples, shrines and gardens. The sight of the snow topped mountains at the same time as the cherry blossom was beautiful. The people are friendly and polite and despite my expectations I enjoyed the food.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to say - Kyoyo; visiting the beautiful temples and shrines, particularly seeing the Miyajima floating tori; travelling on the Shinkansen; lying in the onsen after a busy day; seeing Mount Fuji without the clouds. I could go on and include everything as it was all so good.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant! He guided us around calmly and without hassle through the very efficient but complicated transport systems of Japan. He was always there for us but never intrusive. He took us on some of the optional trips on the free days or otherwise gave us detailed instructions on how to get there. He took us to a variety of Japanese restaurants, explaining what it was and how to eat it! His English is excellent and he was very knowledgeable about the history of Japan, plants and generally about everything we asked him. He kept the information and instructions simple so that we weren't overloaded and repeated it when necessary. One, if not the, best guides I've had on my 15 or so group holidays.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take good, comfortable shoes that are easy to get on and off. The weather varied quite a bit so take clothes for warm and colder weather.

GABRIELLA GALEA LAURI

Reviewed May 2017

The Land of the Rising Sun Ancient & Modern Japan

A great organised holiday full of activities, exciting days and a superb highlige holidaht everyday

Most Inspirational Moment

I would put the question as the most inspirational momentS not moment. So many too mention but will mention the most memorable ones for me. Visiting Matsumato Castle in the evening, when the castle was all lit up, with the reflections of the castle shimmering on the moat. We were surprised to even go on the inauguration lighting evening with musicians playing within the castle. Another inspirational moment was being with the snow monkeys, how beautiful and cute to see a mother monkey affectionately holding and bonding with her baby monkey. The philosopher's path and bamboo forest were really a fantastic highlight of the holiday, highly recommended and to top up the fantastic memories we were very lucky to see Mt Fuji with its snowed peak, such a magical moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Ayaka Tsukamoto was very well prepared and knowledgeable, very energetic and always happy to advice or help when asking for optional favorites. She even went out of her way to find ways & means of pleasing some members of the group to see the sumo wrestlers. Ayaka is very promising, engaging, highly spirited and great to lead a group of new travelers from all walks of life, quite amazing. One needs to be adaptable, flexible and engaging and that was Ayaka.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A good level of physical strength and health is considered as there is quite a lot of walking on this tour especially in trains stations, quite a lot of steps to take. I would definitely carry some cereal bars or nibbles for long journeys. Do take a thick jacket or thick fleece as it was colder than expected in Kyoto in April and it rained too so always pack an umbrella. Make sure to take the optional day tours to see Mt Fuji (if lucky weather wise) and also to do the Philosophers Path & Bamboo Forest. If you don't like fish or don't eat shellfish make sure to communicate this as Japanese food is very fishy. Make sure to take part in the Hiroshima pancake, it was DIVINE and such an enjoyable evening to see live cooking and then eat.

Marian White

Reviewed May 2017

Japan

Mount Fuji. It was breathtaking.

Most Inspirational Moment

The People. so polite. And very helpful

Thoughts on Group Leader

She was very good and helpful. Would have been helpful if she have had a small flag to hold up Because when ther was a lot off people I had trouble seeing her. Because she was small . But she was very good .

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes gust go and see this beautiful country.

Jenny Harris

Reviewed May 2017

One of our best holidays

This was a superb holiday from start to finish. The itinerary was well thought out and we loved using the rail network rather than being stuck on busses. We were lucky to arrive at the peak of the cherry blossom, to have wonderful views of Mount Fuji and to arrive in Takayama on the day of the spring festival. The ryokans were great fun and we enjoyed the whole experience of the olsens. We found the Japanese people to be polite and helpful and we always felt very safe which made it a very stress free holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trip to Hiroshima. It made us feel very sad and we felt that every world leader should be forced to come there. But it was a vibrant city and it also made us hopeful that there can be forgiveness and a moving on. And the pancakes were amazing!

Thoughts on Group Leader

It was all made brilliant by our leader, Ayaka, who was a font of knowledge, efficient, funny and thoughtful, always making sure that we were getting the best from our holiday ( and not getting lost on the metro in Tokyo!) We cannot praise her enough.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wear comfy shoes. There are a lot of steps and don't forget your umbrellas. The climate is as variable as it is in England. It is a cash society but we had no concerns about carrying lots of money about

carol brown

Reviewed April 2017

Ancient and Modern Japan

A very comprehensive and inspirational trip ,though the travelling and walking was quite taxing in such a short time(2 weeks)

Most Inspirational Moment

Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ayaka Tsukamoto:cannot praise her highly enough:great people skills, full of all appropriate knowledge,coped with herding us on all sorts of transport-without losing anyone!, great sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although not billed as a walking holiday-there is quite a lot of walking involved including steep steps to shrines and in Subway.

Isabel Jane Clark

Reviewed April 2017

Ancient and Modern Japan

Fascinating, full of interest and led by a very capable and knowledgeable guide

Most Inspirational Moment

Visit to Hiroshima was the most inspirational and thought provoking but each day had its own highlight - visiting Philosophers path in Kyoto, various shrines and temples, seeing Geisha dance and tea ceremony, the cherry blossom, travelling on the bullet trains, seeing snow monkeys, gorgeous gardens, Hida folk village, festival in Takayama, Matsumoto castle, Mount Fuji and various shopping markets. Staying in ryokans and Japanese baths

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good , helpful and knowledgeable , took very good care of her charges and made many suggestions to meet individual interests. She was excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip was full on and requires good level of energy and reasonable fitness to cope with walking especially in cities

Neil Bates

Reviewed April 2017

Cherry Blossom and so much more in Japan

We had high expectations for our visit to Japan for the Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) season and they were exceeded. Not only did we get to see the beautiful blossom but also the old Japanese streets of Kyoto, dancing Geisha, the spring fair in Takayama, snow monkeys bathing and so much more.

We got to stay in a traditional ryokan with great dining which was a great Japanese experience. Over and above the standard tour, our group leader also arranged on our free days to see Mount Fuji (wonderful view from Lake Ashi) and the sumo wrestlers training.

We’ve been back a week and still processing all the wonderful experiences.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many but four that come to mind are: - being in Takayama for the spring fair and seeing all of the giant shrines (yatai) in all their glory. - coming into Tsumago from the old Japanese Nakasendo highway. Like stepping back in time. - snow monkeys bathing in the hot springs. - a fantastic view of Mount Fuji from Lake Ashi (after not expecting any view at all!)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ayaka was absolutely fantastic, organising everything wonderfully and going above and beyond on our free days to ensure everybody saw what they wanted. She even came with us to Mount Fuji on one of our free days in Tokyo and what a difference it made (not only did we see the mountain from a perfect viewpoint, she also took us down the Tokaido highway, arranged a presentation at the secret box shop and made sure we caught the pirate boat across the lake). You could tell that she really wanted to make sure everybody had the perfect trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure to pack sturdy walking shoes as you will be on your feet a lot if you want to see everything this wonderful country has to offer. Assume you will be paying cash for everything and get the money before you go as ATMs accepting foreign cards are not prevalent. You can pay a little by credit card in Tokyo and Kyoto but, in general, everything is paid for in cash.

Alison Trimble

Reviewed April 2017

Land of contrasts

This trip was everything I had hoped for, AND so much more.

Our mid-March tour was a little too early for us to catch the cherry trees in full bloom, but meant we were able to view the first blossom without the crowds and queues.

Japan is full of stunning contrasts: from the tranquillity of the beautiful Golden Temple to the noise and bustle of the Tokyo fish market; from the dignified Peace Memorial at Hiroshima to the hilarious showmanship of a crazy pancake chef. Photo-opportunities are EVERYWHERE …

Most Inspirational Moment

Breathtakingly beautiful scenes as we stood in a fairytale landscape – with snow still falling – watching the snow monkeys playing in the hot pools.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Throughout, our local guide led us confidently from bullet train to funicular, from tram, to bus, to ferry. He took us to places only a local would know about, including, at our request, to a karaoke bar on our last night!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do heed the warnings in the Trip Notes about bringing cash instead of cards; and take warm clothes and sensible footwear to the mountains – we hit minus 4 one morning! The underground system in Tokyo is efficient and easy to navigate, with plenty of signs in English. You do need to be reasonably fit, however – there were lots of steps.

Dawn Greetham

Reviewed April 2017