9 Days Highlights of Japan with Hiroshima

Traveler Reviews

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  Annick

  April 10th, 2026
  We would like to share some thoughts on our recent "Highlights of Japan" tour (TourRadar Reference ID 1222655-GO87)....
  We would like to share some thoughts on our recent "Highlights of Japan" tour (TourRadar Reference ID 1222655-GO87). Tour Leader: As 2 guests deeply invested in the experience—not just as participants but also as authors observing the journey—we believe there are several areas where the tour leadership could be strengthened to better reflect the richness and precision of Japanese culture. The tour leader slept during many of our drives so no info was given about what we saw -therefore we also missed the best opportunities to take pictures from the bus/van. On the day going to Hiroshima AND on the day going back to Osaka, the tour leader slept all the way. We had to wake him up to suggest that the driver should have a break after a 2-hour drive as he became increasingly agitated behind the wheel. Timeliness Matters: One recurring issue was punctuality. The tour leader was frequently late, including during our 15-minute Shinkansen train experience—a moment that should have been seamless and exciting. Instead, the group was left to navigate the platform and boarding process on its own, which felt disorganized and diminished the impact of what should have been a highlight. In other instances, we waited up to 20 minutes for him to arrive (either in the lobby or at the bus), which disrupted the flow of the day and created unnecessary stress. At the Himeji castle, he asked us to queue at the ticket office and disappeared, leaving us confused as to what to do since the entrance tickets were included in the tour. In the meantime, he checked if the entrance was indeed included for our group or not. When we called him out about it, he asked us to follow him inside the castle. Clearly, he did not know if the entrance tickets were included for the group or not. Then he left us at the entrance. All the other tour leaders went inside the castle with their groups to explain each room we were going through. As we were left alone, we had to rely on the few signs displayed but these were unrelated to the castle itself (they showed explanation about weaponry, etc...) Hotel Arrivals Need Clarity: There was a lack of clear communication around hotel check-ins. Guests weren’t told whether we’d be checking in as a group or individually, or whether passports would be required. These are small details, but they matter—especially after long travel days when clarity and efficiency are most appreciated. Before arriving at each hotel, it would have been helpful to receive a quick briefing about nearby restaurants, convenience stores, and cultural spots. In Hamamatsu, we arrived late on a Saturday and found ourselves with no dinner options. A heads-up or even a simple recommendation would have made a big difference. Indeed, the very few restaurants around the hotel in Hamamatsu were all fully booked. We looked around for a full hour and ended up going to a convenience store to grab a sandwich at 10 pm, not a nice way to end an already long day. We talked to the tour leader about this and we suggested he would have prepared a list about dining options. He apologized. In addition, before we arrived at the Washington hotel in Hiroshima we asked the tour leader if the hotel has a restaurant and he answered "yes". But once we checked-in, we were told that there was no restaurant. The tour leader suggested to a nearby food court. All the small eating outlets were full. If the tour leader would have prepared the options available ahead of time, we would not have struggled that much. Bus Drivers: The first driver was called Sagagouchi. Friendly BUT he was constantly arguing with the tour leader. There was also a safety issue while driving as he clearly did not know the way so he relied heavily on his GPS (cell phone screen) which he had a look at every so often. The day we came back from Kyoto, he got so lost that the tour leader had to guide him for a long time. We arrived 45 minutes later than expected because of a grand detour and that was unacceptable. The second driver was called Si (Osaka - Hiroshima - Osaka). He was more professional in his demeanor but his driving skills were not the best: he kept rubbing his legs and made sudden moves with the steering wheel which created an unsafe and uncomfortable ride. He also drove way too fast (120 km/h in 80 km/h zones and tunnels) and he also drove too close to the vehicles in front of us. The tour leader should have checked on the driver but he was sleeping during the long rides. Mini Bus (license plate 10-01) from Tokyo to Osaka: Horrendous. Old unclean vehicle with no room for the legs and no microphone. Therefore, the guests in the back could not hear a thing of what the tour leader was saying in the front. Van (license plate 09-03) from Osaka to Hiroshima and back: Newer vehicle so that was appreciated. However, the wooden board behind the driver and passenger seats made it impossible to stretch the legs (on a 4-hour plus ride!) No microphone either, so again, no possibility for the guests in the back to hear anything of what was said in the front. Hotels: New Otani Inn (Tokyo) and hotel Crown Palais (Hamamatsu): disastrous breakfasts (chaos) and outdated rooms. Better hotels should be found. Best hotel in terms of accommodation, location, service and food: Hotel It (Osaka) Itinerary: Okay but needs to be improved: 1/ Instead of overnighting in Hamamatsu, select another town (for a more authentic Japanese experience) and especially with more restaurants options for dinner 2/ Osaka castle: a joke! We arrived 2 minutes before they closed! Clearly a total lack of planning from the tour leader. We were rushed in to see... nothing as we needed to leave the castle as they were closing. Reason given by the tour leader to have rushed us in: the view! However, one does not come to this castle for the view but to learn about the place itself 3/ Kyoto needs an overnight as there is too much to see in 1 day + add an encounter with a geisha + a tea ceremony 4/ Himeji castle: the tour leader needs to explain IN DETAILS what to expect as there are many steep steps. Because no real info was given, only 1 guest from our entire group could go all the way up to the castle 5/ Hiroshima: you chose the perfect highlights (Memorial Park and Miyajima island). We visited the Memorial Park upon arrival in Hiroshima from Osaka (that was a brilliant decision from the tour leader) and we did the ferry ride to the island on the next morning + lunch on own there with a departure at 12h30 or 13h at the latest with the ferry back to Hiroshima as there is a 4h50 drive back to Osaka 6/ Instead of riding the Shinkansen for just 15 minutes between Osaka and Kyoto, take the Shinkansen between Hiroshima and Osaka as it is a very painful 4h50 drive (after having already driven 4h30 to get there on the previous day) 7/ Keep the overnight in Hiroshima which is much needed Cultural Framing Was Missing: This was perhaps the most disappointing aspect. While we visited many beautiful and historically significant sites, the tour leader offered very little cultural context. There were missed opportunities to explain the symbolism behind shrine rituals, the seasonal relevance of certain customs, or even basic etiquette like when to bow or remove shoes. For a cultural tour, this kind of framing isn’t optional—it’s the heart of the experience. Communication and Group Support: Updates were often vague or last-minute, leaving some guests unsure of what was happening next. A daily printed itinerary or group messaging channel would have helped. Additionally, there was little proactive engagement around dietary needs, accessibility, or individual concerns. A more attentive and inclusive approach would go a long way. Overall: While the tour leader was friendly and well-meaning, the experience lacked the polish, cultural depth, and logistical precision that travelers expect—especially in a country where attention to detail is part of the national identity. Conclusion: We hope this feedback helps refine future tours and elevate the experience for others.Show more
  Traveled in March 2026
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  Theresa

  October 28th, 2025
  Had a wonderful tour
  Traveled in October 2025
  

  Reply from: Tomato Travel

  Hi Theresa, Thank you so much for your great review! We hope you had a great time on our tour. Please let us know if we can assist you with any future tours, or customised private tour. Again, thank you for joining our tour! Have a lovely week ahead.

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  Lesley

  September 23rd, 2025
  My Fuji visit was disappointing. Susanna was a great guide.
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  Traveled in September 2025
  

  Reply from: Tomato Travel

  Hi Lesley, Thank you for your review. We’re sorry to hear that your Fuji visit did not fully meet your expectations. We truly understand that the weather sometimes can be frustrating which didn't allow you to see the beautiful mountain. But we’re glad that you enjoyed Susanna’s guiding as well as the positive feedback for transportation, accommodation, and meals. Your feedback is important to us, and we will use it to further improve the overall experience for our guests.

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  Brigit

  September 9th, 2025
  - the guide did not give us enough information during the tour - too much time was spent in the minibus -...
  - the guide did not give us enough information during the tour - too much time was spent in the minibus - accommodation was in residential areas instead of downtown - although the breakfasts were goodShow more
  Traveled in August 2025
  

  Reply from: Tomato Travel

  Hi Brigit, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that parts of the tour did not meet your expectations. Your comments about the guiding, travel time, and accommodation location are very valuable to us, and we will review them with our team to improve future tours. We’re glad you enjoyed the breakfasts, and we appreciate you taking the time to let us know about your experience. Tomato Travel Team

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