Ancient & Modern Japan

Traveler Reviews

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  Rob

  April 25th, 2026
  The guide was a great logistics guy, getting us from place to place. I enjoyed his general knowledge and outlook. The...
  The guide was a great logistics guy, getting us from place to place. I enjoyed his general knowledge and outlook. The trip would have been more enjoyable if there were local guides to explain the different areas we visited, to point us in the direction of additional places to go. The hotels in Matsumoto and Kyoto were in need of updatesShow more
  Traveled in April 2026
  

  Reply from: Exodus Adventure Travels

  Thank you for taking the time to let us know you had a great adventure on Ancient & Modern Japan tour. We always appreciate hearing back from our travellers. Hopefully, we will see you again for your next trip! -Exodus Travels

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  Ian

  October 10th, 2025
  An excellent introduction to Japan, our tour guide Charlie-San was excellent and very knowledgable.He was able to...
  An excellent introduction to Japan, our tour guide Charlie-San was excellent and very knowledgable.He was able to supply insights into some of the more unique aspects of Japanese culture, recommended great restaurants and places to visit in the free time we had. It should be emphasised that this tour involves a lot of walking, some days we walked 10-12 miles and may not be suitable for everyoneShow more
  Traveled in September 2025
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  Ben

  March 24th, 2025
  Japan as a country was amazing. Exodus as a tour company, disappointing. Would not use again.
  Traveled in March 2025
  

  Reply from: Exodus Adventure Travels

  We’re really disappointed to receive your review, as while we’re glad that you enjoyed Japan as a country, we very much regret that you were less impressed with Exodus and with the tour leader assigned to your group. Your group was led by one of our most experienced leaders in Japan, who was also assisted by a trainee leader, so we were very much surprised to note your low score for the guide. Further, the feedback we’ve gathered from other members of the group has been extremely positive about both our leader and his assistant, as well as scoring the trip in general highly. We sincerely regret, though, that you didn’t have a similarly positive experience. We will continue to monitor client feedback to ensure our trips run to our high standards, and can assure you that your scores and comments have been passed to our Product Manager for Japan for their attention. Ben’s group was led by one of our most experienced leaders in Japan, who was also assisted by a trainee leader, so we were very much surprised to note Ben’s low score for the guide. Further, we would that the feedback we’ve gathered from other members of Ben’s group has been extremely positive about both our leader and his assistant, as well as scoring the trip in general highly. We sincerely regret, though, that Ben didn’t have a similarly positive experience. We will continue to monitor client feedback to ensure our trips run to our high standards, and can assure Ben that his scores and comments have been passed to our Product Manager for Japan for their attention.

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  Dorothe

  April 7th, 2023
  What an adventure of a lifetime! Kohei Nishido’s genuinely kind, responsive, flexible, and insightful nature made our...
  What an adventure of a lifetime! Kohei Nishido’s genuinely kind, responsive, flexible, and insightful nature made our travel encounters with Japan profoundly life changing. With his heartwarming ability to intertwine the customs and culture of the people with respect to the history and geographical natural beauty of Japan, unique experiences always seemed just around the corner! Our deepest gratitude to all our fellow traveler's who also gave us memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you for celebrating our Wedding Anniversary with us!Show more
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  Traveled in March 2023
  

  Reply from: Exodus Adventure Travels

  We would like to sincerely thank you for taking the time to post a review of your experience on our Ancient & Modern Japan tour and we are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your adventure. We were especially happy to hear that you found this trip life changing! Happy Anniversary again! We have shared your comments with our local team. Thank you again and we hope you’ll choose Exodus for your next adventure! -Exodus Travels

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  Orlando

  May 5th, 2019
  The positive: The tour covered a large number of very beautiful and interesting places and provided a rich overview...
  The positive: The tour covered a large number of very beautiful and interesting places and provided a rich overview of both classic and modern Japan. As such the tour fulfills the promise of its title and description. Most of the members of our 14 people group ranging from late 20s to midd 50s indicated that they were very happy with the overall experience and the performance of our guide. The negative: Even though this tour is rated for all ages, from the perspective of a 77 year old in reasonable good shape I would not recommend this tour or guide to people who is not willing or able to march everyday at a rapid pace in long walks and up and down long stairs at attractions and in very congested subway stations. This rapid marching reduced significantly my enjoyment of the trip. It precluded the possibility of looking around and taking pictures without falling dangerously behind the group. In a very congested subway station it led to my being tripped by a low lying carry-on dragged way behind by a young women. The fact that in many instances our rapid marching was followed by significant waiting periods indicates that this rapid marching could have been avoided without falling behind schedule, but our guide was not willing or able to adjust his walking pace. On another dimension and inspired by my good memories of college boarding, I opted for sharing accommodations, something which proved to be a major mistake, particularly because in our first hotel the twin beds were in direct contact and could not be separated. Fortunately, with the effective support of our guide I was able to get separate rooms for the entire tour with a total additional cost similar to the tour additional charge for separate rooms. A final problem was a botched booking of my transportation to the airport that took a few hours from my last day in Tokyo.Show more
  Traveled in March 2019
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  Susan

  March 30th, 2019
  The tour covered most of the things I wished to see in Japan and more. Ayaka was brilliant taking us to various...
  The tour covered most of the things I wished to see in Japan and more. Ayaka was brilliant taking us to various destinations on trains, buses, a ferry and the metro in Tokyo without losing any of us. Our trip to Mount Fuji was superb. The rain stopped as we reached the viewing area and Mount Fuji was there in full splendour. Also the snow monkeys were at the pool but it was too warm for them to have a bath. They were great fun to watch. Some of the temples were amazing. Overall a very good insight to Japan ancient and modern. We experienced a karaoke, modern but unfortunately did not experience any traditional entertainment. I feel that it should be on the itinerary not as an optional. I was disappointed that traditional Japanese theatre was not included on our trip. Also your advert says that the age range is 16 to 99 years of age! There was a lot of long walking involved and I would think that people in their 90s and some in their 80s would struggle with the distances.Show more
  Traveled in March 2019
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  Nena

  December 9th, 2018
  The itinerary was packed full but this allowed us to see so much around Japan in a short period of time. Lots of...
  The itinerary was packed full but this allowed us to see so much around Japan in a short period of time. Lots of walking and use of public transport but that was apart of the fun. Our tour leader Yōko was sweet, organised and helpful in any situation. Even offering to show us places on our free days. I highly recommend this tour to anyone if you’re keen to see a lot and happy to use your walking shoes in doing so.Show more
  Traveled in November 2018
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  Linda

  June 5th, 2017
  My tour of Modern and Ancient Japan was amazing. Great communications, coordination, accommodations, and tour guide...
  My tour of Modern and Ancient Japan was amazing. Great communications, coordination, accommodations, and tour guide that was exceptional!Show more
  Traveled in May 2017
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  Linda

  June 5th, 2017
  My tour of Japan for 16 days was all and more than I expected. Communications was excellent, coordination and actual...
  My tour of Japan for 16 days was all and more than I expected. Communications was excellent, coordination and actual program was wonderful. Our tour guide was not only personable, but professional, competent, and very supportive.Show more
  Traveled in May 2017
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  Philip

  November 7th, 2010
  A good mix of old and new Japan with lots of free time to do your own thing (do your research!). If Japan is on your...
  A good mix of old and new Japan with lots of free time to do your own thing (do your research!). If Japan is on your list this is the trip for you as you'll see so many of the highlights. Staying in the two great hotels that bookend the trip make the trip fairly relaxed as you cram lots into the day but can settle back into your room without constantly being on the move! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The visit to Hiroshima is strangely uplifiting despite the sadness of the history. Matsumoto was a suprising highlight; the crow castle is beautiful and there is lots to see on the walk back to the station (Exodus you should make this a day not a morning!). The snow monkeys were brilliant and if you're a wildlife photographer you'll get some AMAZING images.   What did you think of your group leader? Steve was incredibly passionate about Japan.  He got us from A to B. Sometimes a little too impatient though and the odd innocent question can evoke the 'Steve glare'.... I mean it looked like chicken but was actually rice.. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Read a book called 'Japan Through the Looking Glass' by Alan MacFarlane.. a really good book on Japanese culture and pyschology.. why they do the strange little things they do.  Be careful of the deer in Nara park and at Miyajima Island.. I lost a yen note from my pocket to one!Really do try and do some decent research on Kyoto and Tokyo so that you can get the most out of your free time.  Is there anything else you would like to add? Try an onsen hot spring.. especially a local one.. don't be shy.  Once you've seen everyone's bits no one cares and you'll be suprised how relaxing it can be.Definitely check out the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto in your free time.. this is the temple with thousands of red arches stretching up into a forest. Show more
  Traveled in October 2010