If you want a tour for the group atmosphere, the OAT is as good as any,

If you want a tour because you don't want to plan yourself, then OAT is as good as any.

If you want a tour because you think it will be cheaper, then skip the tour.

I'm traveling solo and have booked the trip to Japan with OAT for April. Very excited about it. I have taken their trips to Provence and Sicily and they do a fab job. The trip to Provence I did alone after 9/11 and felt very comfortable. Nice size groups and wonderful tour leaders who really take care of you. I haven't traveled with them since 2006 but can't imagine service has changed. My friend did the same tour last year and loved it.

Estelle: Thanks for your response. Our plans are for this summer. Hopefully you will comment on your trip when you return. Ed

Can anyone who has traveled with OAT to Japan comment on the tour? I would like to find out the level of difficulty of the walking on the tour. Long walks are fine for us, but climbing rocks and steep steps without a railing would be difficult for me. Also, on the train trips, was your luggage put on the train for you, or did you have to carry the luggage on yourself? Thanks.

I hope someone who actually went with OAT to Japan can reply to your query. Meantime, I googled "OAT Japan", and found this travel blog about the author's trip to Japan with OAT:

http://dougandmarie.blogspot.com/2009/04/wednesday-march-18-friday-march-20-2009.html

Unless your tour specifically says the guide will be handling your baggage on the train (and I doubt this will happen with a group), you will be responsible for handling your own baggage from the time you exit the transport at the station until you reach your destination or bus. There are no station porters and no luggage carts.