I have a female friend who is 71 and very fit looking for recommendations for tour companies to travel to Japan with. She has wanted to visit for quite some time and while I don’t really know budget, I’m sure she would be okay with splurging a bit as she would very much like to feel comfortable traveling there alone. She is traveling from Manhattan. Thank you for any feedback.

I can't answer that question ... but I can offer assurance that it is very easy for women to travel to Japan alone, and to do so with delight. japan-guide.com is an excellent resource.

I hope your friend finds what she needs!

True, but if someone is relying on a friend to give them tour company recs, they might be the type who would prefer hauled around like a sheep on an organized tour.

I know people who have gone on multiple tours with Road Scholars.... there is a level of enrichment that happens on those trips which goes well beyond what many independent travelers experience. But it is not a personal recommendation.

I must say that I find this comment a bit harsh. After all, we don't know what the friend actually said, nor do we know the friend's reasons for seeking a tour.. It could just be a kindness on mikmilone's part after an off-hand remark. And FWIW, I don't think we need to know the reasons for the request by the OP or the OP's friend. JMO.

True. I'm just saying there's a certain type of person who is going to end up on an organized tour no matter what you tell them and no matter how easy it is to travel independently to the particular destination... and no amount of trying to convince them that they should travel independently will ever stick.

The problem with your thinking is that tour companies can provide you with all kinds of services, including customized plans, private tours, and the benefit of having a professional guide, full or part time.

In addition, I know people who often travel independently but go on programs like Road Scholars or Smithsonian from time to time. They come out of those experiences with a good many insights and even make rewarding friendships that way.

Your 'sheep' comment is not 'just saying.' You don't have to use the pejorative.

mikmilone we mostly discuss independent travel to Japan here. Japan is safe for solo travel. Safer for her than Manhattan. Lots of signage is in English. The transportation system is excellent which helps to make it fairly ideal for DIY travel. Japanese have their customs and rules, but nobody is going to yell at you when you mess up (they are all about social harmony and consideration of others). There are a few basics to learn but that is easy. If she has the ability and interest to figure out how to visit without a tour, then we can help. At least, most of us can/will help her visit her way.

We occasionally have posters asking about tours and I have looked at a few. Many are too short and fast-paced and are better suited to being a part of a longer visit, with independent travel before/after. They do involve group bus travel but might also include a train trip, but I think you are expected to manage that on your own. At least, how you get between the tour stops is something to pay attention too, I think. But with the ability to do that, to travel between stops independently, means that a person can sign up for day tours at their destination. A sort of hybrid visit.

Not to get in the middle of a debate...lol...as a single female traveler who has been to Japan almost 20 times over the past decades and is a senior citizen I do not do tours. However, I know some people prefer tours in different parts of the world. Some people don't like the bother of all the planning. I think it would be better for the OP's friend to post here herself so we could know more about her circumstances. And Japan-guide.com mentioned by kja above has a page listing almost 20 different tour operators..

Hi Mara. Do you mean this page: Japan Tour Packages and Operators

The only one on the list I recognize and have dealt with is Japan Experience. It was only to get a JRP at their Long Beach office but was impressed and their e-mails are quite good. I would probably use them if I wanted a tour someday. I think they are an American company staffed with Americans. I mention this because of language.

For a tour I would start here: Tours in Japan | Japan Experience

Or here: JTB USA | Travel Agency as providing Best Japan Tour Packages

I thought about mentioning H.I.S. Travel but found a description - that they wrote - of the company. It was obviously not written by a fluent English speaker. Their office was in a nearby Japan Town/Little Tokyo area and maybe they mostly deal with Japanese speakers.

I googled to try to find a Japan Experience location in NY and got the info below.

-----------------------
The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) New York office, located at 60 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, provides information and support for those interested in visiting or learning about Japan. They can be reached by email at [email protected]. Additionally, the Japan Society offers various cultural experiences, language programs, and arts events related to Japan.

Here's a breakdown of resources for experiencing Japan in New York:
1. Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) (New York Office):

• Focus: Providing information and support for tourism to Japan.
• Services: Offers resources and guidance for planning trips, including access to brochures and other materials.
• Location: 60 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017.
• Contact: [email protected].

2. Japan Society:

• Focus: Promoting cultural exchange between Japan and the United States through various programs and events.
• Programs: Offers Japanese language classes, art exhibitions, film screenings, performing arts events, and family programs.
• Location: 333 East 47th Street, New York, NY 10017.
• Website: japansociety.org.

3. Japan Experience (Travel Agency):

• Focus: Specialized in travel to Japan, offering customized tours and travel planning services.
• Services: Provides travel advice, tour packages, and assistance with booking accommodations and activities.
• Website: japan-experience.com.

4. Consulate-General of Japan in New York:

• Focus: Handles visa and consular services.
• Services: Provides information and assistance with visa applications, passport services, and other consular matters.
• Contact: visa-related inquiries: [email protected]; general inquiries: [email protected].

5. Other Resources:

• JTB USA (Manhattan Office): A travel agency specializing in Japan travel (now permanently closed).
• Little Tokyo NYC: A location offering a taste of Japanese culture through food, gifts, and cultural experiences.
• Amnet New York: A Japanese travel agency specializing in private and group tours.
• HIS (H.I.S. International Tours): A travel agency with a strong focus on Japan travel.

Yes, that page exactly, mrwunrfl!

I don't know any of them personally - have no idea which I used to get a JRP which was many, many years ago. Now mostly I use regional passes now and then which are purchased in Japan.

Anyway, Japan Custom Tour's owner posts often on both japan-guide and tripadvisor's discussion boards and never mentions his tours.....

I am going to chime in here.

LAX_Esq "Hauled around like sheep." Your comment was harsh and judgmental. I just hope that you never have life circumstance changes that force you to change your preferred way of travel because it is going to be tough for you to adjust.

I am now widowed (something that is going to eventually happen to every married couple). And although I am a little older than the friend, I am also a fit traveler. My husband and I always traveled independently, and that was 1000% my first choice; but I have had to adjust and modify my style. Now I do a mix of small group (and small is the key term here) tours where we're not driven around on big buses, and I add on some time on my own in the larger cities.

Frankly, I don't want to be alone for a couple weeks at a time even though I am more than capable of making my own plans and arranging my own itineraries and hotels. I am also an active tours person--I do tours that include cycling or hiking. The logistics of these types of trips are much more challenging to arrange than visiting in the usual tourist sight-seeing manner, especially when one is solo.

Your friend needs to figure out exactly what she is looking for in a tour, where in Japan she wants to visit, and how active she wants to be. My dread is signing up for a tour of any sort and finding out that I am twiddling my thumbs while we all wait for a couple people who aren't very mobile. I realize that will more than likely be me someday, but if I reach that point I either will give up on traveling or definitely find a very slow-paced group where I won't be a hinderance to other people. I have avoided this by carefully doing the legwork and seeing what kind of a tour it is.

Back to Japan. Two years ago I did a small group tour that was a mix of the usual suspects--Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka--but half of the rest of the tour was walking/hiking in rural Japan. Many things about the tour were good, but there were some definite communication issues with the big tour company and their on the ground supplier company in Japan, so I don't know if I would recommend the company. I most loved the experiences out of the city and seeing Japan's small town cultural and natural attractions. If she wants an idea of what is possible on with an "active" tour company, here is the info. https://worldexpeditions.com/Japan/W...roads-of-Japan Other companies also offer similar types of itineraries.

Right now I am thinking about a return trip to Japan, cycling this time. I am looking at a mix of a small group tour and some time on my own on either end of the tour. There is no way on my own I could arrange what is included on the cycling tour I am contemplating. https://www.okatours.com/tours/setouchi/

I did take a European cycling trip with Road Scholar, and the company does offer some more in-depth speakers/lectures than other comparable companies. But, people need to decide for themselves whether they want to periodically be in a room listening to an expert for a couple hours when they could instead be out and about exploring a new place.

I have not visited Japan with these companies, but I have taken small group tours (max about 12 people) with them and would not hesitate to use them again. All of them have more active options.

Intrepid--I did a premium level tour to Morocco
Yellowwood Adventures--I did a combo cultural and hiking tour to northern Spain
Explore!--I did a comprehensive Guatemala trip that included participating in Semana Santa in Antigua
Wild Frontiers--I did a combo cultural and hiking tour of Jordan. Right now this is probably the company I would check first to see their itineraries if I want to try another tour. It wasn't the case on the tour I took, but they say about 70% of their clients are solo travelers.

My top piece of advice for your friend to is contact the company and see who their typical travelers are. Then, if she has dates in mind, ask the company for general demographic information--ages, couples, family groups, groups of friends, solos etc.--about the people who are already signed up. I am more of a last-minute planner which I know would drive many of you nuts. But, this allows me to have a good grasp of who my travel companions are going to be. And, I always pay the single supplement upgrade because I want my own space. I also check out the hotels used because I am pretty picky about lodging.

And, this is personal bias. As someone from the US, I have found that I prefer to travel with non-US based companies because I enjoy meeting people from all over the world, and US-based companies usually only attract people from the US.

Not everyone is cut out to do all of their traveling on their own. On my Japan tour (my first visit to the country), most people on my tour were astounded that I managed to get to the hotel on my own via the subway and that I spent 3 days on my own in Tokyo before the tour getting around on my own and visiting sites I wanted to visit. (I will admit that I did get screwed up on the way into the city from Haneda and realized I was on the right train but in the wrong direction. A young woman was kind enough to get off and help me find the platform going in the correct direction.)

julies, that oka tour looks great. Am happy that you will visit Matsuyama. My experiences there were wonderful.
And the Seto Nai Kai area where you will travel is beautiful, very scenic.

I have two friends who have taken tours in Japan. One went with EF GO Ahead tours. Her daughter did a round the world tour for under 35 yr olds, and loved it She felt the discussions choice of stops and the transportation were incredibly well handled. The chose to go to Peru with EF (an all ages tour) and Japan. They had only good things to say about both tours, and loved the mix of other travelers.
The other woman traveled solo with OAT. She was a VERY independent traveler in her younger days; spent several years traveling all over Africa, the Mid-east and Europe. Went to Borneo with her 5 year old to see the Orangutans back when it was still very undeveloped, etc. She's gone with OAT on several tours in the last 8 or 10 years - China, Egypt, Japan. She really enjoys not having to deal with the logistics and feels OAT does a great job with their destinations, hotels, speakers, etc., and allows participants to go off on their own as needed. She also feels like they do a good job of keeping the groups happy. We've talked about doing a trip together (even possibly taking my husband along!) and I am considering it.
As I get older, I see the advantage of having all the transportation right there, and not having to spend weeks making the decisions for my itinerary. Ten years ago, I would have laughed if someone suggested I go on a tour, but.... things change! I am not so vain now to think no tour operator could ever provide me with a fun adventure!

That is the perfect attitude! There is no one way to travel.

Still.... I hope I don't get to the point where I find myself on one of those monstrous cruise ships invading Venice or Dubrovnik.

mrwunrfl

Happy to hear you reinforce the fact that the cycling trip I am pretty sure I am going to sign up for is in a worthwhile and gorgeous location.