Here are a selection of comments about our tours from past participants.
Land of Fire
"Jon and I want to thank you for organising such a fantastic tour. We thoroughly enjoyed every moment and are so impressed with all aspects of the trip ... it was everything you promised and more than we expected ... and we want to thank you for your fantastic service, patience and prompt response to all of our questions leading up to the trip.
We especially want to say how much we enjoyed the 2 weeks with Aria. She is an absolute treasure and a real asset to your business. From meeting us at check-in at the hotel to seeing us off on the bus, she provided a level of service that was exemplary. She put us at ease on our first day in Tokyo, and was a delight throughout the entire trip."
Mark S, Australia
"Aria was fantastic. She herded us around and handled everything beautifully. We were a "needy" group, not prone to wanting free-time, but desiring to be lead around and told what was what. She hung in there with patience and smiles and guided us with skill. I loved the trip immensely, thank you."
Don H, USA
"Thank you for such a good package you put together...your oxalis tour was head and shoulders above the [name removed] in all respects - there was no comparison. The tour leader (Aria is such a special person), the quality of the travel arrangements, the accomodation, the food, the level of knowledge and engagement of the leader; all excelled. I would have no hesitation in joining another of your groups, and hope to do so in the future. Japan is an extraordinary country - I'm eager to return."
P MacDougall, Canada
"Aria is a golden asset. When I first met her I was surprised that such a relatively young person would shoulder so much responsibilty. But she is well up to the task. She accommodated a wide variety of requests and requirements with the most practical aplomb I could imagine. And even when taxed beyond what I would have thought reasonable, she remained chipper and upbeat.
The trip lived up to my expectations or exceeded them on many levels. Thanks for the great memories."
R Patterson, USA
"Tour and guide exceeded expectations! We would gladly recommend the tour and Andy to friends wishing to explore Japan."
B & D Judy, USA
Mountain Spirits
"I think personally the highlight was the Oze region, just breathtakingly beautiful. Although I also greatly enjoyed the Dewa Sanzan, as well as some of the brief stops at temples such as Gyokusenji. I was very impressed with the depth of your knowledge, and your ability to answer almost every random question I threw out, and particularly with your willingness to ask around for answers to questions that you didn't have an immediate sure answer for yourself. ...I felt that this was perhaps the most memorable trip we've ever taken together. The mix of hiking through breathtaking scenery and visiting historical and cultural destinations was very well planned, and your level of expertise at every level made the entire trip feel natural and uncomplicated. Your guidance made possible an experience of the Japanese culture and landscape that we could never have achieved on our own."
John P, USA
"Everything on this trip was fabulous. We were looked after really well. The info leading up to the trip was excellent, what to bring, itinerary, preparation etc. Booking a trip can be a bit of a lottery but everything Oxalis presented was very professional, efficient, and great valie for $$. I am going to recommend Oxalis to all my friends."
Caroline D, Australia
"It was really much more than what I expected."
Carlos M, Spain
"Thank you for showing a few of your favourite places in Japan... The trip met our expectations in every way - and Matt was more than alert to the groups needs. Well done and good luck to Oxalis."
Antony and Ommar W, UK
"We just recently returned from our Mountain Spirits adventure in Japan. I was very apprehensive when booking this vacation; it is the first trip we booked knowing little about the tour company. We found Oxalis searching the Web and took a huge leap of faith that the trip would meet our expectations. Short of the testimonials you posted we knew nothing about Oxalis. I am so happy to report that the trip exceeded our expectations on every front. The accommodations were wonderful, the food was outstanding, the pace of the trip was perfect and you couldn't have provided a more delightful guide. Satomi always made us feel that our needs were an absolute priority, not to mention that she was a wealth of information on many topics. On the final evening of the tour our entire group met for dinner, I think the comments above represent the general attitude of everyone."
Bob and Norma W, USA
"We had a truly wonderful trip; Satomi is such a good guide, and the whole trip was really well planned."
Caroline B, UK
"Scott and I really enjoyed our trip to Japan. Satomi was a fantastic well-organized guide, full of information and tons of humor. Our small group was in synch. and we enjoyed meeting everyone.
The Shiba Park Hotel was in an excellent location for walking to dozens of affordable restaurants and for getting to Narita airport. The staff was really great and luckily all spoke English well. I would definitely stay there again since we were able to walk and catch the subway all over the city very easily.
I liked having lunch on our own so we could purchase what we want at the train stations. The vegetarian meals were overly abundant and I was stuffed at meals... I also liked having the option in Nyuto to do our own thing for 1 day... Anyway, you did a great job putting the trip together. The best part of it was that all the logistics worked flawlessly in Japan. The train transfers were easy and like clockwork."
Leila F, USA
Shoguns and Samurai
"I loved the experience of riding the trains and buses and I found the Japanese people we met to be wonderful, helpful and so passionate about their culture. It made me want to stay. Thank you for this great experience"
Kelly A, USA
"Mari was outstandingly pleasant company & professional in her work"
Andrew B, England
"Mari was a constant delight - her concern that we should all have our interests catered for meant that she went out of her way to find out about special things for us. He friendliness, kindness and laughter will be remembered for a long time"
Diana B, England
"Wanted to thank you and to let you know we had a fabulous time. We saw and did amazing things and had fun. Oscar was fantastic guide and went out of his way to make sure we had a great time. Thanks again."
Cheryl R, Australia
"I believe the Shoguns and Samurai Tour was the best we went on after 5 previous Tour of Japan especially the Minshukus and Ryokans."
P Fujimoto, USA
"I just wanted to thank both you and Yoshi, We had a wonderful trip and would have no hesitation in recommending Oxalis Adventures to anyone looking to experience Japan rather than just have a holiday."
L Carter, England
"I would like to thank you for an exceptionally fascinating, enriching and diverse journey through parts of Japan. The itinerary was well planned, the group interesting as we shared the same curiosity and Yoshi an alert and knowledgeable guide."
A-C Gowen, Switzerland
"I just wanted to let you know that we enjoyed the trip immensely and to compliment you both on the choice of the itinerary and the choice of Mari as our guide. She was tremendous, always going out of her way to arrange things we would like to do. Our experience of Japan was extremely positive because of Mari’s help."
M McCaffery, Canada
"We want to commend Mari Ohara in the highest terms possible. She said "Yes, of course!" to every request anyone made and followed through. You couldn't possibly have come up with a better ambassador of Japanese culture than Mari. It was a terrific trip. The food, the variety of sites, the pace: everything was superb. Hats off to everyone involved, and, again, thanks especially to Mari-san for sharing her love of Japan with us."
D Kirby, USA
"Mari Ohara was absolutely wonderful. She was unfailingly pleasant and courteous. She helped me pursuit special interests (kimonos and woodblock prints). I can't praise her enough."
B Hamby, USA
"Wonderful trip! I am coming back to Japan as soon as I can!"
M Rainsberry, USA
"We have just returned from our wonderful trip to Japan ... We both enjoyed ourselves enormously and the tour certainly lived up to our expectations in all areas so thankyou to you and Kazuyo for making it all possible. We have made some life time friends."
L & B Taylor, Australia
"We really had a great time in Japan - so many impressions and new experiences. Everything was perfectly organized and we were very impressed by the Japanese perfectionism - they even beat us Germans"
C Ebert, Germany
Nakasendo Trail
"Group size was perfect! ..We would like to thank Kazuyo for her helpfulness and willingness to accommodate everybody's wishes and needs. Her energy and passion for introducing us to Japanese culture, beliefs and way of life were a big asset for this trip."
D Fischer, Germany
"We were very impressed with the relevant information supplied a few months before the trip. Most helpful. This has been a well thought out and executed trip in order to give us an authentic Japanese experience. Well done! Thank you"
V Dart, Australia
"Overall the experience was excellent, a cohesive group led by a very well-liked, competent helpful guide."
I & A Baster, Asutralia
"[guide] couldn't have been better - made an excellent holiday very very special"
I would certainly recommend Oxalis to any friends considering such a trip."
P Haynes, UK
"The tour has an excellent mix of walks and visits to places of interest. It's amazing what was included in only 12 days. An excellent introduction to Japan. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to friends. The tour was relatively hassle-free as the luggage was forwarded between locations and all entrance fees to sites were included."
A Watkinson, UK
"[food] totally out of this world - loved the food at every ryokan - took pictures of every meal! The office support was very good from the people behind the scenes."
A Hill, UK
Imperial Pilgrimage
"Bob was absolutely terrific. Without a doubt, the best guide
we've ever had (and we've had several good ones). He was knowledgeable,
made sure are needs were met, and went way beyond the call in making
sure we were able to negotiate Japan on our own. He was great.
Thanks again for putting together a very memorable trip."
Mike K, USA
Mountains of Central Japan
"We’re thinking about returning to Japan sometime soon. And I guess a large part of the credit for that is down to Bob and his wonderfully varied and carefully thought out tour – so a BIG domo arigato gozaimass to Bob for all his hard work!"
N.Campbell
"Bob, we really thought you'd put together a great mix of things and places with some fantastic food and lovely local accommodation as well as some nice little surprises such as french cuisine lunch in Matsumoto. The mountains were great and your weather favour was unbeatable."
L. Sturch
"I had a stellar time Bob. I couldn't have hiked Japan without your helping hand. Talk about Japanese hospitality - you're not even Japanese!"
V.Moreno
"Bob, you're the best! Many thanks for the special details and treats you arranged for us in ryokan and the good Japanese food and different cultural experiences."
M. Takeda
Custom
"I had a FANTASTIC holiday and really want to visit Japan again with Oxalis."
Sandra C, UK
"The trip to Japan was so well organised. And I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. It is a fascinating country.... Our guide was 1st class, so helpful and very knowledgeable and could not have done more to make our trip so good. She was amazing."
Susan C, UK
"I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful time we had and to thank you for putting together such an awesome trip. The itinerary, accomodations and the guides were all great. Yuhko was a wonderful choice for our family. She's so personable and enthusiastic and there wasn't one question she couldn't answer. She really fit in well and the kids loved her -as did Dennis and I. ... All of the accomodations were just perfect and so well located! Being so close to so many different subway lines in Tokyo made coming and going there a breeze. In Kyoto it was great being at the other end of that wonderful park with the beautiful blooming cherry trees. We were so lucky to have hit the peak of the season. We also were able to walk almost everywhere in Kyoto which was so convenient. The inn in Asuka was a delight. We had our own private building and the meals were an experience we'll never forget. ...It was fun sleeping on the floor and having the traditional Japanese inn experience, including the meals. We never would have figured out how to do that on our own. Thank you again for putting such a special trip together for our family. ...We are very grateful that we were able to go on such a trip and that we found you to put it all together! "
Lynn G, USA
"Dear Matt, It was a dream trip in every respect. Hide-san was extremely competent and took us all over Japan seamlessly. He gave patient explanations of history, religion and customs, including detailed explanations of the unique foods of the minshukus (the dinner in Asaka was the best minsuhuku cuisine). When we went to historic sites the staff would often give us a special lecture whch he would interpret into English. This was especially true in Tsumago, Kiso Valley and the ancient Buddha in Asaka. Seeing how Japan works from the inside gave us a much different and more rewarding view than we could have gotten from a canned tour. The scenery alone on the post town train rides was spectacular. Hide-san went out of his way to help me find a honshin Tigers baseball cap in Kyoto. He was also gracious to accompany us to dinner, he selected a nice restaurant with a beautiful view in Kyoto where we saw my friend Rumi and her adult children. We were all very glad for your guidance in setting up the itinerary. All of us thotoughly enjoyed the old post towns and the hot spring inn. The Shogun castle in Kyoto and the Philosopher's Walk were also beautiful. Depite the fact that it was 30 or hotter every day, the trip was well paced and we were not rushed. It was a special, intimate introduction to Japan. Thank you again so much." S Schwartz, USA
"Chris went out of his way to take care of our every desire and need on the trek. Including helping us replace our camera that broke the LCD when I was relaxing in the power chair at the Yuyado Sekiya Ryokan in Kambayashi Onsen. Then again when the replacement turned out to have a bad LCD, he talked the shop owner to give us a free exchange. We stopped at a camera store the third time for a belt camera carrier and at another camera store for a light cart to carry our backpacks the last couple of days in Tokyo. And yet again in Tokyo at the Canon store to get us English instructions instead of the Japanese that came with the camera. We enjoyed his company fully the entire trip and felt he added a huge amount to our enjoyment because of the language barrier. We all highly recommend him for your future trips. He went way out of his way to make sure we all were comfortable and well fed... All in all, it was a beautiful trip and we were most impressed with the Japanese culture. I would recommend your company, Chris and the entire itinerary to anyone that wishes to contact us. Best regards and thank you so much for a wonderful experience"
Charles G, USA
"Alexandra and I want to thank you again for such a wonderful experience on our vacation! From the first dinner at the top of Tokyo to our departure, everything exceeded our expectations. Both Hide-san and Yuhko-san were wonderful, very informative, and a whole lot of fun to be with! I have to say that having guides that really enjoy sharing their passion and knowledge made our trip that much more enjoyable. One other thing that really impressed me with both our guides was their ability to quickly determine our likes/dislikes with food and pick spectacular restaurants once they new what we like which was difficult since
The sushi restaurant in Kanazawa and the kushi-katsu restaurant in Kyoto were great! They were also very helpful in knowing where to find certain items that we were looking for to take home. The accommodations that were picked for us were tremendous as were their locations. I especially liked the Ryokans and the Minshukus because they just added that special touch. The staff at all of our accommodations were especially helpful (even finding Hida beef for us when all of the markets were closed!) and they really made our stays something to remember. They also got a good laugh seeing me in a yukata and slippers that were not quite the correct size which really was a funny site. As for meals, every single meal on our three week trip was unique and special in its own way. We really enjoyed the spectacular meals that were served at the Ryokans and Minsukus, as well as our meals underground at the stations and department stores. We enjoyed our meals so much that we wrote down every meal we had and have since tried to recreate some on our own here at home (last night we made our own meat buns). One of my personal favorites was the Hoba Miso (Hida beef and vegetables grilled at the table on a dried leaf) in Takayama. The itinerary was perfect with a blend of old(Shirakawago) and new. each location was truly special from biking around Asuka-mura, to being burried in the hot sand in Ibusuki, to enjoying the wonderful festival in Takayama. Again each location was made more enjoyable with the help of Hide-san and Yuhko-san and their knowledge of each location and different sites that we should see.
Both Alexandra and I would like to thank you for making our honeymoon/anniversary in Japan the most memorable trip of our lives."
P.J. & Alexandra H, USA
Self-guided walking
"The trip was just marvelous, and I'm just so, so impressed and thankful for all the planning and preparations you did for me!"
Trond R, Norway
Snow Country
"we still talk a lot about memorable trip to Japan. The
Snow Country tour with you was indeed the best of all - it was like a dream
came true! It was quite a special experience for us and we could not have
done it without your help. We especially enjoyed the snowshoeing and walking around the cozy village in
Nozawa Onsen, the rustic Korakukan minshuku and visit to the monkey spa, and also the charm of Ogimachi town and the farmer house we stayed in. We also loved all the food!"
Gaby M, Indonesia
"Let me sincerely thank you on behalf of all my family for the wonderful trip!
First of all the itinerary you helped us to chose was the great introduction to the very many faces of Japan.
We saw more places and met more people on our trip than we ever dreamed. Rural Japan, hot springs resorts and skier's heavens, cute little towns and bustling megapolises alternated with a kaleidoscopic exuberance. I won't forget snow blanketed Ogimachi village, nice dinner with the very entertaining hosts in the minshuku, hatsumode on New Year eave in Kyoto...
Thank you again for the well organized trip, divers itinerary and your thoughtful support!"
Svetlana P, USA
