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FEEDBACK
Below are some comments kindly emailed to Hike Japan by clients.
If you would like to get in touch with someone who has been on a Hike Japan holiday to ask for advice or to find out more about their experiences in Japan , please let us know and we will provide contact details.
We returned yesterday from the May, 2010 Imperial Pilgrimage Route. My husband and I were part of a group of 6, all good friends, travelling together for the first time.
From the first evening we met Bob, we knew we had chosen the perfect leader for such a trip. Bob was friendly, open and extremely well organized. He had taken all of the information we had sent to him about us ahead of time quite seriously, so we knew all of our special needs had been addressed thoroughly, and would be met everywhere we were to visit.
With an appropriate choice of a vehicle, and precise timing and positive relations with all of his contacts, we knew we were off to a perfect start.
There was a sense that we had a role in our plans, but we also knew that our comments would be additions to the careful plans Bob had already made for us. Guides who were to meet us, drivers who were to transfer the vehicle in the evenings and day times were all at the point Bob had so carefully arranged. Everything he arranged was done with precision. All of the places we visited were very glad to be associated with him. We all felt very well cared for at all times.
The hikes were beautiful and exactly as described. Some were amended to accommodate the aches and pains of travellers in their 60's, as we were, and that was appreciated. The sites were phenomenal to see and Bob was able to explain what we were watching.
I had practiced and worked out for the hikes, and felt I'd have liked more hiking and walking. I'm sure if I had read the itinerary more carefully I would have known exactly how much walking was involved, but I had the idea we would be mostly walking in the woods. As it turned out, I felt fine with exactly what did. I feel so enriched by this trip that I plan, as soon as jet lag ends, to get online with friends and encourage them to do the same trip we did. There is ABSOLUTELY no down side. This was, from all angles, a simply wonderful adventure made all the more wonderful by Bob Heffill.
Linda Levine
Imperial Pilgrimage Route May 2010
I would like to be sending useful, critical feedback, but the reality is that I wouldn't change a thing. You were the most generous possible guide, and most responsive to our numerous needs. I think the choices you made of the varieties of lodging and levels of lodging and food were extremely well crafted, and having explored prices for our previous trip, brilliant value. The high points, in addition to the hiking, for me, were the experiences in the ryokans, the time with Kosho, the tea break on our last walk, and the Miho museum. I was also surprised at how much I enjoyed our time in Nara. The art and 7th century sculptures just blew me away. You delivered much more than was promised. We have already recommended the trip to many friends …. I hope you'll keep in touch. We would love to travel with you again.
Josie Preston
Imperial Pilgrimage Route May 2010
In Kyoto … we discovered … in particular the Daitokuji is a wonderful place. Only a few buildings are open each time, but it is such a lovely spot … a great alternative for people wanting a less visited site. Same for Horyuji and the smaller Chugu-ji temples. It was great to see so many fabulous structures and sculptures. I would have liked to go back to the treasure museum earlier in the day. Anyway, the trip was great and we so much appreciated your support in our spending time on our own.
Karen Ueberwasser
Imperial Pilgrimage Route May 2010
The Pilgrimage Route tour was exemplary for me in many ways. I am usually tour resistant - I dislike being told when to arise, what I am to eat, where I am to go, and how I am to feel once I've finished the prescribed agenda. This was not my experience on this tour whatsoever. On the contrary, there was a steady easy rhythm with just the right amount of structure. The accommodations surpassed my expectations and the food was superb. I am not well versed in Japanese cuisine so I am sure that there were many dishes that I did not appreciate sufficiently, but no matter, there is no doubt that the variety, presentation, and tastes were a treat to my senses.
It was so relaxed and interesting to be hiking the Kumano Kodo trail that sometimes I simply escaped into a fantasy that could have taken me right into a tree were it not for the presence of others and the sense of being part of a group with a leader who did not need to cope with reviving my flattened body. I learned on this trip why I am so tour resistant - I could see firsthand that to set the right tone, to allow enough individual participation while at the same time stick to the plan when it is essential, is a challenging task, and not one that can be taken lightly. I feel very fortunate that we had such a guide/leader/planner/helper and friend. I would be willing to be a part of another such tour without hesitation.
You asked for suggestions and I do have one or two. One is that I felt very interested in the spiritual/Buddhist aspect of our tour and would have liked to be helped to be more aware of what the various temples and shrines actually meant in the lives of those who used them and those who established them. When I got home I found a book that I had purchased a long time ago that I wish I had read before going on the tour: “Sake and Satori” by Joseph Campbell. Secondly, I was so happy strolling, hiking, staying in the excellent ryokans that I was jolted into the reality of city life, traffic, etc. Asuka was more city than country to me even though I think it was intended as a sort of transition. This may just be my own preference for the directness and simplicity of rural life, as well as a desire on my part for a contrast with my normal urban existence. All of these suggestions are not meant in any way to detract from my original statement; this was a truly exemplary trip, and I thank you Bob for helping make it happen.
Anson Levine
Imperial Pilgrimage Route May 2010
Your hard work was truly appreciated by all of us. Thank you for a spectacular and enlightening journey.
Eric
Imperial Pilgrimage Route October 2009
A very belated but warm thank you for giving us a splendid adventure in Japan. Catherine just loved it and we will certainly want to come back again if you will have us. I might bring my pipes next time and with your karaoke prowess we will wow them! Seriously, many thanks and we look forward to the next time.
Alex and Catherine
Mountains of Central Japan September 2008
A very big thank you for the main holiday which was unforgettable due to the many and varied experiences you gave us - the balance was just perfect.
Angela
Imperial Pilgrimage Route October 2008
I do hope we meet up again some day, needless to say we had another wonderful holiday in Japan - thanks to your expertise and thoughtfulness.
Patrick and Ali
West Japan Explorer November 2008
What a wonderful time I had on my travels in Japan. The entire trip was exceptional. Thank you Bob for your expertise in designing and running such a fascinating tour.
Lorna
West Japan Explorer November 2007
Magnificent trip! Absolutely one of top travel experiences in our lives.
Chie Lee
Mountains of Central Japan September 2007
Arigato Bob-san. What a memorable week!
Linzi
Spring in the Heart of Japan 2007
Thank you very much for helping us on our entire trip. I had tons of fun (more than I had imagined)! You have made my first time in Japan an exciting trip. Both me and my Dad believe you went above and beyond what was expected.
Trace
Anime and Manga Culture Tour March 2007
Your tour ran flawlessly, allowing us to simply 'Show up, make new friends, have a great time and not worry about the details'.
Chie
Mountains of Central Japan September 2006
After having had a few days to think about it, I think that the tour is fantastic and offers qualities that no other kind of travelling service could offer. After a few days in Tokyo I appreciated your tour even more for a couple of reasons. One was the everyday encounters with people like Kaori, Yoko, Megumi, Asayo, and of course you and Marc. It gave me an impression of Japanese people and everyday life before I was bombarded with the school girl look-alike bimbos shouting with their squeaky little voices in Shinjuku and Akihabara.
The other reason was that when I arrived in Tokyo, I was basically incommunicado, if that's a correct use of the expression. Ordering in restaurants and talking to people in Yodobashi etc became very confusing indeed. I ended up eating sweet sticky eel stew and all kinds of weird stuff because of language difficulties. Not to mention when I put green tea powder in my soy sauce thinking it was some kind of weird dry wasabi. But it least it gave a group of Japanese business men a really good laugh at their lunch break. That was of course educational but also made me realize the full benefit of having you around the first 10 days.
Robert
Early Spring 10-day Imperial Pilgrimage March 2006
We really enjoyed the whole experience and would be happy to go again under your leadership.
AlanWest Japan Explorer Nov 2005
I had a wonderful time and really want to do more of your tours.
Judy
West Japan Explorer Nov 2005
The range of accommodation (minshuku, ryokan, mountain hut, cottage and western style hotels) was good. We enjoyed the contrast. All were good - our favourite was the ryokan in Hiroshima. The food was also good; there was always so much (I was amazed that some people ate so much between meals). The meal in the ryokan in Kyoto, the crab meal and the meal in the timber cottage complex were my favourites. I'm glad we had the blowfish meal because I wondered how it tasted.
Dorothy
West Japan Explorer Nov 2005
Many thanks for your hard work, thoughtfulness, and humour in making this memorable.
Alan and Paula
Early Spring in the Heart of Japan March 2005
Be ready to trek. Be ready to see unusual scenes and unusual
places. Bob is the absolute best!
10 out of 10 rating.
‘Nesto
Early Spring in the Heart of Japan March 2005
We had a great time with you on the road. We got to places that we wouldn't have got near to on our own and I feel that we had an insight into the culture etc that we would have missed travelling around on our own. We will have great memories of the places we stayed. So, thank you for all your efforts - you did a great job.
Patrick
Springtime in the Heart of Japan April 2005
I've been fortunate enough to have had many holidays and all of them have been happy, memorable occasions, but I think Japan will always be among the best, and I reckon you should pat yourself on the back for organising and arranging such a memorable holiday. I hope we meet up again one day soon.
Ali
Springtime in the Heart of Japan April 2005
I enjoyed the trip to Japan . A superb walking route, fascinating sightseeing, friendly people, and our introduction to the Japanese way of life all made it a very special holiday.
Eleanor
Mountains of Central Japan 2005
Ollie and I had a wonderful honeymoon. We felt as if we had been away for far longer than 2 weeks. It was so relaxing knowing that all the travel and accommodation plans were being taken care of by yourself and all we had to do was enjoy the experience.
Sue
Mountains of Central Japan 2005
Thank you for arranging such an interesting trip for us. Everyone we know wants to come out.
Paula
Mountains of Central Japan 2004
I'd like to thank you for leading the tour. It would take too long to list all of the benefits that your service provided although I must emphasise though that we visited places and stayed in accommodation that I could never have found independently. This added so much to the whole experience.
Russ
Mountains of Central Japan September 2004