Just back from this trip Sept 4, 2025. Disappointed
Having taken two other tours by Tauck, one to South Africa and 10 months ago to Australia and New Zealand, I can honestly say the guide was out of her element. She belonged doing family tours as she spoke to us, all well travelled, smart and savy travelers, like we were 5 year olds. We had to practice lining up for the train for example. Our local guides was sweet but difficult to understand. Our second local guide had better English but he refused to use the flag so not easy to find him among so many people. He was very scripted and no chemistry between him and our English guide. Tauck seemed to skimp on things like in hotel breakfasts at Shangri-La and first night get together. A few lunches were outright poor! Also, letting us be on our own for the two nights in Tokyo was not a good way for us to meet others. Our dinner "homey" style was an embarrassment to say the least Good appetizers then they served us the most minimal "dinner"! Many temples and shrines, most of which we could climb to them but not go inside. Big waste of time after spending a good portion of the day traveling by train to Hiroshima, were not allowed to go to the hotel, but go by ferry to see another shrine and wandering deer! We did not return to hotel til 5:30 pm having left The previous hotel 8 am! We did have a few highlights which was expected taking a Tauck tour, however, I will not be recommending this tour to friends. This was an overwhelming feeling from everyone of the guests, new ones and seasoned ones. Find out who your tour guide is and make your decision.A 30 year old very inexperienced guide who mainly did family trips, and who fashioned herself unprofessionally as a Disney princess, was not what I expected on a Tauck tour. Ask me any questions. I would be happy to tell you some things to do and avoid.
Comments
I think this is the first negative of the Japan tour I’ve seen, so thank you for the balanced view.
Having been to Japan before, when I originally saw the Tauck Japan tours, I knew they were not for me, just skimming over everything and not enough true immersion, so I looked elsewhere. However, I do think you perhaps did not understand the Japanese people and their need for organization which definitely includes being in line for trains because they do not stop for long.
Our alternative tour, Japanese breakfasts were huge, we could hardly finish them. I took so many photos of food, which I do not normally do.
Are you saying being out from 8 am to 5-30pm is too long a day? That’s what I want from a tour, not all the free time that Tauck now gives. We also found Tokyo the least interesting of all the places we visited.
Here is a typical breakfast we had
Here is another
Carol, thanks for your honesty. So sorry you had what sounds like an inexperienced Tour Leader! I did this tour in April of 2023 and totally lucked out with one of the most experienced guides Tauck has. That saved this trip for me. However, I did echo some of your disappointment after I returned. My opinion of Tokyo was not great. A big city, but I wanted it to be more exotic feeling. Also felt many of the group meals were mediocre, especially when we were in Japanese restaurants. I also felt some of the travel days were long, especially the one to Hiroshima, and also felt adding Miyajima island after that long ride was pushing it. I guess I chalked up my impressions to being in my early 70’s, and getting worn out with the one night stays. I think I’m spoiled having visited almost 60 countries, so Japan was not top of my list of favorites. It also is the last land tour I will ever take, I’m now focusing more on ocean and river cruising.
Don’t give up on Tauck just because of this, but be sure to send in your feedback!!
The Japan tour is listed as a level 3 for pace. It shouldn't be surprising to have long days, early starts, and significant travel time. It's all there in the Tauck brochure.
Carol Love - Sorry to hear about your disappointing experience and appreciate your report on your trip. We did this tour in May of 2024 and it was outstanding. We had a fantastic and more seasoned tour director which probably made all the difference. We happened to get a tour director that we had on our very first Tauck trip back in 2016. It's too bad we can't choose our tour date based on who is running the tour. Of the 12 Tauck tours we've taken, we have only been disappointed in one tour director. So I hope you won't give up on Tauck.
Carol Love--I am so sorry to hear this. We took the Essence of Japan Tour in April of 2017, and it was fabulous. In fact, it remains in our top five tours to this day. To be fair, the trip itinerary has changed since we took it, and we had a great tour director. I am so sorry!
Thank you for the review. Japan is on out list and we were looking at both the land and sea tours.
We had immature former (20 somethings) Disney TDs on a trip who spoke baby talk to us! They were totally incompetent when there were serious issues - so important that Tauck sent a a significant check with asking. Otherwise we loved the tour and had fun with fellow guests. I reported them to Tauck in the comment sheet and suggested they may be ok on a family tour but not an adult tour. I was told once by a TD there is some politics in TD assignments - but isn't that true everywhere. Don't know if that was the case on that trip but wondered if that is how the kids got their jobs.
We have been traveling with Tauck since 2006 - and the TDs ranged widely - mostly competent and polite. I also find there seems to be more detachment from the guests, particularly in the small ship tours. Likely more efficient for the company.
Carol Love - it is unfortunate that you were disappointed in your tour. We took this fascinating tour last year, and loved it. As advertised, it is a very active tour and there are some long travel days.
We enjoyed the two free nights in Tokyo. It allowed people to choose areas of the city to explore at night, or to stay in the hotel vicinity, whatever their interests. So much to see and do in Tokyo.
While the day of travel to Hiroshima was long, I did not find it to be particularly taxing, as much of the day was spent on trains. Lots of time to relax and rest your eyes. I loved the visit to Miyajima Island. The beautiful floating gate is one of Japan's most famous landmarks and the visit to the shrine and the opportunity to walk around and sample regional specialties was most welcome. Perhaps it would not been as enjoyable on a rainy day.
Train protocol. We too were carefully instructed at the train station. Our TD and local guide showed the group how to form the L shaped line to quickly board the train, carefully explained where our group's seats were located, and that we should sit down and wait with our carryon bag and not block the aisle loading the overheads while people were boarding. After boarding is complete, people can stand to stow their bags. Did everyone listen? Of course not. Two from our group jumped out of the middle of the line, physically pushed to the front of the line, interfered with people who were disembarking and sat in the wrong seats. Another couple blocked the center aisle stowing their luggage, interfering with people trying to get to their seats. The two in the wrong seats had to move when the ticket holders wanted the seats and were disappointed because they then had to sit on the side with three seats. Everyone eventually figured it out. 😊
Say no more
Considering the price of Tauck tours I find it concerning that two of you mentioned not read for prime time TD's. We also had a poor TD on a riverboat cruise. a few years ago. I told Tauck she was better suited for a Carnival Cruise. A friend realized I had the same TD on a land tour as she (different Tauick tours and countries). We both were dismayed that much of the talk from the TD was about herself and her family. Surely, Tauck can do better when hiring TD's.
I'm sorry, Carol, this trip didn't meet expectation. We had a really great TD in 2018, making this our favorite Tauck trip. Because the tour didn't go to Hiroshima and Miyajima Island, it allowed us to have an extra day in Kyoto - less travel time and more concentration on one city.
Like I’ve mentioned, I was not impressed with the description of the Tauck tour It’s just too short to do the country justice. Going to Hiroshima was very moving. Then Miyajima, the iconic Tori in the sea and the cable car up to the peak and the wonderful views up there. We had a fantastic lunch there too and of course lots of deer.
I might be biased because it is my favorite country.
I also loved Japan, can not think of anything that was not great bout that tour.
We just returned from the Essence of Japan trip that started on Sept 25, 2025. We had one of the best tour directors ever with Tauck. Sounds like we lucked out with Richard Burke who is a Brit who lives in Tokyo with his family and whose wife is from Japan. It was a unique combination of a local who was so engaging that it was a love fest at the final night together! I read the most recent review and felt more lucky than we did that final night. Our local guide for two thirds of the trip was great. (Micky on the mike!). He was replaced for the last segment by a quieter and less dynamic guide (though very competent). This tour is a whirlwind and a working vacation as I call it. We've been back for three days and still digesting everything we did.
My concerns (unfounded) pre-trip:
Would I have adequate cell and internet to do business on the trip - no problem with the Verizon International Plan
Would I be able to charge by computer, phone and tooth brush - no problem as I never even used the adapter...
Would the food work for me - yes it did. The breakfasts were phenomenal over all with the Shangri La and Four Seasons being the best and others still strong. The only 24 hours with questionable food was the Ryokan. Both dinner and breakfast were mystery food that was visually unappealing and left untried.
There are lots of temples on this visit as there would be churches in Europe. The onsens were a favorite. We were told that they will eliminate the hotel in Hiroshima and add an extra night to Kyoto next year. Make sure to bring a bathing suit and swim cap to enjoy the pools at the hotels.
We spent two extra days before the tour in Tokyo (wish we had a third) and left after the tour ended in Kyoto (wish we had two-three more days in Japan, not necessarily Kyoto). Kyoto tourist sites were mobbed and it was raining so the umbrellas added to the mob scene. Great shopping in Kyoto but the weekends there are so crowded it was not enjoyable.
Make sure to purchase a Welcome Suica card at Tokyo when you arrive as it is very handy for your free time and use of the trains on your own. Subway is easy to figure out. Having the card eliminates trying to buy an individual ticket for each segment and can also be used at 7/11 and Lawson for snacks and water. Make sure to try the 7/11 egg salad sandwiches and their new smoothies (watching the smoothy machine work is an engineering marvel).
Ichigo ichie,