Beth's Japan Intro: Why Group Travel Is the Best Travel

One of our recent travellers, Beth, has been on our Japan Intro group trip! Beth was lucky enough to win our epic Japan Intro giveaway in February. Having recently returned from her trip, Beth decided to write and share her top 5 reasons why she believes group travel is the best travel.

I was lucky enough to be a competition winner with Gap 360 for the 13-day Japan Intro trip! I couldn’t believe it when I received the email saying I had won. I had never travelled alone before so I was feeling nervous! But Gap 360 made it an easy and smooth trip. Their flights partner helped book the most appropriate flights, which assisted with the jam-packed, exciting itinerary. The trip included the coolest of activities - that I didn’t even think was possible to do. The days were counting down to my Japan trip, and I couldn’t control my excitement! So, here are five reasons why group travel is the best travel…

1. Meeting new best mates in a new destination ✈️

I arrived at the first hostel in Tokyo and was greeted by the group leader, who was so welcoming and helped me check in. Day 1 was very chilled, which allowed us to get settled in, explore the local area, and then gather for a welcome dinner to meet the whole group!

We spent the next two days exploring Tokyo on some of the included activities. I learned about the fantastic history of Japan with a tour guide from Tokyo who took us through to Senso-ji Temple and Meiji Shrine. We also visited the renowned Shibuya crossing - featured in many famous films, Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift being one example - and at this crossing is the Hachiko statue. Hachiko is a dog that became famous for his loyalty and devotion. He was a national sensation and was admired, as after his owner passed away, he continued to wait for his owner at a train station every day.

In Tokyo, I also attended a sushi-making class with the group, which I thought was so cool. We were taught by the locals how to make sushi traditionally. Let's just say, I picked up some impressive new skills during the class! We had free time during the afternoons and evenings, which I spent shopping, visiting local bars and trying out new foods!

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2. Learning about different cultures 🏯👘

​For the next two nights, we stayed in Nagano, where we learnt the most about new cultures and experiences. I noticed that a lot of knowledge and careful thought was put into the itinerary, which I do not have the patience to organise myself! As a new solo traveller who doesn't know much about Japanese culture, we did different things on the tour that got you to immerse yourself in their unique culture. If I had gone solo travelling, without a group tour, I would have missed out on many incredible activities and homestays that the Japan Intro trip had included!!

In Nagano, we stayed in a ryokan - a traditional Japanese inn. You had to wear special shoes for the different rooms (strictly no outdoor shoes allowed) and slept on tatami mats, which were surprisingly very comfy and cosy. In Nagano, we learnt the art of origami and how to make traditional soba noodles. Plus, we went to the Shiga Kogen National Park, known for the Snow Monkeys. We saw so many cute monkeys from afar, it was amazing! Nagano was my favourite because this is where our group built relationships; the evenings here were so chill that we played games and got to know one another more! This evening resonates with my first reason why you should solo travel, as I made new best mates on this trip that evening.

3. Trying new things beyond your comfort zone! 🎤

After this stay, we travelled from Hakone to Osaka for a day and a half. Osaka was my favourite place by far! We hopped on the cable cars up to a viewpoint of Mount Fuji, which was spectacular. We got to Osaka in the afternoon with some free time to explore, and we had a group dinner at a local restaurant to try some local dishes.

Dinner led to a night out in Osaka, and being a northern girl... I love a night out! Japanese nights out usually consist of karaoke, which is super fun because everyone gets involved. It's so popular due to the cultural tradition of families and friends loving to sing at gatherings. Plus, it's the perfect way to bond! I'm not too shy of a character, but I know my singing voice is not the best. Like many other activities we did, I still gave it a go, and everyone had fun doing it over a few drinks.

4. Gaining different perspectives and insights 👀

Day 9 was one of the most fascinating days on the trip. We travelled to Koyasan and spent the night in a Buddhist temple where monks live and practice. The temple was over 1,000 years old! The experience was intriguing as I never knew there was an opportunity to stay with monks. The homestay brings me back to reason two... I would never have been able to organise such an incredible cultural experience alone!

The atmosphere of the temple was peaceful as we learned how to meditate. We also got to try the monk's traditional food and have a guided walk through the grounds of the temple! Being in a group at the temple was ideal for me; we got to share our thoughts on how we felt being in such a unique environment and experience it together!

5. Ticking off loads of bucket list moments ✅

From days 10 to 12, we stayed in Kyoto, our final destination on our Japan Intro trip. This destination was another highlight of the trip, as I feel like I had the best time and really made the most of it. We explored the city of Kyoto and admired the traditional tea houses and Zen gardens. We stopped off at the popular spots for Gieshas. These are female Japanese performing artists, known for being trained in traditional Japanese arts like dancing, music and singing. They are also known for being skilled in conversations and hosting. We managed to see two wearing stunning embellished costumes!

Over the next few days, we ticked off some major bucket list activities! The group visited the tranquil bamboo forest on day 11 and wandered the pathways surrounded by towering bamboo. Afterwards, we visited the impressive Golden Pavilion, covered in gold leaf that glistened in the sun. Then, on day 12, we climbed the beautiful red Torii gates in Fushimi-Inarin. Once we reached the top, we snapped some great photos of the surrounding landscape. These were real bucket list moments for me and many of the group.

Sadly, it was time for my Japan Intro trip to end! I honestly cannot fault the trip from start to end. I had bundles of fun, made so many unforgettable memories, and built friendships that are going to last a lifetime. The itinerary was perfect, the activities were beyond my expectations, and I learnt about a new and captivating culture. The trip was simply the best thing I've ever experienced! The trip gave me a confidence boost I didn't know I needed. Take this as your sign to check out Gap 360's Japan group tours for the chance to have an unforgettable experience like me!