Japan Intro: Q&A with Maisie

Dreaming of Japan? Maisie, our Product Assistant, knows the feeling. Japan has been at the top of her bucket list for as long as she can remember… So when the opportunity came up to join our 13-day Japan Intro group tour, Maisie knew she had to say yes! 

From favourite cities to temple stays, read below as Maisie shares her best bits from Japan – and why she’s already thinking about going back.

Q: So, why Japan?

A: The main reasons why I wanted to go… First of all, because I’d heard such good things from everyone who has been, they all said how amazing it was. So then I looked into it, and it just looked incredible. The culture is so unique. And there’s such a contrast between the ultra-modern cities and the traditional towns.

Q: How were your group and group leaders?

A: It was a really nice group. Everyone makes friends, and people form their own little groups, but everyone still got along. It was a nice mix of people and ages; most of us were around the ages of 22 to 28.

Our group leader, Alex, was amazing. He was so funny, and he felt like one of us. We had Izzy as well, who was training. So I think having them both together, they really bounced off each other. They were really relaxed, but also so considerate.

For one of the days in Kyoto, we visited the Fushimi-Inari shrine, which can get really busy. And our group leader asked us the night before if we would rather leave an hour earlier than planned, to beat the crowds. So when we got there, it was great because we could take the iconic pictures without other people in the background, and then explore all the torii gates.

Alex was always trying to help people out and do what was best for everyone.

Q: Japan Intro has loads of inclusions. What was your favourite one?

A: The samurai class was really fun! 

I think the temple stay was my favourite. It gives you insight into how the monks live and their traditional way of life. You get to eat a Buddhist meal and enjoy nature. It’s very immersive. Staying somewhere like that was so different to anything I’ve done before.

Q: You also visited a few different cities. Which one did you enjoy the most and why?

A: I loved them all. We started in Tokyo, which was a culture shock, but in the best way. I was like, “Wow… This is insane!” Although it feels chaotic at first, the people are very calm. Everyone is in queues, even at a major train station. Compared to London, where everyone is rushing to get on.

Then we went to Osaka, and I was like, “Actually, I think I prefer Osaka.” Osaka is more about the independent stores, plus the fashion is really cool and quirky. But it also has its crazy side, like the Dotonbori street with the canal.

And then we went to Kyoto. I was like, “Wait… I think I like Kyoto even more!” It just got better and better. Kyoto is more classic and traditional Japan. We even took a tour around the famous Gion district, where you can sometimes see a few geishas in training.

Q: Some travellers are nervous to go into the onsens. Did you try them, and if so, what did you think?

A: So the onsens were optional, but some of our accommodation included them alongside showers. All of the onsens we visited on the tour were also okay with tattoos.

One of the nights, we stayed in a ryokan outside of Nagano, where you have tatami mats on the floor. It was run by an older couple, and it was so lovely to stay with them. Almost like a hotel, but more traditional and quieter. They had a few different onsens there: female-only, male-only and then also a private onsen.

It is a bit of a culture shock. Obviously, you have to go in naked, and I think as Brits we were a bit shy. The idea of it seems really scary, but then when you go in, you sort of just like embrace it. Like for Japanese people, this is their culture, and they’re so normal about it. So it kind of makes you look at yourself and go, actually, why am I being weird about this?

Once you’re in there, it’s actually really nice and relaxing. The water has thermal properties, which is meant to be good for you.

Q: Japan is a pretty iconic foodie destination. What did you think of it, and what was the best thing you ate?

A: Oh my God, the food was SO good. What was my favourite thing? Have you heard of Okonomiyaki? Japanese pancake. You can get it everywhere now. But the food in general is amazing.

My God, the ramen. Actually, yeah, I’d say the ramen is my favourite! Our group leader took us to a really great spot. Literally the best ramen I’ve ever had.

Even the 7/11 was unbelievable. Their desserts were amazing. Ah, I miss it every day!

Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in joining our Japan Intro tour?

A: Personal tip is definitely do your research on shopping before you get out there. There is so much, and it can be quite overwhelming when you go at first. Whereas for me, I was on that side of TikTok long before I went! I had my recommendations ready, and I knew what I needed to get. 

The shopping in Japan is on another level. Like, if I could have just a week, just to go shopping, I actually think… Maybe that’s not enough time to go shopping! Like, everything is just so crazy. But also really cheap. I bought so many products. At the same time, I’m now like, I wish I’d bought more!

Japan can be overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect. When you’re in a group, it just makes you feel safe. You have a whole group there and a group leader who has lived in Japan. That’s their job to take you around. You automatically feel like you’re in safe hands. You’ve got someone to help you navigate the transport, telling you where to go in the city.

I think Japan is a really great place to do a group tour, because it takes that side of things away. You can just relax and experience it properly. Rather than having to worry about navigating busy train stations, things like that. 

The culture is very different, but Japan has a really nice way of living. Japanese people are very respectful. They don’t speak much English, but they are just really polite. A lot of the way they do things just really works. When I came back, it was definitely a reverse culture shock. Everything is just better in Japan!

Q: Thanks for chatting with me, Maisie! My last question is, where is next on your bucket list?

A: Well, I would love to go back to Japan! 

Other than that, I’m thinking somewhere in Africa to do a safari… Kenya, Tanzania or South Africa? That’s definitely on my list. 

Or Sri Lanka. I really want to do Sri Lanka Intro, the one that Sidney’s just done (author’s note: check out Sidney’s Sri Lanka Intro Highlights for more details)!