Client Blog: John and Jackie's three-week tour of Japan for their 40th wedding anniversary

When John and Jackie came to me to organise a three-week Japan trip for their 40th wedding anniversary, I knew it was going to be special. John kindly agreed to write about their experience on their return and in his own words, here it is. Be warned, these two made every single minute count!

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We've just had the trip and adventure of a lifetime. Japan. Simply awesome.

Susan had previously organised our USA coast-to-coast trip and pulled together this three-week Japan adventure - flights, transfers, trains, hotels, private guides and even a comprehensive guidebook. Everything was first class and worked perfectly, saving us valuable time so we could focus on enjoying every moment.

We started with a few days in Singapore before flying to Tokyo to begin our 16-day tour.

Tokyo

Our brilliant private guide on day one took us to everything I'd wanted to see - and several places we didn't know we needed to. The subway is cheap and easy to navigate. We ticked off Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples, Kabuki theatre, Ginza, Shibuya and Shinjuku - and ended one evening watching sumo wrestling.

It was the best possible introduction to Japan. Even as a major city, Tokyo felt calm, respectful and easy. We also found the coolest small bar one evening after an afternoon with traditional drummers and may have danced and drunk a little too much.

Matsumoto and Takayama

A local train followed by the Shinkansen bullet train took us through stunning Japanese countryside up into the alps to Matsumoto - a brief overnight stay that still managed to include a free guided visit to the famous black castle, a samurai sword exhibition and an evening walk along the river.

From there, a private car took us deeper into the alps to our Ryokan hotel in Takayama - a truly immersive and beautiful Japanese experience. We were greeted by staff banging a huge kodo drum and welcomed with a ceremonial green tea. We wore our kimonos throughout our stay, visited three different onsens, explored the Hida folk village and simply soaked up the atmosphere.

Thank you to Susan for the bottle of bubbles - and to the staff at Honjin Hiraboya Kachoan for spoiling us and putting us on their social media to celebrate our anniversary. Takayama was the best Japanese experience of the whole trip!

Kyoto

Another local train was followed by the bullet train down to Kyoto. Susan expertly booking all our train tickets was a real time saver. By this time, we were averaging six miles a day walking and about five to six hours sleep - but we wanted to make every minute count.

Three days flew by. A private insider tour of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples on day one, followed by a private sake tour, a walk along the Philosopher's Path and an afternoon with a Maiko - a trainee Geisha - who performed a traditional dance, chatted about her life and joined us for lunch. Incredible.

The food, which I haven't even mentioned yet, was amazing - and despite what you might hear, was CHEAP. Wagyu and Kobe beef, soups, fish, pancakes - and a warm welcome from staff everywhere you go.

Hiroshima

Day 14 in Japan was our actual anniversary - 40 years. We took the bullet train to Hiroshima for two nights. Our tour guides and hotel staff had given us origami cranes to lay at the memorial. You can't visit without feeling a profound sense of peace and reflection.

The Hilton Hiroshima treated us to an evening at their executive rooftop lounge - food, champagne and a cake.

One bucket list item was still remaining: karaoke on stage in Japan. After finding what must be the best cocktail bar in the country - eight seats, fifth floor, central Hiroshima - we found a karaoke venue, met a wonderful group of 20-year-olds and sang English and Japanese songs late into the night.

The next morning, we awoke to an amazing sunrise before catching the ferry to Miyajima Island and the famous shrine in the water. A beautiful sunset brought a fitting end to a beautiful stay.

Osaka

Our last bullet train took us to Osaka for an overnight stay before flying home via Singapore. Osaka is like Las Vegas, Blackpool and Skegness rolled into one - a full-on sensory experience.

We made the most of our last evening, and the next morning took an early walk through the local markets to absorb a final experience of the sounds, smells and atmosphere of Japan, before heading to the airport. And that was it. Flights home, memories we'll never forget.

All we can say is thank you to everyone involved in planning, organising and making this trip the experience of a lifetime, especially Susan. I was expecting Japan to be awesome - it exceeded every expectation.

John & Jackie