I think it would be difficult to do on your own if you aren't seasoned travelers, especially if you want to go to different locations or more out of the way places. I visited Japan when DH was living there for a while for work. We went some places on our own that he was already familiar with from living there but one of his coworkers escorted us to other more out of the way places where few/no people spoke English. The thing I found difficult about it compared to places like Europe is that all the signage is in kanji characters so for me it was pretty much impossible to figure anything out. And at least at that time there were plenty of times we were in places where no one spoke English.

I have never taken an all inclusive tour and don't really like the idea of it. However there are some places in Asia I'd like to go and I intend to do a tour when the time comes.

My father traveled the world for 2-3 months a year. DH met him in Japan and they did a Tauck tour, very similar to this one.. DH still talks about it 10 years later. Most of the traveling my father did was with Tauck and he never had a complaint. DD2 and I did a Yellow Roads tour with him in Europe for 3 weeks and also enjoyed. There was no line waiting, had a wonderful tour guide for the 3 weeks, plus all the local guides. All accommodations were nice. You still have free time to explore on your own.

The tour we went on was a Tauck tour and it was great. It was a few years ago and we did a family tour.

I’m looking at Tauck and National geographic tours.

Check out Kathsgrdn's posts on the Kitchen Table about her recent trip to Japan. You might be able to message her as well.

I guess I am the outlier, I have been there many times on business (Tokyo) and travelled to Osaka and Mt Fuji for pleasure. I took the family about 5 years ago and we did it on our own. I like tour guides for a day but I don't personally like tours.

You may want to ask your son why he is interested in Japan. I only found out a few years later that my girls wanted to go to Tokyo because iCarly went there. Of course they were like 11! LOL

BTW, I would not say Japan was my fave spot in Asia.... esp not Tokyo. There are certainly many great things to see but it wouldn't be high on my list.

The Olympics are in Tokyo in July 2020, so hotel prices will be more expensive during that time. I work for a travel agency, and our favorite Japan tour operators are Inside Japan, Destination Asia and Tauck.

I've been to Japan --- without tour guide, and it was no problem at all. Kyoto and especially Nara were extremely nice. We stayed in a small guest house, and despite the language barrier, everything went well.

However, I second asking why DS suggests Japan. This should help figure out what he expects to do and see.

There are plenty of other places I'd prefer, e.g. Portugal, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia...Iceland, ...

I have to admit that I never took a package tour, but i find that I already grow impatient during museum tours or day tours.

Lived in Tokyo for 3 years. Tokyo and Kyoto would be doable on your own. If you stay at a central Hotel in Tokyo they should be able to set you up with a couple of local tours to get you started. With the language difference the first time you do something is always a bit hard, but once you figure out the system, it is easier to repeat.

First time I felt like an illiterate, even though I speak/write several languages! ;-)

I went to Japan on my honeymoon with XH. I loved it! We only went to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, but it was great.

My nephew is fluent in Japanese. This spring his host family from his student days in Japan visited us. They were so nice. I would go back to Japan in an instant!

This past May, DH and I went to Portugal and Spain with Tauck. I’m very impressed with Tauck. It was fantastic! I’d opt for the Tauck tour.

Having said all of this, I’d probably wait until the year after the Olympics.

I would like to go to Japan for a rock concert like Budokan, etc.

Some of our faculty are organizing a study abroad trip in July for South Korea and Japan, including a trip to the Olympics! It's about 2 weeks in length and costs about $4-5K. It does include almost all meals, travel, etc. other than a few meals and personal expenses. I'm considering going because DH would have no interest in the Olympics.

I have been to Japan many times, the last fully as a tourist. Tokyo is easy to get around via the subway and trains. It used to be that even in Tokyo the signs would only be in kanji but now the transport sector usually includes signs written in Romanji (Ran characters). With the Olympic I would guess things will be even easier. Also you generally can ask the hotel for a card with return instructions for a taxi or get a map in two writings and circle the hotel. We’ve navigated China with a dual language map, but Japan is easier. Outside of Tokyo like in Kyoto you can find a local guide. I’d also recommend a stay in a ryokan with hot springs near Mt Fuji.

Hmm, I'd forgotten about the Olympics. Just after we finished our bucket list, some wiseacre piped up and said "Mom, we have to see an Olympics".

Off to look at 2020, 2022 and 2024....

BW I think there is an app where you take a photo of the characters and it translates. Tokyo, to me, is just another big city for the most part. Kyoto is charming. See if you can get tickets to the famous moss garden there.

e. Olympics, I'd wait for MILANO CORTINA 2026 (winter)

PARIS 2024 (summer)

BEIJING 2022 (winter)