Client Testimonials

“The itinerary was perfect. We experienced so many wonderful places and still had time to kick back and relax. I loved having everything planned out and all of the transportation arranged so that we could simply live in the moment and soak in all that Japan has to offer. I can’t imagine traveling here any other way.”

Lisa & Charlie – Cleveland, OH

“We can’t thank you guys enough for helping us navigate and providing such a small group setting to really immerse yourself in the cultural experience. We felt like everything was so well planned out. We didn’t feel as though we missed out on anything we wanted to try.”

Chris & Michelle – Denver, CO

“Becki and Shawn really cared that we had a positive experience. They were more than tour operators, they became friends.”

Kris & Emily – Salt Lake City, UT

“Thank you for sharing your intimate knowledge of Japanese culture. Your constant positive attitude, friendly reminders on etiquette were very welcome. Your recommendations were spot on.”

Robert & Vinnie – San Francisco, CA

“An amazing trip of a lifetime! The language barrier and travel logistics were daunting and we could not have done it without you guys! Becki & Shawn made us feel like family visiting: comfortable and fun, magical and marvelous.”

Debbie & Steve – New York, NY

“The included meals blew me away. The multiple dishes and the presentation were superb. This was quality over quantity. Four really good dinners beats dinner everyday hands down!”

Alice & Dennis – San Francisco, CA

“Becki and Shawn are the ultimate professionals! If you’re looking for a guided tour of Japan, they are your guides! We highly recommend them with the most enthusiasm. They love and respect Japan and its culture and enjoy sharing their love with their clients. We appreciated the education of Japanese customs, etiquette, history, and regional food.”

Suzanne & Dan – Los Angeles, CA

“The tour was a window into authentic Japan – its history, traditions, quirkiness and magnificence, and beauty. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Jill, Deb & Rory – Minneapolis, MN

“Thank you so much for this amazing trip. You two made this past week one of the most memorable times in my life and exceeded any expectations I had. Your love and respect for Japan is contagious.

I really appreciated how we never rushed anywhere, especially navigating subways/trains with luggage. It was so nice to be able to grab water or use the restroom, if needed. Having that time so well planned made such an action-packed trip feel relaxing!”

Amanda – Newark, NJ

“We can’t thank you enough for all your planning, organizing, & guidance. You’re both such genuine people, and it’s obvious that you cherish Japan – it is visible how much you enjoy sharing its culture.”

Lora & Ryan – Birmingham, AL

“Thank you for sharing your love and passion for this amazing country, and for making this trip one that will forever be in our hearts!”

Lindsey, Jake, and Gavin – Charlotte, NC

“Your passion for Japanese culture gave us an experience that would have been impossible to achieve on our own.

This trip went above and beyond any expectations we had, especially not having to worry about travel logistics (i.e., which trains to take and when), having guided time balanced with private time, and your guidance on Japanese customs/culture that would have taken years to learn.

Thank you so much for sharing your passion with us. We will absolutely be back.”

John & Krista – Philadelphia, PA

“Japan on your own would be humbling & stressful, even for an experienced traveler. You not only made it “stress-free,” you imparted your love of Japan & its customs in a way that made sure everyone enjoyed the trip and fell in love with the country too.

My admiration for your commitment, knowledge, energy, planning, hard work and care knows no limit. Thank you for everything – for helping me understand & appreciate Japanese culture & history, for showing me its beauty, its efficiency & its fun!”

Rene – Duluth, MN

“Thank you both for being wonderful hosts and showing us this beautiful country. I loved it all! I couldn’t have asked for a nicer group of people to travel with.”

Donna – Monroe, CT

“The organization, choices, and timing of the tour could not have been better. We would not have been able to see, do and eat in one month on our own compared to what you two fit into 10 days. Bravo!”

Chris & Maggie – Newark, NJ

“Thank you for making this trip so special.  It wasn’t so much any one particular thing, but more how you put everything together. The way the entire trip just flowed; from getting on and off trains to managing the group dynamics.  It’s obvious that you have considered every last detail.

You care deeply about the culture and it shows. You want to make sure that we don’t just see the sites, but really learn and understand the remarkable people and their culture. Most people don’t get that on a normal tour.

This wasn’t a tour. This was a trip with friends. Thank you for that.”

Mike & Kim – Dallas, TX

“Thank you for your many kindnesses, tireless explanations, endless stories and sharing of experiences, and fine preparation. It is a great itinerary.”

Bob – Boston, MA

“Without a doubt, you have made this trip one of the most special visits we have taken. You shared the culture of this country with us through western eyes. Your attention to details left us feeling comfortable and special. We enjoyed so many places and things, but none less than your company. Never stop exploring!”

Alan & Cristina – Chicago, IL

“This wasn’t a tour… this was traveling with friends. Feeling totally like a Japanese resident, not like tourists looking at the country but being of one with the people in the country.”

Bob & EJ – Fort Lauderdale, FL

“The trip costs a lot, but honestly what you guys have given us is priceless. I will see you next year!”

Doug – Denver, CO

“Japan and More is hands down the best! Becki and Shawn, you rock! Everywhere we went was unique and fun to explore. We really enjoyed learning the history and cultural significance of the places we visited. Thank you so much for everything!”

Alexis & Eric – Salt Lake City, UT

“I loved the “breadth” of the trip from mega cities to small towns. It was well paced with something interesting going on each day. Enjoyed traveling on public transport!”

Amy – Washington, DC

“I appreciated Becki and Shawn’s efforts to help our group better understand local cultural norms. They had tremendous patience and we learned so much! Thank you again!”

Erin – New York, NY

“I liked how you made us feel like you were showing friends around rather than being a tour.”

Russ – Los Angeles, CA

“I just want you to know how much I enjoyed your tour. I love how much work you did in our predeparture preparation. Then, while on the tour, you took care of everything. I felt well cared for. Thanks again for making this such a memorable experience.”

Lucy – San Francisco, CA

“This was a superb tour for a first time visitor and one who is fit and eager to explore. Both of you are not only super knowledgeable and experienced, but also so welcoming and nice. You made every one of us feel like a special guest (and friend). Can’t thank you enough!”

Joy & Mark – Cincinnati, OH

“We loved this trip so much. You both helped with everything and more. We did so many things and it never felt rushed or hectic. We look forward to having you show us Japan (and more) in the future.”

Liana & Lauren – Tyler, TX

“A cultural kaleidoscope enjoyed all the more by Becki and Shawn’s great organizational skills and their lovely company. Thank you so much for a really epic trip.”

Peggy & Tony – Ringwood, UK

“Becki and Shawn made the entire traveling experience seem effortless! They made sure everyone was well taken care of and had a great time! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”

Marilyn – Los Angeles, CA

“Thank you so much for providing us with your expert guidance on a trip of a lifetime! We will remember this forever. You took such good care of us. The small group experience is so much better than the big “tour bus” trip. We enjoyed getting to know everyone and benefitting from your valuable advice.”

Jane & Joe – Shoreview, MN

“We are so happy with our decision to use Japan and More! Without the planning and guidance that Becki and Shawn provided, we would not have experienced so many of the special wonders that Japan has to offer. They helped us maximize our time and savor each moment, stress-free! A priceless experience in my opinion.”

Leah & Alan – Austin, TX

“With all of the great information you guys sent out prior to the tour, I felt that I was very prepared. Thank you Becki and Shawn for an amazing trip! Every day was a new adventure!”

Erica – Detroit, MI

“I would highly recommend this trip. Becki and Shawn were excellent guides. They made navigating the rail and subways easy. They smoothed over the stressful parts of travel which let us experience the real Japan.

This trip exceeded our expectations. Becki and Shawn even accommodated our special interests in textiles and crafts. Their outgoing personalities and cheerfulness made everything fun. Thank you so much for everything!”

Elizabeth & David – San Francisco, CA

“I’ve already been planning my FB post to let my friends know that easy, personalized travel to Japan is possible through your tours. Traveling with you guys was like traveling with local family – easy & stress-free so we could simply experience all of the wonderful places you took us.

Thank you for customizing the itinerary to our interests so well and handling the hard logistics of travel so smoothly. You both clearly spent a tremendous amount of time & effort preparing so that we’d have an amazing experience. It showed. Thank you.”

Sriyesh & Anne – Greensboro, NC

“We appreciated all the historical and cultural information provided throughout the trip. Also, the excellent guidance to navigate all the transportation. Thank you so much Becki and Shawn. You were fantastic!”

Keko & Julie – Reno, NV

“I loved all of it! Learning all the rules. Being packed like sardines. Riding the bullet train. Every moment and every city was awesome.

Y’all are the best! Both of you are really what made this trip so fun! Thank you so much!”

Michael – Houston, TX

“This was a treat! The level of knowledge, the sensitivity and ability to offer this knowledge at the right time and at the appropriate depth was nothing short of masterful.

The attention to detail, the organization and the flexibility made for a perfect experience. Thank you!”

Allan & Patricia – Miami, FL

“Becki and Shawn, thank you for a wonderful introduction to Japan, it’s culture, people, cuisine, and history. You guys did a great job of choosing attractions to see, places to eat and facilitating our travel to those places. Your explanations of life in Japan were authoritative. Thank you both for making this tour so special.”

Trudi & Lou – Los Angeles, CA

“I enjoyed all the different modes of transportation we experienced. It was amazing seeing how different everything was. The main highlight was the energy and personalities of the tour guides, Becki and Shawn.

Becki was knowledgable, sweet, and patient with rounding everyone together. Shawn was knowledgable, funny and full of energy. The trip was a blast!”

Amaro – Houston, TX

“This was one of the best tours I have ever taken so far. Really experienced Japanese culture and food.”

Raj – Adelaide, AU

“Your well organized tour allowed us to see the culture, people and cities of Japan. We were relaxed and enjoyed all of it.”

Lise & Jeff – Elkton, VA

“I really appreciated the very considerate and personal care you gave each of us. I have been on many many escorted tours and I can honestly say this has been the best one. You provided exactly what you promised and still exceeded my expectations.”

Geri – Miami, FL

“This was a fabulously well organized tour and very well thought out. Becki and Shawn were also caring, thoughtful and insightful.”

Fabienne – Durham, NC

“Becki and Shawn put together an incredible experience for us in Japan. From preparing us before the trip, guiding us every where and in every way, educating us with their deep understanding of the history and customs and most importantly, being two of the most pleasant and wonderful people you could ask for. They made everything fun, easy and I couldn’t have asked for more! The small group and personal attention made this an exceptional experience. Thank you for everything!”

Robert & Stephanie – Miami, FL

“I was surprised at finding Japan so unique and different. All the food we ate was fresh, beautifully prepared and we even ate eel and found it delicious. Becki and Shawn are fluent culturally and verbally and guided us gently into understanding the culture. I would recommend Japan and More for a special and unique experience. Shawn and Becki are excellent guides and we recommend their tours highly.”

Mary & Barry – Boston, MA

“Thank you for your warmth and perfect planning. The trip was wonderful and exceeded my expectations on every level.”

Susan – New York, NY

“I appreciated the attention to detail, the care and thoughtfulness of you both, and the good humor. It enabled me to relax and enjoy Japan so much more. Looking forward to Hokkaido!”

Sue – Queensland, AU

“I knew we picked the perfect tour company and the best tour guides after one correspondence with Becki. They have knowledge about the history and present culture, navigating transportation, finding hotels/ryokans with comfortable beds with great breakfasts that included Japanese and Western cuisine, knowing where the locals eat, how to have fun at karaoke and so much more. Every detail seemed to have been taken care of. Most importantly they truly listen to your requests and they work really hard to fulfill them. We had so much fun. A trip to brag about forever.”

Anita & Adam – Denver, CO

“My husband and I had a fantastic time on our Japan and More tour! Becki and Shawn are a fun and energetic couple. They are highly knowledgeable about the country, culture, language, and people of Japan, and they are passionate about sharing it with others. They did a great job of providing a nice mix of activities to reach everyone’s interests and tastes.

Becki and Shawn made traveling between cities quick and easy. They took care of everything for our trips on the subway, train, bullet train, buses, and taxis, but they also taught us how to read the maps and signs so that we could do it on our own.

The hotels on our tour were great! Their locations were perfect for getting to and from the airport and for catching trains for our day trips. The staff was very helpful and spoke English well. The Western-style breakfast buffets were tasty, convenient, and offered a wide variety of foods to start the day off right. The rooms were larger than expected, very clean, and provided a number of toiletries.

Our tour gave us opportunities to try a wide variety of Japanese foods: ramen, yakitori, udon, octopus balls, sashimi, soba, kaiseki, izakaya, Japanese curry, Mos Burger, and more.

Going on this tour was like spending time with old friends, even though we only met Becki and Shawn a week ago. Thank you for an authentic expat experience.”

John & Karen – Chicago, IL

“I had the time of my life. Becki and Shawn from Japan and More really went above and beyond my expectations. The trip was so well organized you could tell that they had put a lot of thought and care into planning the tour. The trip was amazing. It was everything I could have hoped for! I would not have been able to see and learn so much if it weren’t for Becki and Shawn!

One huge perk is that the planned activities ended around 5-6pm and I had the freedom to go out and explore the cities at night by myself. I never felt tied down by the tour group and really felt as if I was on a vacation by myself (just with guided help). I will be recommending Japan and More to my friends and family.”

Blythe – Greenville, NC

“If you want a trip where you are free of confusing choices, this is the trip for you. Becki and Shawn are beautifully organized. Your experience will include moving throughout Japan as the Japanese do and experiencing local life. Everything is done with charm and kindness. Can’t ask for more!”

Lynn – San Luis Obispo, CA

“I cannot recommend Japan and More highly enough! Our family of five spent about three weeks in Japan with Shawn and Becki, and we had an extraordinary experience of a lifetime.

A couple months beforehand, we found them on the internet and began corresponding with them about our goals for the trip. We love food, and had specific requests like a pilgrimage to Hamamatsu for eel. We also wanted to visit friends who live in Japan and visit the Ghibli museum.

Becki created a professional itinerary based on our interests.

Our Japanese is rudimentary, so having two fluent companions made our travels exceptionally easy. They handled all train and bus reservations, hotel reservations, and restaurant reservations. This took a huge burden off us, allowing us to enjoy the trip with minimal hassle. Each day they would acquire the necessary train tickets, etc for us, so we able to travel efficiently without struggling.

Since Becki and Shawn both lived and worked throughout Japan for years, they have an excellent knowledge of interesting places to go and things to do. For instance, they set up a stay at an amazing ryokan at the foot of Mount Fuji. They really went the extra mile to obtain difficult reservations for us and insure we had a exceptional time. And they are both excellent company! We had great fun with them.

One particularly special experience they set up was a home dinner with a Japanese family. This is a program run by the Japanese government to promote cultural harmony with foreign visitors.
Japan and More provided us with a very personal trip to Japan that I have not experienced with other ‘tours’.

Frankly, they really go beyond providing a ‘tour’, and allowed us insights into another culture we likely would never have experienced if we were simply ‘tourists’.”

Peter – Charlotte, NC

“Our trip to Japan with Becki and Shawn was absolutely amazing! Their knowledge of Japan and ability to speak the language made everything so much easier. If my husband and I would have done this trip on our own we wouldn’t have experienced a fraction of what Becki and Shawn showed us.

We loved having the chance to see more than just one city and exploring the non-touristy areas. It was really great having someone that knew where all the good places to eat were!

Our favorite and most memorable parts of our trip was when Becki and Shawn gave us a chance to experience the real Japan! One night after dinner, they took us to karaoke (reluctantly at first). It was so much fun, we insisted on doing it one more time before we left! Another night we will never forget was having dinner with their Japanese friends.

Thank you Becki and Shawn for the wonderful memories and amazing experiences. It was worth every penny!”

Andy & Amy – San Francisco, CA

“Japan can be an intimidating place because of the language barrier. Becki and Shawn truly explained what we saw because English was their natural language. I listened to some Japanese guides and they struggled with English. Becki and Shawn also have the knowledge and love of Japan that added to our positive experiences. I am a raving fan!”

Hal – Fort Lauderdale, FL

“I had the honor of Becki Benedict planning a full 7 day itinerary for me and I was able to see so much, cover so much ground and experience places I would not have even considered without her guidance. She is truly an expert on the country and culture! It’s a magical place.“

Jennifer – Wilmington, NC