The unplanned magical moments along the way – random interactions with locals hanging out in the park, stumbling upon a local festival and partaking in the parade procession, the time when a torrential rain forced us to seek shelter in a neighborhood shrine and listening to the magical sounds of thunder and rain washing the world away while we had the entire shrine to ourselves, and all the shared meal gatherings where we dined in local neighborhood restaurants, enjoying good food with good company and plenty of rounds of drinks.


What are you most proud of in your country?
Impeccably clean, safe, and punctual, the train network is something we use regularly throughout all itineraries when travelling with Explore in Japan. Train travel is an integral part of the experience when visiting Japan. It is a great way to see the world go by as we travel through rural countryside, watching farmers planting rice and fruits, and coasting by the seaside, watching the tidal waves flow and recede. It is also comforting to know that we are contributing to a sustainable future.


What do travellers find most surprising when they visit?
With a population of 37 million people in Greater Tokyo region, you don't see traffic jams snarling through the city constantly, and the pavements are clean and tidy all the time even though garbage cans are so difficult to find!