Japan vacation, The Shogun trail

Planet

Our Japanese-speaking tour leaders have all spent time living and working in Japan and been fully trained by us, including a strong focus on responsible tourism practices so they can ensure that our tours run in accordance with our code of practice.

As well as providing a fascinating insight into local culture, they are able to provide guidance concerning local customs and culture to ensure that local sensibilities are respected and also advise on issues such as local water conservation and recycling initiatives. Most of our journeys in Japan are by public transport, including the famous “Bullet Train”, which as well as being one of the most efficient and comfortable modes of transport is also one of the most environmentally friendly.

In addition to the above, we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key and so all staff, Tour Leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage. As well as this, we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of UK travel industry bodies Tourism Concern and AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.

As a company we support Cool Earth. Protecting rainforest is one of the most effective actions to tackle climate breakdown. CoolEarth work with indigenous communities empowering them to conserve their forest; keeping CO2 locked in.

People

We stay in a number of locally owned guesthouses and also at ryokan which are traditional-style inns where you sleep on a futon mattress in room with tatami mat floors and paper screen walls and gain an insight into traditional Japanese lifestyles. This also helps spread the income generated by our visit amongst the wider community. We eat most of our meals at a variety of local, independently run restaurants.