Just for context, I’ve gone to Japan three times, all with only one other person (my SO). My family has been really wanting to go and decided to go with a group of 12 family members. From my experience, this sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, but maybe I’m being overly pessimistic. I don’t think they will ever be able to eat together at a restaurant. It may be hard to take the same train cart. The hotel rooms are tiny for big groups. They will have to take multiple taxis if they can’t walk anymore (they have kids coming). They all probably have different food/shopping budgets. Trying to keep the group together during excursions will probably slow them down and they will only get a fraction of their itinerary completed.
Has anyone else traveled with a similar-sized group (not through a tour) and can share their experiences on day-to-day considerations? I’d like to share more positive/useful advice with them rather than telling them what a big mistake I think they are making.
Edit: I just re-read my title and could see it being interpreted as 12 people + me. I guess I should emphasize that I am not going.
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Unless they book every restaurant and pick places with large table, they will likely have to split in 2-3 tables in many places. They could even split in different restaurants if not everybody want to eat the same thing.
Train is not especially a problem. Of course if they all want to ride the shinkansen with all the seats together, they have to book their tickets as long as possible in advance. This can also be a problem if they want to book the space for many oversize luggage (you can reserve it even if the luggage is not oversized), because there is just so much of these in each car.
Hotel, you either take hotel with rooms for bigger groups, but would likely require at 2 rooms for 6 each, there is hotels like the Mimaru chain that specialize in rooms for group. Otherwise, if you want to go in business hotels, that will be 6 rooms for 2 each.
For taxi, yes, would need multiple taxi… but it’s also possible to avoid taxi, I went to Japan 6 times and took the taxi just 3 times in total, it’s totally possible to plan a trip without use of a single taxi. If they have to take it for example because the kids are exhausted, then it’s also an option to send the kids and an adult on the taxi and the other take the train back.
Biggest advice I would give is get at least 3 person with internet access (sim card or pocket wifi) and be ready to split the group. They can either do something completely different in completely different area depending on their taste, or just split in an area and regroup after. Having several internet access point would allow them to communicate with the other groups. This would be the best as you have more chance to please more people, like if half the group want to see an art museum and the other half want a history museum, it make more sense to split and make everybody happy than to stay together and have half the group not happy of what they are visiting.
Assuming they will be going to Tokyo, it’s probably important to manage their expectations. Tell them how small the hotels are, the shops, the busy streets, etc. They may be in for an unexpected bad time otherwise.
If the group of 12 is planning on sticking together and doing group activities with the kids it sounds like a nightmare for anyone else nearby, tell them to be polite.
I recently traveled with a group of 10. Here are some challenges a big group might encounter;
1. Small hotel room. Some hotels have 3 single beds, but you won’t find space for your luggage. It would be better to split into 6 rooms with 2 beds.
2. Small restaurant. Sometimes you can’t even split the table since there’s not enough empty tables. You might need to split the group into different meal time.
3. Not everyone will have the same interest. Some might enjoy temples, other stores or shops. Some even want to go back early while others still want to explore.
4. Separate seating in a subway. Make sure there are more than 3 people with different access to wifi (if using hotspot).
Hopefully your group has enough time to enjoy Japan and not planning to much itineraries.
My best advice would be to have flexible plans. People are going to be tired, some might even be sick, or the weather could be less than ideal. It will be challenging when you have a mix of ages, interests, budgets, and ability/willingness to plan. People that don’t pick what they want to do are going to either go along with what others want, or figure it out when they land.
Book in advance for the things that make sense (hotels, trains, special dinners, boat rides, tours, etc). There are definitely entire houses to rent that would comfortably suit six people (with at least two bathrooms), but twelve in one place is a recipe for resentment. Maybe pick two (or even three) home bases and stick with them the entire trip, and put people in them based on early risers/people who stay up later (or kids/no kids, etc – I don’t know the dynamics, but I’m sure some natural split is there).
Be prepared to split up into smaller groups and focus on things that people are actually interested in. People who don’t want to shop do not need to go out and do that, maybe they head to a park instead. Kids want to go to fun kid stuff, you could not pay me to tag along with that, I’d rather go to a sento or sleep in or whatever.
I agree with you. It sounds like a nightmare. It’s one thing to pool together for airfare discounts and share research and resources. But to stick in a pack the whole time is unrealistic, IMO. I hope that they figure that out sooner than later. There is a reason why large groups opt for the tours or for someone else to plan things like an agent – to get that all taken off their plate.
My best advice would be to book a domestic tour that can take care of the logistics. Buses, trains, restaurants and hotels. You can opt for a guide or self guided.
Group of 12 will be a nightmare for restaurants and public transport