Japan is an amazing experience. Japan Travel centre were friendly and efficient, and helped us get the most from our relatively short time there. The arrangements worked like clockwork and the hotels were excellent. Even the driving was a pleasure (except perhaps the Tokyo ring road - but hey, what would you expect in a big city). The value of the car was being able to get a little bit of the beaten track so we saw some stunning cherry blossoms among other things. Takayama was simply delightful, and the splendour of Kyoto's temples match anything the big European cities have to offer.
The rail service is, as we expected, quick, comfortable and easy to use, and the ability to forward luggage to another hotel was invaluable.
We tried a couple of Japanese style hotels - which take service to a new level - and the food was simply superb.
I can't wait to return.