PREMIUM PLAN, TWIN ROOM

SK TOURS: A small group of dedicated employees that were extremely transparent and communicative throughout the booking process. They provided stunning accommodations and curated all our travel. We were picked up at the airport, as promised, and were taken care of every step of the way.

THE TOUR: For 9 days my partner and I were whisked away from Tokyo, to Osaka to Kyoto to Ise to Nagano. That is a true delight in seeing such a beautiful country for the first time in so many different ways. We did something new everyday and many excursions / entrance fees were included in the tour package price. Also all excursions included an English speaking guide who provided local and historical knowledge.

THE FOOD: With SK TOURS the tour price included most meals. And many pre-planned lunches were already waiting for us- warm-. My partner is vegetarian, however many places that SK TOURS booked in advance were able to accommodate not just him, but others with different allergies. A true highlight of this tour was that our lunches specifically highlighted a culturally important food of that city we were visiting for that day.

THE PEOPLE: Get ready to compare who is the biggest Dir en grey fan in the group! Study up on their discography, as our favorite game to play on the tour bus was "who can name this song the fastest." But also be ready to make new friends who also have a very niche interest (like Dir en grey) from around the world. Post-tour many of us followed each other on IG and are all still in the same text thread.

THE SHOW: The whole reason all of us traveled to the Japan in the first place! Honestly nothing can compare to watching Dir en grey perform in their home country. SK TOURS stayed with us throughout the wait and made sure everyone got their pre-ordered merch and that we made it inside the venue in-time for the concert. Generally speaking, shows in Japan are vastly different than those aboard. In Japan you do not jostle for a position and everyone is respectful of space. It made watching and listening to Dir en Grey a more theatrical and intimate experience, as you did not have to worry about the crowd itself.

FINAL IMPRESSION: It is my sincerest hope that this tour is offered again by SK TOURS for other international fans. And a true shout-out to the tour coordinator- Stasya. Without her passion for this band it would have not been possible.

It was amazing. We were in a lot of places in only 9 days. It's never enough but the organization was incredible. It's always complicated to manage large groups, more if you face problems (we were trapped in the middle of a Typhoon while visiting Ise-Shima). If I'm sure of something is that if Stasya decides to organize another trip like this and I can take holidays in my job, I will be in for sure! ☺️