Now accepting for spring 2026

discover japan at ease

travel consultation ・ Itinerary Review & Planning ・ Luxury bespoke itineraries ・ Boutique recommendations ・ travel companion service

Travel Consultation

30-minute video call for personalized guidance

$175

Japanese culture is unique and can be a little daunting for first-time visitors (or even second-time!). Perhaps you don’t quite need a full itinerary, but there are a few things you’re not sure about before you get on that plane. A travel consultation is ideal if you want clarity before planning or finalizing your trip. Many travelers feel unsure about neighborhoods, food etiquette, trains, reservations, or how to structure their days. This call gives you a chance to ask anything and receive practical, experience-based advice.

During our 30-minute conversation, you can ask about routes, timing, must-see areas, cultural expectations, hotel choices, seasonal considerations, and any concerns you may have before departure. I share insights gathered from more than thirty years of travel throughout Japan so you can make confident decisions.

This service is perfect if you are in the early planning stages or simply want expert guidance before booking.

How it works

Step 1: Short Travel Questionnaire

After booking, you will receive a short form to help me understand your trip dates, budget, interests, concerns, and what you hope to get out of our session.

Step 2: 30-minute video call

We will arrange a 30-minute video call to go through any questions or concerns you have before you go. I provide tailored advice on routes, pacing, dining, etiquette, safety, reservations, and what to expect in each region you plan to visit.

You leave the session with clarity, actionable guidance, and more confidence in the direction of your trip.

What is included

  • 30-minute video call

  • Practical insights and cultural guidance

  • Personalized advice based on your interests

  • Recommendations for neighborhoods, stays, dining, and timing

Traditional Japanese pagoda with three stories, red and black colors, surrounded by trees and a stone base, under a partly cloudy blue sky.

Itinerary review service

Expert review of your existing itinerary

$175

If you already have a draft itinerary but want a second opinion, this service helps ensure your plan will work well in real travel conditions. I review your itinerary with attention to pacing, transit flow, region sequencing, timing of major sites, dining considerations, and potential challenges. The goal is to refine your itinerary so it feels smooth, realistic, and enjoyable.

How It Works

Step 1: Submit Your Itinerary and Questionnaire

After booking, you will receive a short form to help me understand your preferences and priorities. You will also share your itinerary, so it can be reviewed thoroughly.

Step 2: Detailed Written Feedback

Your itinerary will be reviewed carefully, and written recommendations will be emailed to you. This may include adjustments to daily pacing, suggestions for improved routes, timing notes, alternative ideas, and insights that help you avoid common issues.

Step 3: Follow-Up Support

After receiving my recommendations, I will respond to up to two emails to discuss any further queries on your itinerary or small adjustments.

What You Receive

  • Expert review of your full itinerary

  • Written recommendations and adjustments

  • Notes on timing, pacing, routes, and region choices

  • Ideas that match your interests and travel style

  • Up to 2 follow-up email exchanges

Aerial view of a historic Japanese castle surrounded by water moats, with a cityscape and mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.

custom itinerary Service

A fully personalized, day-by-day travel plan

$240+

A custom itinerary is ideal if you want a trip that feels intentional, paced, and tailored to who you are. Instead of sorting through endless lists, guessing which regions match your interests, or worrying about train transfers and timing, you will receive a complete plan that is thoughtful, practical, and easy to follow.

With more than thirty years of travel throughout Japan and a background in UX, I design itineraries that feel natural and intuitive. Each day flows smoothly, with the right amount of structure, flexibility, and discovery. Every recommendation is selected for you, based on your comfort level, interests, and travel style.

How It Works

Step 1: short Travel Questionnaire

After booking, you will receive a short travel questionnaire. This helps me understand your dates, pace, interests, dining preferences, must-see ideas, and the type of experience you want. It gives me a clear picture of who you are as a traveler, so your itinerary reflects what you enjoy most.

Step 2: Itinerary Design

Using your responses, I begin crafting your custom itinerary. I select regions, refine the daily flow, suggest hotels or ryokans, plan routes, and build each day with realistic timing. I include dining ideas, cultural notes, seasonal considerations, and practical tips to help your experience feel effortless.

Step 3: Follow-up Support

You will receive your personalized itinerary to review at your own pace. I will respond up to two emails to discuss any further queries on your itinerary or small adjustments.

What is Included

Your itinerary is delivered in a clean, organized format that is easy to use before and during your trip. It may include:

  • A personalized daily trip plan, designed by Japan expert

  • Accommodation recommendations

  • Transport options and recommendations

  • Cultural insights and etiquette notes

  • Scenic spots, local experiences, and hidden finds

  • Practical tips to simplify each day

  • 1 round of itinerary revision over email

  • Up to 2 follow-up email exchanges

Crowded street in a traditional Japanese town with people ascending stone stairs, wooden buildings with tiled roofs, trees, and a mountain in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Luxury Bespoke itinerary

A curated, elevated travel experience

A luxury bespoke itinerary is created for travelers who want a deeply refined and meaningful journey through Japan. Instead of following popular routes or generic recommendations, every part of your trip is shaped around your taste, comfort, pace, and the type of moments you want to experience.

This service is ideal for boutique or luxury accommodations, special celebrations, slower and intentional travel, and journeys that require thoughtful sequencing, cultural depth, and elevated details. With more than thirty years of travel in Japan and a UX approach that values clarity and empathy, I craft an itinerary that feels beautifully paced and effortless to navigate.

How It Works

Step 1: Bespoke Travel Questionnaire

After booking, you will receive a detailed intake form that helps me understand your preferences, desired atmosphere, dining style, comfort level, and what you hope to feel during your trip. Your responses guide the tone, flow, and level of refinement in your itinerary.

Step 2: Curated Itinerary Design

Using your details, I begin designing a high-touch, personalized day-by-day itinerary. I select boutique hotels or luxury ryokans, refined dining options, scenic routes, cultural suggestions, and unique experiences that match your interests. I consider seasonality, travel rhythm, and the small details that quietly shape a luxurious experience. Your itinerary is delivered in a clear, organized format that feels easy to follow.

Step 3: Review and Refinement

You will receive a draft itinerary to review. I make adjustments based on your feedback so the final plan feels exactly right for you. Once finalized, you will also receive two follow-up emails for small questions or final refinements.

What is Included

Your itinerary is created with the highest level of care and may include:

  • A complete day-by-day plan tailored to your interests

  • Boutique hotels or luxury ryokan recommendations

  • Refined dining ideas and curated food experiences

  • Beautiful scenic walks and cultural suggestions

  • Seasonal highlights and ideal timing for experiences

  • Thoughtful pacing shaped around your comfort and energy

  • Clear routes and transportation guidance

  • 1 round of itinerary revision over email

  • Up to 2 follow-up email exchanges

A quiet street running along a narrow river, with traditional Japanese buildings on both sides, a bridge over the river, and mist-covered hills in the background, with trees and clouds in the sky.

Add-on enhancements

Available for Luxury Bespoke Itinerary clients who want a more enriched experience. Enhancements may include:

  • Dining coordination guidance

  • Seasonal route optimization

  • Curated shopping & artisan paths

  • Arrival-day orientation

  • Weather contingency routes

  • Printed travel booklet

  • Restaurant list + booking guidance

  • Specialty experience suggestions

  • Private guiding as an add-on

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Private Guiding

A premium travel companion service

Private guiding is for travelers who want a seamless way to experience Japan with a knowledgeable companion by their side. Instead of navigating busy stations, unfamiliar signs, and cultural nuances alone, you explore with someone who understands both the country and how you like to travel.

This service is ideal for first-time visitors, families, mature travelers, couples seeking comfort and photography, and anyone who desires cultural insight. I meet you in Japan and accompany you as a cultural host, navigator, logistics helper, etiquette guide, supportive companion, and light photographer. You can enjoy Japan with comfort and confidence.

Pricing starts from $200 per day, depending on the city and season. Clients cover my airfare, accommodations during the guiding period, local transportation, meals during guiding hours, and any activity or admission fees.

A mountainous landscape with snow patches on dark rocky slopes, a small greenish crater lake, and lush green vegetation in the foreground under a cloudy sky.

Let’s plan your trip

For more information, check out our Services.

Please note that we are fully booked for 2025.

Services at a Glance

Travel Consultation – $175

Itinerary Review Service – $175

Custom Itinerary Planning – $240+

Luxury Bespoke Itinerary Planning

Private Guiding

Add-on enhancements