Travel Planning for Japan Trips. Experts Who Live Here.

Experience Japan: Authentic & Local

Why choose us as the travel planners for your Japan self-guided tour? With Japan Travel Pros, you’ll experience a journey that’s uniquely tailored to your travel style, needs & preferences. From itinerary planning and accommodation/tour advice to support when you’re here. Discover how it all works and start planning your Japan trip today.

Sumo rikishi (sumo wrestlers) parade around the ring at the opening ceremony of sumo matches in Japan.

Local Experiences from a Network of Japan Insiders

Why Choose Us as Your Japan Travel Consultants

Local, authentic & unique. That’s our approach to planning and delivering your Japan self-guided tour. Fancy an ikebana flower workshop? We can help make that happen. Sushi making classes more your speed? We’ll get you set up. Want to attend a Japanese baseball game or behind-the-scenes sumo session? Count on Japan Travel Pros to show you the way. These are just a few of the many local experiences across Japan that we are able to introduce you to when you choose Japan Travel Pros as the travel planners & consultants for your Japan trip.

Living in Japan ourselves, we know the ins and outs of not only the major urban areas, but other regions, towns and rural settings. Across Japan we’ve curated (and are constantly expanding) a network of guides, local travel providers and others in the hospitality industry. When you work with us to plan a custom-tailored Japan itinerary, we’ll match your travel dreams with the most memorable, locally authentic experiences in the best settings throughout Japan. That’s the Japan Travel Pros way.

Your Self-Guided of Tour of Japan, Explained

  • Couple planning their dream trip to Japan.

    Step 1: Initial Conversations

    We’ll have a chat about your upcoming Japan trip, asking questions & digging deeper into why you’ve chosen Japan as a travel destination and what you want to experience while you’re here. Then we’ll set out to develop a customized, unique itinerary for your Japan trip.

  • Rows of torii gates at the Fushimi Inari shinto shrine in Kyoto, Japan.

    Step 2: Creating Your Customized Itinerary

    Based on our early talks, we’ll send an itinerary that fits your travel goals. Then we’ll go over the itinerary together, getting your feedback and making adjustments as needed. Once it’s set, we’ll guide you on accommodations, tours, experiences and transportation.

  • Red bridge and Matsumoto Castle in Japan

    Step 3: Education & Anticipation

    As your Japan trip gets closer, our role shifts to one of teacher and guide. We’ll help steer your journey of learning by focusing on the Japanese language and culture. That way, you’ll be well prepared by the time departure day rolls around, ready to hit the ground running upon arrival in Japan.

  • Sushi chef hands masterfully created sushi to customers at a restaurant in Tokyo, Japan.

    Step 4: Your Virtual Host & Guide in Japan

    You’ll have in-country support from our team: Daily rundown on Zoom or FaceTime, plus live chat available all day. Need a good restaurant or a tour / local experience? Making changes in travel plans? Think of Japan Travel Pros as your virtual cruise director and VIP tour desk!

The room at a Japanese ryokan inn, with tatamo floors and a table decorated for tea ceremony.

Why Work with a Travel Planner for Your Japan Trip

Discover Hidden Gems & Back Doors Across Japan

The “Golden Route” of Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka is indeed the road well traveled. And there are plenty of gems to be found. Even in the big cities, we’re always seeking new and different ways to enjoy local Japan life, without being surrounded by hordes of tourists. But there’s so much of Japan beyond that! For your customized self-guided tour of Japan, we’ll get you onto the roads less traveled as much and as often as you desire.

Stretching from Kyushu & Okinawa in the south, to Hokkaido and Tohoku in the north — and all points in between — Japan offers a vast array of virtually untapped attractions and experiences. We’ll guide you towards those hidden pathways & back doors that let you experience Japan away from the herd. Why not do more than just bringing home snapshots and souvenirs of a whirlwind, cookie-cutter itinerary?! Instead, you’ll be able to create memories of your uniquely crafted Japan trip that will last a lifetime — and leave you longing to return to Japan again to soak in even more.

Your Customized Japan Adventure Starts Here

From mapping out your Japan itinerary to advising on accommodations & experiences, to supporting your journey once in Japan, we’re here to help. When you select Japan Travel Pros as the travel planners for your trip to Japan, you’re getting a team who live here and have extensive experience both traveling in Japan and working in the travel industry.

Let’s Start Planning — The First (Virtual) Coffee Is on Us!

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions About Japan Travel Pros

  • We offer a full range of Japan travel services, including:

    • Customized itinerary planning & creation

    • Japan travel consultations

    • Advice on accommodations (hotels, ryokans, etc.)

    • Transportation consultation (train travel, car rentals, etc.)

    • Tips on local experiences & activities

    • Virtual Host/Guide/Concierge - a daily briefing and Q&A session when you're in Japan

    • Restaurant recommendations and reservation assistance

    • Daily support during your trip (live chat or email)

  • When you schedule your free initial travel consultation, we'll give you a quote for services such as itinerary planning, travel consultation & support at your destination.

    The quote for the itinerary planning service is based on the amount of time it will take for us to research, curate, plan and create your Japan travel itinerary. Prices for a 7-9 day itinerary start at $425 (USD). Longer itineraries and trips with more variables are arranged at higher rates.

    The price for our Japanvirtual host/concierge service starts at $89 per day, depending on the length of itinerary and the level of support you desire.

    Our price quotes are transparent and come with a guarantee.

  • Our itinerary planning service includes:

    • Two calls with our Japan travel experts: the first one to get an idea of your travel goals & dreams, and the second as a follow-up to revise the itinerary and answer any questions you may have

    • Customized itinerary creation

    • Personalized Japan travel mini-guide

    We also offer optional add-ons such as:

    • Advice on accommodations (hotels, ryokans, etc.)

    • Transportation consulting (train tickets & passes, car rentals, etc.)

    • Tips on local experiences & activities

    • Restaurant recommendations and reservation assistance

    • Daily support during your trip (live chat or email)

  • We recommend starting your planning process at least 6-8 months in advance, especially if you're traveling to Japan during peak seasons (cherry blossom season or autumn). This allows you ample time to secure the best accommodations and popular experiences. However, we work with clients on a variety of timelines.

  • Yes, certainly! We specialize in creating customized Japan travel experiences. Whether you're interested in traditional Japanese culture & history, modern technology, outdoor adventures, culinary experiences or a mix of everything, we can design an itinerary that matches your preferences. Let's have an in-depth consultation to understand your interests and desires.

Don’t see the answer to your question here? Feel free to get in touch with Japan Travel Pros. You can schedule a free Japan travel consultation using the button below:

We enjoyed the planning & anticipation, and appreciated the support while in Japan.
— Mauricio T. in Orlando FL
This process was tremendously helpful for our first Japan trip.
— Bettina G. in Colorado
Japan Travel Pros are doing something totally different — and you’re gonna love it!
— John & Judy in Illinois