Why We Are Not A
Full Service Travel Agency for Japan
Planning a trip to Japan involves numerous moving parts: accommodations, transportation, activities & experiences. Rather than arranging all of these bookings as a full-service travel agency, we intentionally take a different approach. Here's why our Japan travel service model actually works better for our clients.
Travel Consultants & Trip Planners Based in Japan
Unbiased Advice, Always
Unlike traditional travel agencies that earn commissions from hotels, tour operators & transportation providers, we maintain complete objectivity in our recommendations. We have no financial incentives pushing us toward specific vendors or services. This means we can focus solely on what's best for you. That’s why Japan Travel Pros doesn’t book your hotels, transportation or tours — instead, we give you our expert advice on what, how & where to book your travels in Japan.
Our advice comes from extensive firsthand experience & deep knowledge of Japan's travel infrastructure. We regularly visit hotels, test transportation routes & experience activities ourselves to provide current, practical recommendations. This approach allows us to be frank about both the advantages & limitations of different options, helping you make informed decisions. You’ll see this in our Japan travel itinerary planning process.
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.
Book Directly with Hotels Etc to Save Time, Money & Sanity
The Freedom of Controlling Your Own Bookings
At first glance, having someone else make all your travel bookings might seem convenient. However, our years of experience show that direct bookings with the service provider typically result in better service, more flexibility & lower costs. When you book directly with hotels in Japan, you often receive priority treatment since there's no intermediary involved. Many properties offer their best rates, room selections & special amenities to direct bookers. Similarly, transportation companies like JR, ANA, JAL and others provide their most competitive fares & seat selections through their own booking channels.
We’re not here to sell you a Japan rail pass (you usually don’t need one!), or inflate your hotel & tour rates so that we can make more commission. Instead, we guide you toward these direct booking options with objective recommendations based on your preferences, budget & travel style. Our role is to provide expert consultation on which properties, routes & experiences will create your ideal Japan journey, while empowering you to maintain control of your actual reservations.
Schedule a Japan Trip Planning Session
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions About Japan Travel Pros
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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
Restaurant recommendations
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Prices start at $995 (USD).
When you schedule your initial travel consultation, we'll give you a quote for upgrading to the tinerary planning.
This is based on the amount of time it will take for us to research, curate, plan and create your Japan travel itinerary.
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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)
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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.
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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.
“We enjoyed the planning & anticipation, and appreciated the support while in Japan.”
“This process was tremendously helpful for our first Japan trip.”
“Japan Travel Pros are doing something totally different — and you’re gonna love it!”