A written itinerary you travel
without us
Not every traveller wants company. Some have been to Japan before, speak a little of the language, and prefer to move on their own. What they want is not a tour. It is the planning.
The Expert Japan Itinerary is that. A document written by the same team that runs our private tours — with every night chosen, every route mapped, every reservation held under our name, and every piece of practical detail you will need on the ground. You travel independently. We do the work.
Three things tend to be true
You have been before
Japan is not a first-time trip for you. You know the rhythm — the trains, the ryokan, the signage. What you want is not reassurance, but depth.
You travel on your own terms
Pace, improvisation, and quiet hours matter. You do not want a guide at every corner. You want the structure to be there when you need it and invisible when you don't.
You value planning at our level
The ryokan, the counter, the walk — you want them to be the ones we would choose. You are happy to do the travelling yourself, as long as the work underneath it is ours.
A working document,
not a brochure
- 01Day-by-day itineraryEvery night, every route, every meaningful moment — with pacing, transit, and the logic behind each choice.
- 02Accommodation selected and heldSpecific ryokan or hotel for every night, reserved under our name, with room category and reasoning.
- 03Reservations where they matterCounter dinners, tea houses, tickets to the handful of things that need holding in advance — handled by us.
- 04Practical guidanceTransit specifics, what to wear, what to carry, cultural expectations, and the one or two things on each day you shouldn't miss.
- 05Delivered as a signed digital documentA polished PDF, delivered via a secure link, within seven to ten days of your submission.
- 06One round of revisions includedAfter you read the first draft, one round of changes is included at no charge. Further revisions at $110 each.
Four steps, seven to ten days
You tell us your trip
Dates, party, pace, anchors, budget, must-sees. A structured form — not a call.
We invoice
$550 (up to 10 days) or $825 (11–17 days), tax-inclusive. Wise Business invoice, no card details required.
We plan and write
Our team builds the itinerary end-to-end — same people, same sources, same standards as our fully-run tours.
You receive and revise
A polished PDF arrives via secure link. One round of revisions is included. Then you travel.
Two tiers, tax-inclusive
No further charges except revisions beyond the first, and any on-the-ground reservations paid at venue.
Shorter itineraries — city-focus, single-region depth, focused interests.
Longer routes — multi-region, country-crossing, the fuller expression.
The three ways to travel with us
Fixed Departures
You want our work fully packaged; dates can flex
Six tours a year. Six guests each. Set dates.
See the calendar →Private Commission
You want a tour built entirely around you
A custom itinerary we design and run, with our Tour Director accompanying.
Begin a conversation →Expert Japan Itinerary
You want our planning without our presence
A written itinerary you travel independently. No calls, no guide.
You are hereAnswered directly
Do I get any phone or video calls with your team?+
No. The Expert Japan Itinerary is a self-directed product — the intake form captures what we need, and the work is done in writing. If you want our people accompanying you, or a conversation before you commit, you want a private commission instead.
Can I change the itinerary after you deliver it?+
One round of revisions is included — meaning after you read the draft, you can send back changes and we'll reflect them in a second version. Further revisions are $110 each.
Are hotels and restaurants actually reserved, or just recommended?+
Reserved — held under our name. That is the point of the service. We release the holds to you on delivery with the booking references; you do not need to re-book anything from our list.
What about flights, trains, and transfers?+
We build every route including train segments with specific lines and times, and advise on transfers. We do not book flights on your behalf, but we advise on which airports and arrival times work with the itinerary.
Can I upgrade to a full tour if I change my mind?+
Yes. The fee is credited in full against a private commission if you decide within 90 days of receiving the itinerary.
How far in advance should I submit?+
For travel in the next 60 days, please enquire directly before submitting — some access requires longer lead time. 90 days or more is the comfortable window.