The famous spots are more crowded than ever. Sensoji Temple funnels you through a gift shop gauntlet. Kiyomizudera has queue lines that snake for hours. Online ticket scalpers are working Ghibli Museum and TeamLab.
You didn't plan a Japan trip to dodge selfie sticks and tour group flags.
Planning an independent Japan trip that actually avoids the tourist industrial complex takes serious work. You need to know which "must-see" temples are worth the crowds (and when to visit them), which famous spots have genuine alternatives nearby, where the exit-through-gift-shop traps are, and which locations are just Instagram bait with no substance.
That's weeks of research if you're doing it properly. Months if you want to get it right for your specific interests and travel style.
We've already done that work. Over 20 years of it.
A custom PDF itinerary (7-10 days) built around your specific interests, travel dates, and the kind of Japan experience you're actually looking for. Not a template. Not generic guidebook recommendations. Your trip.
Is Sensoji Temple worth fighting the crowds? Maybe, if you show up at 6am. Otherwise we'll tell you about the temple 20 minutes north that gives you the same architectural experience without the tour buses.
Which famous autumn spots are genuinely spectacular vs. just hyped on Instagram? We'll tell you which ones deliver and when to visit for peak colors without the peak chaos.
Where do ticket scalpers operate and how do you avoid them? Which attractions trap you in long exit queues through gift shops? We call this stuff out because nobody else does.
Day-by-day schedule with enough structure to feel confident but enough flexibility to follow your energy. Train routing between locations. Food recommendations that account for dietary restrictions. Cultural context so you understand why a place matters, not just that it's "charming" or "delightful."
You'll also get your itinerary in an interactive online planner with a map, day-by-day view, and the ability to add your own notes and adjustments. Three months of access included - if you find it useful, you can keep it. If not, no pressure.
We'll deliver your custom itinerary within 5 business days. AU$49 for 7-10 days (AU$20/day if you need more). Full refund if you're not happy with the final result.
We're Jason and Rachael. We've been visiting Japan for almost 20 years - long enough to have seen Kyoto before the Instagram crowds, to know which "hidden gems" are actually still hidden, and to have strong opinions about which famous spots are worth your time and which ones aren't.
We've lived in Kyoto and Osaka for months at a time. Meditated at temples in remote forests. Hiked mountains in Nagano. Woken up in 200-year-old farmhouses in rural Shikoku. Spent nights in 4-seat bars talking with locals who don't speak English and don't need to.
We wrote the Essential Guide to Japan (2019 edition) because we got tired of watching friends waste days of their trip following generic guidebook advice into overcrowded tourist traps. We don't take kickbacks or commissions, so you're getting our actual opinions, not paid recommendations.
What previous travelers said about our guides:
"It's an awesome guide and has been so helpful in that it covers much more than just the destinations itself. Even though I've been to Japan already, there was so much in the guide I didn't know about."
"Brilliant job. Your insight will let us plan our days so much more effectively. Very much appreciated."
Reach out. We'll work with you.
Each day includes recommended locations with context on why they're worth visiting, timing guidance, train routing, and where to eat. Enough structure to feel confident, enough flexibility to follow your interests.
Deep knowledge: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Kanazawa, Takayama, Matsumoto, Hakone, Mount Fuji area, Shikoku. We can plan for other regions too.
Full refund. No questions asked.