Planning a trip to Japan can feel incredibly exciting… and incredibly overwhelming.
Do you have a rough itinerary planned but aren’t sure about how many days to spend in each area, where to stay, and what transport routes to take? Are you worried you’re packing too much, or too little, for your trip? Could you use some recommendations on additional places to visit (maybe some you haven’t heard about yet!)? Or do you want reassurance that your plans make sense and ask a few extra questions?
That’s where I can help.
You can book a 30- or 60-minute consultation call with me, where you can ask me anything about your itinerary or generally travelling around Japan. If you just want feedback on your itinerary, you can also book my itinerary video review, where you’ll receive a video and written document with feedback and advice on our route, pacing, hotel locations, etc.
Ideal for travellers who want expert guidance without needing to book a full travel-planning service or agent.
Japan Travel Consultation (Live Call)
This 30- or 60-minute one-to-one consultation is perfect if you’d like feedback on your itinerary, pacing, your route, accommodation choices, transport, budgeting, seasonal planning, or any other Japan travel questions (like what to pre-book, how to get internet, and how to get to your hotel from the airport).
Whether you’re planning your first trip to Japan or your fifth, I’ll help you avoid common mistakes, answer your questions, and make sure you’re getting the most out of your itinerary.
My consultations include:
- Live one-to-one consultation (30 or 60 minutes)
- Opportunity to submit your itinerary and questions beforehand
- Personalised recommendations based on your interests, budget, and travel style
- Honest feedback on your itinerary, route, pacing and plans
- Follow-up summary document after the call
- One follow-up clarification email.
The 30-minute call is best if you have a few specific questions about your trip, want a quick itinerary check, need some advice on hotels or transport and want some reassurance before finalising your plans.
The 60-minute call is best if you’re planning a 2+ week trip, need more detailed feedback on your itinerary, need help deciding between multiple destinations or have a lot of questions.
*If no suitable timeslots are available for a call, please email me at hello@thenavigatio.com, and we can find a time that works for both of us.
Itinerary Review (Recorded Video)
This personalised Japan itinerary review service is designed for travellers who already have a rough itinerary, but would like reassurance, expert advice, and practical feedback to help improve their trip, but don’t need a live one-to-one call.
This option is perfect if you already have an itinerary planned, but you aren’t sure if it’s realistic and you want to double-check before spending thousands on flights, hotels and passes. I can advise on any additional areas/cities/towns you may not have heard about yet, and give personalised recommendations based on your interests and travel style.
This service probably isn’t for you if you haven’t started your planning yet or only have a few questions (one of my consultation calls would be a better fit!).
This is how it works:
- Once booked, you’ll receive an itinerary questionnaire with questions about your trip, and a place to add your itinerary and any questions.
- Receive your personalised video review and written document with feedback and resources within 7 days
- Ask one follow-up clarification question via email.
There is NO live Zoom or phone call included with this service, but you can ask me any questions in the questionnaire, and I will address them in the video and written document.
Feedback From Previous Consultations
We made a deliberate detour to Asuka at Nele’s recommendation, and we were not disappointed! Asuka and the cycling tour were an absolute highlight for our trip. It was the most rewarding few hours of our time in Japan. We really felt like we were experiencing real Japan, seeing the areas that are true hidden gems. We can’t recommend Nele enough! She is a true expert and her itineraries are absolutely perfect. The perfect balance of seeing as much as possible without totally exhausting yourself! She’s the ultimate expert when it comes to travelling in Japan!
– Dylan Walsh
What’s NOT Included?
Both services are reviewing services and consultations, not a full custom itinerary planning service. Ideally, you have a rough itinerary or idea where you want to go, so we have a starting point. Please prepare questions for our call and send over your itinerary beforehand. I unfortunately cannot help plan your trip from scratch.
This service also does not include hotel booking or reservation management. All recommendations are made for you to book your own accommodation, transport and activities.
I cannot help with any visa or immigration support.
This service is only for those who are planning a trip to Japan, not those who are already in Japan and require emergency assistance.
Why Trust Me?
Over the past 8 years, I’ve helped millions of travellers plan trips to Japan through The Navigatio and my Japan travel community. Unlike generic itineraries or rushed “top 10” travel guides, my recommendations are based on firsthand experience, extensive Japan travel, and years spent helping travellers navigate everything from first-time trips to slower regional itineraries.
I also regularly work with Japanese tourism boards and travel organisations, and personally revisit destinations to keep my guides and recommendations as accurate and useful as possible.
FAQ
Do I need to have my full itinerary planned already?
For the one-to-one consultations, you don’t need to have any plans set in stone yet; we can simply talk about options and get you started with an itinerary.
For the video itinerary review, you will need an itinerary for me to review, but I’m happy to give you recommendations on what to add or take off depending on your interests.
Can you help me decide where to stay?
Yes, I can review the hotels you picked or give any recommendations of hotels based on your budget and itinerary.
Will you plan my entire trip for me?
No, this service is a review of your itinerary. I currently do not offer full itinerary planning services.
Does this service include a call/Zoom meeting?
The live consultation includes either a 30- or 60-minute live call where we can go over your itinerary, and you can ask me anything regarding your trip. The video itinerary review does NOT include a call, and you will be sent a recorded video and a written document with feedback.
Can I ask follow-up questions?
Yes, one follow-up clarification email is included in both services.
Can you help with transport passes?
Yes, I will give advice on what transport passes work well for your itinerary (or if it’s better/cheaper to not use them)
