Your Travel Partner

Imagine a one or two-week trip to Japan, designed just for you. We take the stress out of planning by creating a customized itinerary based on your interests and preferences. To make your dream trip a reality, we offer a flexible payment plan, allowing you to pay for your trip over time with zero interest.

Our support starts long before you pack your bags. We provide all the information and assistance you need to prepare for your journey. Once you arrive in Japan, your dedicated Travel Advisor will be right there with you. They’ll help you navigate the language, culture, and logistics, ensuring you avoid the common pitfalls and difficulties that first-time visitors often face.

You'll be traveling with a small group of 10-20 people, which means you get the camaraderie and support of a group tour while still having the freedom to enjoy your own unique travel experience.

What We Offer

Affordability

Your Dream Trip to Japan, Made Accessible We believe a trip to Japan shouldn't be out of reach. That's why we've designed a unique travel model that offers both structure and flexibility. Each month, we visit a specific region of Japan, giving you the opportunity to explore its most incredible cities. You choose how long you want to stay, from one to two weeks, and we'll craft a personalized itinerary just for you. Once you select your travel dates, you can tell us your interests and the monthly budget you're comfortable with. Whether you want to focus on ancient temples, vibrant street food, or modern art, we'll build a custom itinerary that fits your passions and your finances. The total cost of your trip will vary depending on your chosen activities and preferences. For example, a two-week trip with luxury accommodations and guided tours will cost more than a one-week trip with local hotels and self-guided exploration. We then set up a flexible, interest-free payment plan based on what you can afford each month. For example, a trip that costs $3,000 could be paid off in 10 months at $300 a month. A more extensive $6,000 trip at the same monthly rate would simply take longer to pay off. This way, you can start your journey to Japan sooner without the pressure of a large, upfront payment. With us, you get a custom-built experience that you can pay for on your own terms.

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Customization

Your Personalized Journey: More Than Just a Pre-Planned Trip Our philosophy is that a vacation should be a personal experience, not a standardized itinerary. Our customization goes far beyond the planning stages; it's a seamless and responsive service that extends throughout your entire trip. We provide you with a dedicated travel advisor who serves as your personal guide and point of contact from the moment you start planning until the day you return home. When you choose to travel with us, you are paired with a single, dedicated travel advisor. This person is not just a booking agent; they are a travel partner who takes the time to understand your interests, preferences, and travel goals. This allows us to build a unique itinerary that is a true reflection of you. This relationship continues and deepens once you arrive in Japan. Your advisor is your direct line to local expertise, support, and flexibility, ensuring your trip is as stress-free as it is unforgettable. The most enriching travel experiences often come from spontaneous moments. While we create a detailed itinerary, we also build in the flexibility for you to explore and discover. This is where our on-the-ground support truly shines. For example, imagine you are walking through the streets of Osaka and hear people talking about Okonomiyaki. You're curious about this dish but have no idea what it is or where to find a good one. Instead of wasting valuable time trying to search online in a foreign language, you can simply message your dedicated travel advisor. They can explain what it is: Provide a quick, engaging description of Okonomiyaki. They can offer highly-rated, authentic restaurant nearby. They can even provide assistance to help you navigate to the restaurant. If you like and time and location permit, your advisor might even join you to share the experience, ensuring you feel completely comfortable and at home. This level of responsive, real-time assistance is the core of our service. Your advisor is always just a message away to help with any questions, last-minute changes, or new discoveries you want to make. Our customization ensures that your trip remains fluid and adaptable. If you decide you love a particular neighborhood and want to spend an extra day there, or if a sudden change in weather requires a shift in plans, your advisor is there to re-organize and make it happen. You are never left to navigate the unexpected alone. We provide not just a travel plan, but a trusted partner who is invested in making your journey to Japan the trip of a lifetime.

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Stress Free

Travel with Confidence: A Stress-Free Experience We believe that travel should be about discovery, not stress. That's why every trip is designed to give you peace of mind from the moment you land to the day you depart. Our dedicated travel advisors work with small groups of 10-20 travelers, providing an ideal balance of independence and support. The Perfect Blend of Group and Individual Travel Our model is designed to maximize your freedom while minimizing common travel anxieties. While you’re part of a small, familiar group, your vacation remains completely individual. You have the flexibility to pursue your own interests and explore at your own pace. You may even find new friends within the group who share your passions and want to join you on an adventure or a meal. Your travel advisor is there to ensure your experience is as smooth as possible, acting as a travel partner rather than just a guide. They are always available to help you navigate the ropes of traveling in Japan and avoid common pitfalls. If you get lost in a station just text your advisor and they will help even if it means coming to find you and walk you out yourself. If you have a tour booked for the next day and have no clue where the meeting place is your advisor can meet you and take you to where your meeting location is. This is something a travel agent sitting in an office cant do for you. Real-Time Support for a Seamless Trip Your travel advisor is with you every step of the way, providing support on the ground and ensuring you avoid common "newbie" mistakes. They'll hold regular group meetings to check in, answer questions, and prepare you for upcoming excursions. They are your go-to person for everything from cultural norms to practical advice, such as: Navigating Transportation: They'll make sure you understand the local transportation systems, helping you board the correct trains and buses. Cultural Etiquette: They'll guide you on proper Japanese customs and cultural norms, so you can interact respectfully and confidently. Day-to-Day Logistics: They'll help with practical issues, like figuring out how to get a pocket Wi-Fi, which will keep you connected throughout your trip. By having an expert by your side, you can focus on the amazing sights, sounds, and flavors of Japan, leaving the logistics and common anxieties behind. With us, you're not just booking a trip; you're gaining a travel partner dedicated to making your Japanese journey unforgettable and entirely stress-free.

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English

Language and Cultural Expertise for a Seamless Trip Navigating a new country can be challenging, especially when you encounter a language barrier. We solve this by providing you with a dedicated travel advisor who speaks fluent English. Many of our advisors are American, and all of them have extensive experience traveling and/or living in Japan. Your English-Speaking Travel Partner Unlike tour guides who might have limited language skills, our advisors are fluent in English, with many being native speakers. They've been in your shoes—they know what it's like to feel lost, confused, or intimidated in a place where English speakers are few and far between. They understand the nuances of how Americans think, what they expect, and the types of experiences they're looking for. This allows them to anticipate your needs and provide support that truly resonates with you. Navigating the Unexpected with Ease Even simple tasks in Japan can feel overwhelming. What might be a quick, online booking process in America can become a frustrating nightmare in Japan. For example, trying to book a luxury train or a specific dining experience can be a confusing process filled with cultural norms and language challenges. Most websites are in Japanese and translations are not always reliable. Having an advisor who understands both cultures is a huge advantage. They can either handle these details for you or walk you through the process, ensuring you can book that special train or reserve that perfect restaurant without any stress. With their guidance, you can avoid common mistakes and confidently tackle any situation. Your advisor is more than just a planner; they are a travel partner who understands your perspective and is dedicated to making your Japanese journey enjoyable and entirely stress-free.

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What does a trip to Japan cost? Click here to learn more!

Group Travel with Individuality

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Traveling to Japan for those who have never been can be and often is ... confusing. Japan is an amazing country and having experienced it many times I never get tired of going back over and over. One of the things I learned on my many trips is that I wasn't the only one who felt lost the first 3 or 4 times I was there. Each time I went back I learned more things that I didn't know before. I did the same thing everyone does before a trip to a strange new place, I studied. I researched and educated myself on the culture and etiquette. I took classes on basic Japanese and watched lots of YouTube videos about Japan. I did pretty much everything you could do to prepare ... but you can't prepare enough when you don't know what you don't know. I watched so many "common mistakes" videos before my first trip I was convinced I was going to be the perfect traveler to Japan. That was right up until I landed in Narita and got lost trying to find the place where I had pre-booked my pocket Wi-Fi ... 3 hours wandering in an airport caused me to miss the pre-booked ride I had going from the airport to my hotel. I felt like an idiot because there was no video on YouTube explaining how to avoid this and it was just day one of my 3 week trip. I also felt really bad that I couldn't call my driver to tell him I was lost. The mistakes didn't stop there either ... got on the wrong train, couldn't find my Airbnb, ate at a place where nothing was in English and I felt really out of place. The list goes on and on ... I loved my first trip but it was riddled with omg moments I want to forget. By the second trip I figured I had learned what I needed to be the best tourist there was ... I was wrong again. Same thing on the third trip too. No, I am not dense or a slow learner. There are just things you don't know that you need to know until after you mess up and realize what you should have done instead.

This is where group travel makes sense, especially for the solo traveler. You go with a group, everyone stays together and its all planned out. Safety in numbers right? Yeah that's all well and good but ... maybe you don't always want to be with others. Maybe you don't want to go see Fuji today because its to wet or cold, you would rather go see a Sumo event inside where its warm. That's the issue with group travel is you have to do what everyone else wants to do. Traveling as a group is fun but only when it aligns with you and your interests. That's why I wanted to make group travel with individuality built in. Every trip is designed for you and what you like but its also that way for the other 10-20 people in your group.

Lets say you arrive in Japan and you are part of a group of 14 people. You are a solo traveler who wants to experience Japan. You are interested in temples, culture, hot springs, and anime. There are 13 other people in your group with their own interests. Day one is arriving at the airport one by one. We try to get everyone on the ground about the same time on the same day. Your travel advisor will be there at the airport. If there are several arriving about the same time everyone will be gathered up and your advisor will hold a meeting. You will get the basic tutorial on how to act in Japan, a culture lesson. What to do, what not to do, things to say or don't say. They will help you get set up with wi-fi, transit passes, help you find some food if need be, and get you on track. Depending on where you are staying they will help get you to the right place to get on the right train or subway to get you to your accommodations. Depending on your arrival and that of others they may even join you on the trip to ensure you get there and get checked in. Either way they are only a message away if you have to journey to your place solo. Day one is all about getting everyone settled in and comfortable with their accommodations. All group members are part of a group chat so communication is seamless. Its day two now and you have an onsen visit booked for noon. There are 2 couples in the group who are also interested in that activity so you and the 4 others enjoy the experience while the other 9 are doing their own thing. Day three rolls around and you want to see Akihabara and find a big manga store, 7 others are also interested in that activity and join you while the other 6 do their thing. This is how the trip keeps playing out with those of similar interests hanging out. Your on the ground Travel Advisor coordinates with you all in the group chat. Now lets say one day you are looking at facebook and all you see is talk of these fluffy pancakes. You have no idea what they are but they look good. Who you gonna call? No one you have no cell service, but you can message your Travel Advisor and say "I want to try those fluffy pancakes I seen on facebook, here's a photo". The Travel Advisor will give you the down low on those fluffy cakes of goodness and even help you find them and eat them. No need to scour the internet wasting time watching videos and reading blogs ... you are in Japan, go explore, stop looking at your phone. This is why you have a dedicated Travel Advisor to do all that boring stuff for you.

So this is what Go Explore Japan is all about. You are there to experience Japan and have the trip of a lifetime. See the awesome stuff, make the awesome memories, and hang with the awesome like minded people who want to do the stuff you like to do. Its group travel with individuality built into it and we let you do it without dropping a ton of cash all in one go. We don't charge interest and we don't say no to payments because we set up the plan with you and your financial situation in mind. It doesn't matter if you are a regular John/Sue or a busy CEO who just wants everything planned for you ... we got you. I got you ... I made this business for people like me. I was the guy who dreamed of traveling the world but kept saying "I can't afford it or I don't know how". There are so many people who are born, live, and die never leaving their home town because of that excuse. Someday never comes if you don't take steps in the right direction. Even if it takes 3 years to pay off that vacation, 3 years is a lot sooner than never. I made this company and called it Go Explore Japan because Japan is just the first step, its the country I love most. Next might be Go Explore Germany or Go Explore France. Who knows how far this might go. We should all get the chance to Go Explore The World.

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