How a Leap into the Unknown Became a Lifetime Love of Japan
Sometimes the most extraordinary journeys start with not quite knowing where you are going! That was certainly true for me in my early twenties, when I signed up for the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme with only the vaguest idea of where Japan actually was on the map. A friend had applied and I simply thought, “Oh, that sounds fun, I’ll do it too.” Before I knew it, I was sitting in an interview room at the Japanese Embassy and then boarding a flight to spend a year in the small town of Kakegawa. I had no idea at the time how profoundly that decision would shape my life and career.
This was a very different era of travel:
- No mobile phones
- No Google Maps
- No internet
Just a Lonely Planet guidebook, a beginner’s phrasebook and a lot of wide-eyed enthusiasm. Very little was in English and Japan felt far less open to the West than it does today. Everyday life was an adventure - navigating train stations, ordering food, making friends and, eventually, learning Japanese fast. That year is where my lifelong love of Japan truly began.
My connection with Japan continued through my work as Senior Export Manager for Asia at Dorling Kindersley, in a role with Kinokuniya’s London office and later as Event Manager at BioPhorum with responsibilities in Japan. Today I use this knowledge to shape travel plans for my customers.
Real Trips, Real Stories - Japan Itineraries I Have Been Crafting
Recently I have been working on a wonderfully varied set of trips to Japan:
- A couple visiting their daughter in Gifu Prefecture, who is following in my footsteps on the JET Programme
- An active couple with teenagers who want time in nature and to explore "off the beaten track”
- A classic “Golden Route” journey, taking in the key highlights with some fabulous immersive experiences woven in
- A surprise trip for a teenager who loves manga and anime
- A group of solo travellers joining a small-group highlights tour, with a tailor-made extension to visit Mount Fuji and the snow monkeys
Behind each itinerary is a close-knit network of trusted partners in Japan - local guides, tour specialists, unique stays and experience providers. Working together means each journey is designed around what matters most to that client.
What Still Makes Japan So Special
Japan has changed enormously since I first arrived in Kakegawa with my phrasebook and paper map. There is more English, more connectivity and it is easier than ever to get around.
Yet the things that captured my heart remain the same:
- The warmth and courtesy of the people
- The quiet moments of everyday beauty, from a steaming bowl of ramen at a tiny counter to the hush of a temple garden
- The way tradition and modernity sit side by side, from ancient shrines to neon skylines
- The feeling that no matter how often you visit, there is always another layer to uncover
That is what I love helping travellers experience - not only the famous sights, but the small, personal moments that stay with you long after you fly home.
Whether you are visiting for the first time, returning to see a different side of the country, or planning something special for a loved one, I would be delighted to help you explore what your own Japanese adventure could look like.
