Since we set out on our journey to change the way tourists travel in Japan, a lot has happened. We’re proud to have served travel information to thousands of visitors to Japan from over 150 countries around the world, to have spoken with of thousands of people planning their personal trips in Italy, and to have hosted many more thousands of people on our tours and activities.

We’ve reached where we are now by sticking closely to our philosophy, ‘Travel with Passion’, and by putting the people who are traveling with us first and foremost, at all times. For us ‘Travel with Passion’ is more than just a mission statement or corporate social responsibility statement, it is the basic principle that we stick to, from the content we choose to display in our website, and the tours and activities we build or decide to market, to the staff we select along the line, from our back office to the ground.

So how do we do it?

“Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy.” Kahlil Gibran

Staying Fair: We work super hard to make sure that every product in Tourist Japan is offered at the best terms. Usually that’s as simple as saying the best price (which we guarantee), but in reality it also includes the best operations, vehicles, guides, drivers, and content. We will never sell any product for more money than we believe it is worth, and constantly work to lower prices and give more value, even if that comes at the expense of our profit. When passion comes first, everything else comes later.

Working with Locals: We work hard to make sure that we work with local people and communities as much as possible. Whether you book an experience with us in Tokyo or Osaka, it’s almost certain that your guide will be a local, who knows the region like the back of his hand. We work with locals, and our preference is to work with smaller local accommodations and businesses whether that be a boutique hotel, an island resort, or an owner-run hostel.

Always Looking for Something New: We are always looking to offer new experiences to tourists often motivated by nothing more than the personal thrill we receive by introducing something new to the market. Not every new product is a commercial success but it is truly gratifying for us to know that we have tried.

Caring for our Environment: We work hard to minimise the damage we cause to the environment and maximise the efficiency of our operation. From the vehicles we choose to use, to optimising the vehicle size to the needs of the group, through to the emphasis we place on working with soul of the earth locals, we take great care to minimise the damage that is caused to the landscape, which is the tapestry upon which all tourism is created.

Supporting At-Risk Groups and Minorities: We make a conscious effort to employ those who’s passion is perhaps not a fit in every organisation. From team members with unseen disabilities, to those who have reached us having had a tricky past, we work very hard to ensure that anyone who shares our passion is able to be a part of our story, and tell theirs to our guests. We are especially proud to provide an inclusive work environment for a number of Deaf team members who are provided with challenging and fulfilling opportunities among our team of drivers.

And, as always, we invite anybody with a question about travel in Japan, to contact us, and our team will be super happy to help.