THE INVISIBLE TOURISTJapan Travel Consulting

Japan travel consulting

· Hi, I'm Alyse

Planning Japan feeling overwhelming?

Endless options, confusing transport, and a hundred tabs that don't agree. Whether you've already got a plan or you're starting with just a dream, I'll help you turn it into a trip that suits you, saving you time and money along the way.

  • Every plan, personally by me
  • Travelling Japan since 2014
  • No travel agency fuss

This is for you if you...

All without the fuss, expense and commitment of a full-service travel agency.

Three ways I can help

It depends where you are in your planning. Have a plan already? I can check it for you, or we can talk it through together. Starting from nothing? Let's build it together.

Written, no call

Itinerary Check

You've planned your trip. I'll check it the way I check my own, and tell you exactly what I'd change.

$99USD, once
  • Your trip report, area by area
  • My findings, every one with the why
  • Your own itinerary as a polished PDF
  • My booking links and photo spots
  • About 3 business days
Coming soon

Opening very soon

Live on Zoom

1:1 Itinerary Consult

You've got a plan and want to talk it through with me: pacing, hotels, transport and connection times.

$222USD, once
  • 1 hour of prep, reviewing your draft before we meet
  • A 1-hour 1:1 Zoom call to optimise your pacing and make sure you don't miss the best experiences
  • My direct local contacts
  • A detailed written summary of every recommendation, after the call
Book my consult

Booked and paid securely through Gumroad

Built together on Zoom

Custom Itinerary Co‑Creation

You're starting with just a vision, a destination or a list of goals. We'll piece it together, efficiently.

$60USD per day of travel
minimum 5 days
  • 1 hour of research on your ideas before we meet
  • Up to a 2-hour Zoom workshop: We brainstorm, map out places and choose your hotels
  • 1 to 2 business days of refining on my end
  • Up to a 1-hour final call to walk through your trip
  • Your detailed itinerary, ready for travel
Book my consult

Booked and paid securely through Gumroad

Not sure which?

If you're happy with your plan and just want peace of mind, the Itinerary Check is all you need. If you'd love to ask me questions as we go, choose the consult. And if you don't have a plan yet, co-creation is made for you.

Alyse sitting in a Japanese garden
Why work with me?

I'll treat your trip like my own

I've been travelling to Japan since 2014, and I've visited 39 of its 47 prefectures. While I've seen all the popular spots many times over, from day one I've specialised in the lesser-known places and cultural experiences that help you blend in.

I'm obsessed with detail and organisation, and I spot the things others overlook (that's the Virgo in me). So you can trust your trip is in good hands.

Alyse
The torii in the sky at Takaya Shrine, Kagawa, looking out over the Seto Inland Sea
Takaya Shrine, Kagawa
Boats on the Hachiman-bori canal in Omihachiman, Shiga, in cherry blossom season
Hachiman-bori, Omihachiman
Every kind of traveller
I've visited Japan as a couple, solo, for business, with kids, in a group and in transit, so I can help from your point of view.
Always up to date
I visit up to four times a year from Australia, so I see the trends come and go and can keep you ahead of them.
Away from the crowds
I wrote a #1 Amazon New Release book on overtourism solutions, and I've hired a car in Japan over a dozen times to find the places most tourists miss.

Questions

What's the difference between the Itinerary Check and the consult?

Both start with your own plan. The Itinerary Check is written: I go through it day by day and send you my findings and your itinerary as a polished PDF, no call needed. The consult is a live 1:1 Zoom call, so you can ask me anything as we go, followed by a written summary.

Is it really you?

Yes, every time. I personally review every itinerary and take every call myself.

What time zone are you in?

I'm mostly based in the Australian Eastern and Japan time zones, and we'll find a call time that suits you.

How do I pay?

Payment is handled securely by Gumroad, which lets you pay in your local currency, takes care of any local taxes for you and emails your receipt.

What's not included?

I'm an independent travel consultant, not a full-service travel agency, so I don't book flights, hotels, tours or cars for you: I'll share the options so you can book them yourself and keep full control of your reservations. I can't help with emergencies while you're in Japan (travel insurance is the best place to turn) or with visas and immigration (your local Japanese Embassy or Consulate can).

Terms and conditions

By booking a session, you agree to these terms.

Release of liability

All travel guidance provided by Alyse is supplied exclusively for educational use. The client (you) assumes total risk and responsibility for any travel decisions made and the results thereof. Alyse shall not be held liable for any personal injury, loss, property damage, delay, or inconvenience incurred during travel, nor for any acts of negligence or default committed by third-party suppliers or service providers.

Refund policy

Since each travel plan is crafted uniquely for you, Alyse is unable to offer refunds once project work gets underway. That said, your peace of mind matters most. If your itinerary or travel guidance falls short of expectations, you are welcome to request complimentary revisions and additional ideas via email.

Let's plan your trip

I'm looking forward to helping you plan your ultimate Japan trip!

Alyse