About Us

About Ogura Connection (小倉コネクション)

We’re Anna and Conrad, the Japanese–English couple behind Ogura Connection.

Together, we combine local knowledge, international experience, and a shared love of calm, well-paced travel.

We work in both English and Japanese, so we can research deeply using Japanese sources and explain everything clearly in the language you’re most comfortable with.

Our Story

Ogura Connection began from a simple observation:

“Most people don’t want a packed tour. They just want a trip that feels calm, real, and easy to enjoy.”

We watched friends and family spend weeks trying to plan their Japan trips—juggling blogs, vlogs, train timetables, and hotel reviews—only to end up with itineraries that were either too rushed or too vague.

We started helping them as a favour:

• Choosing routes that actually fit their time

• Calling restaurants and inns in Japanese

• Explaining how to use trains, IC cards, and airport transfers

• Adjusting plans when the weather changed or trains were delayed

Soon the question became:

“Can we offer this kind of thoughtful, bilingual support to more travellers?”

That’s how Ogura Connection was born.

Our Values

Calm, Realistic Travel

We specialize in unhurried itineraries.

We design days that:

• Give you time to experience a place, not just collect photos

• Consider your energy, mobility, and interests

• Include options, not pressure

Whether you’re travelling with kids, seniors, or on your own, we want you to feel relaxed—not exhausted.

Omotenashi & Care

Our approach is rooted in omotenashi — quiet, thoughtful hospitality.

Within our abilities, we do everything we can to support you:

• Helping you communicate with hotels, restaurants, and activity providers in Japanese (for example, by drafting messages or joining calls with you when appropriate)

• Guiding you as you make reservations and secure tickets under your own name

• Being there by message when you need help during your trip

We treat your journey with the same care we would give to a close friend visiting Japan.

Transparency & Independence

We are independent travel planners, not a package tour company.

• We do not take commission from hotels, airlines, or tour operators.

• Our income comes only from our planning and support fees.

• We recommend places and services because we believe they suit you—not because someone is paying us to promote them.

You always pay hotels, airlines, and ticket providers directly, so your costs are transparent and there are no hidden mark-ups.

A Bilingual Bridge

We work with:

• International visitors from the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, and beyond

• Nikkei / Nisei travellers reconnecting with family and heritage

• Japanese domestic travellers planning relaxed 国内旅行 or Okinawa trips

Because we are a Japanese–English couple, we understand both sides:

• The practical questions and expectations of overseas travellers

• The customs, unspoken rules, and communication styles within Japan

We want to be a bridge—helping you feel comfortable and confident, whether Japan feels completely new or strangely familiar.

Who We Help

Our clients include:

• First-time visitors who want a safe, clear introduction to Japan

• Repeat visitors who want to go beyond the main sights or add Okinawa

• Nikkei / Nisei families visiting ancestral hometowns or relatives

• Japanese families and couples planning calm domestic trips

• Mixed-language groups who appreciate bilingual support

We tailor each itinerary to your pace, interests, and background, so your trip feels like your Japan—not someone else’s checklist.

How We Work With You

1. Listen First
   We start with your story: who’s coming, why you’re travelling, and what kind of experience you hope to have.

2. Design a Calm, Clear Plan
   We create itineraries that are structured but flexible, with realistic timing and clear logistics.

3. Support You Along the Way
   If you add our Full Journey Support, we stay by your side during your trip—supporting communication in Japanese wherever possible and helping when plans change.

A Note in Japanese

日本語でのご相談も大歓迎です。

国内旅行、沖縄旅行、里帰りやご家族訪問のプランニングなど、お客様のペースに合わせた「落ち着いた旅程づくり」をお手伝いいたします。

英語と日本語の両方でサポートが可能ですので、どうぞお気軽にご相談ください。

なお、旅行会社（旅行業）としてのパッケージツアー販売や、ご予約・お支払いの代行は行っておりません。

Ready to Travel Together?

If our approach resonates with you, we’d be happy to hear about your plans.