Ogura Connection is a Japan travel concierge service specializing in itinerary design and Japanese language support, run by a Japanese–English couple.
We provide travel planning consultation and Japanese/English communication support only. We are not a travel agency — we do not make bookings or reservations for you, and we do not handle payments on your behalf.
We don’t earn commissions on hotels, tours, or tickets, and we don’t sell package tours — our only job is to help you spend your time and money where it actually matters to you.
Prices are tax-inclusive, in Japanese yen (JPY). All services are prepaid via Stripe (credit/debit card), and work begins once payment is confirmed. Any other currency amounts shown are approximate and will vary with exchange rates.
60-Minute Planning Call – ¥6,000 (approx. US$40 / €38 / £32)
3-Day Itinerary – ¥18,000 (approx. US$120 / €113 / £95)
7–10 Day Itinerary – ¥40,000 (approx. US$270 / €250 / £210)
Full Journey Support (Add-On) – ¥15,000 for trips up to 14 days* (approx. US$100 / €95 / £80)
*For trips longer than 14 days, we can extend support for an additional fee.
Before you pay, we’ll send a simple confirmation email that includes our clear cancellation and refund policy for your chosen service.
Price: ¥6,000 (approx. US$40 / €38 / £32)
A focused, one-hour video or phone consultation in English or Japanese to refine your travel plans and answer questions.
Travellers who already have dates and a draft route and want to check if it’s realistic.
People deciding between destinations or itineraries (Tokyo vs. Osaka? Add Okinawa or not?).
Nikkei / Nisei travellers or mixed-language families who want a bilingual, cross-cultural perspective.
Japanese domestic travellers who want a relaxed, well-structured trip without doing all the research.
60-minute call via Zoom, Skype, or phone (English / 日本語).
Honest feedback on whether your plan is realistic given your time and pace.
Suggestions for a logical route and how long to spend in each place.
Ideas for neighbourhoods that match your style (quiet local, lively, family-friendly, etc.).
Guidance on transport basics: JR Pass (yes/no), IC cards, domestic flights, ferries (especially for Okinawa and remote areas).
A written summary after the call with key recommendations, suggested changes, and useful links to continue planning.
Price: ¥18,000 (approx. US$120 / €113 / £95)
A tailor-made 3-day itinerary for one city or region—ideal as a short trip or the “anchor” of a longer journey.
A 3-day city stay (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, etc.) or a focused Okinawa segment.
Travellers feeling overwhelmed by blogs and videos who want one clear, realistic plan.
Families, couples, or solo travellers who prefer calm, well-paced days with local flavour.
Pre-planning questionnaire
We ask about your pace, interests (food, culture, nature, shopping, cafés, etc.), budget, and any special needs (kids, seniors, mobility, dietary).
Custom 3-day itinerary (PDF or Google Docs) with:
Morning / afternoon / evening ideas for each day.
Optional extra stops if you feel energetic (never mandatory, always flexible).
Recommended areas to stay, plus 2–4 hotel/ryokan suggestions that suit your budget and style.
Transport notes for each day: how to move between key places (train, bus, on foot), and any recommended passes.
Food suggestions each day (restaurants, cafés, and where possible, options for specific dietary needs).
Clear indication of which activities benefit from advance reservations and how to secure them.
Built-in refinements - After you review the plan, we include one round of reasonable adjustments so it fits you perfectly. If you’d like further changes after that, extra revisions are available at ¥3,000 per round.
Delivery: within 5 business days after payment
Price: ¥40,000 (approx. US$270 / €250 / £210)
A comprehensive 7–10 day itinerary for Japan, designed for realistic travel days, efficient routing, and a comfortable pace.
Perfect for first-time visitors and return travellers who want to see a few regions without rushing.
Trips of about 7–10 days covering multiple cities (e.g. Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Okinawa, etc.).
Travellers who want help with both the big picture (route and timing) and daily details.
Families, couples, Nikkei travellers, and Japanese domestic travellers who appreciate calm, well-organized travel.
Full route design
We help decide which cities/regions to visit and in what order so your movements are logical and not exhausting.
Custom 7–10 day itinerary (PDF or Google Docs) with:
All airport transfers and key inter-city travel mapped out.
Daily suggestions for sightseeing, experiences, and walks—with backup ideas for rainy days or low-energy days.
Recommended areas to stay in each city or region, with 2–4 hotel/ryokan suggestions per stop.
An integrated transportation plan across trains, domestic flights, ferries, or car rental as needed, including advice on JR Pass and local passes.
Clear notes on where reservations are strongly recommended and how to arrange them.
Planning communication & up to two rounds of adjustments - We may send follow-up questions as we plan. After you receive the itinerary, we include up to two rounds of reasonable changes (for example, swapping days or adjusting certain activities). If you’d like further changes after that, extra revisions are available at ¥3,000 per round.
For trips longer than 10 days, we can extend this service or create a custom quote based on your trip length and complexity.
Delivery: within 7 business days after payment
One-time fee: ¥15,000 for up to 14 days in Japan
This add-on is for travellers who want true peace of mind and an extra layer of omotenashi during their trip.
We stay by your side—from arrival to departure—helping with arrangements, changes, and communication in Japanese.
With Full Journey Support, we:
Stay available by WhatsApp, LINE, or email throughout your trip between 09:00 and 21:00 Japan time.
Help you communicate with hotels, restaurants, and activity providers in Japanese (for example, by drafting messages or joining calls with you when appropriate to confirm or adjust bookings you’ve already made).
Guide you in arranging reservations and ticket bookings yourself, (under your own name) for things like:
Restaurants (including those that prefer phone reservations)
Local tours and cultural experiences
Theme parks, museums, special exhibitions, and other attractions
Events and concerts where practical and available
Assist with changes and disruptions: delays, cancellations, weather-related adjustments, unexpected closures.
Provide translation support by message for important information from hotels, transport operators, or service providers.
All contracts and payments remain directly between you and each hotel, airline, or ticket provider, with no mark-ups from us. We do not make new bookings or reservations for you, we do not call to place new bookings in your name, and we do not handle your payments or sell package tours. Our role is to handle as much of the communication and coordination as possible so your trip stays smooth and worry-free.
Support hours for Full Journey Support are 09:00–21:00 Japan time. For FJS clients, we normally reply within 1–2 hours during those hours.
Full Journey Support is not an emergency service. In life-threatening situations, please contact 119 in Japan or hotel staff immediately.
“I already have a rough plan and just want to check it.”
→ Start with the 60-Minute Planning Call.
“I’m focusing on one city or a short side-trip (e.g. 3 days in Tokyo or Okinawa).”
→ Choose the 3-Day Calm Itinerary.
“I’m planning a full Japan trip (about a week).”
→ Choose the 7–10 Day Calm Itinerary.
→ Add Full Journey Support if you want bilingual support and help with communication throughout the trip.
“My trip is longer than 10–14 days.”
→ Contact us for a custom itinerary and support quote.
Q. Do you book hotels or make reservations for me?
A. We help you decide where to stay and what to do, and we support your Japanese communication, but you always make the actual bookings and payments yourself. We do not operate as a travel agency, and we do not make new reservations or process payments on your behalf. You book in your own name with your own card, and we stay on your side as your planner and language support.
Q. What services do you offer, and how much do they cost?
A. We offer a 60-minute planning call, a custom itinerary (for 3 days or 7–10 days), and an optional Full Journey Support add-on during your trip. Each service has a clear, fixed fee in Japanese yen, listed on this page, so you always know the price in advance.
Q. How does Full Journey Support work during my trip?
A. During your trip, you can message us with questions or small problems by email, WhatsApp, or LINE. We’re usually available every day from 09:00–21:00 Japan time, and for FJS clients we normally reply within 1–2 hours during those hours, so you don’t have to handle Japanese communication alone.
Q. How do payments work, and what currency do you use?
A. We invoice in Japanese yen (JPY). All services are prepaid via Stripe (credit/debit card), and work begins once payment is confirmed. For your convenience we may show approximate amounts in other currencies, but the final charge is always in yen.
Q. What is your cancellation and refund policy?
A. A. We try to be fair and transparent: we’re flexible before work begins, and less flexible after we’ve already spent time planning or once your trip has started. In summary:
– 60-Minute Consultation
• 24+ hours before → Full refund or reschedule
• Within 24 hours → No refund
– Itineraries (3-day / 7–10 day)
• Work not started → Full refund
• Work in progress → 50% refund
• After draft itinerary sent → No refund
– Full Journey Support (FJS)
• 8+ days before trip → Full refund
• 1–7 days before trip → 50% refund
• After your trip starts → No refund
Full details are provided in our Terms of Service and in your confirmation email before you pay.
If you’re not sure which service is right for you, just email us at
info@ogura-connection.com and we’ll help you decide.
We’ll recommend the best option and explain the process clearly in English or Japanese.