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 shown in USD. Payments are processed via Stripe (credit/debit card), and work begins once payment is confirmed. JPY amounts shown are estimates and will vary with exchange rates.
Overview of Services
60-Minute Planning Call — $49 USD (~¥7,500)
Short Trip (1-7 days) — $199 USD (~¥30,000)
Full Trip (8-21 days) — $349 USD (~¥52,000)
In-trip support and Live Interpreting are included with all itinerary packages.
All itinerary clients must complete a Planning Call first.
Before you pay, we'll send a simple confirmation email that includes our clear cancellation and refund policy for your chosen service.
Price: $49 USD (~¥7,500)
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.
Short Trip (1-7 days)
Price: $199 USD (~¥30,000)
A tailor-made itinerary for one city or region—ideal for a short trip or the "anchor" of a longer journey.
A short 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 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.
1 revision round — After you review the plan, we include one round of reasonable adjustments so it fits you perfectly. Extra revisions available at $25 per round.
In-trip support (up to 7 days) + Live Interpreting included
Delivery: within 5 business days after payment
Full Trip (8-21 days)
Price: $349 USD (~¥52,000)
A comprehensive 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 multiple regions without rushing.
Trips of 8–21 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 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.
2 revision rounds — 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). Extra revisions available at $25 per round.
In-trip support (up to 14 days) + Live Interpreting included
Delivery: within 7 business days after payment
For trips longer than 21 days, we can create a custom quote based on your trip length and complexity.
Which Service Is Right for Me?
"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 trip (1-7 days)." → Choose the Short Trip.
"I'm planning a full Japan trip (8-21 days)." → Choose the Full Trip.
"My trip is longer than 21 days." → Contact us for a custom itinerary quote.
All itinerary packages include in-trip support and Live Interpreting.
Q. What services do you offer? A. We offer three services:
60-Minute Planning Call ($49 / ~¥7,500) — A focused consultation to check your plans and get expert suggestions.
Short Trip ($199 / ~¥30,000) — A custom itinerary for 1-7 days, plus in-trip support and Live Interpreting.
Full Trip ($349 / ~¥52,000) — A custom itinerary for 8-21 days, plus in-trip support and Live Interpreting.
Q. Do I need a Planning Call before booking an itinerary? A. Yes. All itinerary clients must complete a Planning Call first. This helps us understand your travel style, priorities, and any special needs before we start designing your trip.
Q. Do you book hotels or make reservations for me? A. No. 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 are a travel concierge service, not a travel agency—we do not make 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's included in an itinerary? A. Your itinerary includes:
Day-by-day plan with morning/afternoon/evening suggestions
Hotel and ryokan recommendations that match your budget and style
Transport notes (trains, buses, passes, domestic flights, ferries)
Food suggestions including dietary accommodations where possible
Backup options for rainy days or low-energy days
Clear notes on what needs advance reservations
In-trip support and Live Interpreting during your trip
Q. How does in-trip support work? A. During your trip, you can message us via email, WhatsApp, or LINE with questions, translation help, or small problems. We can draft messages in Japanese, translate screenshots or menus, and even do Live Interpreting (you call us and pass the phone to staff). Support hours are 9:00–20:00 Japan time, and we aim to reply within ~2 hours during those hours (not guaranteed). Short Trip includes up to 7 days of support; Full Trip includes up to 14 days.
Q. How long does it take to receive my itinerary? A. Short Trip itineraries are delivered within 5 business days after payment. Full Trip itineraries are delivered within 7 business days after payment.
Q. Can you help with special needs (kids, seniors, dietary, mobility)? A. Yes. We ask about any special requirements in our pre-planning questionnaire and design your itinerary accordingly. Just let us know your needs and we'll work them into the plan.
Q. What if my trip is longer than 21 days? A. Contact us for a custom quote based on your trip length and complexity.
Q. How do payments work? A. Payments are processed in USD via Stripe (credit/debit card). Work begins once payment is confirmed. JPY amounts shown are estimates and vary with exchange rates.
Q. What is your cancellation and refund policy? A. We try to be fair and transparent: flexible before work begins, less flexible after we've spent time planning.
– 60-Minute Planning Call • 24+ hours before → Full refund or reschedule • Within 24 hours → No refund
– Itineraries (Short Trip / Full Trip) • Work not started → Full refund • Work in progress → 50% refund • After draft itinerary sent → No refund
Full details are in our Terms of Service and in your confirmation email before you pay.
Q. What languages do you support? A. We work in both English and Japanese. Our team includes one native Japanese speaker (Anna) and one native English speaker (Conrad), so we can support you in whichever language you prefer—or both.
Q. How do I get started? A. Book a 60-Minute Planning Call to begin. We'll discuss your trip, answer your questions, and determine the best next steps together.
Ready to start? Book a 60-Minute Planning Call: [Calendly link]
Not sure which service is right for you? 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.