Meet the Team

We treat every customer with the same care we give our own family and friends. Each trip we design is created with genuine thought and kindness, just as we would for the people closest to us.

With a small, dedicated team, we can offer thoughtful, personal support and the kind of hospitality we’re proud of in Japan.

We want your time in Japan to feel joyful, comfortable, and unforgettable.

Miharu 

Japan Planned founder 
Certified Domestic Travel Services Manager
Kyoto native
Things I Love
I love throwing pottery — creating my own pieces, but also collecting beautiful works from around Japan. My favorites so far are Yachimun from Okinawa and Hagiyaki from Yamaguchi Prefecture.

How I Like to Travel

I love traveling everywhere, not just in Japan. I backpacked, packing my days with as many spots as possible. Back then, the hotel was just a place to sleep!
These days, I prefer a slower pace — hopping into random cafés, taking local cooking or craft classes, and enjoying nature at a relaxed rhythm.
I still visit the must-see highlights, but I always make time for hidden gems and quiet local places where I can recharge.
My Most Memorable Trip in Japan So Far
My most unforgettable trip was climbing Mt. Fuji with my husband and friends in 2021. We started with a few relaxing nights on the Izu Peninsula, enjoying the beaches. Then we stayed at Lake Kawaguchi, took a boat ride, and admired Mt. Fuji before the big climb.
We stayed in a mountain hut overnight, collected stamps at each station, and watched the sunrise from the summit — something I’ll never forget.
After the tough hike, we ended the trip in Hakone, soaking in the onsen and resting at a ryokan. It was perfect.

A Little-Known Spot I Adore
Komyo-in Temple in Kyoto — a true hidden gem.
It’s peaceful, quiet, and one of the best places to slow down, breathe, and clear your mind.

Saori

Trip planner 
Tokyo native

Things I Love

I love cafés and restaurants renovated from old buildings, warehouses, and historic structures while preserving their original charm. I’m also into gardens, animals, mountains, lakes, shrines/temples and handcrafts (both watching and doing them).


How I Like to Travel

My ideal trip will be to start the morning by visiting a shrine nestled in nature, then take a relaxing hike. After that, I’d rest at a café that’s been renovated to keep its old charm. In the afternoon, I like to explore local crafts or try hands-on handcraft experiences. For lunch and dinner, I enjoy sampling regional gourmet food.
As for accommodation, I prefer a slightly unique place, like a renovated inn or a room with a concept. A hotel with an onsen would be the best!
I choose a place where staying itself feels like part of the experience.
I also love reading, so I often plan trips around visiting the real-life places I read about in books.

My Favorite Japanese Season
I really love autumn. There’s just so much delicious food around in that season!


My Favorite Japanese Foods
Takoyaki, fried chicken (karaage), noodles and matcha-flavored sweets.
Most Memorable Trip in Japan So Far

My trip to Togakushi Shrine in Nagano at the end of October was really amazing. 
I spent about four hours hiking around the five shrines on Mount Togakushi. 
Because it was the beginning of the autumn foliage, the mountain was a beautiful gradient of green, yellow, orange, and red. 
The cedar tree–lined path to the Okusha (inner shrine) was absolutely breathtaking. 
While waiting for the bus back, I stopped by a retro-style café where the wooden furniture and warm hospitality made for such a relaxing, cozy moment.


A Little-Known Spot I Adore

One of my favorite places is Kurochaya (黒茶屋), a restaurant and café tucked away on the western edge of Tokyo, right in front of the Akigawa Valley and close to my hometown. 
It’s about 90 minutes from central Tokyo, yet the area feels worlds away with its peaceful, lush nature. I have fond memories of playing in the river there as a child.
Kurochaya is set in a renovated 250-year-old farmhouse, with a forest hideaway–style dining room and an outdoor terrace overlooking the Iwase Gorge. 
It has a quiet, hidden charm — the perfect spot to relax while listening to the river below.