Make your journey truly memorable

Japan is endlessly fascinating, but also easy to experience through clichés.
Yes, sushi is delicious, but it’s only one note in a whole orchestra of regional food.
Yes, Mount Fuji is iconic, but Japan’s landscapes don’t stop there: the Japanese Alps, quiet coastlines, volcanic valleys, and forest trails can be just as unforgettable.
Beyond “temples in Kyoto”, there are living spiritual traditions and pilgrimage routes that invite you to slow down and feel the country differently.
And if you love design, Japan is full of architecture that ranges from centuries-old craftsmanship to daring contemporary buildings.
Add culture beyond the highlights: music, theatre, local festivals, and hands-on workshops where you don’t just visit Japan, you take part in it.

You've come to the right place to discover how I compose your trip around what you care about most, across five dimensions: Food, Activity, Spiritual, Architecture, and Culture. The result will be a Japan journey that feels personal, surprising, and beautifully paced — far from stereotypes, and fully yours.

Hi, I’m Aya Nishikawa.

I’m Japanese, and I plan Japan trips for Europeans who want a unique discovery of Japan, a thoughtful route and smooth logistics.

I started travel planning in the simplest way: by helping friends. Whenever friends from Europe visited Japan, they asked me for advice on what to visit. As I knew them well, I gave hints to a few carefully chosen experiences. They came back genuinely excited, not because they “did Japan” but because while eating in local neighborhoods and discovering places that weren’t built for tourists, they felt they had experienced a Japan that felt real.

Before I discovered my passion on sharing the Japanese culture, I worked over 20 years in the medical device industry in Japan, Belgium and Switzerland. Having lived 15 years in Belgium and Switzerland, I understand what Europeans expect: clarity, good taste, and practical.

I’m also professional pianist, so I’m sensitive to rhythm: when to slow down, when to add contrast, and when to leave space. You can count on me to add a cultural dimension to your trip.

I’m not an “Instagram itinerary” person. I won’t send you a list of trendy spots and call it a day. I’ll listen to what you actually enjoy when traveling, then design a trip with the right rhythm: culture, nature, food, and downtime, all paced realistically.

What I do to make your trip unique:

Listen to your expectations and style of traveling, and your budget
Create a custom day-by-day itinerary
Recommend hotels/ryokan and neighborhoods (with booking links)
Explain transport (trains, reservations, passes, airport transfers with booking links)
Share cultural context so places feel meaningful, not just “visited”
I make a personalised roadbook for you with all the details for all activities and food options

What I don’t do: I don’t book flights, hotels, or activities. You book directly, with my guidance.

My way of working: a trip composed around what you love

I don’t plan Japan like a checklist. I compose it like a piece of music: with a clear theme, the right pace, and moments that feel unforgettable without feeling rushed.

In your first call, I'll ask a few simple questions to find out what matters most to you when you travel:

Food
markets, regional specialties, typical places

Activity
nature, hiking, cycling, skiing, sea, onsen walks

Spiritual
temples, shrines, forest paths, rituals, traditions

Architecture
contemporary design, traditional streets, craft towns

Culture
arts, music, festivals, theatre, museums, and everyday life

Once I understand your priorities, I matches them with your preferred travel style:

Intensive: see a lot, smart routing, efficient transport, early starts when it helps
Relax: fewer moves, slower days, more comfort, and time to enjoy places properly
Hands-on experiences: cooking class, crafts, tea, workshops, guided walks, or a day learning something new

Now that I have a clear view on your travel preferences and style, I will build a plan that feels coherent: the right cities, the right neighborhoods, and the right rhythm.

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