Boutique Japan

Fantastic experience: My 21 year old son and I used Boutique Japan to plan a 2 week trip for us around Japan. Everything was perfect - from the initial questions to make sure that the focus of the trip was what we wanted (food focused) with great suggestions for how to structure our trip and which cities to see, to their responsiveness in the planning process, to the execution of the trip which was flawless. Our guides were outstanding. If we can somehow find a way to go back to Japan, which we would love to do, the first thing I will do is email Roni and Andres at Boutique Japan to plan the trip. Thank you so much, Roni and Andres, for creating a trip for us that provided a lifetime of memories.

Fantastic experience: I planned our first trip to Japan for May 2025 with Boutique Japan, after hearing of them from several acquaintances - had to be more than a coincidence. My husband and I wanted our first trip to be spent with less time in cities and more out in the country and smaller towns. The staff at BJ were very thorough and easy to work with and listened to what we wanted. One piece of advice, they have a masterful first questionnaire you fill out and the more detail and ideas you can give them about what you want the better. We wanted to learn about green tea, see baseball, go on trains and subways, see the Tokyo Public Toilet Art Project, see Art Island, visit ryokans, visit our friends in Kanazawa and walk and walk. The BJ approach is efficient and very responsive as we tweaked and changed things as we went along. Even the owner would reach out when needed for help and advise. The whole process was easy and the resulting trip was efficient and wonderful is every way. Each guide we had was unique and we learned so much. The great thing about guides is you can ask endless questions about Japan, culture, food, groceries, travel etc etc. Way beyond your tour topic. All train travel was easy and you cannot miss those endless travel bento boxes at each train station! We also had plenty of time to wander and explore, equally important. Japan's art, nature, food, culture, museums, crafts...is all endless....we already have a list for our second trip started.

Fantastic experience: In planning a trip to Japan, I happened upon the Boutique Japan website and was immediately impressed by the depth of information offered, everything from pre- departure information to entry and arrival procedures, how to make local calls, emergency information, local assistance etc etc to say nothing of the expertise offered re: hotels, activities, customs, food, and travel. After months of planning with lots of back and forth and a personalized "app" for our trip, I am happy to report everything came off as planned. Meeting points and punctuality were spot on. Guides adapted to our sometimes changing needs and all were extremely helpful, knowledgeable, and engaging. In over 50 years of world travel ( a lot of it fly by the seat of your pants in the early years) I would rate Boutique Japan and Go2Africa as my favourites. Bob and Laurie Seymour

Fantastic experience: I wanted to send a note to thank you for all you did for my trip. I returned to the US on Friday, already thinking, “When can I go back?” Every one of the tour guides you all connected me with were special and genuinely wonderful people. They went out of their way to tailor the experience for me, get to know me, and all around felt like people I would love to meet again in the future. You say it on the site and during the course of working with someone, but truly the strength of your agency really does come from the relationships you’ve cultivated with these guides and your network of contacts in Japan. To anyone considering working with Boutique Japan, I wholeheartedly recommend partnering with them! Don’t hesitate. They went out of their way to get unique and hard-to-get experiences arranged for me, which reflected their deep understanding of what I personally value when traveling. I’ll most certainly be working with them again.

Fantastic experience: Fantastic trip! Perfect logistics. Flawless execution. Great recommendations. Flexible and always available. I have used agencies around the world and on five continents and I can honestly say that Boutique Japan is among the very best.

Fantastic experience: I found Boutique Japan while searching the internet for a travel agent for a trip to Japan. I was planning to use another very well known company but was very impressed with Boutique Japan's web site. After contacting them i set an appt to discuss what we were interested in and how we like to travel and the type of hotels we like to stay at. Our zoom meeting was very informative and we receieved a preliminary idea of what our trip would look like. It seemed amazing so we proceeded to book. Boutique Japan did not disappoint. From beginning to end it was seamless. The itinerary was perfect! Our hotels were amazing. The drivers were always there waiting for us as were the wonderful tour guides. Our train seats were always in the perfect position on the train for easy luggage storage. They were available by email if we had any questions while travelling. I highly recommend booking a trip to japan through Boutique Japan! You will be very happy you did!

Fantastic experience: What can I say? Our trip was fantastic and every day we said ’thanks for Boutique Japan!’ You and your team did a brilliant job with everything. The hotels, the restaurants, the guides, the activities, …. your organisation was amazing. Every driver you set up for us was on time or early and knew exactly where we needed to go. The hotels were all great and the actives, like the soba making in a dying village in Shikoku with our 82-year-old teacher will stay with us for a long time. Also the app we used that had our trip in such great detail was excellent. Your explanations of exactly where we needed to go and at what time were invaluable. We will certainly be telling anyone and everyone we know who is thinking of a trip to Japan to contact you.

Fantastic experience: When our two families decided that travling together to Japan was a good idea I wondered how I was going to plan a trip for 9 people, to the other side of the world, to a place I had never been. Even collecting ideas from people left me at square one and I am a "master" trip planner! I reached out to several companies but they all left me unenthused and then I came across Boutique Japan's website and I was thrilled! I reached out and qucikly I was having a thorough conversation about my group's varied interests and how much time we had and what our priorities were. After that the planning process was fluid and enjoyable. The final itinerary lit us all on fire and then the trip was on! We loved everything - the hotels were first rate, the transportation from airport to hotel, hotel to train, train to destination, including private boats - was flawless! We never worried about a thing. And when our son decided he would propose to his girlfriend on our third night in Tokyo, Boutique Japan set up an amazing omakase dinner in a private setting just for our 2 families (hers and ours) and the chef delivered the ring as a final course! We were in Japan for 2 weeks - which flew by - and we came home with quite a few shopping bags and a lifetime of stories. Thank you Boutique Japan for making this dream come true.

Fantastic experience: Just returned home from a 2 week trip to Japan planned by Boutique Japan- it was amazing! Everything was so thoughtfully done and I couldn’t believe how flawless the trip was. We cannot wait to go back to Japan and will definitely be planning with Boutique Japan again.

Fantastic experience: This trip was our dream deferred. We researched going to Japan for our 25th wedding anniversary. With all our reading, we chose to work with Boutique Japan, as they were so highly regarded and because I very much appreciated the quality of their online material. Then Covid meant we had to postpone. And then postpone again when Japan stayed closed.Throughout all of the delays, the team at Boutique Japan was wonderful. They listened carefully to what we were hoping to see and do. They asked great questions to gauge our comfort levels, travel experience, and desires for this particular trip. We finally got to realize the dream trip October 2024 and it was an incredible time because of the gorgeous itinerary the team crafted. While we are well seasoned travelers, this was our first visit to Japan. We decided to work with Boutique Japan because we wanted something special for our anniversary. We wanted to remove the stress of booking lodging and transportation in a foreign language. We also wanted to have private guides for some of the areas to help us get the most out of our limited days. Working with just one company allowed for a seamless, and, for us, luxurious vacation. We absolutely loved all the materials that Boutique Japan provided. We loved the lodging they arranged, we loved the tour guides they paired us with, and we very much enjoyed the transportation, and the communication. We felt incredibly prepared and pampered. We highly recommend using Boutique Japan for customized, bespoke trip planning. They are very flexible and are happy to work with different budgets and timelines. There is no high pressure sales or up selling, just a genuine desire to provide excellent service.

Fantastic experience: My partner and I talked about going to Japan for years. Friends of ours had a great experience with Boutique Japan so we reached out, and I'm SO glad we did. The team provided excellent advice-- including suggesting that our initial dates were not the greatest-- and the support from beginning to end was absolutely outstanding. Our itinerary was so thoughtfully laid out for a first-time trip. All of the tips and info were excellent. Our guides were absolutely top-notch, and our accommodations exceeded expectations. The team also managed to get us tickets to some of the events we really wanted to experience, like sumo (amazing) and baseball. In addition to the planning, the itinerary itself was just beautiful and perfectly detailed. We highly recommend working with Boutique Japan!

Fantastic experience: Truly an amazing and uniquely delightful trip put together by the team at Boutique Japan. They accommodated our family's diverse set of interests and requests, including attending Sumo! When we were thrown a bit of a last minute curveball by unforeseen circumstances, Piper and the group didn't miss a beat - they adjusted on the fly and ensured that everything went smoothly. Without hesitation, we would recommend Boutique Japan for anyone looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Fantastic experience: Throughout the whole trip, it was very obvious to us that Piper, Andres and Boutique Japan were truly Japan experts in a way that we very much appreciated: Nothing was too, too touristy, and at the same time, every recommendation was very authentic and of the highest quality. Our trip really did feel like it was crafted very much according to our personalities, our interests and our desires for our visit to Japan. We could not have been more pleased with it - it really was the trip of a lifetime, and we can't wait to return and explore more of Japan.

Fantastic experience: Thank you for planning an incredible trip. It was an A+! We loved Japan and your detailed planning made our experience seamless. Your app is so helpful. While we've had detailed itineraries before, we've never had an app like this with everything in one place, so easy to navigate without tons of scrolling, and with so many additional helpful resources. We referred to this app daily and it was much appreciated. Your guides are top notch, and there wasn't one hotel that we didn't like! We thank you for your unbelievable focus on the details of our trip. We will certainly share your contact with our friends.

Fantastic experience: It was a great trip! Boutique Japan made this trip so easy for us as every little detail was covered and so appreciated. Experience choices were amazing overall and we have so many great memories. Thank you for everything. I look forward to providing our friends with Boutique Japan!

Fantastic experience: We absolutely had the most wonderful time. I really can’t express how well everything went. We are so appreciative of all the work you and your team put into creating the itinerary and bringing it to life by creating reservations, buying all the train tickets, reserving drivers, helping us make train transfers, and putting us together with the most incredible guides and arranging fantastic activities. We loved every single guide - they all had the most interesting backgrounds and we learned so much from them. For our first time in Japan, we feel we covered a lot of ground - experienced big cities and small villages, sports, museums, a cooking class, temples, shrines, special neighborhoods, and learned differences big and small between our cultures. I’m ready to go back! It really was a trip of a lifetime for us, and again, we thank you all so much for putting it together for us.

Fantastic experience: Boutique Japan, you guys are the BEST!!! you created a phenomenal experience and what will undoubtedly be a treasured lifelong memory for our family. It was one of the best weeks of our lives, and we are so immensely grateful. Not only was the overall experience just incredible, but you are all so exceedingly good at what you do. Your kindness and friendly easy-going disposition throughout all of our communication over the last several months obviously didn't slow down your lightning-speed responsiveness, meticulous planning, and attention to every minute detail we'd encounter. Every logistical detail of transportation, hotels, planes, etc., was executed absolutely flawlessly. And most impressively, you really personalized the whole experience for us. You went above and beyond at every turn, and we are so thankful! You guys really have a unique and special thing going, and we're so glad we got to work with you!

Fantastic experience: If you're planning a trip to Japan, I can't recommend Boutique Japan highly enough. We had an absolutely incredible trip thanks to them. We had so many cool experiences we never would've known to book on our own. All the guides were excellent, as were the hotels...we especially loved Sowaka in Kyoto!! We took advantage of the luggage forwarding per their suggestion and it made traveling a breeze. We were very grateful for the train/taxi escorts as well. My husband also has some strict dietary restrictions and Boutique Japan was excellent about understanding and communicating the restrictions to all hotels and guides. We really didn't have to worry about a thing. Special thanks to Roni and Piper, who handled everything for us!

Fantastic experience: We had an absolute blast on our trip to Japan. Can’t thank Boutique Japan enough for such a seamless and amazing trip. Everything was lined up like clockwork and we enjoyed the trip of a lifetime. It was also our honeymoon, and each accommodation was informed of this by the Boutique Japan staff, which made the experience extra special as they all went above and beyond to make the stay memorable. We are sad the trip is over, but they did an amazing job putting it together for us. Thank you all so much! This was our first time ever using a travel agency and it was highly worth it. Will definitely use this service again if we ever travel back to Japan (hopefully soon)!

Fantastic experience: We had a fantastic two week trip to Japan with the help of the team at Boutique Japan. They developed a perfectly bespoke experience for us, chose hotels that were highly personalized and beautifully appointed, and provided us with guides who were knowledgeable, flexible and great company! We appreciated both the experiences that Boutique Japan curated for us and the flexibility they provided to go off itinerary at a moment's notice (there are lots of reasons to follow your instincts -- or your nose -- in Tokyo and Kyoto). We had a mishap mid trip -- a fractured wrist mid-trip -- and appreciated the amazing responsiveness of the guides and Boutique Japan to make necessary changes to our itinerary. We highly recommend Boutique Japan and look forward to working with them on our next trip to Japan!

Fantastic experience: The experience with Boutique Japan was amazing! The itinerary they planned included the perfect amount of sightseeing, culture, shopping, and free time, and we loved the accommodations that were booked by Boutique Japan. They were always quick to respond and extremely detailed. I highly recommend using Boutique Japan to plan your trip!!

Fantastic experience: Had such a memorable trip thanks to Boutique Japan's amazing team! From the time we arrived to when we left, we were well taken care of. Everything was thought out from detailed logistics to their suggested sites making our vacation that much more relaxing and easier to enjoy. Would definitely recommend!

Fantastic experience: An amazing experience start to finish! The team was thorough, quick to respond, and extremely detailed. The itinerary was amazing and allowed us to see a bit of everything we wanted. I cannot recommend boutique Japan enough and will definitely be using them again!

Fantastic experience: The trip was so incredibly wonderful! We're both still processing just how wonderful it was. All in all, we give our trip a 6 out of 5! We also got very, very lucky with the weather and the foliage, which certainly didn't hurt. We were so humbled by the kindness, thoughtfulness, and care exhibited by everyone we were privileged enough to meet on the trip. Boutique Japan took care of seemingly every detail and provided a phenomenal experience. We will absolutely be using them again to plan future trips to Japan. Thank you so much for helping make my childhood dreams a reality!

Fantastic experience: We have arrived back home in New Zealand and would like to thank you all very much for such a memorable two weeks. From the moment we were met at Narita Airport with the sign bearing our names, to the drive on our last day back to Narita, everything flowed from one day into the next so smoothly. The guides really made each place for us, informing and sharing with us information about places that were special for them and of great interest to us. All of our accommodation was excellent - hotels and ryokans of an exceptional quality. Helping to make this a very seamless experience were the people meeting us, guiding us and seeing us to our accommodation. It was a great example of teamwork - from the planning stages through to the daily travel and experiences in Japan. We now look back on this time and have such a store of treasured memories of happenings and people. A big thank you to all of you that have contributed to our time in Japan.

Fantastic experience: We cannot thank you enough for making our trip so memorable. You made every effort to give us exactly what we asked for and then some. We felt so well taken care off and safe. Our introduction to Japan was perfect in every way and we are so grateful.

Fantastic experience: Overall, we couldn’t be happier with our experience with Boutique Japan. They really listened to our interests and created an itinerary that reflected that. The incredibly detailed itinerary they provided for us covered every aspect of each day and took a lot of stress out of the trip. Also the fact that we had to plan the trip three different times due to COVID was a credit to them and their ability to deal with all the difficult logistics involved. The hotels they selected for us were all top notch, the guides were great, and we enjoyed all the food related excursions. All the transfers were also seamless with most of them meeting us at the train platform so no chance for us to get lost! It was an amazing trip and we’re very grateful for all the work Boutique Japan did on our behalf. We've traveled with other companies that do custom private tours and Boutique Japan is head and shoulders above anything we've experienced.

Fantastic experience: We had a wonderful time on a special itinerary from Boutique Japan! I loved all our guides and I was so happy how well all of them knew English. It was very nice talking to all our guides and getting their perspectives on life in Japan. I was very happy with everything that we were able to see and the hotels were so nice. My only regret is I got full too quickly on our food tours, especially the Tsukiji market tour. I frequently reminisce about our time in Japan and long to return. And I do intend to go back just as soon as I can. I think we will wait until our children are older and I think we'll go back as a family and in winter to see the difference. I especially look forward to doing onsen in the winter.

Fantastic experience: My husband and I have been dreaming about going to Japan for years, so it only made sense to spend our honeymoon exploring the country together. When setting out on planning our honeymoon, choosing Boutique Japan was a no brainer. The planning process couldn’t have been smoother and the number of resources the team provides is the perfect way to get excited and prepare to embark on this journey. During initial conversations, the team spent a ton of time learning about my husband and me and expertly tailored our activities and tours to what was most important to us. After arriving in Japan, we felt incredibly taken care of from start to finish. Our guides were knowledgeable, hospitatable, and endlessly fun. We couldn’t have asked for a better trip and can’t wait to return to Japan one day!

Fantastic experience: First and foremost, your organization was spotless and we were extremely impressed and of course very, very happy. We love to travel, we have visited many countries and traveled to some pretty remote destinations (working with travel agencies or not) and I would say with confidence that you offered us one of the best organized trips that we ever experienced. THANK YOU!! The itinerary did work like clockwork, it was seamless and it allowed us to really relax and enjoy or time in Japan. All the guides were incredibly professional and personable and contributed to making our experience very special. We would like to thank Piper, Roni, Andres and the rest of your team, for planning such a great trip and intricate itinerary for us and making it look so simple! We had a wonderful experience and we look forward to the next one.

Fantastic experience: Jodie and I would like to thank you for the wonderful Japan trip – we both feel that the trip was one of the best, if not the best trip we have ever experienced. The itinerary with the mix of guided tours and free time was perfect and all our guides were great. We felt like royalty as we were escorted from airports to hotels, hotels to train stations, all with an escort and chauffered beautiful car or van. There were so many highlights it's difficult to pick out the best ones, as all the sites and locations we saw with the guides were fabulous and interesting. We would love to hopefully return to Japan sometime in the future, and again thank you for such a memorable and unforgettable vacation.

Fantastic experience: Thank you to all for planning such a wonderful trip for us. We truly had an incredible time in a beautiful country. All of the arrangements worked perfectly, and we were very pleased with the array of activities, sites and cities. The hotels were wonderful, and we very much enjoyed the ryokan experience. All of the inter-country travel went smoothly and we have been extolling the cleanliness, timeliness and service on the Japanese trains. NYC transit and Amtrak pale in comparison! Thank you again. I would not hesitate to recommend your company to others, and are so glad we chose you for this adventure.

Fantastic experience: Thank you so much for all of the work you put into making sure my trip was a great experience. The degree to which I could truly just go with the flow on this solo trip was incredible, and I know that’s down to a lot of legwork that happened out of my sight. One of the things that I really appreciated was how my specific requests were genuinely built into the itinerary. My guides all had a sense of who I was and where I had come from, thanks to the briefing information they were provided. They knew both what I was looking for and what was less important to me, and they were good enough guides that they largely felt comfortable adapting their itineraries to address those differences. This turned out to be a fantastic and enlightening trip. I’m very happy to say that I left Japan already wishing it was time to return there. I can’t thank you all enough for hanging with this trip through all of the various delays, cancellations, and rebookings. It was a truly wonderful experience.

Fantastic experience: Bravo to all of you for planning a thorough, seamless, fascinating, fun and perfect trip! We were so sad to leave. What a special place. We cannot thank you enough for your thoughtful preparation and care. THANK YOU BOUTIQUE JAPAN!!!

Fantastic experience: We recently returned from our 3 week long trip around Honshu, expertly planned by Boutique Japan. Since this was our first visit to the country, and we really wanted to experience Japanese culture, I started looking for a specialist to help me plan it. After contacting Boutique Japan, before a single dollar was paid, they were already providing tremendous value in the early planning stages. Once we formally engaged with them, they went to work putting together an experience that was tailored to what we wanted, and provided lots of ideas for things we didn't even realize we wanted until they mentioned it. During our trip, everything was laid out in detail in a web app that contained contact info, hotel addresses in Japanese and English, instructions for where to meet guides, their names, and the itinerary for each day. This took all the stress out of our visit, and allowed us to just roll with the daily activities. Our guides were all friendly and conversational, knowledgeable and had good command of the English language. On the couple of occasions we needed something while we were there, the team was very responsive. We had a magical time in Japan, and learned so much about the culture. We even made some friends along the way. We can't wait to plan our next visit! For a well executed and special trip to Japan, I wholeheartedly recommend Boutique Japan!

Fantastic experience: We travelled with Boutique Japan in September 2023 and the trip was amazing, we can't say enough good things, both about Japan and about how seamless working with you all to pull this off was. I know that had we planned it ourselves we would have had a great time but it would have been nothing like the trip we just got back from. I think it was truly the best two weeks of my life. Thank you for everything you did to make this as seamless and spectacular as it was. This was a dream come true.

Fantastic experience: We had a great experience with Boutique Japan. They created a wonderful personalized itinerary for a two week trip and provided absolutely terrific local guides. They have great local knowledge and insight that is delivered with kindness and attention to all the details.

Fantastic experience: Boutique Japan could not have given us a more perfect trip to Japan. Traveling with our 16 year old granddaughter, we not only visited all the best sights but additionally enjoyed a cooking class, biked throughout Kyoto for a day, climbed to see an unreconstructed castle, dressed up as geishas, and so much more. Boutique Japan was available to us 24-7. Our accommodations were ideal and we were fortunate to have food guides who introduced us to amazing restaurants and cuisine we'd never have found on our own. We can't recommend Boutique Japan highly enough.

Fantastic experience: Overall, our trip exceeded my very high expectations and we had a truly wonderful visit to Japan. As expected, I found Japan disorienting and exhilarating so having detailed plans and guides was invaluable in helping us to navigate our trip. You can never expect to see and do *everything* in the amount of time we had, but we put together an ambitious, action-packed schedule that enabled us to see a lot in a relatively small amount of time. The logistics of this trip were flawless and seamless. Cars were exactly on time. Minders were exactly where they were supposed to be. The luggage forwarding service was perfect. And our guides really made our vacation. I don't know what we would have done without them. Even though we are resourceful people, being foreigners in Japan with no ability to speak the language, would have been too much for us to handle on our own and would have resulted in a greatly diminished experience. For all of these reasons, I would not hesitate to recommend Boutique Japan to anyone planning a trip to Japan, and we are already thinking about our next visit!

Fantastic experience: Boutiqe Japan did a great job putting together a trip that covered a broad activity base and satisfied a group of 9 people from age 9 to 75. The country was very easy to navigate and Boutique Japan had help available in all the right places. The trip was fantastic and the people and culture were impressive to say the least. We left one phone on the subway and one in a taxi…both returned to us! Every guide was great. My personal favorite tour was the food tour in Tokyo. The kids (and adults) favorite activity was the water excursion at Zenagi. It was amazing to climb, jump and float in such crystal clear waters!! The city hotels were both very nice but the three smaller lodges were all special in their own ways and I personally preferred them to the city. The baseball game was a cultural treat and a welcome break from the heat. Every guide was extremely friendly and accomodating, I can't say that one stood out above the rest as they were all great. The food at Hoshinoya Fuji was likely everyone's favorite, we did one night in the lodge and one cooking on our own balconies...both amazing. I am so glad we chose a night in a Ryokan as it was a true immersion in their culture and the spas a delight. I would love to return hopefully someday soon!

Fantastic experience: Boutique Japan is an outstanding company with a highly knowledgeable team who clearly take pride in planning amazing trips to Japan. My wife and I spent 17 days in Japan in November/December 2022, soon after COVID restrictions had lifted. We had postponed our trip for a couple years and decided to work with Boutique Japan to make the most of our time in Japan. With their expert planning and guidance, our vacation exceeded our expectations in every way. This was our first experience working with a travel company, as we had previously planned all our own trips. I’m so glad that we made the decision to work with Boutique Japan, because our trip was much more nuanced and well-rounded than I thought possible. Every day was filled with new sights and experiences that were catered to our personal interests and travel style. This was our first experience having personal guides throughout the trip and Boutique Japan works with amazing guides and local experts all over Japan. Our guides were friendly, experienced, and knew how to navigate busy attractions as well as off the beaten path gems that we never would’ve experienced on our own. The relationships made with each of the guides added volumes to our experience and provided some of our best memories from the trip. From the initial planning stages, working with Roni and Piper, their enthusiasm and experience shone through, and I could tell we were in good hands. The trip itself ran seamlessly, with travel, lodging and event tickets all coming together without any stress once the trip arrived, allowing us to enjoy our time while all the details of the trip confidently arranged. Their itinerary exceeded our expectations, with extensive thought put into the details. I would absolutely travel with Boutique Japan again and I’m happy to give them the highest recommendation. I have the utmost trust and confidence in Boutique Japan after our experience working with them, and I can’t thank them enough for planning the trip of a lifetime for me and my wife.

Fantastic experience: We originally contacted Boutique Japan back in 2019 to plan a trip for May 2020, and we had everything booked and ready to go when the world shut down. Obviously that trip didn't happen when planned, but Andres and team went far above and beyond for THREE YEARS to keep us informed about how things were changing in Japan and when we might be able to take our trip. Finally in May 2023 we left for our 12-day custom planned trip. We are travelers and usually plan on our own, but Japan felt a little less approachable, not to mention time-consuming planning for people with demanding jobs. We were nervous to trust someone else, but we shouldn't have been-- we picked the experts. Andres and team made our trip memorable, fun, informative, and easy to navigate from start to finish. From the Tokyo bike tour to the Kyoto cultural hikes, from sumo wrestling to relaxing in a traditional onsen, from exploring ancient temples with a guide to immersive modern art experiences on Naoshima, and from a wild sake tour in Osaka to all the ramen we could eat, every bit of the trip was no less than outstanding. On top of all that, we got to met Andres, after all that time planning with him, by coincidence in Kyoto as he and his team were there seeing personally to details for a large group. I cannot express how grateful we are for the way Boutique Japan took care of us, not just in planning or in the trip but also in all the years between, and gave us a trip we'll remember for the rest of our lives. Sincere thank you to to all of them.

Fantastic experience: Everything went exactly as we had planned and there were no missed connections of any kind. And we saw what we wanted to see in the time that we had allotted for the trip. The app was fabulous. Coupled with the google map links I could always easily find my way with my phone. Yuka's first day tour was excellent as we went all over Tokyo and developed an understanding and how to get around via the intimidating metro system. And we visited our first garden. The immaculate gardens may be one of the things that stick with me the most. All meals were excellent. All of the food outings gave us a feel for eating and drinking like a local. The sushi and tempura nights were incredible. The train system was amazing, and we got a good look at the variety. There's nothing quite like the thrill of feeling a bullet train go through a station at full speed. But my favorite trains were that local stop train through the countryside that went up to Kinosake. It really gave us a flavor of the country in our slow-paced ride.

Fantastic experience: Jeri and I had a spectacular time in Japan!! It was so well planned by Boutique Japan and everything came off without a glitch. We really liked the variety of guides. We had amazing experiences and loved the Japanese culture. Wherever we were people were so helpful kind and friendly. The safe feeling when there and the cleanliness was beyond anywhere we have ever been. Very nice choice of hotels. What a unique experience using a monorail to get to our room at Benesse House! Loved the Shinkansen and we actually had a lot of fun and got pretty good at figuring out the subway daily when in Tokyo. We had a few missteps occasionally but it added to the fun. We thought the trip was well planned and timing for trains and guides was great! Also when our last train was cancelled it was very comforting to be called and assisted with the change. We think we had just the right amount of guiding — kept plenty busy when we were on our own! Thanks so much for a seamless and beautiful vacation!

Fantastic experience: Thank you for a memorable trip! The guides were terrific, and were particularly good at engaging my kids’ interests. The itinerary was varied and active, and our week there flew by. Thank you for helping my family create wonderful lasting memories!

Fantastic experience: We had an excellent experience in Japan with the superb assistance of Boutique Japan. Their attention to detail was astonishing, and they went out of their way to give us a great holiday. These are bespoke itineraries, so they are not cheap, but we got very good value for money, with the right type of accommodation and mix of activities. We are already planning another holiday with them. I could not recommend Andres and his team more highly. (We travelled from Australia as a couple in spring, 2023.)

Fantastic experience: We were so lucky to have found Boutique Japan! They are the best travel company we ever used. Roni & Piper were extremely helpful in guiding us through the planning stage. They really listened to our interests and what we wanted to get out of our trip and had wonderful suggestions. The planning was excellent and the on the ground support was really exceptional. The local guides were terrific and each brought something unique to the experience and to our understanding of Japan. Day to day everything felt easy and stress-free due to the meticulous planning and follow-through. I'm so glad we went with a small company that is totally focused on Japan and knows it so well. A truly memorable trip.

Fantastic experience: To say that I had the trip of a lifetime is an understatement. All the hotels were fantastic with amazing services, and I have to say, the guides were the icing on the cake. All of them were very knowledgeable and were able to provide us with additional information based on their own experience. They were all so lovely and happy to change the planned itinerary to fit our specific interest. They were able to respond to our endless questions and took us to their favorite little restaurants and bars for a true Japanese experience (on our own, I know there are some we would not have tried). All the travel and transfers were so well organised. Even Mount Fuji, who was completely covered by clouds when we arrived, decided to show himself in all his glory the following day. I have only one word: THANK YOU so much Boutique Japan and you Piper for making my dream come true.

Fantastic experience: Really happy with my experience with Boutique Japan. They had a flexible policy when COVID canceled our trip and we had to reschedule. It was amazing to simply say I want to a tea farm, or take a cooking class and Boutique Japan did the rest. The hotels they booked were all amazing and in central spots close to transit and yummy food. One even had a view of Mt. Fuji! They are worth every penny in simply not having to worry about things. The amount of time it takes to plan and experience for knowing the best stops would be hours upon hours if I had to do it myself. Most of all when we changed hotels they have train handlers for us to make sure we got on the right trains. Well, when in Shinjuku station our train to our next hotel was canceled due to an accident. I was so relieved because it wasn’t my problem to figure out how to get there but the handler who took us to our next train and exchanged our tickets and we only ended up being 5 minutes later than if we had gotten on the original train. At that moment I knew I would never plan a trip to Japan without Boutique Japan. Already planning ideas for the next trip and will be using them.

Fantastic experience: We had a wonderful experience with Boutique Japan. We explained our interests and priorities in our first visit to Japan, and they planned a thoughtful and bespoke itinerary for us. Every transfer was seamless and the guides were lovely& informed. We could not have done this on our own. Highly recommend!!!

Fantastic experience: Far and away the most extraordinary travel advisors I have ever worked with. From the first phone meeting to delivery of our final itinerary (in a beautiful and convenient app format), Andres and the team at Boutique Japan seemed to anticipate every need, answer every question and cover every detail. Remarkably, they maintained this level of communication and service over the course of almost 4 years of trip rescheduling due to COVID restrictions. Having now finally returned from our trip, I can say that our experience in Japan exceeded even our long-cultivated expectations. Andres' unique in-country experience and deep personal contacts were constantly evident in our thoughtful itineraries and engaging guides. Thanks to Boutique Japan's care and expertise, we made not only once-in-a-lifetime memories but also many new friends. I wouldn't travel to Japan without them!

Fantastic experience: It's hard to put into words what a great trip we had as we continue to process. We keep getting asked what our highlight or favorite bite was and there are too many to choose from. From our first day in Tokyo where our guide pivoted to the Cherry Blossoms to our last evening where we enjoyed a wonderful and unique dining experience, the trip was fantastic. We came to appreciate the contrasts of Japan; the bustle of Tokyo, the tranquility of the Ryokan, the total cool factor of the art of Naoshima and Teshima and the grace and history of Kyoto. We enjoyed every meal from high to low. We are so appreciative to have had a trip constructed with our interests and desires in mind. Robert & Carol Haymer

Fantastic experience: Thank you for curating such a great itinerary for us. All of the tours were good, and the Japanese tour guides added a lot of value. The train rides - very smooth. The Shinkansen is everything that is described. Very efficient, clean, fast. The transfers worked seamlessly - our drivers met us at the train door. Really worry free. All in all a great trip and one that we didn’t want to end!

Fantastic experience: We just returned from an 8 day trip to Japan using Boutique Japan. The trip was amazing and way above our expectations. We used their sample Essential Japan itinerary which included Kyoto, Hakone and Tokyo. We liked the slowness of Kyoto to begin the trip and finished with high energy Tokyo. During the planning phase we had set up a zoom call where Roni laid out this 8 day itinerary. Once committed, Piper handled the operations part of the trip. The hotels were of high quality and in great locations. The guides and transportation people they work with were outstanding and made this trip unforgettable. The pre-departure information was invaluable as it provided a whole slew of information from restaurant recommendations to luggage forwarding to pocket WiFi to name a few. As we were a party of 10 and vegetarians, the restaurant recommendations from Piper and the guides were on point and saved a lot of time. One of the greatest time savers was all our-pick-ups and transportation were as scheduled. We did not have to wait a single minute. We would definitely recommend Boutique Japan to anyone who is interested in visiting Japan and we will use them again for our next visit to Japan.

Fantastic experience: My Partner Chris and I had the most amazing trip to Japan thanks to all your incredible planning. Everything from take-off to landing was meticulously orchestrated and tailor made just for us. We not only enjoyed the tours but found the guides to be friendly, insightful and full of local knowledge. This was our first time to Japan but I can't wait to return. Many thanks for organizing such an incredible adventure; it really was a trip of a lifetime.

Fantastic experience: Can't say enough wonderful things about our trip booked and planned with Boutique Japan. It was a once in a lifetime trip! With the pandemic we had to reschedule our original 2020 trip multiple times and the team, especially Piper, went above and beyond with so much patience to plan and execute a trip as close to our original itinerary as possible. This even included the addition of a baby :) The guides and team they work with in Japan were also incredible and added so much to our trip - from info on history, culture, food, neighborhoods, we would have been at such a disadvantage without them. Our trip included time in Tokyo and Kyoto and different parts of the more remote country - Kiso Valley & Ise Peninsula. The team helped us craft a trip that left us feeling like we got to explore many parts of Japanese life and culture. It was an unforgettable trip that has us already dreaming of when we can get back.

Fantastic experience: All in all, we had a fantastic trip. I thought everything was well planned and coordinated. I thought all of your pre-departure information was spot on and helpful. I would definitely recommend your company to friends and family. I will contact you when we are ready for our next trip to Japan!

Fantastic experience: Our trip to Japan simply could not have been any better. Boutique Japan only does bespoke personal trips based on your individual interests. After several conversations to get to know us better they provided an itinerary that could not have been more perfect. Every detail was taken care, every form of transportation on time, with a big smile and enthusiasm for our adventures. ALL of our guides were excellent! They were knowledgeable, fun to be with while also giving us space to explore when we wanted it. EVERY day there was a wonderful surprise. We can not wait to go back and wouldn't consider using any one else to help us. 100%

Fantastic experience: Boutique Japan did an extraordinary job in preparing a personalized vacation for our honeymoon. They spent time to ask us what sort of experiences and destinations we wanted to see, and they curated the perfect itinerary for us. They were also attentive and resourceful while we were in Japan, as were the guides they arranged for us. We never felt lost or alone, and they gave us enough resources to venture out on our own into neighborhood cities and remote seaside villages. We sincerely appreciate the care with which they arranged for everything.

Fantastic experience: Our travel to Japan was amazing. Boutique Japan Tavel managed for us the whole trip and fulfilled our special wishes as well. The organization of our trip was perfect, with exact timetables, maps, tickets for trains and pick-ups. The choices of the hotels/ryoken/onsen were excellent. We had amazing tours with local and foreign guides. It was a mix of culture, shopping and relaxing between different cities (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Kanazawa, Naoshima Island,...). Big thank you to the team of Boutique Japan, especially Roni & Piper.

Fantastic experience: Boutique Japan did a fantastic job of planning an itinerary that completely matched our vision of a trip to Japan. Our group of 4 came away feeling that for 2 weeks, we had the opportunity to become immersed in the daily life of the Japanese. The guides, the hotels, and the experiences were all expertly planned. The app they provided was a fabulous daily resource-- so much information and detailed guidance. We are very experienced travelers, and all thought this trip far exceeded our expectations. You will not be disappointed if you use Boutique Japan!!

Fantastic experience: Nothing could have made this three-week, first time trip to Japan better. Andres and Piper's planning made it perfect. The level of thought and attention to detail they put into curating our experience in Japan was something I'd never experienced in many years of travel. I'm smitten, with Japan and Boutique Japan.

Fantastic experience: I found Boutique Japan to be one of the most professional outfits I have come across in any walk of life. The client service is outstanding in its speed and efficiency. The organization was also there to guide me when the unexpected happened in terms of a typhoon that impacted the end of my vacation. The itinerary that was put together exactly matched what I asked for in terms of tailoring to my interests; history, food and drinks and exercise and was very well thought through. The guides they used were amazing and very personable / easy company.

Fantastic experience: Boutique Japan did an excellent job of orchestrating our two-week trip. Their intake process for new clients is thorough and thoughtful. Once on the trip it was clear that our itinerary was customized to meet our interests. When a typhoon derailed our original itinerary, Boutique Japan was quick to suggest and help book an alternative. Tellingly, our guides had amazing things to say about Andres and the rest of Boutique Japan. Travel companies like this are often only as good as the guides they procure for you, and those we had through Boutique Japan were top-notch. The team is also diligent in collecting feedback at all points in the process, particularly while planning the trip and once we had returned. I'm confident that our feedback will be used to make sure future parties enjoy an even better experience. Many thanks to Andres, Piper, and all the rest of Boutique Japan for making our trip unforgettable!

Fantastic experience: We had an amazing time in Japan. Despite the super-hot, ridiculous weather, it was amazing. The trip was above and beyond what we could have put together ourselves. From the tours, to the accommodations, we never would have been able to find such a perfect combination of quality, and variety. In my opinion, the tours were the highlight of our trip. The tour guides were amazing and knowledgeable. They were helpful and fun. We honestly can't pinpoint which tour was the best because the experiences were so varied.

Fantastic experience: Boutique Japan planned the perfect trip for us and we loved every minute of it! Piper and Roni were a pleasure to work with and their attention to detail was impressive even to a perfectionist. They arranged several unique experiences that made the trip special which we would never have been able to do on our own. I have traveled with many different companies all over the world and they are the best I've ever dealt with. Their communication and support both before and during the trip exceeded anything I've ever experienced. The trip was all we had hoped for and more and I would recommend them without hesitation!

Fantastic experience: We had a terrific trip and are thankful to you and the team for a fantastic job. We loved your approach to everything, the attention to details, the responsiveness to our requests and the excellent trip that resulted from all of that. We’ll be very happy to refer friends to you, as we have several considering future trips to Japan. As for feedback, we really do think the trip was a homerun. I’m used to organizing trips myself, so it was a leap for us to turn that over to someone else. But it was clear that we never could have done everything we did or gotten everywhere we went with such terrific guides without your help. The itinerary was very true to all of the requests we put in. While there’s some things that, in hindsight we might have done differently, I think you delivered on exactly what we asked for. We loved it all. Even the parts we might have skipped in hindsight, were still fantastic experiences!

Fantastic experience: Our trip was truly a great experience planned by a very professional group. My family and I are frequent travelers. We've been to all continents and about 70 plus countries (much on pleasure, but some on business). We have used many travel companies to help plan trips, including the high end well known groups. My family and I travel mostly on bespoke trips these days and Boutique Japan was very careful to tailor our trip to our interests. For example, after spending considerable time understanding our travel preferences, including our love of art and architecture, Boutique Japan sent us to Naoshima and Teshima to see the amazing museums and art installations. We have already recommended Boutique Japan to a friend and would do the same to anyone else planning a trip to Japan. Great work, great team, great trip. We particularly thank Piper, Roni and Andres for a fabulous experience. Highly recommended. They were professionals in every sense of the word.

Fantastic experience: We found Boutique Japan through a google search about a year before our trip. We were intrigued by a country we had never visited with a language we didn’t know. After a lengthy exchange of emails, Boutique Japan developed a perfect three-week itinerary. They included most, if not all, of our wants and desires and added plenty of their own suggestions. The finished product was magnificent and will yield years of great memories, stories, and friendships. Boutique Japan even had us enjoying touring Teshima on electric bicycles for a most incredible art experience. If you are looking to explore and learn about Japan, we highly recommend Boutique Japan. The journey is as exciting as the finished trip.

Fantastic experience: My wife and I already looking for the next possible time we can get back to Japan. We had such a wonderful experience! I can't think of anything that could have been improved. Boutique Japan made everything an incredible experience. The execution was flawless from start to finish. Thanks again, Boutique Japan, for all your hard work.

Fantastic experience: Thanks for the great preparations that made for a perfect trip. All of the activities and guides were truly excellent - each guide was very engaging and made extra efforts to be sure that we had great experiences. The mix of long-term western expats and local guides allowed for very interesting conversations and insights that would not have been possible with just one or the other.

Fantastic experience: I just want to thank everyone at Boutique Japan, because this was truly a trip of a lifetime! I could not have done it without all your help. I just can’t believe how meticulously coordinated everything was and the incredible thoughtfulness and kindness from all of you, my guides, hotel/ryokan staff, and everyone I met in Japan. I’ve had people on Instagram ask me who helped arrange my trip, and I’ve sent raves reviews about Boutique Japan. On a personal level, this trip gave me better self confidence in my myself and decreased any anxiety I had about traveling alone. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I hope one day, I can go back and even take my mom next time around. She’d love it!

Fantastic experience: We have just returned from one of the an outstanding 19 day holiday in Japan thanks to Boutique Japan. I cannot recommend this travel company highly enough. From the beginning to the end their service, attention to detail, advice and support were incredible. We have traveled extensively but Boutique Japan is by far the best travel agency that we have ever dealt with. To give one small detail, Boutique Japan had supplied us with all the necessary tickets for public transport that we required ( except for some of the local subways which did not require prebooked seats) One ticket that they supplied was supposed to cover all the transport that we would require on one day - rail, bus, train. When we got onto the bus we were informed that the ticket did not cover the bus and we had to pay about 1000yen (only about $9). I messaged Boutique Japan - ( they supplied us with an app on our phone that not only had all the travel details and booked tours etc, but also a facility to message them) just to tell them what happened. The following day when we returned on the same bus the conductor asked us if we had paid for the bus the previous day and how much it had cost. The conductor then refunded us 1000yen. Boutique Japan had contacted the railways in Japan to sort our this matter! As I am allergic to seafood and have other dietary restrictions Boutique Japan had also advised all the hotels and ryokons about this so this made it exceptionally easy. Even when the hotels booked a restaurant for us the restaurant was advised of my dietary requirements. To sum up - using Boutique Japan is not the last expensive way of travelling in Japan but the service they provided was well worth the additional expense

Fantastic experience: These guys were great. Basically, you can plan any itinerary you want and they make it happen. Guided days, non guided days, bizarre japan, temples, nights out......whatever you desire. And they take care of all the drudge work like booking hotels, IC cards, and train tickets. We had a great time and would definitely recommend Boutique Japan for their friendly and attentive service. Arigato Gozaimasu!

Fantastic experience: Boutique Japan is the only place you need to look if you're planning a trip anywhere in Japan! We had a fantastic two weeks thanks to their meticulous planning...trains, guides, great hotels, transportation passes, private transfers, advice about places to eat and other things to do, info on things such as luggage transfers and portable wifi, even an app to organize everything and for easy referral on the trip. They asked us many questions in the planning stage and worked with our personal tastes and likes. They are familiar with the cities as well as the off-the-beaten path spots because they travel to Japan often. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: Boutique Japan's deep knowledge of Japan and incredible service and attention to details helped put this trip on my top 10 list. They know how to customize a trip to Japan so that it is a personal experience. I got to see so many amazing things that I was interested in -- the beauty, the traditions, the culture in cities and outside cities, a little history, a lot of delicious food, many kindnesses from the Japanese people, the shinkansen, the onsen, and so much more. It was a trip I'll cherish for a long time. Thank you, Andres, Vanessa and Boutique Japan!

Fantastic experience: Thank you again for organization of our recent trip to Japan. It went off without a hitch – all of the logistics worked and the app, which I used extensively, was very helpful in getting ourselves organized for each day. Everyone that was supposed to meet us was where they were supposed to be and at the time agreed. Overall a successful trip – we were impressed with Japan and enjoyed the opportunity, primarily through our guides, to get to know and understand Japan and the Japanese people better.

Fantastic experience: Boutique Japan is the best...they very professional, knowledgeable and caring every step of the way. Our trip was so perfect from initially working with Roni and then Piper and the rest of the team. The travel arrangements were awesome and communicated so very clearly. The Axus app was terrific. Every time I thought about what to do somewhere (when there was "free" time) the answer was right there in the materials they sent us (as if they knew that's what I would be wondering right at that time). For example, the second morning in Kyoto I woke up super early with jet lag. And, of course, our Boutique Japan materials suggested an early morning visit to Fushimi Inari to beat the crowds. I got there and it was truly empty and very peaceful. The guides they work with are very special as well. We saw sides of Japan the average tourist just cannot see without an insider. Thanks for everything. We will tell everyone about Boutique Japan.

Fantastic experience: My husband and I just returned from an amazing trip to Japan. I had researched many travel agencies but, after I came across Boutique Japan, I knew very soon that this was the best one. Andres the founder is so knowledgeable and knows almost every corner. He was a pleasure to work with. After all the planning he assigned Piper to us to fine tune the trip and she was fantastic. Boutique Japan initially asked many questions and customised the trip to our personalities and interests. For example we told them we loved art, so they arranged a trip to Naoshoma, the art island, which was an exquisite gem. We stayed in beautiful hotels and ryokans, tailored to our desires, and went to many untouristy neighborhoods and restaurants. Everything was perfect. We have travelled extensively, but have never had a travel experience like this. The detailed planning and organization was extraordinary. We were totally at ease the entire trip because we knew we were taken care of every step of the way. The guides and transportation were outstanding and extremely reliable. Each guide seemed to have been individually chosen to match our needs. While we were there Japan had two typhoons. We thought they may affect us, but Boutique Japan was monitoring them and was ready to make alternative plans for us if necessary. We are incredibly grateful to Andres and Piper who made this trip the best ever.

Fantastic experience: We absolutely loved our trip. I fell in love with Tokyo and am secretly hoping I can convince my sister or friend to visit soon so I can go with them to see more of the neighborhoods we missed this time around. Each guide was very, very well-matched with the type of tour they gave. After each tour it was undeniable that we got more out of the experience by having an expert with us. In general: I didn’t want to leave (although it is good to be home and back with the dogs), I definitely want to go back, it was super easy to get around (much less intimidating than I had anticipated) and I had no idea how good the food would be (freshest ingredients around).

Fantastic experience: I have to say how impressed I am with all of you and your company. We definitely felt like it was the best experience we have ever had and we could not have done it with you. Your attentiveness was amazing and we always felt safe. Honestly you guys did such a great job that there is nothing you could have done better in my eyes. I really enjoyed talking to the guides about the history and culture and they were all very knowledgeable. Richard enjoyed their knowledge on the local cuisine of course.

Fantastic experience: "First of all, it was fabulous. We had such a wonderful time! You accommodated us so well with all different kinds of activities and were very responsive to our needs. I have worked with other very large companies, and I really appreciated the kind of personal attention you get with a smaller operation. Japan is so modern, yet so culturally different than the US. It was an amazing and enlightening experience. We would go back. We will highly recommend you to all of our friends!"

Fantastic experience: The length of our trip, the destination selections, the organized activities, and the amount of free time were just right for a first visit. All the hotels and guides were informed of our 40th anniversary and everyone embraced it quite enthusiastically. It was really over the top, but much appreciated....The fuss was really a pleasure! The value of the memories was priceless.

Fantastic experience: My wife and I cannot say enough great things about Boutique Japan. They planned the greatest trip for us, with special attention to our particular interests and desires. If you're looking for a full service trip planning team, where every single aspect is curated perfectly, you need to work with Boutique Japan.

Fantastic experience: Our trip to Japan was an amazing success. We enjoyed visiting every area on our itinerary and used a lot of your suggestions on what to see. The itinerary you gave us was amazingly planned, and we were met everywhere by your guides. It really eliminated any stress in travelling. Guides during our tours were all very friendly and personable. They each offered a nice perspective on the cities we visited and it was great to get insight on how locals live, their day to day etc. Thanks again to you and Andres and whoever helped us though out planning and during our trip. We really loved the service you guys provide!

Fantastic experience: Boutique Japan has made our trip to Japan brilliant and totally unforgettable. I have been to Japan many times, even studied there for some time. The experience from this trip is still right at the top of my list, in terms of accommodation, arrangement (everyone's happy!), and food (two thumbs up!!). Thank you very much for giving us this great trip! Wow! We still can't stop talking about it."

Fantastic experience: "We had an extraordinary experience. You listened carefully to our interests and created a detailed and varied itinerary which reflected those interests. The selected guides ranged from very good to excellent with no disappointments. The hotel accommodations...and the ryokan were really top rate and the organization of the travel, advance ticketing and descriptions were above 'A+'. And, we must not forget that you arranged for nearly perfect weather for 17 days. Not quite sure how you did that. We consider ourselves as having been very, very fortunate to have taken our first dip into Japan and its culture. We met so many truly lovely people along the way. We cannot wait to return to Japan and we thank each of you for all of your wonderful planning."

Fantastic experience: "You organized a great trip. The hotels, guides, train connections, etc were outstanding, and everything came off very smoothly.We are probably going to visit Japan again in a couple of years, especially Hokkaido, and will have you arrange our trip."

Fantastic experience: My experience with Boutique Japan couldn’t have been any better. From my initial conversation with Andres, through the back-and-forth about the itinerary with Piper, to the last-minute changes because of a typhoon hitting Japan, they were well-informed, thorough and responded quickly to questions and requests. They really listened when my husband and I described the kind of trip we wanted, and they structured it to suit our preference for seeing out-of-the-way places in addition to the usual tourist stops. Their planning created a stress-free experience for us. Over the course of a three-week trip, our transportation connections worked perfectly, our guides were well-informed and pleasant company, our city hotels were perfectly located and our ryokans were all charming in their own ways. Their sightseeing recommendations led us to places we may not have discovered on our own. I'd be a repeat customer if we ever go back to Japan.

Fantastic experience: Boutique Japan lived beyond all our expectations! Our itinerary was totally personalized. They took care of every detail from purchasing train tickets,helping select hotels and choosing fantastic guides. If you are going to Japan it would be a mistake not to choose Boutique Japan.

Fantastic experience: My wife Alison and I found Boutique Japan while researching and planning our 20th anniversary trip. We are experienced travelers, but between busy work lives and kids, it had been a while since we had the chance to take a special trip together alone. We have wide-ranging interests and from the beginning realized that our contacts at Boutique Japan (mainly Piper and Andres) understood what we were asking for. We had been interested in Japan for a long time, and speaking with them helped us clarify what we wanted to do, and where to go. Because it was such an important trip, we needed everything to be perfect. They understood this and took care of all the details, including guide escorts to drop us off and pick us up at bullet train stations, killer hotels and ryokans (the Oval at Benesse House was one of the most incredible places we have ever stayed), and brilliant guides who took us to amazing, off-the-beaten-path spots.

Fantastic experience: We worked with Boutique Japan for a 12-day whirlwind trip to Japan in November for my husband and myself. (yes, I'm a little behind with this review, sorry guys!) I am actually someone who loves to research and plan trips, but knew I didn't have the time to do it as thoroughly as this once-in-a-lifetime warranted. They helped us create an incredible trip that revolved around our interests, budget, and accommodation preferences. Our trip involved 1 to 3 nights in each city, including the Hokkaido region. So logistically, pretty extensive! Always responsive, polite, thoughtful, and informed, they were a pleasure to work with and really took the onus off me to ensure we had a fabulous trip. We were very pleased with all of the accommodations that were chosen, any organized tours/outings we did, and especially a little side trip we did to Noboribetsu that I'm not sure I would have found had I planned the trip myself. In addition to the planning, while in Japan we found everything we needed (tickets, passes, rental cars, etc.) was extremely organized and very easy to execute. I would definitely recommend Boutique Japan to anyone planning a trip to Japan. Thank you guys for everything!!

Fantastic experience: We had the rare privilege recently of spending two weeks in Japan with Andres Zuleta of Boutique Japan. Thanks to his sensitive and highly professional planning, we had a remarkable experience. With his knowledge and love of Japan we were guided in an exploration of the culture, beauty and cuisine of the country. Japan is not an easy place to understand but Andres helped us to appreciate what we were experiencing. For those interested in a fine introduction to Japan, we strongly recommend Andres and Boutique Japan. Sandy and Masayo Ragins

Fantastic experience: Japan is beautiful and clean and orderly, and not hard to navigate physically for the unfamiliar tourist. It is also a complex, many layered and highly structured culture in which there is much that is invisible to the uninformed. Boutique Japan, and its founder Andres Zuleta, addresses that gap with deep local knowledge and access to people and places that most tourists will never see. In addition, they focus each client's interests, and build carefully curated and well organized experiences based on those interests. Andres did a remarkable job supporting us on our recent trip, and making it look easy, whether we were dining in a tiny sushi restaurant or a working man's soba place, spending a day with a ceramics dealer or studying the tea ceremony and the production of green tea macha, or finding the perfect ryokan or delightful coffee shop. Did I mention our trips to the cat cafes? We recommend Andres and Boutique Japan without qualification, and will go so far as to say that going to Japan without in some way involving Boutique Japan may be a waste of time and money. Thank you, Andres. Deborah and Coley Bailey

Fantastic experience: Boutique Japan helped us plan the trip of a lifetime. They made excellent suggestions, taking into account our interests. The itinerary, the accommodations, and the guides they arranged for us were all superb. Everything went smoothly thanks to their careful planning. We really benefitted from their detailed knowledge of and passion for Japan. We highly recommend their services.

Fantastic experience: Our trip was truly amazing. Things ran very smoothly and there was a perfect variety of activities. The guides were uniformly strong and were punctual and pleasant to be with in addition to being knowledgeable and flexible. Thank you Boutique Japan for helping us plan a wonderful and memorable trip!

Fantastic experience: Thank you again for planning such a special and perfectly curated trip for us. We will definitely be recommending you to all of our friends, who now want to go to Japan after hearing about all the fun we had! We hope we will be returning to Japan again sometime soon as well.

Fantastic experience: Thanks Boutique Japan for your guidance. Even though I’ve traveled and lived in Japan (ions ago!), it was really helpful working with you. Piper and Andres had wonderful recommendations and their suggestions were always right on. I would absolutely utilize your services again.

Fantastic experience: Our Japan trip was magical and ranks as our most favorite destination to date.  Much of that magic was due to Andres, Piper and the Boutique Japan team.   Our accommodations were perfect at every stop. Takako, Kenzo and Sam were excellent guides. We loved the balance of having our guides for part of the day and then having the rest of our days to wander, discover and get lost. We will not hesitate to recommend Boutique Japan to our family and friends!

Fantastic experience: We are just settling back after a truly wonderful trip during which every aspect was quite special. The itinerary was full of highlights, superbly structured and finely organized – even down to the ‘comfortable’ 4-minute train change in Nagoya. Boutique Japan brought the team's deep knowledge of Japan to bear to develop a range of experiences that met all our objectives, and in many case exceeded them. It has provided us with a much better informed view of Japan and its wonderful people, landscapes, food, drink and history. Each location added additional layers to the context of the culture and created its own special memory. The guides assigned to us were knowledgeable and truly engaged with our interests and us and were great company. They all freely shared their knowledge and opinions and added much to our experience. Thank you for all your efforts in smoothly compiling the itinerary especially after we had to cancel the original timing and reschedule this almost identical trip in October. Thank you so much for assisting us to meet our goals for this trip in a comprehensive and delightful fashion. Boutique Japan’s service far exceeded anything we have experienced from any other agents.