Japan Without the Tour Bus Crowds

Independent travel planning for authentic experiences - without the crowds, gift shops, or tour group flags.

Dreading Japan's Overtourism Crowds?

Sensoji at noon. Fushimi Inari with a thousand other people. The "hidden gem" that's now on every Instagram feed. The spot with a 45 minute line to exit through the gift shop.

You want the onsen tucked in the mountains. The neighbourhood temple without the crowds. The old-school kissaten run by the same owner since the 60s.

But finding those places - and planning a trip around them - takes hours of research, endless tabs, and somehow still missing the good stuff.

Trip Planning for Thoughtful, Independent Travellers

We're creating tools for independent travellers who want to go deeper. Plan trips around your interests - ukiyo-e, onsen culture, castle architecture, handicrafts, day hikes, autumn leaves off the beaten path.

Plan trips that match how you actually want to travel - at your pace, focussed on what fascinates you.

Coming soon

  • Curated locations vetted for authenticity, avoiding the tourist traps
  • Trip planning that optimizes for your interests and pace
  • Honest takes on what's worth your time - and what to skip

Explore Our Location Guides

While we build the planning tools, browse our growing collection of honest, opinionated guides to temples, shrines, onsen, and neighbourhoods across Japan.