Japan, firsthand.
Private trips built from places I have stayed, eaten and explored myself. We handle the booking, the transfers and the details, so you can just go.
日本を、自分の目で。
暖簾(noren)
The curtain is an invitation.
A noren is the curtain at the door of a Japanese shop or restaurant. Walking through it means you are inside. For visitors, that step is the hard part. Many of the best places take bookings by phone, in Japanese, or only through an introduction. Trains, transfers and connections add up. Most people either give up or settle for a list from an influencer or an AI.
Noren is how you get through.
暖簾をくぐる
Two ways to travel
Walk with us, or walk ahead.
常連 (regular) Come back and you're Joren, a regular. Returning guests get first access to new places.
流れ(the way it goes)
Four steps to the doorway.
01一
Tell us about you
When, who, what you love. We know not everyone travels the same, or values seeing the same things — even in couples and families.
02二
We design the trip
We work with you to design the perfect trip, from simplifying logistics to meeting everyone's needs. Built from places we know firsthand, shaped around you.
03三
We book everything
Including the places without English sites or online booking. Some of these ask you to do our etiquette and language workshop first, to ensure a great stay for you and for future guests.
04四
You travel
The way you want, at your pace, prepared and comfortable with no stress.
* Subway rush hours excluded from no stress :)
旅路(sample trips)
Routes we know by heart.
A sample of some of our favorite places and the trips built around them. Any of them can be shortened, lengthened or combined with another.
A month in Japan by Rail
One long arc by train: cities, coast towns and the stops in between, with every seat reserved before you leave.
Long journey
Northern Samurai Onsens
The old onsen towns in the north, the ones samurai soaked in: wooden inns, sulphur water and very few other visitors.
Onsen
Overstressed Ryokan & Onsen Reset
A short stretch of ryokan and bath days for people who arrive tired. Nothing to schedule, no early starts.
Reset
Treasures of Western Japan
The temples, shrines and gardens of the west at opening time, with the crowds still behind you.
Temples and art
Eat Til You Drop Osaka
Stand-up counters, takoyaki stalls and a reservation or two you can't get online. Bring an appetite.
Food
Hokkaido "RuPow" at Rusutsu
Powder days at Rusutsu with SnoSearch, onsen the moment the lifts close, food hall at night.
Skiing
Sumo Up Close
Morning practice at a stable, a good seat at the tournament, and the rituals explained as they happen.
Sport
Snow Monkeys and a Year of Good Luck
The monkeys in the snow, a shrine blessing for the year ahead, and the old town around it.
Winter
Sake Brewery Crawl
A run of small breweries, tastings at the tank, and the makers who pour them.
Sake
Places
Where I've been.
A sample of some of our favorite places we've been. Trips range from a month to a couple of days and can be mixed and matched.
Saw something not here, or have something in mind?
Let us know
物語(story)
Why I started Noren.
The first time I got away from the tourist center, we ended up in a local neighborhood in Osaka. We stood outside a noren for a long while. Behind it was a packed, noisy restaurant, and the whole room went quiet when we walked in. Then a woman by the door cheered, and we were welcomed in. It was the best fried chicken we have ever had.
Read more
お待ちしております(we look forward to welcoming you)
Where would you like to go?
Tell us a little about your trip. We reply personally within two days.