Let’s travel to Japan together!
“I want to go to Japan, but there is so much information out there that I don’t know where to start.”
“I am very busy and don’t have the time to plan a trip.”
“All the information I want is in Japanese, so I cannot do my research.”
“I don’t want to go to the usual spots that regular tours offer. I want to go to Instagrammable spots that my favorite creator goes to.”
These are some of the concerns I got from my followers over time.
So, in 2022, I have decided to start hosting group trips to Japan!
Hi, nice to meet you!! My name is Ana, and I love Japan!
I have been living in Japan for the past seven years, three years as an international student going to one of Japan’s most prestigious universities, and working here for the past four years.
I love traveling around Japan and am currently on my way to conquering all 47 prefectures of Japan. But I am not in a rush to complete this goal because I like discovering each prefecture in-depth and finding as many hidden gems as possible. In total, I have been to more than 500 places around Japan!
Some of you already know me from Instagram or YouTube!
Bio
Born in Romania, I came to Japan for the first time at 21 years old as an exchange student at Waseda University with the MEXT (Japanese Government) scholarship.
After one year, I returned to Romania to finish my undergraduate studies. I graduated from the University of Bucharest with a thesis about Haruki Murakami. Applied for a master’s program at Waseda University and again under the MEXT scholarship and was selected as the only Romanian, along with 13 other applicants from all over the world.
After graduating, I continued to live in Japan and explore the beauty of this country.
I started sharing my journey on Instagram and my blog in 2015, where I gathered a fantastic community of Japan lovers. In 2023, I achieved the milestone of 100,000 followers on Instagram and got my YouTube channel monetized.
The reason why I decided to start hosting group trips is simple.
I want to share Japan’s beauty by visiting places you won’t see on regular tours.
Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Japan, so after the success of my March trip, I decided to host another trip in November to enjoy the beauty of autumn in Japan together.
Researching the best places in Japan and going by yourself is complicated and time-consuming.
What is a group trip?
An organized trip where you meet a group of travelers who booked the same trip. They often include a trip leader, local guide, driver, etc. Everything has been taken care of for you, so you can sign up and enjoy.
3 Reasons
Here are three reasons why you should join my group trip to Japan:
1. You will go together with others so you can safely enjoy the experience of visiting Japan
2. Even if you are shy, you can meet other Japan lovers and make new friends with similar interests
3. A knowledgeable, professional guide and experienced host (me!) will know the local language and help you understand the locations and experiences on the itinerary
Other reasons:
- Compared to local travel agencies from your country, where all the participants will be from the same country, on this group trip, participants will be from all over the world
- There will be many opportunities to interact with your guide, host, and other group members
- People with similar interests will join
- A local travel agency will do all the planning
- A Facebook group will be made before the trip where you can interact with other participants and get to know each other better
- Knowledgeable local guides who are passionate about their job and help you understand the local culture
- Meet new friends
- Have your photos taken by an experienced photographer (and Instagrammer!)
- Get a local’s insights into the best spots to visit
- Ask me all your questions before the trip either on the group chat or directly
- Get Instagrammable photos and Instagram insights if you are interested
- Learn how to take better photos yourself
- You don’t have to reserve transport, accommodation, or restaurants during busy seasons in Japan
- Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Japan
- Be able to visit Japan during the best time
- Make memories that you will remember even 10 or 20 years later
- If you join together with your partner, you’ll be able to strengthen your relationship by traveling together
- See places you have seen in movies and feel like the main character
- From the moment you arrive at the airport, a transfer to the city is included, so you only need to come to Japan and enjoy
Here are three unique benefits you get if you join NOW:
1. Photo session by Ana
During the trip, I will take as many photos of you as you wish, either with my camera or with your phone/camera. Using my ten years of photography experience, I’ll ensure you get the best shots. One photo session with a photographer in Japan is at least 50.000 JPY/ hour, but you will get this as a service from me besides everything else included in the trip.
2. Invitation to a private Facebook group
The chance to interact with other group trip participants and meet fellow Japan lovers before the trip. You can share where your passion for Japan began and what you wish to see and experience most during the trip. Interacting with other participants before the trip starts will make you feel like you already know each other on the first day!
3. Ask me anything before and during the trip
I will answer all your concerns before the trip to the best of my abilities and do further research in Japanese if needed to help you feel at ease.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the trip include?
The trip includes accommodations, transportation between cities, listed meals, and guided activities relevant to the theme.
Trip Inclusions
- Double occupancy in 3-star hotels
- Local Guide throughout trip
- All city transfers
- Arrival airport transfer (until 6 pm on the first day)
- Departure airport transfer (morning of last day)
Trip Activities
- Dinner with a Maiko
- Higashiyama Walking Tour
- Guided Kiyomizudera Temple Visit
- Guided Yasaka Shrine Visit
- Traditional Tea Ceremony
- Gion District Walking Tour
- Todai-ji Temple Visit
- Nara “Deer” Park Stroll
- Kasuga Taisha Shinto Shrine Visit
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Tenryu-ji Temple
- Hozugawa River Yakatabune Boat Tour
- Ryoan-ji and Kinkaku-ji Guided Visit
- Nijo Palace Tour
- Fushimi Inari Tour
- Uji Tea Shopping and Byodo-in
- Osaka Castle Tour
- Abeno Harukas Observatory Admission
- Shinsekai and Dotonbori Walking Tour
Optional Activities
- Arashiyama Rickshaw Ride (optional)
Does the trip include flights?
Flights are not included. Most participants come from different countries, so you can book a flight ticket with your favorite airline. The trip starts in a major city with an international airport. You can continue the adventure solo after the group you wish!
Is food included?
Welcome dinner, farewell dinner, and daily breakfasts are included. You can choose other meals based on your preferences, or we can go together as a group, and I can assist with making reservations.
What are the accommodations like?
The hotels where we stay will be 3-star hotels close to a popular train station with good access to drugstores, convenience stores, and other useful shops nearby. Japanese hotels usually include sleepwear, towels, and amenities such as toothbrushes, hair combs, razors, slippers, sometimes even bath salts, and skincare essentials, so you don’t have to worry about these. The hotel can differ from the one written in the itinerary, but the standard will be maintained. During my March group trip, we upgraded to a hotel with an onsen (hot spring) in Kyoto. It is not guaranteed that the hotel we stay at this time will have this facility, but in case it does not have an onsen and you wish to experience it, I can take everyone interested to my favorite onsen in Kyoto!
How many travelers will be on the trip?
Anywhere from 8 to 24 participants.
What does flying in and out look like?
A: This time, you can fly directly to Kansai International Airport (KIX), from where airport transfers will be arranged. When the trip ends, airport transfers will also be arranged back to KIX, but you can choose to continue the trip.
Where do I meet everyone?
You will have the chance to meet participants before the trip by joining the private Facebook group made for this trip, and face to face, and you will meet during the welcome dinner on the first day.
Who will be my roommate?
Unless you select a single supplement at booking for an additional cost, you’ll share a twin occupancy accommodation. You will be matched with someone of the same gender unless you request a roommate. To request a roommate, make sure both you and your roommate add each other’s names to the “Special Requests” section at booking or email at hi@trovatrip.com.
Can I join by myself?
Absolutely! Don’t feel pressured to find someone to join you on a trip. Part of this experience is meeting other travelers from around the world and enjoying beautiful Japan together!
Is insurance included?
TrovaTrip does not offer insurance for Travelers, but we strongly recommend purchasing protection before any trip. WorldNomads.com is our go-to recommendation for trip insurance. They provide coverage options on things like:
- Emergency medical, dental, and transportation expenses
- Protection for your baggage
- Coverage for your gear
- Much more
Click here to learn more.
Testimonials
Finally, let me share a few testimonials from travelers who joined the March 2023 trip:
“Ana’a group tour was amazing and I had a wonderful time sight seeing and trying new foods. She was amazing with answering all our questions and was incredibly helpful. The tour guides were very welcoming and informative. You could see how much they love their job and how they love sharing their culture. I would recommend this trip to anyone interested in visiting Japan in the future.”
Meredith
“I was very excited to visit Japan for the first time and also a bit scared to go on my own that’s why I decided to join the group trip with Ana and Trovatrip. I am beyond happy that I made this decision! I got to do so many things and meet such nice people. Many activities such as the dinner with a Meiko would not have been possible to experience without this organized trip. I loved the food tours in Tokyo and Osaka, we got to fully experience the Japanese culture and food, it was delicious😍. Ana is a wonderful person and I recommend anyone who wants to discover Japan to go with her and Trovatrip. Also she would definitely help you get the perfect pictures for your Instagram 😉”
Solenn
“As someone who is very shy and wanted to visit Japan for longest time, gave me the courage to join Ana on her group tour. With the help of Ana making a reservation to the Haute Couture cafe, I was able to experience a lovely quiet cherry blossom theme cafe. The food was amazing and the dessert made it all more delicious. From going to shrines, and temples our guide was very informative about us learning the history of japan. My favorite being the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine( tori gates). I got to experience walking through these beautiful oranges gates and taking in the spectacular nature around me. If you like walking, sight seeing and eating delicious food I recommend you to join Ana’s group tour. She takes the best pictures and is very insightful😊 overall met my expectations!”
Miriam
P.S.
When I first came to Japan in 2015, I traveled mainly solo, and I often felt like I wanted to share these beautiful travel memories with someone.
That is why the driving force behind doing group tours are messages I received from participants “As someone who is very shy and wanted to visit Japan for longest time, gave me the courage to join Ana on her group tour.”, “I was very excited to visit Japan for the first time and also a bit scared to go on my own that’s why I decided to join the group trip with Ana and Trovatrip.”
That is why if you also visit Japan but don’t want to go alone or don’t have time to plan everything by yourself, I invite you to join my group trip.
I recently received a message from an older lady “My age doesn’t allow me to travel anymore, but I am happy to see beautiful places in Japan through your photos and videos. Thank you for sharing them with us.”
I wish I could show her these beautiful places in person as well.
You only live once!
I will do my best to make this trip an unforgettable one for you!
