Profile photo for Irish S.
1604 messages

Irish S.

Greetings, fellow traveler!

We focus on crafting tailor-made travel planning for individuals, couples, groups, and families. Depending on what you want – we will provide everything within your budget.

With every reservation that we make, we give special attention to exactly what our clients are looking for and what is important to them. Special activities? Great food? Special interests? Relaxation? Let us know and we will tell you how to turn your Japan dreams into reality!

There’s nothing we love more than making travel arrangements and sending people off to explore and enjoy Japan and its culture. We hope that you, too, share this passion with us.

Do not hesitate to contact us when you are planning your dream trip.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"The Land of the Rising Sun! Japan. We can cater to places anywhere in Japan. We specialize in offering a customized itinerary, specific to our client's travel requirements and needs. "

How did you get involved in travel?

"I was given the chance to travel to New Zealand for work and was lucky to be able to travel the key cities both in the North and South Islands. The experience became an eye-opener on how travel can expand and broaden your horizon.

While the Coronavirus Pandemic is on a high, I was also given a chance to work with Japan's travel sector. It's a little bit ironic considering the effect brought by the pandemic on the travel industry but there's nothing to complain only gratitude. I am thankful enough for the opportunity to be part of Japan Travel's dynamic and diverse team, who are expert in what they do.

Japan is a beautiful country and knowing about it more and more, there's no way out but to keep falling for it - its landscape, culture, food, experiences, people, and a whole lot more. With that being said, travel indeed opens great doors of discoveries, it has the power to bring people together, open minds and hearts, and create lasting memories. "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"Dunedin caught me by surprise, I thinks its NZ's South Island's underrated gem. The city is is full of contrast and characters. Its stunning, marvelous and grand architecture is unforgettable. I'll never forget as well the hike and climb at Mount Manganui in Tauranga together with my university bestie. "

Irish is part of the following groups: Japan Travel Agents
Young women preparing to dance at a Hiroshima festival
6 Best Local and Cultural Experiences in Japan

If you want to make friends on your trip to Japan, show an interest in Japanese culture—even younger generations are eager to share their heritage. The country's top cultural activities happen year-round, so you'll have no trouble taking part. From local festivals to cat cafés, there's something in this list for every traveler.

Japan's Traditional temples illuminated at night
10 Days in Japan - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With 10 days in Japan, you can choose to tour Japan's major cities—Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. Or get away from the bright lights and crowds, choosing a trip through Japan's natural wonders, from towering bamboo groves to mountain peaks to rivers lined with cherry blossom trees. If you're traveling with children, consider a family-friendly journey that includes a visit to a ninja theme park and a ride on one of the world's steepest roller coasters. Adventure seekers might follow in the footsteps of samurai on a self-guided walking tour of the Nakasendo Trail.

A quiet street in Kyoto
2 Weeks in Japan - 5 Unique Itineraries

With two weeks to spend in Japan, you can go on a classic tour around the country's highlights—including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima—or opt for an itinerary that focuses specifically on culture and history. Travelers with children love a family-oriented tour featuring hands-on activities, like sushi-making classes and a samurai sword-fighting course, plus visits to two major theme parks. Adventurous visitors opt for an off-the-beaten-path journey around Japan's hidden gems or an active trip around the country's wintry landscapes.

Best of Old and New Japan
Best of Old and New Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto, & More - 14 Days

The combination of historic and modern beauty makes Japan the ideal vacation destination. On this journey of old world-meets-new world, you will explore the progressive city of Tokyo, along with strolling through pockets of old Japan. Excursions into the hot springs of Gero Onsen and the gardens of Kanazawa will allow you to experience the preservation of nature. Even still, you can channel Japan’s past–in present-day–by taking up residency in a thatched-roof farmhouse in Shirakawa-go, connecting with long-time local artisans in Takayama, and exploring the ancient temples of Kyoto.

.
7 Must-See Museums in Japan

Japan’s museums aren't all serious affairs. Sure, some of them deal with classic museum topics like art and history—but many go for the charming, quirky, or downright bizarre, focusing on collections that are so obscure, you won't find them anywhere else in the world. Visit the seven spots in this list to catch a unique exhibition or to check out the extraordinary architecture,

Recent trip reviews for Irish

fabulous time in tokyo!
Japan | Dec 19 - Dec 23, 2022

Brianna
Brianna D.
Canada | Reviewed on Dec 27, 2022

We had a wonderful time. Irish was fabulous planning everything and Shegao was just wonderful. I would recommend them to anyone visiting Japan! read more

We had a wonderful time. Irish was fabulous planning everything and Shegao was just wonderful. I would recommend them to anyone visiting Japan!

Hotel Review
Peninsula Hotel Tokyo
Tokyo

luxury hotel with fabulous breakfast and service

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Tokyo Full Day Tour
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arrive in Tokyo, Free Day!
Tokyo
Sanrio Puroland
Tokyo
Free Day in Tokyo
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Explore Asakusa
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tokyo Departure
Japan
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Irish S.

Good help in planning, but at high cost
Japan | Nov 10 - Nov 16, 2022

Vadim
Vadim L.
Sunnyvale, CA | Reviewed on Nov 22, 2022

1. Use Kimkim only if you have no idea about the country, like I did with Japan. Irish was very helpful and suggested Hakone, which was a lovely place.
2. Be prepared to pay almost double for your trip, compared to doing it yourself. I saw the price and there was a sticker shock, but I decided to still let Irish have her pay since she did a lot of work already.
3. Give them a lot of time! For example time difference between Japan and US is 13 hrs. So it takes 1/2 a day for the email to be... read more

1. Use Kimkim only if you have no idea about the country, like I did with Japan. Irish was very helpful and suggested Hakone, which was a lovely place.
2. Be prepared to pay almost double for your trip, compared to doing it yourself. I saw the price and there was a sticker shock, but I decided to still let Irish have her pay since she did a lot of work already.
3. Give them a lot of time! For example time difference between Japan and US is 13 hrs. So it takes 1/2 a day for the email to be answered.
4. Be careful in choosing your "price range". Select "mid-range" only if $300 a night hotels are ok with you.
Overall I appreciate the help in initial planning. Irish was very meticulous and tried hard to meet all our special requests. The support "on the ground" was spotty though. The "limo taxi" that was supposed to meet us at the airport never connected with us and it took Kimkim an hour to answer our call. By that time we were already in the taxi that we hired ourselves. It took them 1/2 hour to an hour to answer our calls each time. So this is not an emergency service. They may have the same problem as everybody else - not enough people willing to work?
Local knowledge was still worth it. Irish suggested JR pass (a weekly bullet train ticket) which was very convenient to have. The Suica card for local trains, subway etc. was also a great suggestion.
Our local guide in Hakone, Mr. Shigeo Ishibashi (a retired engineer) is a great person and we enjoyed talking to somebody local and asking all the "cultural difference" questions!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Sunroute Ginza
Tokyo

Don't choose the smallest room unless you're traveling alone! Or unless you're newlyweds and don't mind VERY close quarters! :)

Location
It's in Ginza about 15 min walk from Tokyo station.
Staff
Very helpful. The breakfast "hostess" helped us with directions and answered all questions despite of being VERY buisy!
Cleanliness & Comfort
VERY clean!
Ajisai Onsen Ryokan
Hakone

Great property in a tiny "park" of it's own! Next to an antique "museum".

Authenticity & Character
A real traditional Japanese ryokan with onsen. Real Japanese food for breakfast, if you want it.
Location
Beautiful if small property on a quiet street.
Staff
Very helpful and nice!
Cleanliness & Comfort
In our traditional Japanese room there were extra futons that I used to be more comfortable sleeping on the floor. Very clean.
SAKURA TERRACE THE GALLERY
Kyoto

3 minute walk from Kyoto Station! Great open air modern "lobby". Welcome drinks.

Authenticity & Character
Ver nice modern design.
Location
3 minute walk from Kyoto Station!
Staff
Helpful in all respects.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable
Activity Reviews
Hakone Museum of Art
Hakone

The art museum itself is ok for a small town, but hard to compare to big city museums. But the park around it is wonderful. Japanese come there in November to admire the beautiful colors of autumn. Many dress in kimonos which they rent for the occasion. They even dress up their kids, very cute!

Quality of Experience
Beautiful traditional Japanese garden.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mr. Shigeo Ishibashi san was great pleasure to talk to.
Hiking at Fushimi Inari Shrine
Kyoto

The "tunnels" made up of thousands of tori gates are amazing. So are the shrines and the gardens!

The Sumida Hokusai Museum
Tokyo

A must see for any Hokusai art lover. The exposition itself may not have all the originals, but it's so well organized! His life's timeline, different periods in his art. They even animated some of his "dancing" cartoons. There's "find the Fuji" activity for kids (great fun for adults too)!

Local specialist: Irish S.
Irish
Irish S.
Local specialist in Tokyo | Reviewed on Nov 28, 2022

Konnichiwa Vadim!

Thank you so much for taking time to provide a detailed review! I am glad that I still have been of great help despite a few setbacks especially with your taxi limo upon arrival, but I can see that nevertheless you were able to enjoy your time in Japan and I’m glad to hear about it. It was my pleasure to plan and assist you and Tatyana! Take care and keep traveling!