Frequently Asked Questions

Planning a journey or experience with Kanpai Meets Japan?

Here you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about our journeys and experiences, from planning and booking to prices, language, meals, and what to expect along the way.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to get in touch. Every journey is different, and we’re happy to help.

About the Journey

What makes Kanpai Meets Japan different from a typical travel company?

Kanpai Meets Japan starts with people, not places.

Rather than simply arranging visits to well-known sights, we create journeys around the local people we have come to know through years of traveling and working across Japan.

Our journeys are shaped by these personal relationships, giving travelers the chance to spend time with local people, share meals and conversations, and experience everyday life in a way that would be difficult to arrange on their own.

For us, the people you meet are not just part of the itinerary. They are the reason for the journey.

What types of journeys and experiences do you offer?

Kanpai Meets Japan offers three ways to experience Japan through its people.

Private Tours are small, personalized journeys that can be planned around your interests, schedule, and travel style.

Group Tours are scheduled journeys with set dates and itineraries, where you can travel and share experiences with other guests.

Local Experiences are shorter experiences that let you meet local people and discover the food, culture, and everyday life of a particular place.

Whichever you choose, meeting local people is at the heart of the experience.

Who will we meet?

You’ll meet our friends and local partners across Japan — people such as sake brewers, farmers, fishermen, artisans, inn owners, chefs, and local guides who are part of everyday life in their communities.

Many of these relationships have been built over years through our own travels and work across Japan.

They are not simply people who provide an experience. They are people we genuinely want you to meet.

Planning & Booking

How do I book a journey or experience?

The booking process depends on what you choose.

For Private Tours, select the journey that interests you and use the Start Planning button on that journey’s page. Tell us your travel dates, group size, interests, and any special requests. We’ll review your request and work with you to plan the details.

There is no charge for your initial inquiry or for receiving a proposed itinerary and quote.

Once you’re happy with the proposed itinerary and price, we’ll guide you through the booking process. Your booking is confirmed only after you agree to the details and complete the required booking procedure.

For Group Tours and Local Experiences, please follow the booking or inquiry information provided on each individual page.

Can I customize the itinerary?

Private Tours can be adjusted depending on your interests, schedule, and the availability of our local hosts.

The itineraries shown on our Private Tour pages are examples of what is possible, so please tell us what matters most to you when you contact us.

Group Tours and Local Experiences generally follow the itinerary or program shown on each page.

How far in advance should I contact you?

For Private Tours, we recommend contacting us as early as possible.

Many of the people you will meet have their own work and daily schedules, so arranging time with them may require advance coordination.

For Group Tours and Local Experiences, please check the dates, availability, and booking information on each page.

If you’re planning a Private Tour at short notice, feel free to contact us and we’ll let you know what may be possible.

How many people can join?

The number of participants depends on the journey or experience.

Private Tours are generally designed for small groups, while Group Tours and Local Experiences may have their own minimum and maximum numbers of participants.

Please check the individual journey or experience page for details.

Can solo travelers join?

Yes, depending on the journey or experience.

Some Group Tours and Local Experiences are available to solo travelers.

For Private Tours, arrangements for one person may also be possible. However, the per-person price is usually higher for solo travelers because many of the costs involved in creating a private journey are shared among participants.

Please check the individual page or contact us if you’re unsure.

Prices & What’s Included

How much does a journey or experience cost?

Prices vary depending on the journey or experience.

For Private Tours, the final price depends on factors such as the number of travelers, accommodation, transportation, meals, guide arrangements, and experiences included. Where possible, you’ll find a starting price on each Private Tour page.

For Group Tours and Local Experiences, please check the individual page for pricing details.

You’ll always be able to review the price before confirming your booking.

What is included in the price?

What’s included varies depending on the journey or experience.

Depending on the program, the price may include accommodation, local transportation, meals, experiences, entrance fees, and guide services.

Please check the individual page for details. For Private Tours, we’ll also clearly explain what is and isn’t included in your proposal before you confirm your booking.

Are flights to Japan included?

No.

International flights to and from Japan are not included unless specifically stated.

Our tours and experiences begin at a designated meeting point in Japan.

How and when do I pay?

Payment methods and deadlines may vary depending on the journey or experience.

We’ll provide the payment details before your booking is confirmed, so you’ll be able to review the price and conditions in advance.

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancellation policies vary depending on the journey or experience.

Any applicable cancellation terms and fees will be clearly explained before you confirm your booking.

Please check the individual tour or experience page, or the booking information provided with your proposal, for details.

Language, Food & KANPAI

Do I need to speak Japanese?

No.

You don’t need to speak Japanese to enjoy Kanpai Meets Japan.

Depending on the journey or experience, English-speaking guides or language support may be available to help you communicate with the local people you meet.

Please check the individual page for details, or contact us if you have any questions about language support.

Do I have to drink alcohol?

Not at all.

At Kanpai Meets Japan, KANPAI is more than a toast.

It’s about sharing time around the same table, starting conversations, exchanging stories, and connecting with people.

You’re always welcome to join with a non-alcoholic drink.

Can you accommodate dietary restrictions or allergies?

Please tell us about any allergies, dietary restrictions, or food preferences when you make an inquiry or booking.

Because some of our meals are prepared by small restaurants, local hosts, or families, not every request can be accommodated everywhere.

We’ll check what is possible and let you know in advance.

Can children join?

Yes, many of our journeys and experiences can be enjoyed by families with children.

Suitability depends on the individual program, as some journeys may include long travel times or activities that are better suited to adults. Visits to sake breweries or other alcohol-related locations do not necessarily mean that children cannot participate.

Please let us know the ages of your children when you contact us, and we’ll help you find a journey or experience that works for your family.

During Your Journey

Where does the journey or experience begin and end?

Meeting and ending points vary depending on the journey or experience.

You’ll find the basic meeting information on each page, and we’ll provide the exact meeting time and location before your journey or experience begins.

How will we travel during the journey?

Transportation depends on the itinerary.

Depending on the journey, we may use private vehicles, trains, buses, taxis, or walk between locations. Some Local Experiences may take place entirely within one area and require little or no transportation.

Please check the individual page for details.

What kind of accommodation will we stay in?

Accommodation is included only in tours that involve an overnight stay.

Depending on the journey, you may stay in a local hotel, traditional inn, guesthouse, renovated historic home, or other accommodation chosen to suit the experience.

Please check the individual tour page to see what accommodation is included.

What happens if the weather changes our plans?

Some activities depend on the weather, season, or the daily work of our local hosts.

If something cannot go ahead as planned, we’ll do our best to adjust the itinerary or suggest an alternative.

We’ll let you know if any significant changes are necessary.

Will someone support us during the journey or experience?

The level of support varies depending on the journey or experience.

Some tours include a guide or local host throughout the journey, while others include support only for specific parts of the program.

Please check the individual page for details. We’ll also make sure you know what kind of support is included before your booking is confirmed.

Still Have Questions?

Every journey is different, and so is every experience.

If you have a question that isn’t answered here, feel free to get in touch.

If you’ve already found a journey that interests you, please use the Start Planning button on that journey’s page so we know which journey you’re interested in.