Travel Through Human Connection

Meet local people, culture, and everyday life across rural Japan.

Kanpai Meets Japan creates journeys that connect travelers with the people, culture, and everyday life of rural Japan.
We believe the most memorable part of travel is not only the places you visit, but the people you meet along the way.
Through conversations over local food and sake, time spent in small communities, and experiences shared with local hosts, we hope travelers can discover a deeper side of Japan beyond sightseeing.
Our experiences are carefully arranged with people who live and work in these regions — sake brewers, farmers, artisans, inn owners, chefs, and community members who are passionate about sharing their way of life.
Rather than simply visiting destinations, we invite you to spend meaningful time with the people who call these places home.

WHY WE STARTED

Built on Years of Human Connections Across Japan

Kanpai Meets Japan is operated by Autabi LLC, a Japan-based travel company founded in 2016 with the theme:

“Journeys to meet wonderful people across Japan.”

Since the beginning, we have focused not only on destinations, but on the people who live there — sake brewers, farmers, artisans, inn owners, chefs, and community members throughout Japan.

Over nearly a decade of traveling and collaborating with local communities, we came to believe that the most meaningful part of travel is often not simply where you go, but who you meet along the way.

Today, many travelers are searching for something deeper than sightseeing alone — genuine conversations, local culture, and experiences rooted in everyday life.

Through long-standing relationships built across rural Japan, Kanpai Meets Japan creates opportunities for travelers and local communities to truly connect.

What Makes Our Experiences Different

LOCAL CONNECTION

Meet Local People

Our experiences are hosted by people who actually live and work in the regions you visit.

PERSONAL JOURNEYS

Small & Personal

We focus on meaningful connections rather than large-scale tourism.

RURAL CULTURE

Beyond Tourist Routes

Discover rural communities, local traditions, and everyday culture across Japan.

SHARED TABLES

Food, Sake & Shared Tables

Many of our experiences include time spent around the table — sharing meals, drinks, and stories together.

Meet Our Team

We are a small team passionate about connecting travelers with local communities throughout Japan.
Together with local hosts, guides, and coordinators across the country, we create experiences centered around human connection, food, culture, and everyday life.

Masahiro Karasawa
Founder & CEO

Born in Tokyo, Masahiro founded Autabi LLC in 2016 with the theme:

“Journeys to meet wonderful people across Japan.”

He loves meeting people, local food, sake, and above all, sharing drinks and conversations around the table.

Over the years, he has traveled throughout Japan building relationships with local communities, sake brewers, farmers, artisans, and hosts across the country.

Through Kanpai Meets Japan, he hopes travelers can experience the warmth, culture, and humanity of rural Japan beyond ordinary sightseeing.

Masanori Saito
Executive Officer & CTO

Born in Tokushima Prefecture, Masanobu joined Autabi LLC in 2017 after working independently in the field of technology and consulting.

He loves exploring local culture, regional food and sake, and discovering hidden places far from typical tourist routes.

Through Kanpai Meets Japan, he supports the creation of meaningful travel experiences through technology, operations, and close collaboration with local communities across Japan.

About Us

Travel Through Human Connection