Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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’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.

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.

All payments must be made in advance by credit card.

We’ll provide payment instructions and the payment deadline before your booking is confirmed.

Payment on the day is not available, so everything will be taken care of before your journey begins.

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.

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.

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.

Yes — think less like a guest and more like a new friend.

Don’t be afraid to start a conversation. People in rural Japan can sometimes seem a little shy at first, but that often changes quickly once everyone is sitting around the same table.

If someone pours you a drink, feel free to return the gesture and pour one for them too. Some Japanese people may be too polite to ask!

Try the local food and drinks if you can. Asking “What is this?” or “How do you eat this?” can be a great way to start a conversation.

And don’t worry if you don’t speak Japanese. A few words, gestures, smiles, and curiosity can go a surprisingly long way.

Our best advice? Don’t wait to be entertained. Talk, ask questions, laugh, and become part of the table.

That’s what Kanpai Meets Japan is all about.

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.

Don’t worry — it’s simpler than it may seem. Here are a few basics to help you enjoy the experience like a local.

• Take off all your clothes in the changing room. Swimsuits and underwear are generally not worn in an onsen.
• Bring a small towel with you into the bathing area.
• Before entering the bath, rinse or wash your body using the shower or kakeyu (pouring hot water over yourself).
• Keep your small towel out of the bath water. You can leave it beside the bath — or, as you may see some locals do, fold it and put it on your head.
• If you have long hair, tie it up so it doesn’t touch the bath water.
• Phones and cameras should stay out of the bathing area.
• Relax and keep conversations at a comfortable volume. An onsen is usually a quiet place.
• Before returning to the changing room, use your small towel to wipe excess water from your body.

And one last thing: don’t worry too much about doing everything perfectly. Follow the people around you, relax, and enjoy one of Japan’s favorite ways to unwind.

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.

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.

Yes. Most of our journeys begin at an easy-to-find location such as a JR station, and you’ll make your own way there.

Japan’s train system may look complicated at first, but signs and station announcements in major stations are usually available in English. Google Maps is also very useful for checking routes, platforms, and train times.

Give yourself a little extra time, especially if you need to change from a Shinkansen to a local train. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to ask station staff for help.

A few simple tips for the journey: let passengers get off before you board, keep conversations at a comfortable volume, avoid talking on the phone inside the train, and be mindful of large luggage.

And don’t worry — once you arrive at the meeting point, we’ll be there to welcome you. That’s where your Kanpai Meets Japan journey really begins.

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.

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.

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.

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.