Private days in Tokyo and Kyoto, shaped around you by a Tokyo native — invitation-only rooms, artisans who work only in Japanese, and the meaning beneath what you are seeing.
Born and raised in Tokyo, with years lived in the U.S. and Germany, I open doors most visitors — and many Japanese — never pass through: an invitation-only gallery, a tea ceremony led by a family who have kept it for generations, an afternoon in a workshop that has never taken a booking. And because I read the culture as fluently as the language, I interpret far more than words — the etiquette, the customs, the meaning beneath them — so you understand what you are standing in front of.
A day built from nothing, around you. Private throughout, with every reservation arranged and every conversation interpreted — so your only work is to be there.
Days include everything that shapes them — the first conversation, my recommendations for the days we're not together, the reservations an introduction opens, and materials for anything we make.
Hotels and transport are yours to book, though I'm always on hand to advise. Anything you choose to buy is settled directly with the maker or gallery.
A private viewing at an invitation-only gallery, with me alongside you — woven into a guided day, or arranged as a visit on its own.
We speak by video — to understand what you care about and how you like to travel, and to say hello properly.
A deposit confirms the booking and holds your dates exclusively for you.
I design the days and arrange every reservation, adjusting as I learn more about what you love. Two weeks before you travel, your itinerary and recommendations arrive together with the final invoice — nothing is asked for in between.
There is nothing left to organise, confirm, or settle. You are simply here.
Elevate redefined our Tokyo experience. The cultural insight, and the places she opened to us, made the trip.
Erika's deep cultural knowledge, shared so clearly in English, gave us a rare perspective — it felt like discovering the city through the eyes of both a local and a trusted friend.
Tell me a little about the trip you have in mind. Every inquiry is read and answered personally, usually within a few business days.
Start your inquiry