About Erika — Your Local Insider in Tokyo & Kyoto

Founder & host

Hello, I'm Erika.

I'm Japanese — born and raised in Tokyo — with time spent living in the U.S. and Germany. That multicultural upbringing gave me a rare vantage point: I understand Japan from both the inside and the outside, so I can open its doors in a way that feels natural and effortless, never overwhelming.

My world is Japan's cultural and culinary treasures — but also the quieter art of slowing down. The most memorable moments here are rarely rushed: an unhurried tea ceremony, a still garden, a meal savoured slowly. I design days that leave you not only inspired, but genuinely restored — with a sense of calm and well-being that lingers long after you've flown home.

And you don't need to know a single custom to feel at ease. Reading the culture as fluently as the language, I quietly take care of the etiquette and interpret the meaning beneath it — so you can simply be present, and enjoy.

Erika
Founder, Elevate

Why Elevate

What makes this different

Access even locals rarely have

Some of the experiences I arrange are ones even many Japanese never encounter in a lifetime — invitation-only spaces, master artisans, and moments held through years of trust.

A cultural interpreter, not just a translator

Japan runs on nuance. I interpret far more than words — the etiquette, the customs, and the meaning beneath them — so you truly understand what you're seeing.

Bridging East and West

Having lived on both sides, I know what feels unfamiliar and why — and how to make Japan feel open, effortless, and deeply personal to you.

The philosophy

Tokyo is a city of endless possibilities — I help you find the ones that matter.

With so much to explore, Japan can feel overwhelming, even for locals. My role is to cut through that — to curate experiences that are immersive, effortless, and uniquely yours, so your time here is spent on what you'll remember, not on logistics. You leave feeling restored, not run down.

Begin

Let's create a Japan experience that's uniquely yours.

Tell me a little about your trip and I'll personally be in touch. I read and reply to every inquiry myself, usually within a few business days — occasionally longer during busy stretches.

Start your inquiry