JAPAN TRAVEL DESIGN • SINGAPORE
Thoughtfully Designed Japan Journeys Built Around Your Family, Not a Template
For families, multi-generational holidays and travellers who value thoughtful planning over packaged itineraries.
Every memorable journey is built on hundreds of connected decisions. I help you make the right ones, so your holiday flows naturally from the moment you leave home.
Not Every Japan Holiday Needs a Travel Designer. And That's Perfectly Fine.
If you’re planning five days in Tokyo…
or spending a week between Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka…
Japan is one of the easiest countries in the world to explore independently.
Hotels can be booked online in minutes.
AI can suggest attractions, recommend restaurants and even generate day-by-day itineraries. I use AI almost every day because it’s brilliant at gathering information quickly.
There are countless blogs, YouTube videos and travel forums sharing ideas.
If that sounds like your trip, you probably don’t need Epic Travel Designer.
And I genuinely mean that.
But some journeys are different.
Not because Japan is difficult.
Because your journey deserves to be thoughtfully designed.
Perhaps you’re travelling with ageing parents who need a slower pace.
Or young children with very different energy levels.
Maybe you’re bringing together three generations, where everyone has different expectations of the same holiday.
Perhaps you’re celebrating a milestone birthday, retirement, anniversary or family reunion.
Or maybe you’re travelling beyond the usual tourist route, across multiple prefectures where trains, ferries, regional flights, rental cars and carefully chosen accommodation all need to work together seamlessly.
You've probably already done your research.
You’ve saved Instagram posts.
Watched YouTube videos.
Read travel blogs.
Asked AI for ideas.
Maybe you’ve even sketched out your own itinerary.
But how do you know you’re making the right decisions?
Will changing hotels every night become exhausting?
Should you drive this section or take the train?
Is this ryokan suitable for your parents?
Will your family enjoy this pace?
What happens if one part of the journey changes?
That's where thoughtful travel design becomes valuable.
Not because the information isn’t available.
It is.
The challenge isn’t finding information.
The challenge is applying informed judgement to connect that information into one journey that works beautifully for you.
That’s what I do.
I don’t claim to know secret places that nobody else can find.
Most of the destinations, attractions and hotels I recommend can probably be found online.
My role isn’t to give you more information.
My role is to apply experience and informed judgement to connect that information into one seamless journey.
I take your ideas, your priorities, the people you’re travelling with, your travel style, your celebrations and your constraints…
…and design a journey where every decision supports the next.
Choose the right base, and the journey becomes more relaxed.
Choose the right accommodation, and your parents enjoy every evening instead of struggling with stairs or sleeping on tatami mats.
Choose the right transport, and the holiday flows naturally instead of feeling rushed.
Individually, they’re just small decisions.
Together, they define your entire holiday.
Over the years, I’ve realised that the best journeys rarely come from making one brilliant decision.
They come from making hundreds of good decisions that quietly support one another.
My job is to make those decisions with you, so you can travel with confidence from the moment you leave home.
Because information tells you what is possible.
Judgement determines what is right for you.
The Journeys I Design Best
Over the years, I’ve realised something.
The people who enjoy working with me aren’t looking for someone to tell them where to go.
Most already know.
What they’re looking for is someone who can take everything they’re hoping for and turn it into one seamless journey.
You will probably enjoy working with me if your journey looks something like this.
You Probably Enjoy Working With Me If...
Multi-generational family holidays
Travelling with grandparents, parents and children often means balancing different walking speeds, interests and energy levels.
Special occasions
Milestone birthdays, anniversaries, retirements and family reunions deserve thoughtful planning.
Multi-region journeys
Whether it’s Kyushu, Tohoku or combining several regions, every connection needs to work seamlessly.
Special travel requirements
Mobility needs, western beds, children with different needs or simply a slower pace.
Busy people
You’ve already done the research. You’re looking for someone to connect everything into one journey that simply works.
You Probably Don't Need Me If...
• You’re planning a straightforward Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka holiday.
• You’re happy researching and making your own bookings.
• You’re simply looking for hotel recommendations.
• You’re looking for the cheapest package available.
And that’s perfectly okay.
The Epic Travel Designer Method
Every journey I design begins with one simple belief.
A great holiday isn’t built on great destinations. It’s built on great decisions.
When planning a simple holiday, many decisions can be made independently.
But once your journey involves multiple destinations, different modes of transport, ageing parents, young children, special occasions or unique travel needs, every decision becomes connected.
That’s where thoughtful travel design begins.
1. Every Journey Begins with People
Before I recommend a destination, hotel or route, I want to understand the people taking the journey.
Who’s travelling? How do you like to travel? What made your previous holidays memorable? Are you celebrating something special? Will anyone have mobility concerns or special requirements?
These aren’t small details. They become the foundation of every decision that follows.
2. Every Decision Is Connected
Hotels, transport and experiences are never independent decisions.
One choice influences the next. The hotel you choose affects your transport. Your transport influences your daily pace. Your pace determines how enjoyable the journey becomes.
That’s why I don’t choose hotels based on photos or ratings alone. I choose them based on how they support the journey as a whole.
3. Designing Beyond the Bookings
Most people plan a holiday by booking flights, hotels and attractions.
I begin differently.
I start by designing how the journey should flow. How many nights should you stay? Should you drive or travel by train? Would one extra night create a more enjoyable pace?
Only after those decisions have been made do the bookings begin.
4. Designing for the Unexpected
No matter how carefully a holiday is planned, unexpected things can happen.
Flights are delayed. Weather changes. Transport is disrupted. Plans evolve.
That’s why my role doesn’t end once your bookings are confirmed. If circumstances change before or during your journey, I’ll work behind the scenes to reconnect the pieces and help you move forward with confidence.
5. Travel With Confidence
Ultimately, this is what my clients are investing in.
Confidence.
Not confidence that everything will go perfectly.
Confidence that every important decision has already been thoughtfully considered before they leave home.
Because information tells you what is possible.
Judgement determines what is right for you.
Stories Behind the Journey
After designing journeys for many years, I’ve realised clients rarely remember every hotel or every attraction.
What they remember is how the journey made them feel.
Relaxed. Connected. Understood.
These are some of the journeys that reminded me why thoughtful travel design matters.
Every itinerary tells you where a client went.
These stories explain the thinking behind the journey.
They aren’t about famous attractions or beautiful hotels.
They’re about the hundreds of connected decisions that quietly shape a holiday—most of which clients never see.
Because great journeys aren’t created by chance.
They’re created by making the right decisions before the journey even begins.
Will My Mum Still Get to Experience a Traditional Ryokan?
When the enquiry first came in, it sounded like many family holidays.
Eight family members, three generations.
Three seniors in their 80s, including one wheelchair user.
They loved Japanese food.
They loved trains.
And they had always wanted to experience staying in traditional ryokans.
Then came the part that changed everything.
The grandparents walked very slowly.
Sleeping on tatami mats wasn’t going to work.
Walking to a public onsen could become a real safety concern, especially after dark or on wet floors.
Most people would have looked for a beautiful ryokan.
I had to look for the right ryokan.
One with western beds.
One with a private indoor bath.
One that still served exceptional kaiseki cuisine.
That combination was surprisingly rare.
It took time, but I eventually found ryokans where comfort didn’t come at the expense of authenticity.
Instead of rushing through different towns, I designed the journey around longer two-night stays.
Nearly half the accommodation was in carefully selected ryokans, giving the family time to slow down, settle in and simply enjoy being together.
The train journey was another challenge.
The family loved trains, but multiple station transfers with heavy luggage would have turned an enjoyable experience into a physically demanding one.
So we approached it differently.
Rather than travelling by train throughout the trip, I saved the scenic train journey for the final day.
Their luggage travelled separately by private transfer and was already waiting for them at the hotel.
They travelled with only a small overnight bag.
The grandmother could enjoy an exquisite kaiseki dinner in the comfort of her room.
After dinner, she could soak in a private indoor onsen without worrying about walking to a communal bath.
When it was time to sleep, a proper western bed was waiting instead of a tatami floor.
From the outside, it looked like a relaxing ryokan stay.
Behind the scenes, it was the result of dozens of connected decisions.
Sometimes the best travel design isn’t about adding more experiences.
It’s about making sure everyone gets to enjoy them.
"Can We Still Catch the Dragon Eye?"
The itinerary planning was finished.
Ten days through Aomori and Akita.
Hotels confirmed.
Driving route planned.
Everything was ready.
Then my client sent me one more message.
“I’ve just discovered the Hachimantai Dragon Eye. Can we include it?”
My first thought was…
“Oh no…”
Not because I didn’t want to.
Because I knew that one request could change the entire journey.
The Hachimantai Dragon Eye only appears for a very short period each year, usually between late May and early June, depending on how the snow melts.
The original route simply wouldn’t give them the best chance of seeing it.
So I went back to the drawing board.
Instead of squeezing it into the existing itinerary, I redesigned the entire journey.
Aomori became the first half of the trip.
Akita became the second.
The Dragon Eye was moved to the second last day of the holiday, giving nature the longest possible time to reveal itself.
Sometimes travel design isn’t about fitting another attraction into the itinerary.
It’s about giving your clients the best possible chance to experience something that only nature can decide.
When they finally stood before the Dragon Eye, it hadn’t disappointed.
Neither had the decision to redesign the journey.
Sometimes one thoughtful decision changes an entire holiday.
"There Had to Be a Better Winter Holiday"
It was their first family trip to Japan.
Three adults.
Four children.
Disneyland was non-negotiable.
So was skiing.
The family also had children with special needs.
They needed space.
They needed flexibility.
They needed a slower pace.
Most winter itineraries naturally point towards Sapporo or Niseko.
They’re wonderful destinations.
They’re also some of the busiest places in Hokkaido during peak season.
I kept asking myself one question.
“If this is the children’s very first experience of snow, do I really want them to remember crowds?”
I didn’t.
So instead of following the obvious route, I designed something different.
The family enjoyed Disneyland first before heading north, allowing the timing to work naturally with Hokkaido’s snow season.
Instead of staying in Sapporo or Niseko, I based them in Furano.
A quieter part of Hokkaido where the children had space to run, play and simply enjoy winter.
Their first touch of snow became a moment of excitement instead of standing in queues.
Beyond skiing, they floated above snow-covered fields in a hot air balloon.
Made fresh butter and cheese together.
Discovered that a winter holiday could become one of the best family bonding experiences they had shared.
Sometimes choosing the less obvious destination creates the more memorable holiday.
Experiences like these have taught me that popularity isn’t always the best measure of a destination. Sometimes the quieter choice creates the memories that last the longest.
"We've Forgotten the International Driving Permit"
Not long after landing in Osaka, my phone rang.
“We’ve got a problem.”
For a few anxious minutes, the family thought they had lost a passport before clearing immigration.
Thankfully, it was found.
Then came the real problem.
The International Driving Permit was still sitting at home in Singapore.
A few days later, they were due to begin a self-drive journey through Kyushu.
Without the IDP, driving in Japan simply wasn’t possible.
Fortunately, the itinerary had been designed with three nights in Osaka before travelling south.
There was still time.
I immediately looked into courier options, made a few calls and sent them the FedEx details.
The instructions were simple.
Have a family member courier the IDP immediately.
It should arrive within twenty-four hours.
The next evening, it arrived exactly as planned.
The holiday was back on track.
The journey to Kyushu had always been designed around an overnight ferry instead of a flight or Shinkansen.
While the family enjoyed dinner, relaxed in the onboard onsen and slept in comfortable cabins, the ferry quietly carried them towards Kyushu.
They described it afterwards as a floating hotel.
The next morning, they woke up refreshed in a new part of Japan.
Sometimes good travel design isn’t about creating the perfect itinerary.
It’s about leaving enough room for real life.
Because the best journeys aren’t those where nothing goes wrong.
They’re the ones where someone has already thought about what to do if it does.
Every Journey Starts With A Conversation
Every great journey begins with understanding the people taking it.
Let’s talk about yours.
What Clients Appreciated Most…
After every journey, I often ask clients what they enjoyed most.
Surprisingly, they rarely talk about hotel star ratings or how many attractions they visited.
Instead, they remember how smoothly everything came together.
They remember feeling relaxed.
They remember travelling with confidence.
“We were very grateful for the thoughtful planning behind our 19-day Japan journey. The entire family enjoyed the trip, and when we encountered some issues overseas, Best’s prompt response helped ease our anxiety tremendously. We’ll definitely be using Epic Travel Designer again soon.”
-Family of 4, travelled across Kansai & Hiroshima
“Our first winter adventure in Hokkaido was an unforgettable experience. Every detail was thoughtfully planned, from the wonderful hotels to practical advice like luggage forwarding. When unexpected weather affected one of our activities, Best was quick to explore alternatives and support us throughout. It was a seamless, memorable journey that our family thoroughly enjoyed.“
–Family of 4, travelled to Hokkaido in Dec
“Great customised travel experience.“
-Family of 5, 1 week self drive Northern Kyoto & Kyoto
“Our Osaka and Kyushu self-drive journey was thoughtfully designed around our family’s preferences. Every hotel felt like a wonderful surprise, and the itinerary flowed seamlessly from one destination to the next. Even the overnight ferry was carefully chosen to save valuable travelling time. Throughout the journey, we always felt well supported, allowing us to relax and simply enjoy the holiday knowing every detail had been carefully considered.“
-Family of 4, Osaka & Kyushu Self Drive
Ready To Design Your Journey?
Every journey begins with a conversation.
I’d love to hear what you’re hoping to experience.
Your Journey, Step by Step
Every memorable journey begins long before the first hotel is booked.
It begins with understanding the people behind it.
I believe time is our most valuable investment. That’s why every recommendation is made with care, not convenience.
Here’s what working together looks like.
Step 1. We Start With You
Before recommending a destination, hotel or scenic train, I want to understand the people travelling.
Who’s travelling?
What kind of holiday are you hoping for?
Are you celebrating something special?
Will anyone have different mobility or travel needs?
The better I understand you, the better I can design a journey around your family.
Step 2. Designing Your Journey
This is where the real work begins.
I take everything we’ve discussed and begin connecting the dots.
Transport.
Accommodation.
Pacing.
Experiences.
Budget.
Every recommendation is tested against one simple question:
Will this create a better journey for this family?
The result isn’t an itinerary copied from somewhere else.
It’s a journey thoughtfully designed around you.
Step 3. Your Travel Design Proposal
You’ll receive a Travel Design Proposal bringing everything together into one thoughtfully designed journey.
It explains the recommended route, pacing, accommodation concepts, transport strategy and experiences, together with the thinking behind those decisions.
We’ll review it together and refine it until it truly reflects the journey you want.
Step 4. Bringing Everything to Life
Once you’re happy with the design, I’ll bring it to life.
- Accommodation.
- Transport.
- Scenic trains.
- Experiences.
- Restaurant recommendations.
All the details working quietly together before you even leave home.
Instead of coordinating everything yourself, you’ll have one person overseeing the entire journey.
Step 5. Travel With Confidence
Even the best-planned journeys sometimes change.
Flights are delayed.
Weather changes.
Plans evolve.
That’s why my support doesn’t end when the bookings are made.
If something unexpected happens, you’ll have someone who already understands your journey and can help you move forward with confidence.
So you can spend your holiday creating memories, not solving problems.
Let's Start With A Conversation
Let’s begin with a complimentary 15-minute conversation.
Travel Design Proposal
Most clients first reach out to get clarity before deciding on the next step.
Once we’ve discussed your journey and agreed on the direction, travel design begins with a Travel Design Proposal.
This is where your journey is thoughtfully designed before any bookings are made.
Whats's Included
• Recommended travel route
• Suggested pacing and number of nights
• Accommodation concepts
• Transport strategy
• Experiences suited to your travel style
• Budget guidance
• The thinking behind every major recommendation
This isn’t a quotation or a fixed package.
It’s the first complete design of your journey, giving you the confidence to move forward knowing every recommendation has been carefully considered.
Every proposal is created exclusively for one family and one journey.
Investment
Travel Design Proposal
From SGD 750
(depending on destination and journey complexity)
If you decide to proceed with your journey, the proposal becomes the foundation for everything that follows.
Why I Charge A Proposal Fee
Every proposal is created from scratch.
It involves research, route planning, logistics, accommodation evaluation and careful decision-making long before any bookings begin.
Rather than recovering those hours through hidden mark-ups or rushed recommendations, I charge transparently for the time and judgement invested in designing your journey.
It also allows me to focus my attention on clients who genuinely value thoughtful travel design.
Let's Start With A Conversation
If you’d like to explore what’s possible for your journey, let’s start with a complimentary conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Every journey is different, but these are some of the questions I’m most often asked before we begin working together.
1. Why do you charge a Travel Design Proposal fee? Many travel agents don't.
Every memorable holiday begins with good judgement.
Before any bookings are made, I design the journey as a whole, carefully considering your travel style, priorities, budget and the people travelling with you.
A Travel Design Proposal is where that professional judgement comes together, giving you the confidence to make informed decisions before committing to your holiday.
2. Can I book my own flights?
Absolutely.
Many clients book their own international flights using airline miles, preferred airlines or personal preferences.
Once your flights are confirmed, I’ll design the rest of your journey around them.
3. Can I book my own hotels?
Generally, no.
Hotels are not independent decisions. The hotel you choose influences your transport, daily pace, luggage handling, walking distances and sometimes even the experiences available to you.
That said, if there’s a hotel you’ve always wanted to stay at, I’d love to know. If it complements the overall journey, I’ll happily incorporate it into the design.
My goal isn’t to choose every hotel for you. My goal is to make sure every decision works together.
4. Will you provide support throughout our holiday?
Yes.
Travel doesn’t always go according to plan. Flights are delayed, weather changes and unexpected situations happen.
If something arises before or during your journey, you’ll have someone who already understands your itinerary and can help you move forward with confidence.
5. Is the Travel Design Proposal fee refundable?
No.
The Travel Design Proposal is a professional service, not a booking deposit.
By the time you receive your proposal, the design work has already been completed. The value lies in the judgement, experience and thoughtful decision-making that shaped your journey, whether or not you proceed to the detailed planning stage.
6. What if I've already planned part of my trip?
That’s perfectly fine.
Most clients already know where they want to go, and many have flights booked before speaking with me.
My role isn’t to replace your ideas. It’s to apply informed judgement to refine them, connect them and turn them into a journey that works beautifully from beginning to end.
7. Do you only design holidays in Japan?
Not at all.
Japan is one of my specialities, but I design custom journeys worldwide, including Switzerland, Europe, Scotland, Taiwan and other off-the-beaten-path destinations.
The design philosophy remains the same: every journey starts with the people travelling.
Every memorable journey begins the same way.
With a conversation.
Not about hotels.
Not about transport.
Not even about destinations.
About the people taking the journey.
When you’re ready, I’d love to hear about the journey you’re hoping to create.