Looking for a Japan travel specialist? The Real Japan has been awarded Travel Agency of The Year 2025 by Corporate LiveWire, marking my third major international award in 2025 for independent, personalised Japan travel planning services.

Summary

Japan doesn’t fit into neat packages, and independent travellers often miss extraordinary experiences hiding in plain sight. Rather than selling packages or earning commissions, The Real Japan provides specialist expert guidance and custom itinerary planning, helping you plan and book your own perfect Japan trip with genuinely unbiased recommendations.

Key Takeaways

• The Real Japan won “Travel Agency of The Year 2025” in the Corporate LiveWire Innovation & Excellence Awards
• This is my third major international award in 2025, recognising excellence in Japan travel expertise
• My independent approach means unbiased recommendations with no package sales
• I offer custom Japan itinerary planning tailored to your specific interests and travel style
• My services include access to authentic experiences and hidden gems most tourists never discover
• Award-winning support backed by over 20 years of deep Japan exploration and local knowledge

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The Real Japan has just been named “Travel Agency of The Year 2025” by Corporate LiveWire as part of their prestigious Innovation & Excellence Awards 2025.

This marks my third major award in 2025, following our “Best Independent Japanese Travel Specialists 2025” win in the LUXlife Magazine Resorts & Retreats Awards and our “Best Japanese Travel Experts 2025” recognition in the LUXlife Magazine UK Travel & Tourism Awards earlier this year.

Three awards in one year? I’m genuinely humbled – and incredibly grateful.

A quick clarification: travel consultant, not travel agent

I won “Travel Agency of The Year” but technically, legally speaking, The Real Japan isn’t actually a travel agency. I’m an independent Japan travel consultant and adviser. I don’t sell flights, I don’t book your hotels (though I’ll tell you exactly which ones to book), and I don’t handle payments for your travel arrangements.

What I do is provide specialist expert guidance, custom itinerary planning, and insider knowledge to help you plan and book your own perfect Japan trip. Think of me as your personal Japan travel adviser rather than a traditional travel agent. The award recognises the quality and innovation of my consultancy services – which, let’s be honest, sounds much better than “Travel Consultancy of The Year”.

What makes an award-winning Japan travel specialist different

Being named “Travel Agency of The Year” by Corporate LiveWire feels like recognition of something I’ve been building for over two decades – a different kind of Japan travel planning service.

The Corporate LiveWire Innovation & Excellence Awards celebrate businesses that push boundaries, innovate within their sectors, and demonstrate genuine excellence in customer service. These aren’t just ‘best of’ awards – they recognise companies that are doing things differently, and better.

And that’s exactly what The Real Japan is about.

I’m not a traditional travel agency. I don’t sell packages or push commissions. I don’t have a limited roster of ‘preferred partners’ where commercial relationships dictate recommendations. Instead, I offer something increasingly rare in the travel industry – genuinely independent, personalised expertise focused entirely on crafting your perfect Japan journey.

Yes, I do recommend services, products and companies, but that’s simply because I consider them to be the best in their respective fields – and my wife and I use many of them ourselves. So I’m sharing what has worked well for us, meaning you can save time and money making your choices – safe in the knowledge that I’ve tested the waters beforehand, providing you the best route to your dream Japan trip.

The Corporate LiveWire judges recognised this independence and innovation as worthy of their highest accolade in the travel category, and that validation means the world.

How my Japan travel planning services can help you

Whether you’re planning your first trip or your tenth, whether you want bustling cities or quiet countryside, whether you’re interested in food, history, nature, or all of the above – here’s how The Real Japan’s award-winning services can help:

Use my personalised One-to-One travel services

I offer three services to help you plan your perfect Japan trip: Travel Planning Support for unlimited email Q&A to answer your questions and refine your ideas, Travel Planning Calls for personalised Zoom call consultations where we discuss and improve your itinerary and plans together, and Concierge – my premium full-service option where I create an entirely bespoke travel plan tailored specifically to you.

Start with free resources

Browse my comprehensive guides, watch my travel videos, or listen to episodes of my AI-powered The Real Japan podcast for inspiration and practical advice. Depending on what stage you are at with your travel planning, I’ve created 3 Travel Hubs covering the main steps in trip planning: Planning, Destinations and Experiences. Each is the perfect starting point if you want to get started on your own.

Browse my Japan Travel Store

If you’re stuck on a specific aspect of your Japan travel planning, then my store is a good place to look for targeted solutions. It’s a combination of products I’ve created in direct response to client’s needs, practical tracks ‘hacks’.

These include the Japan Rail Pass, eSIMs, WiFi, and SIMcards for staying connected, and an Airport Meet & Greet Service my wife and I have used. It’s also where you’ll find my popular eBooks including the best-selling How To Travel in Japan Without Speaking Japanese and my Hiroshima City Guide Google Map.

Get personalised Japan itinerary planning

My Concierge service provides custom itinerary planning, where we work together to craft a journey that perfectly balances your must-see list with authentic local experiences most tourists miss.

What’s included in our Japan travel consultant service:

• Personal Itinerary Planning: Custom travel plans matching your specific interests and travel style
• Authentic Experience Curation: Private access to traditional craftspeople, local festivals, and hidden gems
• Independent Accommodation Advice: Handpicked accommodation recommendations from boutique ryokan to 5-star hotels
• Award-Winning Support: Now recognised by three major international awards programmes

Explore Concierge Services →

Join the community

Subscribe to my Japan Travel Bulletin were I share hidden gems, actionable travel guides, and new videos, resources and podcast episodes, helping thousands of travellers just like you discover The Real Japan. You’ll also get free access to my private Facebook group where I answer your Japan travel questions,

Why choose an independent Japan travel expert

Japan isn’t like other destinations. It’s a country where:

• The best experiences often aren’t in English guidebooks
• Cultural nuances can make or break a visit
• Public transport is brilliantly efficient but can be overwhelming
• Hidden gems vastly outnumber tourist hotspots
• Language barriers exist even in major cities

Traditional travel agencies struggle with Japan because it doesn’t fit into neat packages (and it’s probably why so many luxury ’boutique’ travel agents contact me to help them – I don’t). But independent travellers who go it alone often miss the extraordinary experiences hiding in plain sight.

That’s the gap I’ve spent over 20 years learning to bridge – and it’s why this Innovation & Excellence award feels so apt.

My Japan travel planning approach combines:

Deep local knowledge: From over two decades of exploring every corner of Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa Independence: Complete freedom to recommend what’s actually best for you
Personalisation: Every itinerary is built around your specific interests, travel style and preferences
Innovation: Using technology and efficient communication to deliver a premium service at accessible price points

What my Japan travel planning clients say

I worked with Mario from Malta who wanted his first trip to Japan to be truly memorable. He contacted me because he wanted to experience “the Japan that Japanese people experience.”

“I chose to use Rob’s Concierge service as this provides a lot of practical advice, suggestions and recommendations about places to visit, things to do, where to stay as well as how to get to places and actual transport links.  

He will actually prepare a detailed day-by-day itinerary with activities and day-trip ideas, transport indications and relevant hyperlinks to places, guides and other interests.““ – Mario Mizzi, Malta

You can read more client stories here:
Japan Travel Planning: My First Trip To Japan
Japan Travel Planning: Outside Tokyo & Kyoto – A true story
3 Months in Japan Without Speaking Japanese

Three awards recognising excellence in Japan travel expertise

Winning three major international awards in a single year – two from LUXlife Magazine and now this Corporate LiveWire accolade – feels like recognition that the mission of The Real Japan truly resonates.

That mission? To help you discover the Japan that exists beyond the Instagram highlights and tourist bubble. To connect you with authentic experiences, hidden places, and genuine moments that most visitors never find.

Whether that means:

• Staying in a remote mountain ryokan where you’re the only Western guest
• Learning traditional crafts directly from master artisans
• Discovering lesser-known onsen towns with no crowds but all the atmosphere
• Finding the perfect neighbourhood izakaya where locals actually drink
• Navigating Japan’s incredible festival calendar to catch events most tourists miss

Why work with an award-winning Japan travel consultant

If you’re planning a trip to Japan, these three awards give you confidence that The Real Japan offers:

Proven expertise: International recognition from respected publications and awards bodies

Unbiased recommendations: Complete independence means every suggestion is based purely on what’s best for you

Personalised service: Award-winning customer service that treats your trip as unique, because it is

Innovation: Modern, efficient planning processes that respect your time and budget

Authenticity: Access to experiences and insights that come from decades of deep exploration

A heartfelt thank you from your Japan travel specialist

Awards are wonderful validation, but what truly matters are the messages from clients saying things like:

• “That tiny pottery village you recommended became the highlight of our entire trip“
• “We never would have found that incredible sake brewery without your guidance“
• “Your itinerary was so well-planned we didn’t have a single stressful moment“

Those moments – when someone discovers an experience that transforms their understanding of Japan – are what drive me to keep doing this work.

Thank you for being part of The Real Japan community, whether you’ve been following along for years or just discovered me today. Your trust in my expertise, your curiosity about Japan beyond the obvious, and your desire for authentic travel experiences are what make this journey worthwhile.

Here’s to many more years of discovering Japan’s hidden treasures together – and perhaps a few more awards recognising the value of truly independent, innovative travel expertise!

Ready to start planning your Japan trip?

Custom Japan Itinerary Planning: Tailored travel plans matching your specific interests and travel style

Authentic Japan Experiences: Private access to traditional craftspeople, local festivals, and hidden gems

Expert Accommodation Recommendations: Handpicked lodging from boutique ryokan to 5-star hotels

Award-Winning Japan Travel Service: Now recognised by three major international awards programmes

Start Planning Your Japan Trip →

About the Corporate LiveWire Innovation & Excellence Awards

The Corporate LiveWire Innovation & Excellence Awards celebrate businesses that demonstrate exceptional innovation, customer service excellence, and leadership within their industries. Winners are selected based on rigorous criteria including innovation, sustainability, customer satisfaction, and overall excellence in their field.

View the full 2025 winners here.

Japan Travel Consulting FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What exactly is The Real Japan and what do you offer?
A: The Real Japan is an award-winning independent Japan travel consultancy founded by Rob Dyer (me!), who has been exploring Japan since 2000. Rather than being a traditional travel agency that sells flights and hotels, I provide specialist expert guidance, custom itinerary planning, and insider knowledge to help you plan and book your own perfect Japan trip. Think of me as your personal Japan travel adviser backed by over 20 years of deep exploration.

Q: What awards has The Real Japan won?
A: In 2025 alone, The Real Japan won three major international awards: Travel Agency of The Year 2025 from Corporate LiveWire’s Innovation & Excellence Awards, Best Independent Japanese Travel Specialists 2025 from LUXlife Magazine’s Resorts & Retreats Awards, and Best Japanese Travel Experts 2025 from LUXlife Magazine’s UK Travel & Tourism Awards. These recognise excellence, innovation, and customer service in Japan travel expertise.

Q: How is your service different from traditional travel agencies?
A: I don’t sell packages, push commissions, or have a limited roster of ‘preferred partners’ where commercial relationships dictate recommendations. Instead, I offer genuinely independent, personalised expertise focused entirely on crafting your perfect Japan journey. When I recommend services or companies, it’s simply because I consider them the best in their field – many are ones my wife and I use ourselves.

Q: What services do you offer?
A: I currently offer three main services: Travel Planning Support provides unlimited email Q&A to answer your questions and refine your ideas; Travel Planning Calls offer personalised Zoom consultations where we discuss and improve your itinerary together; and Concierge is my premium full-service option where I create an entirely bespoke travel plan tailored specifically to you, including custom itinerary planning and authentic experience curation.

Q: Do you book flights and hotels for clients?
A: No, I don’t book your flights or hotels (though I can tell you exactly which ones to book), and I don’t handle payments for your travel arrangements. What I provide is specialist guidance, recommendations, and detailed planning so you can confidently make your own bookings. This keeps costs down and maintains complete independence in my recommendations.

Q: What makes Japan difficult to plan without expert help?
A: Japan isn’t like other destinations. The best experiences often aren’t in English guidebooks, cultural nuances can make or break a visit, public transport is brilliantly efficient but can be overwhelming, hidden gems vastly outnumber tourist hotspots, and language barriers exist even in major cities. Traditional agencies struggle because Japan doesn’t fit into neat packages, but independent travellers often miss extraordinary experiences hiding in plain sight.

Q: What type of experiences can you help me access?
A: I can help you discover experiences beyond the tourist bubble, including staying in remote mountain ryokan where you’re the only Western guest, learning traditional crafts directly from master artisans, discovering lesser-known onsen towns with no crowds but all the atmosphere, finding neighbourhood izakaya where locals actually drink, navigating Japan’s festival calendar to catch events most tourists miss, and visiting tiny pottery villages or incredible sake breweries.

Q: How does the Concierge service work?
A: My Concierge service provides custom itinerary planning where we work together to craft a journey that perfectly balances your must-see list with authentic local experiences. It includes personal itinerary planning matching your specific interests and travel style, authentic experience curation with private access to traditional craftspeople and hidden gems, independent accommodation advice from boutique ryokan to 5-star hotels, and award-winning support.

Q: What free resources are available?
A: You can browse my comprehensive travel guides, watch my travel videos, or listen to episodes of The Real Japan podcast for inspiration and practical advice. There are three Travel Hubs covering Planning, Destinations, and Experiences – each is the perfect starting point. You can also subscribe to my Japan Travel Bulletin to receive hidden gems, actionable guides, and access to my private Facebook group where I answer travel questions.

Q: What’s available in The Real Japan store?
A: My Japan Travel Store offers targeted solutions for specific aspects of Japan travel planning, including products created in direct response to client needs. This includes Japan Rail Passes, eSIMs, WiFi and SIM cards for staying connected, Airport Meet & Greet Services, and popular eBooks like the best-selling “How To Travel in Japan Without Speaking Japanese” and my interactive Japan Travel Guide Google Maps such as my Hiroshima City Guide.

Q: Who has used your services?
A: Clients come from all over the world seeking authentic Japan experiences. For example, Mario from Malta used my Concierge service for detailed day-by-day itinerary with activities, transport links, and hyperlinks to places and guides. Client feedback often highlights discovering hidden experiences that became trip highlights.

Q: Why do you emphasise “independent” and “unbiased”?
A: My complete independence means every suggestion is based purely on what’s best for you, not on commercial relationships or commission structures. When I recommend something, it’s because I genuinely believe it’s the best option for you – often because my wife and I have tested it ourselves. This honest, unbiased approach is rare in the travel industry and is what the awards recognise.

Q: What does “innovation” mean in your service?
A: Innovation means using technology and efficient communication to deliver premium service at accessible price points. It means adapting modern planning processes that respect your time and budget while maintaining the depth of expertise and personalisation that comes from decades of exploration. The Corporate LiveWire award specifically recognised this combination of innovation and customer excellence.

Q: How much does your service cost?
A: Pricing varies depending on which service you choose (Travel Planning Support, Travel Planning Calls, or Concierge). Each service is designed to be accessible while delivering genuine expertise and value. Visit the individual service pages for current availability, pricing and to find the option that best matches your needs and budget.

Q: Do you only help first-time visitors to Japan?
A: No! Whether you’re planning your first trip or your tenth, whether you want bustling cities or quiet countryside, whether you’re interested in food, history, nature, or all of the above, my services can help. Even experienced Japan travellers and residents living in Japan benefit from my estensive knowledge about hidden gems, authentic experiences, and areas they haven’t explored yet.

Q: How do I get started?
A: Start by exploring the free resources (guides, videos, podcast episodes) to get inspiration. If you’re ready for personalised help, choose the service that matches your needs: Travel Planning Support for email guidance, Travel Planning Calls for Zoom consultations, or Concierge for full bespoke planning. You can also join my Japan Travel Bulletin community to stay connected with tips, guides, and new resources.

Q: What makes your approach to Japan travel different?
A: My approach combines deep local knowledge from over two decades exploring every corner of Japan, complete independence to recommend what’s actually best for you, personalisation where every itinerary is built around your specific interests and travel style, and innovation using modern tools to deliver premium service efficiently. The mission is helping you discover the Japan that exists beyond Instagram highlights and tourist bubbles.

Q: Why should I trust an award-winning travel consultant over doing it myself?
A: The three international awards so far give you confidence in proven expertise, unbiased recommendations, personalised service, innovation, and authenticity. But what truly matters are the transformative experiences – when someone discovers a pottery village that becomes their trip highlight, or finds an incredible sake brewery they never would have located alone, or has a perfectly-planned itinerary with no stressful moments. That’s what drives my work and why clients choose expert guidance.

Further Related Guides

• Concierge – My Premium Full Service
• Travel Planning Support Service
• Travel Planning Calls Service
• Best Independent Japanese Travel Specialists 2025
• Best Japanese Travel Experts 2025

More Planning Resources

Planning Travel Hub

My List of Recommended Japan Travel Resources

Recommended Japan Travel Resources

My Japan Travel Store

The Real Japan Travel Store

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