About Japan by Joe

A narrow alleyway with traditional wooden buildings on the right side and a stone wall with trees on the left, with a bicycle parked near the buildings and a few people in the distance.

I created Japan by Joe to help travelers plan better, more personal trips to Japan — without getting lost in endless tabs, conflicting advice, and generic itineraries.

After four years of living in Japan and exploring the country across major cities, rural regions, and more than a dozen islands, I started Japan by Joe to help travelers get past the hardest part of visiting Japan: planning a trip that actually makes sense.

Japan is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming. There are endless places to visit, foods to try, trains to understand, neighborhoods to choose from, and experiences that all compete for your limited time.


My goal is to help you separate the hype from the real gems — and build a trip that fits your interests, pace, and travel style.

Two people taking a selfie in a lush green forest. The man on the left has short dark hair, facial hair, and is smiling. He is wearing a gray and red shirt and a black backpack. The woman on the right has short dark hair, is wearing sunglasses on her hat, and a light-colored top. She is also smiling. They are close together, enjoying nature.

Why I started this

Planning a Japan trip can be surprisingly difficult. There are endless recommendations online, but not all of them fit your dates, travel pace, interests, or budget.


I started Japan by Joe because I kept seeing travelers struggle with the same issues: overpacked itineraries, confusing route choices, hotel areas that don’t make sense, and uncertainty about what is actually worth the time.


My goal is to help travelers build Japan trips that feel realistic, personal, and easier to enjoy

Engineer by trade. Traveler by nature.

I’ve traveled to more than 50 countries and explored Japan from its major cities to quieter regional corners. That combination gives me a different perspective from many travel planners: practical, structured, and focused on helping you make the most of your time.

Japan by Joe is for travelers who want more than a copied itinerary — people who want local context, honest advice, and a trip that fits their interests, pace, and travel style.

My approach

I focus on practical, personalized planning rather than checklist tourism.

• Realistic pacing instead of overloaded days

• Route logic that avoids unnecessary backtracking

• Hotel area recommendations based on how the trip actually flows

• Honest advice on what is worth it — and what is not

• Suggestions tailored to your interests, not generic top-10 lists

• Local context for food, culture, nature and seasonality

Map of Japan with travel route including Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto, Hakone/Fuji, and Tokyo, with icons and labels for top experiences, city highlights, travel durations, and optional extensions.

Ready to start planning?

Planning support in English and Portuguese (my wife can support with Japanese)

Whether you are planning your first visit or looking for a deeper Japan experience, I can help you turn scattered ideas into a clearer, more realistic plan.

Follow Japan by Joe on Instagram for Japan planning tips and itinerary ideas.