JAPAN

WHERE ANCIENT MEETS MODERN

Japan is one of those countries that is filled with intersections - old and new, east and west, modern and traditional - and where you choose to travel within Japan can lead to incredibly different experiences. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a local there to help you figure out how to have the trip you’re dreaming about?

Our team of Tastemakers are in love with Japan and ready to help discover it’s hidden corners, mouthwatering eateries and rich history, completely curated to the way that you want to discover this beautiful country.

Meet our Japan Tastemakers

Emily Huffman Japan Travel Advisor

  • EXPERTISE | Tokyo + Family Travel

    PROFILE | Meet Emily, a Southern California native currently living in Tokyo with her husband and two little girls. Her love of travel blossomed when she studied in Spain in 2010, giving her the opportunity to explore much of Europe. Her husband’s career relocation to Asia was the perfect chance to discover more corners of the world.

    Emily’s professional background is in real estate and marketing and you can often find her spending time outdoors with her husband and daughters, uncovering hidden gems around Tokyo (especially its many parks and gardens).

    After living in Hong Kong first and now Tokyo for 3 years, Emily is excited to share about the place she calls home. As she explains, “Japan is uniquely captivating – it’s beautiful, pristine, the people are very friendly, and there is an incredible depth of history and culture. And perhaps most importantly, the food is some of the best in the world!”

    What has been your favorite part of living as an expat in Japan? These past few years afforded me the rare opportunity to travel Japan without tourism (as the borders were closed during the pandemic) and I visited more than a dozen cities during that time. Seeing Kyoto and walking the Philosopher’s Path without another person in sight was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Now that the borders are open, it’s the perfect time to help others plan an amazing trip around this country.

    I can’t decide if I should bring my kids on my trip to Japan. What do you recommend? The good news is… you can’t go wrong either way! I have two small children and there is plenty to see and do across Japan with (or without) kids, and you won’t lose out on any special experiences if you choose to bring them along. As you likely know, traveling with kids requires an extra level of planning and preparation. This is especially true for Japan where the majority of restaurants and experiences require advanced booking to begin with. My number one tip is to make reservations at recommended kid-friendly spots in Japan where all parties can have a fantastic experience.

    What is your favorite city in Japan?To me, Kyoto is the heartbeat of Japan. It was the capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years and you can feel its rich history and charming character when you visit. The beautiful temples and gardens, picturesque neighborhoods and unique restaurants all contribute to the city’s appeal. The only challenge when visiting is narrowing down your list of what to see, do, and eat because it’s all that good!

    IG | @emhuffman