November 26, 2025 • 21 mins
Ever thought Japan was out of reach for your family? Think again! In this episode of All Things Travel, hosts Ryan and Julie break down how to experience the magic of Japan across three different budget levels—and the prices might surprise you.
Whether you're a budget-conscious traveler or ready to splurge on luxury experiences, this episode shows you exactly how to make Japan happen for a family of four in summer 2026.
Budget Level ($120/person/day): Discover how to spend seven nights exploring Tokyo and Kyoto with simple but comfortable stays, iconic sites, and incredible cultural immersion. Walk through Tokyo's historic Asakusa district, experience the famous Shibuya pedestrian crossing, visit the mesmerizing Team Lab Planets digital art museum, and wander through Kyoto's stunning Arashiyama Bamboo Forest—all without breaking the bank.
Moderate Level ($240/person/day): Step it up with more comfortable hotels, guided city tours, and special experiences like Tokyo Disney Sea (rated the world's top theme park!), a traditional tea ceremony, and a day trip to Nara's famous Deer Park. This level balances group tours with curated experiences perfect for families.
Luxury Level ($350-450/person/day): Go all out with private tours, five-star accommodations including a traditional ryokan near Mount Fuji, insider access to sumo wrestler training, a private sushi-making workshop, geisha cultural walks, samurai sword lessons, and hot spring experiences. This is Japan at its finest with seamless transportation and unforgettable moments.
Ryan and Julie also share their mix-and-match philosophy—you don't have to stick to one budget level! Combine elements from each to create your perfect trip.
Bonus: Ryan shares an incredible client story about a life-changing two-week African safari, complete with hippos at dinner, a one-day-old baby elephant, and the elephant with the longest tusks on record!
Ready to start planning your Japanese adventure? This episode proves that with the right guidance, Japan is more accessible than you ever imagined.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (00:00):
Hello and welcome to all Things
Travel.
Japan is certainly a must dodestination for many travelers.
Today we're continuing our threebudget series by giving you
options to see Japan your Way.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (00:13):
listen in with travel advisors and
destination experts, Ryan andJulie.
is your travel professorteaching you everything you need
to know to have a magicalvacation.
And I am a Disney lovingMaryland mom of three and a
specialist in family travel.
we're discussing incredibledestinations, top vacation tips,
or sharing personal stories,it's always all things travel.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (00:37):
So Julie, we're catching each other
in the midst of comings andgoings with vacations.
You just returned from a RoyalCaribbean seminar at The Seas,
which is a travel advisortraining session, and I'm
getting ready to leave for myhoneymoon in a few days to the
Dominican Republic.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (00:56):
Yep.
And here we are stuck in themiddle and we totally missed
this Ryan, but like, I don'tknow, three weeks ago now was
our six months of wonder andbeyond travel being open.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (01:08):
that's awesome.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (01:10):
You know, I had it on my calendar and I
guess I just didn't actually
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (01:13):
It just, you know, I'm a newlywed
so I have those anniversariesdrilled into my brain, so, you
know, um, well that's awesome.
it's been a really, really funsix months and it's been really
great to, to grow this with you.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (01:28):
So this is this really fun series.
The
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (01:30):
Yes.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (01:32):
we did for this was Italy.
So now we're gonna go a littlemore exotic over to Japan
because think Japan specificallyis something that a lot of
people think that they can't dopurely because of the cost of it
and having a family So I'mexcited to share this with our
listeners.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (01:51):
But before we do that, If you did
not listen to last week'sepisode, we talked all about
what to do and not to do whenplanning a multi-generational
trip.
Well, it's interesting that yousay that, Julie, because I was
shocked with these numbers as Iput this together.
this makes me so excited about atrip like this, like you did
(02:15):
with Italy.
I broke down Japan into threedifferent styles.
budget, moderate and luxury.
This is for a family of four.
Summer of 2026.
All of these trips are gonna bea one week trip.
I think maybe the luxury oneexpands it a little bit.
I think you're really gonna besurprised and and excited about
(02:37):
these trips.
So I wanna focus on the budgetone first.
seven nights, Tokyo and Kyoto.
the vibe of this level of tripis simple stays, iconic sites,
inexpensive meals.
You're gonna be kind of walkingthe city and experiencing that
way, but we also wanna make surethat you have great cultural
immersion because you're takingthe time to visit Japan.
(03:00):
Right?
So we are in Tokyo for fournights.
We're staying at the SakuraHotel, Jim Bauchi, which is very
friendly for families.
It's central in a safeneighborhood.
Very, very good price point as abudget accommodation, what are
the types of activities you'regonna be doing during your time
(03:21):
in Tokyo?
You're gonna take an asurwalking tour and a temple tour
that's gonna be a low costgroup, tour.
You are going to go to Asura,which is Tokyo's historic
district.
You're gonna be going toTokyo's, oldest Buddhist temple,
and you're also going to beclose to a lot of great street
(03:41):
foods.
You're gonna be able to havesome yummy things along the way.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (03:46):
That's,
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (03:46):
also.
Yep.
There you go.
You are also going to be doingthe Shaba and Harra Juki walk,
and this is self-guided.
Now, why would you want to dothis?
Because when you think of Tokyo,if you close your eyes right
now, Julian, and think of Tokyo,what are you seeing in your
brain?
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (04:03):
The city and the lights and a lot, a lot
of people.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (04:06):
A lot of people crossing that street,
right?
This is that pedestrian crossingwhere thousands of people are
crossing the street at the sametime.
very cool.
On this self-guided tour, you'realso checking out.
Fashion district with cutesnacks, little souvenir shops,
high-end shops, and you're alsogoing to the me shrine, a
(04:27):
peaceful forest right next tothat hustle and bustle
neighborhood.
And then for a very affordableticket, you're going to the team
lab planets.
And this is a fully immersivedigital art museum with water
floors, mirrors, interactivelight rooms.
Your kids are gonna love thistype of thing.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (04:47):
I have a Japan itinerary I'm working on
with furry family with a youngkid, and Team Lab is a must do
on their list.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (04:56):
Very cool.
Well, and then as part of thistrip, you're taking the train to
Kyoto and you're in Kyoto forthree nights.
when I say seven nights, I'mtalking about outside of travel.
keep that in mind when I'mtalking about the total amount
of time you're gonna stay at theguest house soy.
Which is known for welcomingfamilies.
It has that really traditionalJapanese style, very affordable,
(05:20):
but centrally located close tosome major sites.
The activities you're gonna bedoing here is you're gonna go on
a group tour of the Ami BambooForest, one of Kyoto's most
iconic sites.
With tall bamboo paths andtemples, you're gonna take a
group tour to learn about thehistory and hidden corners of
(05:42):
this area.
You're going to take aself-guided tour, through a
famous shrine.
So those gates, you know, thered gates that we're used to
maybe seeing at Epcot, butoverlooking the mountains.
And you'll notice with thisbudget level, there's a lot of
group things, but alsoself-guided things.
I think that's a good way to Mixand match, And then because we
(06:04):
are in Kyoto, which is known asone of Japan's culinary
hotspots, you are going to do amarket food walk.
you can add this as a group touror you can do the self-guided,
it's known as Kyoto's Kitchen,where you get tons of samples of
food.
as I break down this budgettrip, we're talking about the
(06:26):
lodging with these two places,the local transportation and the
train ride, the food.
Over the course of these sevendays and the tour and
activities, I've talked about$120 a person per day,
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (06:41):
That's insane.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (06:43):
I had to double check that, but as I
broke everything down you'restaying in really good, but
economical places, you tend tohave more grab and go type of
food and you're reallymaximizing those walking tours
that you can do on your own.
Boom, you've done it.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (07:02):
I think my favorite thing about this
itinerary that we just went overis, it feels really immersive.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (07:10):
Yes.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (07:11):
without seeing the other itineraries,
I'm not looking at this andthinking, oh, I'm missing out on
thing.
it feels really inclusive and itfeels really immersive.
another thing I would mentionabout the self-guided type tours
is.
very family friendly.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (07:28):
Yeah.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (07:29):
in a group where you're feeling
pressure to corral children andthose kinds of things.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (07:34):
Yes, making sure they're quieting
down so the guide can talk orthey're keeping up with
everybody.
you can really go at your ownpace.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (07:41):
This is amazing.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (07:43):
So let's bump it up a little bit.
Let's still say seven nights.
Let's still do, uh, Tokyo andKyoto, but let's do a moderate
range with this type of trip.
Julie, talk to us about that.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (07:54):
So when we bump up the budget a little
bit, we are gonna keep thosegroup tours.
but we're gonna add in a coupleof curated experiences.
You're gonna be staying in morecomfortable hotels and the pace
is gonna be a little bit morebalanced throughout your trip.
In Tokyo, you're gonna stay fournights and we're gonna recommend
the hotel niwa Tokyo, which is amore modern and comfortable
(08:18):
hotel with a very calm design.
It's really great for familieswho want a little more comfort
in their space.
Plus it's close to two majorsubway lines, which is really
convenient for your travel.
a couple of the activities we'regonna be doing are a full day
Tokyo highlights tour.
This is a group tour, but you'regonna see all the key sites
(08:40):
including the Shrine Ryanmentioned in our previous
itinerary, the Tokyo Tower orSkytree, the Imperial Palace
Gardens.
this is a really greatorientation day for first timers
who are visiting Tokyo.
next you can go to either DisneySea or Ghibli Park.
so this would be a day trip overto Disney Sea, which, let's be
(09:04):
serious.
That's the one we are going tochoose.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (09:06):
Disney Sea has been rated the top theme
park in the world multipleyears.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (09:12):
Yeah, it's an amazing park and it's
very unique.
Or over to Ghibli Park, which isanime based.
There's replicas films.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (09:20):
Okay.
j_1_11-17-2025_12015 (09:20):
immersive, just depending on what your
interests are.
And we're also gonna be havingan evening food tour to visit
the alleyway street foods.
things like ramen and Japanesecomfort foods with a local
guide.
So you have a really great mixbetween, this theme park
experience or an animeexperience, sampling a lot of
foods and seeing all theimportant sites for your first
(09:43):
visit to Tokyo.
Next, you're gonna go over toKyoto for three nights, and
we're gonna recommend the KyotoCentury Hotel, which is right
next to Kyoto Station, great forfamilies with easy access for
day trips around Japan.
We're gonna do a highlights tourin Kyoto this time with stops at
(10:03):
the Ky Miera temple, the goldenPavilion, and nijo castle, a
Samurai era palace.
We're gonna do a traditional teaceremony where you can learn how
matcha is prepared.
It's really family friendfriendly.
It's very calm and it's reallyculturally immersive.
And then you're also gonna do Aday trip over to Nara where you
can go to the home of the GreatBuddha.
(10:27):
And the Deer Park where kids canfeed the deer crackers.
And I've researched the DeerPark before.
It is a very cool place forkids.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (10:34):
Very cool.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (10:34):
easy train ride So once we broke this
down, this price point we'regonna talk about reflects the
comfortable hotel stay, Theguided city tours and.
Either Disney Sea or GhibliPark, and then one or two of
those family experiences, andthis comes out to about$240 per
person per day.
(10:55):
That's just so, so great,especially to include something
like Disney Sea.
I would
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (11:00):
Yeah.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (11:01):
I had to take a little pause there and
say, Ryan, are you sure?
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (11:04):
you're doing a theme park for one day,
and you're choosing one, you'renot choosing multiple ones.
I think a lot of this has to dowith, versus our discussion of
Italy, the amount of transfersthat we're doing here.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (11:16):
Mm-hmm.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (11:17):
It is much lower.
We're relying on publictransportation because we're in
cities, we're walking becausewe're in cities.
I think that's cutting a lot ofthis down.
I'm really excited and I thinkI'm gonna blow you away with our
luxury option here, but first Iwanna talk about where in the
world is Wonder and beyondtravel.
Julie, I'm gonna take this one.
(11:38):
Friday afternoon, I had a coffeewith one of my clients that just
returned from Africa.
she could not stop gushing aboutthe trip that her and her sister
went on.
and it just sounded absolutelyamazing.
They worked with one of ourfavorite partners, live Life
safaris, who we've worked withmultiple times, and I just, love
(12:00):
them.
They do such a good job.
this traveler.
Went from, because of healthsituations being the add-on to
people who had been to Africamultiple times to now being the
lead guest.
there was a lot of nervousnesswith that.
Clint's team at Live Life Safariheld their hand from the very
(12:22):
moment they got there.
She's like, we are very nervous,we are wanting to be taken care
of.
And she said, as soon as welanded in Johannesburg.
they were there, we had aWhatsApp group with people that
were always there with signs.
We knew their names.
We knew what to expect, and itwas absolutely fabulous.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (12:39):
What a relief.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (12:41):
Oh, and it just, I think it just,
for her, it just made the tripthat started kind of uncertain.
just absolutely amazing.
Let me give you some of thehighlights.
this was an interesting thingbecause, one of the women that
was originally gonna go on thetrip actually won a resort stay
in Africa, through a silent.
Auction.
And so that's what started thewhole conversation.
(13:03):
they went over to Johannesburgand had a few days there and
then spent time at this privateresort.
after that we picked up with thetrip that I helped plan.
some of the highlights, they'reat a camp where they're
basically walking to dinner.
And hippos are actually eatingright next to them as they're
sitting on the balcony eatingdinner.
(13:23):
they saw a one day old babyelephant they fed.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (13:29):
what.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (13:30):
They fed the elephant named Rambo who
has the longest tusks on record.
he has security with him 24hours a day because they want to
keep his tusks intact.
they saw.
Every type of animal imaginable.
multiple safaris, went to theIndian Ocean Coast.
(13:52):
just amazing, amazing things.
you know, the pictures that shewas showing me.
Just zebras and elephants andtigers and spring box and
wildebeests and warthogs andpainted dogs and hyenas.
she was just glowing as she wastalking about this experience.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (14:13):
Wow.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (14:15):
and they were in anything from five
star accommodations to what Iwould call glamping.
in fact, her and her sister wereat a safari camp where they were
in kind of these glamping hutsand they were The only guests
because they were kind of at theend of the season, she's like,
it was us and 14 guys thatworked there.
they just gushed over us theentire time.
(14:37):
taking care of this and that.
it was funny because she'sshowing me pictures and she's
like, this is Soandso.
He was our safari guide andbartender.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (14:44):
Oh,
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (14:46):
So it was unbelievable.
As she talked about this trip.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (14:49):
I feel blown away just by some of your
descriptions and herdescriptions.
I am thrilled to hear suchawesome feedback.
And I think Ryan, and I'm surethat you had this feeling, when
you can be a part of creating
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (15:05):
Oh yeah.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (15:06):
somebody,
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (15:07):
it is a really, it's an honor, it's a
privilege.
It just makes me so happy, tolive vicariously with my clients
as they're having this andspending time with them
afterwards and learning aboutit.
that makes me better, but italso helps me appreciate what
I'm doing and why.
So, I am so excited to be partof this.
I've had multiple safaris withthis company.
(15:29):
I look forward to working withthem again.
just an unbelievable time.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (15:33):
Wow.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_1201 (15:34):
Alright, let's head back over to Japan,
Julie.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (15:38):
All righty.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (15:39):
All right, so for our luxury Japan
trip, this is gonna be an eight,nine night trip.
So a few more nights, we aregoing to be in Tokyo, we're
gonna be at the foot of MountFuji, and in Kyoto.
how is this going to bedifferent than the other two
Private access and activities,incredible food, seamless
(16:00):
transportation.
real cultural immersion.
We're starting with four days inTokyo, four nights rather.
We're gonna stay at the PalaceHotel Tokyo, which is a luxury
five star hotel.
It's right on the ImperialPalace Gardens and has very
large rooms, Which in Tokyo isnot that common.
(16:21):
So what are the types of thingswe're gonna be doing in our time
with Tokyo?
we are going to, have a privateTokyo cultural tour.
Now, with this, it's based onwhat your family wants to do.
So you can choose things like.
Sushi tasting, a shrine, privatewalk, shopping, tours, cruises
(16:42):
on the Sumita River.
You're also gonna be doing aprivate sumo stable visit.
So you're gonna watch sumowrestlers train, have a q and a
with the coaches and the, andthe athletes.
And you're gonna have a rareinsider access as you're not
watching a competition, butyou're actually watching them
get ready and talking to themone-on-one.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (17:04):
Wow.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (17:05):
You're gonna have a private sushi
making workshop, with a sushichef, which will include lunch,
hopefully not the ones that youstumble over the first couple
times.
You make it and you know,something like this.
It's focused on a, as a familyactivity, so it's very
interactive and fun for thekids.
then you're going to be taking aprivate transfer to the hae,
(17:26):
which is near.
Mount Fuji and you're gonna bestaying here for one or two
nights.
you're gonna be staying at theGora Kaan, which is a luxury
Ryokan Ryokans.
Julie, are those traditionalJapanese, Accommodations, with
the paper walls and, bamboo,frames it's one of Japan's top
(17:47):
ROK can inns.
They have a private hot springbath on site, which we'll get
back to in a second.
And it will also include aincredible multi-course Japanese
meal.
So what are we gonna be doinghere?
we're going to be doing aprivate.
tour around the area where we'regonna be doing a cable car tour,
(18:10):
a pirate ship, lake cruise, andalso exploring the volcanic
valley around that location.
We're gonna have a privatedriver.
We're not gonna wait in line, sothey're gonna take care of
everything.
We're then going to beexperiencing the hot springs
there at that hotel, which willbe nice and relaxing for the
whole family, or maybe just momand dad, depending on the
(18:32):
timing.
Then we're taking our privatetransfer over to Kyoto for three
nights.
We're gonna be staying at theFour Seasons Hotel, Kyoto, which
is a top luxury property, hasSerene Gardens, has a in-store
pool, and again, those largeroom and suites that we're not
used to seeing in Japan.
What are the activities thatwe're doing in Kyoto?
(18:53):
We are going to have a privategeisha cultural walk, so we're
gonna learn about.
the traditions of the geisha andthe makos.
We're gonna have an eveningwalking, with photography, and
tea with a Mako.
And a Mako, is basically ageisha apprentice.
what a unique culturalexperience.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (19:13):
Really.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (19:14):
This next one has kids written all
over it.
We're gonna have a samurai swordlesson, so we are going to learn
the kata forms with a trainedsword master.
And it, it says here in thenotes, it will be a safe
educational and also memorable.
So, you know how, how did, howdid, how did your brother lose a
toe on vacation?
(19:35):
We are going to have a day wherewe have a tour guide and driver
take us wherever we want to go.
So this may be temples, this maybe tea fields, shrines, forest
walks, all that type of stuff.
for this luxury eight to ninenight trip, we're looking at
three 50 to four 50 per personper day.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (19:56):
Wow.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (19:56):
And so now you see the upgrades.
We've got, first class trainaccommodations.
We have private drivers takingus around on tours.
We have more luxurious, hotels,private experiences, but still
$400 per person per day.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (20:15):
that's great.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (20:16):
Yes.
I think, to be honest.
you can really mix and match allof this to fit your style.
pick some of the luxury, picksome of the moderate, pick some
of the budget, and you have sucha, a budget friendly way to see
Japan.
yeah, I'm going for it.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (20:34):
I think as we've done this episode, my
brain is going over when can Itake my kids to Japan and on a
safari, how old do I want themto be?
How soon can I get there?
Because both of these, talkingabout Japan and then you sharing
about the safari trip are just,very awe inspiring.
(20:57):
And I hope that our listeners.
get that same feeling as well,The world is full of wonder and
your next great adventure iswaiting at Wonder and Beyond
Travel.
We work with you to create a oneof a kind journey, taking the
stress off your plate so you canfocus on the joy of exploring
and the memories that will staywith you forever.
(21:20):
ready to start planning or justwant to dream a little bigger,
head over to Wonder and beyondtravel.com.
We'd love to help you getstarted.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (21:29):
We look forward to talking to you
next week on All Things Travel.
When we wrap up this threebudget series by heading to
Hawaii,
Hello and welcome to all Things
Travel.
Japan is certainly a must dodestination for many travelers.
Today we're continuing our threebudget series by giving you
options to see Japan your Way.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (00:13):
listen in with travel advisors and
destination experts, Ryan andJulie.
is your travel professorteaching you everything you need
to know to have a magicalvacation.
And I am a Disney lovingMaryland mom of three and a
specialist in family travel.
we're discussing incredibledestinations, top vacation tips,
or sharing personal stories,it's always all things travel.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (00:37):
So Julie, we're catching each other
in the midst of comings andgoings with vacations.
You just returned from a RoyalCaribbean seminar at The Seas,
which is a travel advisortraining session, and I'm
getting ready to leave for myhoneymoon in a few days to the
Dominican Republic.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (00:56):
Yep.
And here we are stuck in themiddle and we totally missed
this Ryan, but like, I don'tknow, three weeks ago now was
our six months of wonder andbeyond travel being open.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (01:08):
that's awesome.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (01:10):
You know, I had it on my calendar and I
guess I just didn't actually
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (01:13):
It just, you know, I'm a newlywed
so I have those anniversariesdrilled into my brain, so, you
know, um, well that's awesome.
it's been a really, really funsix months and it's been really
great to, to grow this with you.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (01:28):
So this is this really fun series.
The
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (01:30):
Yes.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (01:32):
we did for this was Italy.
So now we're gonna go a littlemore exotic over to Japan
because think Japan specificallyis something that a lot of
people think that they can't dopurely because of the cost of it
and having a family So I'mexcited to share this with our
listeners.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (01:51):
But before we do that, If you did
not listen to last week'sepisode, we talked all about
what to do and not to do whenplanning a multi-generational
trip.
Well, it's interesting that yousay that, Julie, because I was
shocked with these numbers as Iput this together.
this makes me so excited about atrip like this, like you did
(02:15):
with Italy.
I broke down Japan into threedifferent styles.
budget, moderate and luxury.
This is for a family of four.
Summer of 2026.
All of these trips are gonna bea one week trip.
I think maybe the luxury oneexpands it a little bit.
I think you're really gonna besurprised and and excited about
(02:37):
these trips.
So I wanna focus on the budgetone first.
seven nights, Tokyo and Kyoto.
the vibe of this level of tripis simple stays, iconic sites,
inexpensive meals.
You're gonna be kind of walkingthe city and experiencing that
way, but we also wanna make surethat you have great cultural
immersion because you're takingthe time to visit Japan.
(03:00):
Right?
So we are in Tokyo for fournights.
We're staying at the SakuraHotel, Jim Bauchi, which is very
friendly for families.
It's central in a safeneighborhood.
Very, very good price point as abudget accommodation, what are
the types of activities you'regonna be doing during your time
(03:21):
in Tokyo?
You're gonna take an asurwalking tour and a temple tour
that's gonna be a low costgroup, tour.
You are going to go to Asura,which is Tokyo's historic
district.
You're gonna be going toTokyo's, oldest Buddhist temple,
and you're also going to beclose to a lot of great street
(03:41):
foods.
You're gonna be able to havesome yummy things along the way.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (03:46):
That's,
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (03:46):
also.
Yep.
There you go.
You are also going to be doingthe Shaba and Harra Juki walk,
and this is self-guided.
Now, why would you want to dothis?
Because when you think of Tokyo,if you close your eyes right
now, Julian, and think of Tokyo,what are you seeing in your
brain?
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (04:03):
The city and the lights and a lot, a lot
of people.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (04:06):
A lot of people crossing that street,
right?
This is that pedestrian crossingwhere thousands of people are
crossing the street at the sametime.
very cool.
On this self-guided tour, you'realso checking out.
Fashion district with cutesnacks, little souvenir shops,
high-end shops, and you're alsogoing to the me shrine, a
(04:27):
peaceful forest right next tothat hustle and bustle
neighborhood.
And then for a very affordableticket, you're going to the team
lab planets.
And this is a fully immersivedigital art museum with water
floors, mirrors, interactivelight rooms.
Your kids are gonna love thistype of thing.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (04:47):
I have a Japan itinerary I'm working on
with furry family with a youngkid, and Team Lab is a must do
on their list.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (04:56):
Very cool.
Well, and then as part of thistrip, you're taking the train to
Kyoto and you're in Kyoto forthree nights.
when I say seven nights, I'mtalking about outside of travel.
keep that in mind when I'mtalking about the total amount
of time you're gonna stay at theguest house soy.
Which is known for welcomingfamilies.
It has that really traditionalJapanese style, very affordable,
(05:20):
but centrally located close tosome major sites.
The activities you're gonna bedoing here is you're gonna go on
a group tour of the Ami BambooForest, one of Kyoto's most
iconic sites.
With tall bamboo paths andtemples, you're gonna take a
group tour to learn about thehistory and hidden corners of
(05:42):
this area.
You're going to take aself-guided tour, through a
famous shrine.
So those gates, you know, thered gates that we're used to
maybe seeing at Epcot, butoverlooking the mountains.
And you'll notice with thisbudget level, there's a lot of
group things, but alsoself-guided things.
I think that's a good way to Mixand match, And then because we
(06:04):
are in Kyoto, which is known asone of Japan's culinary
hotspots, you are going to do amarket food walk.
you can add this as a group touror you can do the self-guided,
it's known as Kyoto's Kitchen,where you get tons of samples of
food.
as I break down this budgettrip, we're talking about the
(06:26):
lodging with these two places,the local transportation and the
train ride, the food.
Over the course of these sevendays and the tour and
activities, I've talked about$120 a person per day,
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (06:41):
That's insane.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (06:43):
I had to double check that, but as I
broke everything down you'restaying in really good, but
economical places, you tend tohave more grab and go type of
food and you're reallymaximizing those walking tours
that you can do on your own.
Boom, you've done it.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (07:02):
I think my favorite thing about this
itinerary that we just went overis, it feels really immersive.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (07:10):
Yes.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (07:11):
without seeing the other itineraries,
I'm not looking at this andthinking, oh, I'm missing out on
thing.
it feels really inclusive and itfeels really immersive.
another thing I would mentionabout the self-guided type tours
is.
very family friendly.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (07:28):
Yeah.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (07:29):
in a group where you're feeling
pressure to corral children andthose kinds of things.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (07:34):
Yes, making sure they're quieting
down so the guide can talk orthey're keeping up with
everybody.
you can really go at your ownpace.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (07:41):
This is amazing.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (07:43):
So let's bump it up a little bit.
Let's still say seven nights.
Let's still do, uh, Tokyo andKyoto, but let's do a moderate
range with this type of trip.
Julie, talk to us about that.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (07:54):
So when we bump up the budget a little
bit, we are gonna keep thosegroup tours.
but we're gonna add in a coupleof curated experiences.
You're gonna be staying in morecomfortable hotels and the pace
is gonna be a little bit morebalanced throughout your trip.
In Tokyo, you're gonna stay fournights and we're gonna recommend
the hotel niwa Tokyo, which is amore modern and comfortable
(08:18):
hotel with a very calm design.
It's really great for familieswho want a little more comfort
in their space.
Plus it's close to two majorsubway lines, which is really
convenient for your travel.
a couple of the activities we'regonna be doing are a full day
Tokyo highlights tour.
This is a group tour, but you'regonna see all the key sites
(08:40):
including the Shrine Ryanmentioned in our previous
itinerary, the Tokyo Tower orSkytree, the Imperial Palace
Gardens.
this is a really greatorientation day for first timers
who are visiting Tokyo.
next you can go to either DisneySea or Ghibli Park.
so this would be a day trip overto Disney Sea, which, let's be
(09:04):
serious.
That's the one we are going tochoose.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (09:06):
Disney Sea has been rated the top theme
park in the world multipleyears.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (09:12):
Yeah, it's an amazing park and it's
very unique.
Or over to Ghibli Park, which isanime based.
There's replicas films.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (09:20):
Okay.
j_1_11-17-2025_12015 (09:20):
immersive, just depending on what your
interests are.
And we're also gonna be havingan evening food tour to visit
the alleyway street foods.
things like ramen and Japanesecomfort foods with a local
guide.
So you have a really great mixbetween, this theme park
experience or an animeexperience, sampling a lot of
foods and seeing all theimportant sites for your first
(09:43):
visit to Tokyo.
Next, you're gonna go over toKyoto for three nights, and
we're gonna recommend the KyotoCentury Hotel, which is right
next to Kyoto Station, great forfamilies with easy access for
day trips around Japan.
We're gonna do a highlights tourin Kyoto this time with stops at
(10:03):
the Ky Miera temple, the goldenPavilion, and nijo castle, a
Samurai era palace.
We're gonna do a traditional teaceremony where you can learn how
matcha is prepared.
It's really family friendfriendly.
It's very calm and it's reallyculturally immersive.
And then you're also gonna do Aday trip over to Nara where you
can go to the home of the GreatBuddha.
(10:27):
And the Deer Park where kids canfeed the deer crackers.
And I've researched the DeerPark before.
It is a very cool place forkids.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (10:34):
Very cool.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (10:34):
easy train ride So once we broke this
down, this price point we'regonna talk about reflects the
comfortable hotel stay, Theguided city tours and.
Either Disney Sea or GhibliPark, and then one or two of
those family experiences, andthis comes out to about$240 per
person per day.
(10:55):
That's just so, so great,especially to include something
like Disney Sea.
I would
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (11:00):
Yeah.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (11:01):
I had to take a little pause there and
say, Ryan, are you sure?
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (11:04):
you're doing a theme park for one day,
and you're choosing one, you'renot choosing multiple ones.
I think a lot of this has to dowith, versus our discussion of
Italy, the amount of transfersthat we're doing here.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (11:16):
Mm-hmm.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (11:17):
It is much lower.
We're relying on publictransportation because we're in
cities, we're walking becausewe're in cities.
I think that's cutting a lot ofthis down.
I'm really excited and I thinkI'm gonna blow you away with our
luxury option here, but first Iwanna talk about where in the
world is Wonder and beyondtravel.
Julie, I'm gonna take this one.
(11:38):
Friday afternoon, I had a coffeewith one of my clients that just
returned from Africa.
she could not stop gushing aboutthe trip that her and her sister
went on.
and it just sounded absolutelyamazing.
They worked with one of ourfavorite partners, live Life
safaris, who we've worked withmultiple times, and I just, love
(12:00):
them.
They do such a good job.
this traveler.
Went from, because of healthsituations being the add-on to
people who had been to Africamultiple times to now being the
lead guest.
there was a lot of nervousnesswith that.
Clint's team at Live Life Safariheld their hand from the very
(12:22):
moment they got there.
She's like, we are very nervous,we are wanting to be taken care
of.
And she said, as soon as welanded in Johannesburg.
they were there, we had aWhatsApp group with people that
were always there with signs.
We knew their names.
We knew what to expect, and itwas absolutely fabulous.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (12:39):
What a relief.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (12:41):
Oh, and it just, I think it just,
for her, it just made the tripthat started kind of uncertain.
just absolutely amazing.
Let me give you some of thehighlights.
this was an interesting thingbecause, one of the women that
was originally gonna go on thetrip actually won a resort stay
in Africa, through a silent.
Auction.
And so that's what started thewhole conversation.
(13:03):
they went over to Johannesburgand had a few days there and
then spent time at this privateresort.
after that we picked up with thetrip that I helped plan.
some of the highlights, they'reat a camp where they're
basically walking to dinner.
And hippos are actually eatingright next to them as they're
sitting on the balcony eatingdinner.
(13:23):
they saw a one day old babyelephant they fed.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (13:29):
what.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (13:30):
They fed the elephant named Rambo who
has the longest tusks on record.
he has security with him 24hours a day because they want to
keep his tusks intact.
they saw.
Every type of animal imaginable.
multiple safaris, went to theIndian Ocean Coast.
(13:52):
just amazing, amazing things.
you know, the pictures that shewas showing me.
Just zebras and elephants andtigers and spring box and
wildebeests and warthogs andpainted dogs and hyenas.
she was just glowing as she wastalking about this experience.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (14:13):
Wow.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (14:15):
and they were in anything from five
star accommodations to what Iwould call glamping.
in fact, her and her sister wereat a safari camp where they were
in kind of these glamping hutsand they were The only guests
because they were kind of at theend of the season, she's like,
it was us and 14 guys thatworked there.
they just gushed over us theentire time.
(14:37):
taking care of this and that.
it was funny because she'sshowing me pictures and she's
like, this is Soandso.
He was our safari guide andbartender.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (14:44):
Oh,
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (14:46):
So it was unbelievable.
As she talked about this trip.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (14:49):
I feel blown away just by some of your
descriptions and herdescriptions.
I am thrilled to hear suchawesome feedback.
And I think Ryan, and I'm surethat you had this feeling, when
you can be a part of creating
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (15:05):
Oh yeah.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (15:06):
somebody,
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (15:07):
it is a really, it's an honor, it's a
privilege.
It just makes me so happy, tolive vicariously with my clients
as they're having this andspending time with them
afterwards and learning aboutit.
that makes me better, but italso helps me appreciate what
I'm doing and why.
So, I am so excited to be partof this.
I've had multiple safaris withthis company.
(15:29):
I look forward to working withthem again.
just an unbelievable time.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (15:33):
Wow.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_1201 (15:34):
Alright, let's head back over to Japan,
Julie.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (15:38):
All righty.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (15:39):
All right, so for our luxury Japan
trip, this is gonna be an eight,nine night trip.
So a few more nights, we aregoing to be in Tokyo, we're
gonna be at the foot of MountFuji, and in Kyoto.
how is this going to bedifferent than the other two
Private access and activities,incredible food, seamless
(16:00):
transportation.
real cultural immersion.
We're starting with four days inTokyo, four nights rather.
We're gonna stay at the PalaceHotel Tokyo, which is a luxury
five star hotel.
It's right on the ImperialPalace Gardens and has very
large rooms, Which in Tokyo isnot that common.
(16:21):
So what are the types of thingswe're gonna be doing in our time
with Tokyo?
we are going to, have a privateTokyo cultural tour.
Now, with this, it's based onwhat your family wants to do.
So you can choose things like.
Sushi tasting, a shrine, privatewalk, shopping, tours, cruises
(16:42):
on the Sumita River.
You're also gonna be doing aprivate sumo stable visit.
So you're gonna watch sumowrestlers train, have a q and a
with the coaches and the, andthe athletes.
And you're gonna have a rareinsider access as you're not
watching a competition, butyou're actually watching them
get ready and talking to themone-on-one.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (17:04):
Wow.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (17:05):
You're gonna have a private sushi
making workshop, with a sushichef, which will include lunch,
hopefully not the ones that youstumble over the first couple
times.
You make it and you know,something like this.
It's focused on a, as a familyactivity, so it's very
interactive and fun for thekids.
then you're going to be taking aprivate transfer to the hae,
(17:26):
which is near.
Mount Fuji and you're gonna bestaying here for one or two
nights.
you're gonna be staying at theGora Kaan, which is a luxury
Ryokan Ryokans.
Julie, are those traditionalJapanese, Accommodations, with
the paper walls and, bamboo,frames it's one of Japan's top
(17:47):
ROK can inns.
They have a private hot springbath on site, which we'll get
back to in a second.
And it will also include aincredible multi-course Japanese
meal.
So what are we gonna be doinghere?
we're going to be doing aprivate.
tour around the area where we'regonna be doing a cable car tour,
(18:10):
a pirate ship, lake cruise, andalso exploring the volcanic
valley around that location.
We're gonna have a privatedriver.
We're not gonna wait in line, sothey're gonna take care of
everything.
We're then going to beexperiencing the hot springs
there at that hotel, which willbe nice and relaxing for the
whole family, or maybe just momand dad, depending on the
(18:32):
timing.
Then we're taking our privatetransfer over to Kyoto for three
nights.
We're gonna be staying at theFour Seasons Hotel, Kyoto, which
is a top luxury property, hasSerene Gardens, has a in-store
pool, and again, those largeroom and suites that we're not
used to seeing in Japan.
What are the activities thatwe're doing in Kyoto?
(18:53):
We are going to have a privategeisha cultural walk, so we're
gonna learn about.
the traditions of the geisha andthe makos.
We're gonna have an eveningwalking, with photography, and
tea with a Mako.
And a Mako, is basically ageisha apprentice.
what a unique culturalexperience.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (19:13):
Really.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (19:14):
This next one has kids written all
over it.
We're gonna have a samurai swordlesson, so we are going to learn
the kata forms with a trainedsword master.
And it, it says here in thenotes, it will be a safe
educational and also memorable.
So, you know how, how did, howdid, how did your brother lose a
toe on vacation?
(19:35):
We are going to have a day wherewe have a tour guide and driver
take us wherever we want to go.
So this may be temples, this maybe tea fields, shrines, forest
walks, all that type of stuff.
for this luxury eight to ninenight trip, we're looking at
three 50 to four 50 per personper day.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (19:56):
Wow.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (19:56):
And so now you see the upgrades.
We've got, first class trainaccommodations.
We have private drivers takingus around on tours.
We have more luxurious, hotels,private experiences, but still
$400 per person per day.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (20:15):
that's great.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (20:16):
Yes.
I think, to be honest.
you can really mix and match allof this to fit your style.
pick some of the luxury, picksome of the moderate, pick some
of the budget, and you have sucha, a budget friendly way to see
Japan.
yeah, I'm going for it.
j_1_11-17-2025_120156 (20:34):
I think as we've done this episode, my
brain is going over when can Itake my kids to Japan and on a
safari, how old do I want themto be?
How soon can I get there?
Because both of these, talkingabout Japan and then you sharing
about the safari trip are just,very awe inspiring.
(20:57):
And I hope that our listeners.
get that same feeling as well,The world is full of wonder and
your next great adventure iswaiting at Wonder and Beyond
Travel.
We work with you to create a oneof a kind journey, taking the
stress off your plate so you canfocus on the joy of exploring
and the memories that will staywith you forever.
(21:20):
ready to start planning or justwant to dream a little bigger,
head over to Wonder and beyondtravel.com.
We'd love to help you getstarted.
ryan_1_11-17-2025_120156 (21:29):
We look forward to talking to you
next week on All Things Travel.
When we wrap up this threebudget series by heading to
Hawaii,
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