Koko Doko Japan FAQs

About Koko Doko Japan

What is Koko Doko Japan?

Koko Doko Japan is a friendly Japan travel-planning support service, created especially for first-time visitors.

We help travellers make sense of their plans through personalised Golden Route itineraries, itinerary checks, practical local advice, digital travel guides and optional support while travelling in Japan.

We are not a traditional travel agency. Think of us as your Japan-planning buddies—here to make your trip feel clearer, calmer and easier to manage.

Who runs Koko Doko Japan?

Koko Doko Japan is run by Chloe and Rinto, a British–Japanese couple based in Japan.

Chloe understands the foreign-traveller side of planning Japan: not knowing where to begin, worrying about trains and hotel locations, saving hundreds of recommendations and wondering whether each day is too full.

Rinto brings a Japanese local perspective, including area knowledge, Japanese-language support, cultural details, transport advice and practical warnings that may not be obvious to first-time visitors.

Learn more about us here →

Is this service only for first-time visitors?

Our services are designed mainly for first-time visitors, particularly those travelling through Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima.

However, previous visitors are also welcome. Our Itinerary Check may be useful if you have already created a route but would like a knowledgeable second opinion.

What areas do you cover?

Our Golden Route Plans currently focus on:

• Tokyo

• Kyoto

• Osaka

• Optional Hiroshima and Miyajima extensions

We may be able to review itineraries covering other areas of Japan through our Itinerary Check service. More complex, rural or self-drive routes may require an individual quote.

What services do you offer?

We currently offer four main options.

Golden Route Plan

A personalised Japan itinerary based around Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, with an optional Hiroshima and Miyajima extension.

Itinerary Check

A structured review of an itinerary you have already created, with personalised feedback on its route, pace, travel days, accommodation areas and overall flow.

Japan Buddy Support

Private WhatsApp or LINE support during selected days of your trip, including practical travel help, simple translations, local advice and Japanese-language phone assistance where reasonably possible.

Digital Travel Guides

Ready-to-download city guides, sample itineraries and travel-planning resources.

How much do your services cost?

Our current prices are:

• Golden Route Plan: from £185

• Itinerary Check for up to 7 days: £70

• Itinerary Check for 8–14 days: £95

• One day of Japan Buddy Support: £45

• Three selected days of Japan Buddy Support: £120

• Seven consecutive days of Japan Buddy Support: £230

Longer or more complex requests may require a personalised quote.

Can’t I use a free itinerary online or ask AI?

Yes. Free itineraries and AI tools can be useful starting points.

The difficulty with planning Japan is usually not a lack of information—it is having too much information. Blogs, social media, forums, videos and AI tools can all offer suggestions, but they do not always understand your pace, hotel locations, budget, luggage plans, must-do activities or confidence travelling in Japan.

Many travellers spend weeks researching and still feel unsure whether their itinerary genuinely works.

Rather than giving you another generic list, we help you turn your ideas into a more realistic and manageable trip.

Which service should I choose?

Choose the Golden Route Plan if you are overwhelmed, do not know where to begin or want a personalised route created for you.

Choose the Itinerary Check if you have already planned your trip but want someone to check whether it is realistic and well organised.

Choose Japan Buddy Support if you would like practical help while travelling in Japan.

Choose a digital guide if you prefer an affordable, ready-made resource that you can use independently.

Can you help if I feel nervous about travelling in Japan?

Yes. That is one of the main reasons we created Koko Doko Japan.

Japan is an exciting place to visit, but planning and navigating the trip can feel intimidating. Our goal is to help you feel more prepared, confident and supported.

Golden Route Plan

How personalised is the Golden Route Plan?

The Golden Route Plan is personalised within the classic first-time route of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, with an optional Hiroshima and Miyajima extension for longer trips.

We shape your itinerary around your:

• Travel dates

• Trip length

• Interests

• Preferred pace

• Budget

• Must-do activities

• Mobility requirements

• Travel concerns

We do not currently create fully customised itineraries for every region of Japan. Our focus is helping first-time travellers experience the Golden Route with realistic pacing and a sensible city order.

What happens after I complete the Golden Route questionnaire?

Chloe and Rinto will personally review your answers to make sure the service is suitable for your trip.

We will email you within 48 hours with any initial questions, your confirmed price, a secure payment link and an explanation of the next steps.

Submitting the questionnaire does not confirm your booking. Your booking is confirmed once payment has been received.

How long does the Golden Route Plan take?

Your completed plan will normally be delivered within seven days of receiving:

• Payment

• Your completed questionnaire

• Any additional information needed to begin

We may deliver it sooner where possible.

For particularly long or complex trips, we will confirm the expected delivery date before requesting payment.

What if I do not like the plan I receive?

We create your plan using the information supplied in your questionnaire, so the more detail you provide, the more closely we can shape it around you.

After delivery, you may send one follow-up email containing brief questions about the plan and our recommendations or have a free 30-minute zoom call with us to walk you through your plan.

We will correct factual errors or anything that clearly contradicts the information you originally provided.

The service does not include unlimited revisions or rebuilding the itinerary after major changes to your dates, destinations, travel style or priorities. Additional work may require a separate quote.

Itinerary Check

What is an Itinerary Check?

The Itinerary Check is for travellers who have already created their own Japan itinerary and would like a knowledgeable second opinion.

We review the itinerary you submit and provide personalised written feedback on areas such as:

• City order and overall route

• Daily pacing

• Area groupings

• Travel and hotel-change days

• Proposed accommodation areas

• Important transport considerations

• Advance-booking warnings

• Common first-time planning mistakes

We explain what we recommend changing and why. We do not rewrite the entire itinerary for you.

What are the limits for the Itinerary Check?

The £70 Itinerary Check covers:

• Up to 7 travel days

• Up to 3 overnight bases

• Up to 6 travellers following the same itinerary

• One itinerary version

The £95 Itinerary Check covers:

• 8–14 travel days

• Up to 5 overnight bases

• Up to 6 travellers following the same itinerary

• One itinerary version

Trips lasting more than 14 days or involving particularly complex routes may require an individual quote.

What counts as an overnight base?

An overnight base is a city or area in which you stay overnight.

For example, staying in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka would count as three overnight bases.

A day trip from Osaka to Nara would not normally count as another overnight base. However, an unusually high number of long-distance day trips may make the itinerary more complex and require an individual quote.

Can I send you a messy itinerary?

Yes. Messy is completely fine.

You can send your itinerary as a:

• Google Doc or Google Sheet

• PDF

• Word document

• Spreadsheet

• Notes app plan

• Clearly written email

• Collection of screenshots

• Shareable link

We simply need to understand your dates, overnight locations and planned activities.

How long does an Itinerary Check take?

Your completed Itinerary Check will normally be delivered within five business days after payment and receipt of all required information.

Longer or more complex itineraries may require additional time. We will confirm this before requesting payment.

Can I ask questions after receiving my review?

Yes.

Your Itinerary Check includes one follow-up email, which must be sent within seven days of receiving your review.

The email may include up to three brief questions asking us to clarify the feedback already provided.

For example:

• “Why do you think this Kyoto day is too busy?”

• “Which of these two attractions would you prioritise?”

• “Can you explain your concern about our hotel area?”

Will you review my updated itinerary afterwards?

A second complete review is not included.

The follow-up email is for clarifying our original feedback, rather than submitting a substantially changed itinerary for another full check.

If you change your cities, route, hotels or several days and would like the new version reviewed, we will assess the additional work and confirm any cost before proceeding.

What is not included in the Itinerary Check?

The service does not include:

• Creating an itinerary from scratch

• Rewriting your full itinerary

• Hour-by-hour scheduling

• Reviewing several itinerary versions

• Unlimited revisions

• Detailed hotel or restaurant research

• Checking live availability or prices

• Making reservations

• Purchasing tickets

• Continuous email consultation

• Support while travelling in Japan

Can you help me decide where to stay?

Yes. We can assess whether your proposed hotel areas are practical for your route and daily plans.

We do not select and compare large numbers of individual hotels or check live room availability as part of the standard service.

Can you help with theme-park days?

Yes. We can provide basic itinerary feedback, travel considerations and booking warnings for places such as Universal Studios Japan, Tokyo Disney Resort and other major attractions.

We do not purchase tickets or guarantee availability.

Japan Buddy Support

What is Japan Buddy Support?

Japan Buddy Support provides practical help during selected days of your trip.

You will have a private WhatsApp or LINE chat with Chloe and Rinto, where you can ask for help with situations such as:

• Train or station confusion

• Simple translations

• Japanese signs and screenshots

• Japanese websites

• Local travel questions

• Hotel or restaurant communication

• Minor travel problems

• Cultural questions

• General reassurance

Where reasonably possible, Rinto can also make short Japanese-language phone calls to clarify simple issues with hotels, restaurants and other businesses.

What Japan Buddy Support packages are available?

You can choose:

One selected day — £45

Support during one agreed date.

Three selected days — £120

Choose three dates during the same trip. The dates do not need to be consecutive.

Seven consecutive days — £230

Support during seven consecutive calendar days.

All dates are subject to availability and must be confirmed before payment.

When does Japan Buddy Support begin?

Support begins on the date agreed before payment.

We will create your private WhatsApp or LINE chat and send your welcome information before your first support day.

What hours is Japan Buddy Support available?

Japan Buddy Support is available from 08:30 until 23:00 Japan Standard Time during your confirmed support dates.

Messages sent outside those hours will be answered after support resumes.

How quickly will you reply?

We aim to respond as promptly as reasonably possible during support hours.

However, immediate replies cannot be guaranteed. Response times may vary depending on the nature of the request, the time of day and whether research or Japanese communication is required.

Japan Buddy Support should not be relied upon for emergencies or situations requiring an immediate response.

Is there a limit on how many messages I can send?

We do not count individual messages.

You are welcome to contact us whenever you need reasonable travel-related help during your support hours.

The service is designed for occasional practical questions and small travel problems. It does not include continuous live navigation, full-day personal assistance, unlimited research or ongoing itinerary redesign.

Can the whole travelling group use the chat?

One booking covers one travelling party of up to six people following the same trip.

Relevant group members may join one shared WhatsApp or LINE chat.

Can you speak Japanese for me?

Where reasonably possible, yes.

Rinto may be able to make short Japanese-language phone calls to clarify simple travel-related matters with hotels, restaurants or other businesses.

Up to two short phone-call requests per booked support day are included.

We cannot guarantee that a business will answer, agree to speak with us or provide the outcome requested.

Can you help with Japanese websites?

Yes. We can help you understand Japanese travel websites, attraction information, restaurant pages and simple booking screens.

We cannot guarantee that every website, reservation system or payment method will work for overseas visitors.

Can you make bookings or reservations for me?

No. We do not make bookings, purchase tickets or handle payments on your behalf.

We can help you understand booking information or clarify a simple question with a business where reasonably possible, but the customer remains responsible for completing and paying for reservations.

Is Japan Buddy Support an emergency service?

No. Japan Buddy Support is not a 24-hour service and should not be used for emergencies.

We cannot provide medical, legal, immigration, insurance or emergency assistance.

In an emergency, contact the appropriate Japanese emergency service, your accommodation provider, travel insurer, embassy or relevant travel company directly.

Can I change my support dates?

Date changes are subject to availability.

Please contact us as early as possible. We cannot guarantee that last-minute changes will be possible.

Bookings, Delivery and Turnaround

How quickly will you respond to my enquiry?

We aim to respond to all enquiries within 48 hours, although we will often reply sooner.

If you have not heard from us after 48 hours, please check your spam or junk folder before contacting us again.

When does the turnaround time begin?

The stated turnaround time begins once:

• Payment has been received

• Your questionnaire or itinerary has been submitted

• We have received all information required to begin

If we are waiting for documents, answers or clarification, the delivery period may be paused until we receive them.

Can I request an urgent turnaround?

Urgent requests may sometimes be possible, depending on availability and the amount of work required.

Please contact us before making payment. A rush fee may apply, and urgent delivery is not confirmed until we have reviewed your request.

What if my trip starts very soon?

Tell us your travel dates when you enquire.

We will be honest about whether there is enough time to provide a useful service before your departure. We will not accept payment if we do not believe we can complete the work properly.

How quickly are digital guides delivered?

Digital guides are available as an instant download following successful payment.

You should receive access on the confirmation screen or by email. If the download does not arrive, check your spam folder and contact us at hellokokodoko@gmail.com.

What happens if there is a delay?

If we expect a delay, we will contact you as soon as possible and provide an updated delivery date.

We will not leave you wondering what is happening with your order.

Bookings and Responsibilities

Do you book flights, hotels, trains, restaurants or activities?

No.

We do not make bookings, purchase tickets or handle payments to travel providers as part of our services.

We can highlight what may need to be booked, explain available options and help you understand relevant information, but final bookings remain your responsibility.

Can you guarantee tickets, reservations or opening hours?

No.

We cannot guarantee:

• Ticket availability

• Reservation success

• Current prices

• Opening hours

• Transport timetables

• Booking outcomes

• Third-party services

Travel information can change, so customers should confirm essential details directly with the relevant provider before travelling.

Are you a travel agency?

No. Koko Doko Japan is not a traditional travel agency.

We provide travel-planning support, itinerary feedback, local knowledge and practical travel assistance. We do not sell package holidays or manage all elements of your trip.

When should I book your service?

The earlier, the better—particularly during busy travel periods such as:

• Cherry blossom season

• Golden Week

• Summer holidays

• Autumn foliage season

• Christmas and New Year

For itinerary services, we recommend contacting us before making too many non-refundable reservations.

Getting Started

How do I get started?

Choose the service that best suits your situation and complete the relevant enquiry form.

If you are uncertain which service is right for your trip, send us a general enquiry and we will point you towards the most suitable option.

Start planning your Japan trip →