EXPERIENCE JAPAN
Go deeper than the itinerary
25 years studying and living in Japan | Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology | 15+ years teaching about Japan
25 years with Japan & a Ph.D. behind it
My love affair with Japan started as a teenager, and I have studied, researched, and lived there off and on for nearly 25 years.
I hold a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology and have spent 20+ years teaching about Japan. I’ve traveled the length of the archipelago, with particular depth in Kyoto, Nagano, Okinawa, and Iwate.
Most trip planning gets you to the famous places. I help you understand what’s actually in front of you, so you can experience it with real depth and intention.
Eric J Cunningham
Founder & consultant
What I help with
Six ways to go deeper
Reading a place
The history and cultural context behind what you’re seeing. Not just names, but why it matters.
Moving like you belong
Trains, roads, and cities. Practical logistics with the fluency of someone who’s navigated it for 25 years.
Money & manners
Where etiquette and spending meet. Gifts, tipping, and when to splurge versus scrimp.
Beyond the guidebook
The place next to the famous one, and the reasons why it’s often the more meaningful place to visit.
Timing it right
Festivals, seasonal tastes & delights, and the hours most visitors miss entirely.
Enough to connect
More than survival phrases. Language basics that can turn a transaction into an exchange.
Individual consultation
With an individual package, you will get a program tailored to you and your expectations for exploring Japan. In addition to one-on-one sessions with me, you will receive a bespoke itinerary that fits your comfort level, interests, and needs.
— Intake process to understand your situation
— Initial 90-minute session
— 30-minute follow up session
— 1:1 WhatsApp support
$359
Want to learn more? Get in touch.
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