The Japan you've imagined,
and the Japan you haven't.
Private guided tours of Japan, led by locals. Photography and videography to remember every moment – the towns, temples, traditions, memories kept off the typical itinerary.
Follow us:
The Japan We Want You to See
Rooted in Japan.
Off the beaten path.
Memory Design began with a simple frustration. Most travelers come to Japan and only see Japan’s surface: the same Shinjuku crossings, the same Kyoto temple queues. But the country we live in is quieter, stranger, and more beautiful than the highlight reel.
So we built something different. We design private journeys into the Japan locals actually love.
A soba master’s kitchen in a mountain village, a backstreet izakaya three trains from anywhere, a sunrise temple with no one else in it.
Yes, we’ll take you to Shibuya and Asakusa. But the trip you’ll talk about for years? That happens somewhere you’ve never heard of.
available tours
Signature Journeys,
Ready When You Are.
A curated selection of our most-requested journeys, each pairing Japan’s celebrated destinations with the local moments that surround them. The easiest way to begin, and a foundation we can shape entirely around you.
- Get Started
Curating Unforgettable Travel Experiences
Let us craft a personalized experience or beautiful story just for you. Reach out today to begin your journey.
WHY MEMORY DESIGN
More Than Just Ordinary Tours
01
No Two Trips Alike
Every itinerary is composed from scratch. Built around your pace, your interests, and the Japan you came to find. Partnering with select hotels, private guides, and master artisans, we create journeys that exist only once.
02
Truly Japan-Based
Every guide, every connection, every recommendation comes from people who live, eat, and travel here. Not from an Tokyo packaging desk overseas.
03
Rooted in Hospitality
Founded by a professional shaped by years inside Japan’s luxury hospitality industry, every detail of your journey is handled with the care and quiet precision the country is known for.
04
Beyond the Tour
Our guides aren’t reading from a script. They share the Japan they actually live in. The backstreet kitchens, the quiet shrines, the towns and traditions most travelers never reach.
- Our Services
Journey Beyond Your Imagination
01
Private Guided Tours
Discover Japan with a professional guide who brings the country to life – from its most celebrated landmarks to the backstreets and stories only locals know.
02
Bespoke Itineraries
Every journey is composed from scratch, shaped around what draws you to Japan – whether it’s art, cuisine, craft, nature, or something we’ll uncover together.
03
Activities and Excursions
Private access to the people and places that make Japan itself – tea masters, artisans, hidden temples, seasonal traditions arranged just for you.
04
Creative Service
Professional photographers and videographers are available to accompany your journey, preserving its quiet, fleeting moments in films and photographs designed to last.
From Our Guests’ Trips & Events
Moments We've Captured
Beyond travel, we photograph and film the moments that matter. Weddings, family portraits, and corporate & government events, in Japan.
TESTIMONIALS
Real Stories from Our Travelers & Clients
As a Mexican traveler in Japan, I couldn’t have asked for a better guide. John made everything easy to understand, from trains to temple etiquette, and took me to authentic local places.
Then a magical experience in Odaiba Tokyo, walking through the lights of the night in the coastline, and celebrated my honeymoon with my wife.
Emilio
Guest from Mexico
We are a family of 5, and John was very welcoming when we met him on the day of the photoshoot. He made us, especially our kids, feel comfortable. We really liked how there were not only posed photos but also candid ones.
If we were to return to Japan, we would work with him again and also recommend him to friends and family! Thank you!
Carolyn
Guest from the US
While in Nikko, we participated in a local festival, immersing ourselves in the festivities, meeting new local people, and sampling various Japanese sake. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience, and we would like to express our gratitude to Lee. He was amazing.
Angelina
Guest from Russia
We greatly appreciated your flexibility in accommodating the sudden schedule changes. On the day of the shoot, you took the time to thoroughly understand what we wanted to achieve and handled everything professionally while being considerate of our customers as well. The photos turned out fantastic, and we plan to use them in our promotional activities.
AIRS Medical
Corporate Client
Partners & Clients
