Natalia Sycheva

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I specialize in travel throughout Japan, with particularly strong knowledge of Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hakone, and the surrounding regions. I enjoy creating itineraries that combine Japan’s cultural heritage with nature, local traditions, food, art, and everyday experiences. I’m especially passionate about experiences such as traditional crafts, tea ceremonies, sake, Japanese gardens, architecture, and exploring less-touristy neighborhoods and destinations. I also enjoy helping travelers find the right balance between major highlights and quieter, more authentic places, while making sure the itinerary is comfortable and easy to navigate."

How did you get involved in travel?

"My connection with travel began when I moved to Japan in 2017 to study Japanese. What started as a decision to experience a new culture became a long-term journey. Over the years, I’ve traveled extensively around Japan, discovering different regions, landscapes, traditions, and ways of life. My professional background was originally in recruitment, where I enjoyed helping people find the right opportunities and supporting them through important decisions. Moving into travel felt like a natural next step—combining my knowledge of Japan with my passion for helping people create experiences that are truly meaningful to them."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"One of my most memorable travel experiences was a solo trip around Japan in August during COVID. My goal was to see how far I could travel without using a single bullet train, relying only on regular trains and figuring out my route as I went. I would sometimes book my next hotel while sitting on a train, not knowing exactly where I would end up that evening. It was spontaneous, a little unpredictable, and completely different from how I usually plan trips—but it gave me a wonderful sense of freedom and adventure. "