Japan - Where I Grew Up!

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Eri Hayakawa, Travel Agent in Tacoma, WA

Eri Hayakawa

Tacoma, WA Travel Agent
Super Agent

Eri Hayakawa

Tacoma, WA · 4 Years of Experience

A full-service Travel Leaders Associate Agency
5.0
(24)
100% Recommended
My family and I (a group of 9) traveled to Japan for the first time. Originally, we had other plans for traveling to Asia, but those... Read More >
About
Reviews
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Travel Stories & Media
Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Japan

Interests:

Family Vacations, Culinary & Foodie, Adventure, Global Travel, Groups

About Me

Konnichiwa, fellow travelers! I'm Eri, your dedicated Japan travel expert. Having been born and raised in Japan, I bring a wealth of insider knowledge of this fascinating country. With my deep-rooted connection, I specialize in crafting unique journeys that showcase the essence of Japan's captivating culture, history, and natural beauty. From the timeless allure of Kyoto's temples to the vibrant energy of Tokyo, the culinary delights of Osaka, and soothing hot springs and picturesque landscapes of Hakone, I tailor each itinerary to suit your passions and interests. Whether you're planning a serene solo expedition or an enriching family vacation, I'm here to design experiences that create lasting memories. Discovering Japan's wonders with your loved ones can be a bonding journey of a lifetime, and I am eager to guide you on this enchanting adventure.

Here are my top 10 "must-eat" while you are in Japan:

Sushi - You can’t miss trying authentic sushi in its birthplace. Head to Tsukiji or Toyosu Fish Market in Tokyo for the freshest catches!

Ramen - Slurp your way through varying broths, from the rich and creamy tonkotsu to the salty shoyu. Each region has its own specialty.

Okonomiyaki - Known as Japanese savory pancakes, you can find the best versions in Hiroshima and Osaka. They're customizable and delicious!

Tonkatsu - A crispy, breaded pork cutlet that’s fried to perfection. Pair it with shredded cabbage and a savory sauce.

Tempura - Tempura is an art in Japan, where seafood and vegetables are lightly battered and fried to golden crispiness.

Yakiniku - Grill your own slices of beef, pork, or vegetables at this popular style of dining across Japan. It’s a communal and fun experience!

Sashimi - Fresh and expertly sliced raw fish or seafood. A pure delight for seafood lovers.Takoyaki - These are delicious, ball-shaped snacks filled with octopus, popular in street markets of Osaka.

Miso Soup – A staple in Japanese cuisine, this soup made from fermented soybeans is comforting and full of umami.

Wagyu Beef - Renowned for its marbling and tenderness, savoring Wagyu beef is a luxury worth indulging in.

Pro tip: Remember to say "Itadakimasu" before diving into your meal as a way of expressing gratitude! 

Additional Languages
Japanese

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
24 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
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Showing 24 reviews

Very memorable!!!
Reviewed By T Marc - Sammamish, WA | Traveled to Japan | East and Southeast Asia
My family and I (a group of 9) traveled to Japan for the first time. Originally, we had other plans for traveling to Asia, but those fell through—so we made a last-minute decision to visit Japan instead. A friend connected me with Eri, and I reached out for help planning our accommodations. Eri was incredibly conscientious and responsive throughout the booking process. Given our large party size, budget, and limited availability, she arranged stays at various apartment hotels that would best suit our needs. After much discussion among the family, we decided we wanted a mix of experiences—so we followed through on two of the accommodations Eri had booked for us: an apartment hotel in Shinjuku and a traditional ryokan in Hakone. Both stays were fantastic and left lasting impressions on everyone. The Shinjuku apartment hotel gave us a great base to explore Tokyo, while the ryokan in Hakone was a true highlight of the trip. Everyone agreed that our time in Hakone was one of the best parts of the journey—relaxing, scenic, and culturally rich. Eri was consistently helpful, offering us valuable travel advice along the way. Her support made the entire experience smoother and more enjoyable. Thank you, Eri, for helping make our first trip to Japan so memorable!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Amazing trip to Alaska!
Reviewed By ShellBell32 - Maple Valley, WA | Traveled to Alaska | USA
Eri helped us pick out the perfect cruise for our family. There is so much to consider when choosing a cruise line, and Eri took into consideration the needs of our family to help us find the perfect ship, staterooms and itinerary. We had many magical moments with our teens on this trip.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Best Planned Trip to Japan!
Reviewed By DSBPiano - Bellevue WA | Traveled to Tokyo | Japan | East and Southeast Asia
Eri is the BEST! I have been to Japan many times to visit family and friends throughout my life, but it had been 13 years since my last trip. A lot has changed in the travel world, so I had some apprehension about going but Eri took care of everything. One of the best decisions I ever made was hiring her. She is organized, thorough, conscientious, accessible, and fast! Since she travels to Japan often herself, she is current on all the rules. She walked me through every part of the process from before we left WA (preparing any documents to get through customs), all hotel, all activities (Gibli museum, Team Labs, Kyoto Tour, Kimono Photos in Asakusa, etc.), train & travel arrangements within Japan (Shinkansen tickets, JR Pass), to helping me prepare when coming back to WA. She suggested various options for how long to stay in each city, gave me time frames, and truly made my worries disappear. I have recommended her to everyone I know and will be using her services again. Don't hesitate
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Trip of a Lifetime to Santorini, Athens & Rome - in December!!
Reviewed By DSBPiano - Bellevue WA | Traveled to Greece | Europe
Going to Santorini had been on my Bucket list - forever! I had concerns about going there in December because that is considered 'slow' season but - it was the PERFECT time for me to go. It was quiet, peaceful, and visually stunning. The days were sunny, cool, with clear skies, and gorgeous sunsets. The hotel, daily breakfast (made to order as we overlooked the Aegean Sea from the balcony), the tours and guides, exceeded all my expectations thanks to Eri's thoughtful planning. She took my 'wish list' items into careful consideration and created the trip of a lifetime. From booking ALL of my flights (every leg), every hotel, all of the tours and activities we wanted to do, to planning transportation between locations, Eri took care of EVERYTHING. I traveled to Santorini & Athens with my son and was joined by my daughter to Rome. We were constantly amazed when we arrived at each location at the convenience of the hotel location, the amenities they provided and the quality of each tour she booked for us. She sent us several preliminary itineraries and adjusted them until we had everything we wanted. She was available for us even on our trip if we had any questions along the way. She truly goes above and beyond for her clients! This is not the first time I have used her services, and it won't be the last. I highly recommend Eri to help you plan your 'trip of a lifetime'!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Japan to Eat, Ski and See
Reviewed By acprods - Jackson Wyoming | Traveled to Japan | East and Southeast Asia
This was a trip of a lifetime and I went with my oldest son (22). We are still talking about it and probably will for the rest of our lives! Eri is an expert and helped put together a complex itinerary including food, appropriate lodging, transport and airlines. She even went beyond and helped me navigate all of the items I had to do on my own and also offered many helpful recommendations and advice (like for the bullet trains and for certain restaurants). She was even helpful managing items during the time we were on our trip! She then sent a complete itinerary and documents in an easy to use package that was super helpful to have during our trip. We visited and ate our way through Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Sapporo and Niseko. I can't recommend her enough!!!! (and I can't wait to go back)
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.

My Photo Albums and Videos

Journey through Japan
View Album
Japan Street

Client Testimonials

Viking Ocean Cruise Planning
Eri, you are A+! Your communication skills, your timely, thorough responses, your competence, and your love for your profession are so refreshing! We are so grateful you helped us plan our Viking ocean cruise to the Caribbean! We are looking forward to it!
Kathi C, Gig Harbor WA
Cruise with Oxygen
I want to thank you for your research and information about my needs on a cruise. Without you we could have been blindsided by a lot of surprises. Thank you again!
Jerry, Tacoma WA
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