Have you ever fantasized about the ultimate luxury vacation in Japan? If so, Alex Debs is your go-to guy. As the founder of Hitotoki, the Luxury Travel Designer, Alex specializes in crafting luxurious travel experiences in Japan. In this episode, you'll get an inside look into the world of luxury travel planning, including the most challenging requests his team has faced. We'll discuss how he navigated the pandemic restrictions, the unique challenges of being a small, specialized agency, and his interactions with Japan's large travel associations. Plus, Alex shares exclusive itinerary suggestions for a 2-3 day trip out of Tokyo and insights into booking a seat at the world-famous Jiro Sushi restaurant.

We'll also explore a range of other fascinating topics, including:

• The role of a "Luxury Travel Designer" and defining "luxury" in travel
• Tips for selecting the best travel guides
• How to handle illegal requests in the luxury travel industry
• Differences in itinerary preferences among nationalities
• Challenges faced by hotels in accommodating foreign luxury guests
• Stories from the "Go-To-Travel" program and insights into Japan's travel associations
• The untapped luxury market potential of Okinawa
• The business opportunity that inspired the creation of HITOTOKI
• A "Free Unsolicited Business Idea" from our conversation

Connect with Alex Debs on LinkedIn and learn more about Hitotoki at hitotoki-travel.com. For more episodes of Now and Zen Japan, visit nowandzen.jp.