About Japan and More
Our Philosophy
Japan is a beautiful country offering endless opportunities for exploration. Travelers young and old can enjoy its diverse topography, historical landmarks, and modern culture.
Our mission at Japan and More is to promote positive experiences for travelers to Japan by providing first-hand knowledge, travel recommendations, and cultural advice.
Travel is not only about seeing the sights but experiencing the culture and making connections.
Promoting Enjoyable Experiences
A few years ago it came to our attention that many travelers to Japan were not having good experiences. There were various reasons: language barrier, difficulty in getting around and finding lodging, inability to understand tour guides, unable to order food in a restaurant, etc.
Planning a great trip takes time. There is a lot of work involved with researching each city – where to go, what to see, and how to get around. We want you to have an amazing time in Japan, so we make sure you are equipped with everything you need to know before you go. We do all the planning for you, answer your questions, and provide necessary advice, to make sure you have an enjoyable experience.
Becki Benedict’s Bio
My first trip to Japan was in 1997 to study abroad. I lived with a host family and was completely fascinated by the culture.
After graduating from Clemson University, I went back to Japan to work for the JET Program (Japan Exchange and Teaching Program). With money in my pocket, I really started exploring Japan and beyond.
I ended up living and working in Japan for over 10 years – Hamamatsu, Kitakyushu, Nagoya, Shizuoka, and Wakayama.
During that time, I traveled extensively throughout Japan and Asia. Outside Japan, I lived in China and Thailand (1 year and 2 1/2 years respectively) and traveled in Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
In 2011, I earned an MA in International Studies and started consulting about living and working in Japan. My true passion has always been in Japan and Japan travel, so I hope to inspire and encourage you to visit this amazing country and have a positive experience.
Travel Planning with Becki Benedict
I’ve been planning travel as long as I can remember. The first Japan itinerary I put together was for my parents about 20 years ago. I was living in Japan right after college, and I wanted to show them everything. I packed in as much as I could in just 5 days, and completely exhausted everyone. It was a disaster! They still talk about it to this day.
Since then, I’ve refined my planning skills and always ask about ideal pace of travel and energy levels. I thoroughly enjoy planning itineraries, researching unexplored areas, and discovering incredible new places in Japan.
“There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.” Robert Louis Stevenson