Cultural Research & Trip Coordination

Navigate Japan's creative landscape with an insider who bridges cultures.

Whether you're a brand seeking design inspiration, a creative professional researching Japanese cultural depth, or an entrepreneur exploring collaborative opportunities, I facilitate authentic access beyond tourist experiences. Drawing on years of cross-cultural immersion across London, Europe, and Tokyo's creative communities, I create custom research trips that connect you with the right people, places, and insights.

What's included:

  • Pre-trip research and itinerary design

  • Strategic introductions and access coordination

  • Cultural interpretation and facilitation

  • Post-trip insights and follow-up coordination

This is for you if:

  • You need insider access to Japan's creative/design community

  • You want cultural context, not just translation

  • You're planning a strategic research trip (brand immersion, partnership exploration, creative inspiration)

Investment:
Custom scope. Typical engagements range from basic trip planning (¥60,000-80,000) to full facilitation (¥150,000-250,000). Let's discuss your specific needs.

Cross-Cultural Bridge Services

Bridge cultures and mindsets, beyond translation.

When global teams collaborate with Japanese partners, the challenge isn't just language—it's navigating different business mindsets, communication styles, and cultural contexts simultaneously. I've seen collaborations lose their spark and momentum because "innovation" meant different things across teams, or because silence was misread as agreement rather than confusion.

I serve as a cultural bridge for cross-cultural projects, facilitating understanding across the gaps translation alone can't fill. Drawing on years of working across global and Japanese creative and technical communities, I help teams move beyond surface-level communication to genuine collaboration. This isn't about organizing projects—it's about supporting them as a facilitator who reads context, fills in unspoken assumptions, and ensures everyone is aligned and working in rhythm.

What's included:

  • Pre-project briefing to understand team dynamics and cultural context

  • Flexible real-time facilitation during meetings and collaborative sessions

  • Cultural interpretation beyond language translation

  • Post-session debriefs and ongoing support throughout the project

This is for you if:

  • You're leading a cross-cultural project between global and Japanese teams

  • You need more than translation—you need someone who can bridge mindsets, communication styles, and cultural contexts

  • You have a project manager but want cultural facilitation support to ensure genuine collaboration

Investment:
Scope and pricing tailored to your project's needs. Engagements typically range from ¥100,000-250,000 depending on project duration and level of involvement. Let's discuss what works for your collaboration.

Service Design with Micro Business

Bring Service Design into your business—grow without the corporate budget.

Service Design shouldn't be reserved for large corporations with major consulting investments. I bring an accessible Service Design framework to micro business owners, solo entrepreneurs, and small teams who want to think strategically about their customer experience but don't need - or can't afford - lengthy consulting engagements.

Here's what often happens, especially in micro business. When you start your own business, you create tangible materials like signage and a website without thinking deeply about the message you want to deliver. As your service grows, you may realize that your service doesn't harmonize well.

What is missing? The conceptual work that service design can provide.

I am your thought partner to create or re-create your brand and business. By applying the service design approach, I help you clarify and articulate your thinking. Your brand and service concept can then take tangible form - whether that's refining your messaging, creating business materials, or rethinking your service landscape. I seamlessly connect intangible thoughts and tangible materials for your distinctive brand. When everything comes from the same foundational thinking, it harmonizes naturally and comes alive.

What's included:

  • Initial consultation to understand your brand and service challenges

  • Collaborative sessions to clarify your brand concept and direction

  • Service Design frameworks to organize and visualize your service and approach

  • Tangible outputs when needed - from messaging refinement to business materials

This is for you if:

  • You're a micro business owner (1-9 employees) or solo entrepreneur

  • You want strategic thinking about customer experience but can't afford lengthy consulting engagements

  • You're ready to learn new approaches and see your business differently

Investment:
Flexible engagements tailored to micro business budgets, starting from ¥20,000. Let's discuss your needs and find the right fit.

Bespoke Collaborative Services

Explore unique opportunities—beyond predefined services.

Not every opportunity fits neatly into predefined service categories. Some of the most meaningful collaborations emerge from conversations about unique needs, ongoing partnerships, or projects that require a fresh approach.

Whether you're looking for a strategic thought partner on retainer, need support for a project that bridges multiple areas, or have an idea that doesn't quite fit the usual boxes—let's explore what we can create together. I'm open to conversations about custom engagements, long-term collaborations, and unexpected opportunities that align with where we can add value to each other.

What's included:

  • Initial conversation to understand your vision and needs

  • Custom scope and approach designed collaboratively

  • Ongoing dialogue and iteration throughout our work together

  • Flexibility to evolve as opportunities develop

This is for you if:

  • You have a project or partnership idea that doesn't fit standard service categories

  • You're looking for regular strategic support or a thought partner on retainer

  • You value collaborative exploration over predefined packages

Investment:
Every collaboration is unique. For retainer arrangements, monthly commitments typically range from ¥30,000-60,000. Custom projects are priced based on scope and value. Let's start with a conversation about what you're envisioning.