LUMA Path
Your Japan,Tokyo, Kyoto, Hokkaido, Fukuoka — wherever you're headed. Private, bilingual, and properly allergy-aware.
I'm Sho. I moved from Japan to Brisbane at fifteen and spent the next nine years there — long enough to understand what it actually feels like to land somewhere unfamiliar, not speak the language, and try to work out where to eat without accidentally ordering something you're allergic to.
I'm back in Tokyo now, working as a consultant and spending most of my spare time photographing aircraft around Haneda and Narita. That's taken me all over the country, so I know a fair bit beyond the usual tourist circuit — the neighbourhood izakayas that don't have English menus, the viewing platforms the aviation forums haven't found yet, the ramen shops in Sapporo worth the trip on their own.
I don't do scripted tours. I'd rather find out what you're actually interested in and build something from there.
"Living in Australia changed how I saw Japan — and how I saw myself. A good trip can do something similar."
— Sho Asano, LUMAMy first anaphylactic reaction happened when I was a kid. It changed how I've moved through the world ever since — reading ingredient lists, asking questions before sitting down, never assuming something is fine. That's not a selling point; it's just why I take this seriously.
Japan is harder to navigate with dietary restrictions than most people expect. Soy and wheat turn up in almost everything, sesame is everywhere, and most restaurant staff won't have the vocabulary to reassure you in English. I speak Japanese, I know the right questions to ask, and I'll sort the restaurant side of things out before we get anywhere near a table.
Every tour is private. These are the rough categories — tell me what you're after and we'll go from there.
Good if you want to focus on one area properly rather than cramming everything in. Three to four hours, flexible timing, no rushing.
Enough time to get out of Tokyo if you want to — Kamakura, Nikko, Hakone, or further. Or stay in the city and go properly deep into one thing.
I shoot aviation myself, so I know where to be and when around Haneda and Narita. Good spots, good timing, and happy to talk through the camera side too.
Tell me what you're actually into. Food, architecture, photography, history, specific neighbourhoods, anime locations — name it and I'll put something together.
Works the same as a private tour, just with more people. Still private — not a coach, not a set script. Up to six people at a time.
Built around your restrictions from the start. Every restaurant pre-checked, every menu read in full before we sit down. Nothing gets left to chance.
Based in Tokyo, but I've covered a fair bit of the country. If you've got somewhere specific in mind, just ask.
Rates depend on where we go and how long we're out. Everything gets sorted in the first conversation.
Travel outside greater Tokyo — Kyoto, Hokkaido, Fukuoka and so on — will add transport costs on top. Allergy restaurant research is included at no extra charge. Everything gets confirmed in writing before we go anywhere.
Drop me a message and we'll take it from there. The consultation's free — no obligation either way.
Usually replies within 1–2 business days · English welcome