I'm Jon DeHart — author of Moon Japan and Moon Tokyo, Kyoto & Hiroshima, two guidebooks for Moon Travel Guides, and a journalist with more than 500 published articles.
Researching those books meant traveling the length of the country — its cities and back roads, its kitchens, festivals, ryokan, and trailheads. Every itinerary I design draws on that fieldwork, refined through real journeys with the travelers I've worked with.
Reporting selected for "best of the web" by The Washington Post, The Atlantic, The Huffington Post, Foreign Policy and RealClearWorld.
For travelers who have a plan in motion and want focused, candid advice from someone who knows the ground.
Best for: route feedback, which neighborhoods to stay in, transport questions, food, cultural context, pacing, and off-the-beaten-path ideas.
A custom written itinerary for independent travelers — themes, a well-paced route, and recommendations for places to stay, eat, and explore.
Optional add-on: a logistics brief covering transport, guides, reservations, and step-by-step booking instructions.
A premium journey designed by me and operated by a licensed Japan destination management partner.
Best for: families, private groups, milestone trips, and complex high-end travel.
Licensed partners handle all bookings, operations, and on-trip support.
For travel companies, advisors, and tour operators with Japan-bound clients.
I improve, design, or quality-control Japan itineraries as a behind-the-scenes specialist — without handling operations.
You share where you're headed, when, and what kind of trip you have in mind.
A short exchange to confirm I'm the right person for your trip — and which service fits.
I send a written proposal and scope by email — the substance handled in writing, around the time zones. A short call later is optional, for a personal touch rather than logistics.
I build your itinerary — themes, route, pacing, and recommendations, with up to two rounds of revisions.
For managed journeys, a licensed operator takes over bookings and on-trip support.
You leave with everything you need to travel with confidence and curiosity.
"He pointed us toward places we'd never have found on our own — and somehow the pacing was exactly right. It felt like traveling with a friend who happens to know Japan cold."
"The itinerary read like good travel writing — every day had a reason. We trusted it completely and were never once steered wrong."
"As an agency, we bring him in to pressure-test our Japan product. The detail and cultural nuance he adds is something we simply can't source elsewhere."
Share a few details and I'll reply personally to talk through whether we're a good fit and which approach makes sense. There's no obligation — just a conversation.
Available now for private itinerary design and consulting. Independent tour offerings — designed and operated with a trusted local partner — are expanding through late 2026; if you have a guided or operated trip in mind, get in touch and I'll tell you what's possible.
