About Us
From trip planning to guided tours, our team is dedicated to supporting you throughout the planning process, ensuring a stress-free and memorable trip to Japan.
Kaigai 「かいがい・海外」 is Japanese for 'foreign’; ‘abroad’; ‘overseas’.
Meet Our Team
Ryan Karpovage
Cofounder | Kyoto, Japan
Ryan Karpovage is a former educator and experienced travel specialist. He holds a MA in English Literature with distinction in Japanese Literature in translation. Ryan has partnered with American River Cultural Exchange and National English Honor Society to organize, develop, and lead multiple tours to Japan and the UK.
Ryan develops itineraries and leads guided tours in English across Japan’s many prefectures.
Ariel Koko
Cofounder | Kyoto, Japan
Ariel Koko is a Tel Aviv University graduate and MEXT scholar at Kyoto University. Her studies include East Asian Culture, Japanese Language, and Art History. Her knowledge of Japan’s culture and traditions has given her a deep insight into the core experiences of enjoying Japan to its fullest.
Ariel develops itineraries and leads guided tours in English, Hebrew, and Japanese.
Our Services
Trip Planning
Discuss your travel intentions with our team to ensure your visit to Japan is as rewarding as possible. We offer tiered consulting services and itinerary planning to suit your interests.
Guided Tours
Discover Japan through expertly guided tours that immerse you in Japan’s rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. We offer single-day and multi-day tours for every kind of traveler.
Group Tours & Cultural Excursions
Kaigai Japan and American River Cultural Exchange are offering exclusive excursion add-ons for travelers on upcoming Spring and Summer 2026 tours! Sign up for a group tour today and stay tuned to learn more about our excursion offerings.
