Soleil Ponce-Higa

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I specialize in Japan trips that feel scenic, thoughtful, and less crowded. I especially love Mount Fuji and Yamanashi, Nakasendo, Kumano Kodo, Naoshima, Ishigaki, Taketomi Island, Toba, Ginzan Onsen, Yamagata, Tateyama Kurobe, Kamikochi, and seasonal sakura or autumn routes away from heavy crowds.

I also enjoy planning hiking, onsen stays, arts and crafts, local food experiences, countryside escapes, ski trips in Yamagata, historic walking routes, and community-based experiences.

As a foodie, I prefer places with real flavor and local heart — not just TikTok-famous restaurants, but family-run spots, regional dishes, and meals that support the community while giving travelers a more authentic taste of Japan."

How did you get involved in travel?

"My love for travel started with mountains. Before Japan, I explored the Philippines first — hiking peaks, visiting islands, and discovering how much beauty exists in my own country.

When I moved to Japan, that same curiosity stayed with me. I began searching beyond the usual tourist path: mountain trails, onsen towns, seasonal landscapes, local restaurants, craft villages, and quiet places that make you feel the soul of Japan.

Travel planning became a natural extension of that love. I wanted to help others feel what I felt — that travel can be personal, respectful, and unforgettable when it is planned with care."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"Climbing Mount Fuji is one travel memory I will never forget. I had dreamed of a certain mountain landscape since I was young, without knowing where it was.

Years later, I climbed from the Fuji Yoshida side and descended toward Gotemba. The trail was foggy, then suddenly the clouds cleared — and there it was. The exact place I had seen in my dreams.

Another place close to my heart is Taketomi Island in Ishigaki, where my husband proposed. Its quiet streets, traditional houses, and island atmosphere remind me that the most meaningful places are not always the loudest ones."