Yolanda's VIP Tokyo Adventure
7 days | 6 nights Private Group Trip
Tokyo is our favorite city in the entire world, and this trip is our chance to show it to the people Yolanda loves most. September is the perfect time to visit. Just after summer means lower temperatures, and smaller crowds, exactly right for a group ready for real adventure. Every detail is planned and coordinated by Hosted by The Cooks. Your group shows up, we handle everything from there.
Exclusive experiences
A guided sightseeing tour of Tokyo's most iconic landmarks. A private matcha-making class. Go-karts through the city streets. A hands-on sushi-making class. A temple visit and ramen, together. And a sunset cruise on the Tokyo Bay.
THE COOKS: MEET YOUR HOSTS
The Columbus Connection
Yolanda is an extraordinary travel agent in her own right. She's built a reputation around curating experiences for other people, which means she knows exactly what good looks like. She knows the difference between a trip that's well-planned and a trip that's truly taken care of. And she chose Hosted by The Cooks.
That means everything to us.
So many of the people in this group either grew up in Columbus, still call it home, or have family rooted there. And that shared ground has a way of making a group feel like community before the trip even begins. You're not showing up to Tokyo as strangers. You already have more in common than you know.
Yolanda brought a group of selected friends and family to Bali in 2025 for Bali: Escape to Paradise, a private VIP adventure and it was incredible. The kind of trip you reference in conversation for years afterward. Everyone who was there will tell you the same thing.
This is that again. New city. Same energy. Same standard of care. And Tokyo, if anything, is going to top Bali.
Amirah and Jarrell will be on the ground with your group for every activity. They know this city intimately, after visiting and hosting there multiple times. You're traveling with hosts who love showing people destinations they care about, and who will make sure every moment feels special.
Our itinerary For The week
Settle In
Touch down, take a breath, and let the excitement sink in. Check in at 3:00 PM and settle into the beautiful hotel that will be home for the next six nights. Take some time to freshen up, explore the property, and decompress from the journey.
Meet Your People
This is where the magic starts. Meet your hosts and the other guests. Some you may already know and others you'll be meeting for the first time. All are VIP guests invited by Yolanda, so you already know they'll bring good energy and great conversation.
Welcome Dinner
Tonight we come together as a group for our welcome dinner. The official start of what is going to be an unforgettable week. Good food, great company, and that electric feeling of knowing the adventure is just beginning.
Sightseeing
Tour through Tokyo's most iconic landmarks and shrines, including a stop at one of the city's most breathtaking temples, a first real taste of the culture beyond the city lights.
Matcha Making Class
A fun matcha-making class. Hands-on, low-key, and genuinely fun, not overly ceremonial.
Ramen in Japan
We close the day with a group ramen lunch together, a proper introduction to Japanese food culture on day one in the city. Real, soul-warming Tokyo ramen that will completely reframe everything you thought you knew about the dish.
Go-Karts in Shibuya, If You Like Adventure
If you like a little adventure, you'll definitely love this: Go-karts through the streets of Tokyo, iconic, ridiculous fun. You will need your international driver's license beforehand. So, be sure to get one from your local AAA office. Find a location here.
Vintage Shopping, If You Prefer Less Adventure
If you don't wish to drive go-karts, you can go shopping instead. Due to knockoffs being illegal in Japan, their vintage shopping is full of authentic gems at all price points. From designer bags to unique Kit Kat flavors, there's something for everyone in this shopping experience.
Exploring on Foot
The rest of the afternoon continues as a group. More exploring, more shopping, and more of that only-in-Tokyo energy that is impossible to replicate anywhere else.
Visit An Iconic Temple
We visit one of Tokyo's most breathtaking temples - a moment of stillness and beauty that puts everything into perspective. During the visit, guests have the option to add on a kimono experience, dressing in a traditional Japanese kimono for an unforgettable photo opportunity, complete with the possible photoshoot. Kimono rentals are available at a range of price points and are an optional add-on at each guest's own expense.
Learn to Make Sushi
We close the day with a hands-on sushi making class where a local chef walks you through the art of one of Japan's most iconic dishes. You will leave knowing how to make it, having eaten entirely too much of it, and with a deep appreciation for the craft.
An Evening to Explore
The rest of the evening is free, eat, wander, or just take it easy.
Poolside Afternoon
Start the day with a poolside afternoon. Beach chair service, cocktails by the pool, and a well-earned mid-trip reset. The ANA InterContinental's outdoor pool is stunning and this is exactly the right moment to use it.
Sunset Cruise
Thursday we take to the water. A cruise along Tokyo Bay, one of the most breathtaking ways to experience the city from a completely different perspective. The skyline, the open water, the fresh air, and the whole group together. It is the kind of evening that feels effortless and unforgettable all at once.
Nightcap at the hotel
Tonight is yours. Visit the hotel's bar or cigar lounge, or an early night before the free day ahead. Whatever you need.
Do What You Want!
This is your day. No schedule, no plan, just whatever you want it to be. Sleep in. Swim. Shop. Book a spa treatment. Do absolutely nothing at all.
Explore More, Or Not
Want something arranged? We'll help make it happen and list a few suggestions. Private excursion, salon appointment, a day at the spa. Or, simply relax in the hotel, order room service and do nothing.
All White Finale Dinner
Tonight, dress in your best white. One final group dinner together to close out the most unforgettable week.
One Last Breakfast
Checkout comes with a breakfast to send you off right. Afterwards, easily schedule your airport transfer using Uber, the airport shuttle (if running) or a local taxi.
Checkout @ 11:00 AM
Before you book your flight home, look for one that departs later in the day. No reason to rush from breakfast straight to the airport when you could squeeze a few more hours out of Tokyo first.
Staying Longer?
Not ready to say goodbye yet? Book your transport on to your next destination simply using Uber or a local taxi.
Pick Your Package
$3,600
Single Occupancy
$6,500
couples suite
Where We're Staying
ANA InterContinental Tokyo
For the VIP Tokyo Adventure, home base is the ANA InterContinental Tokyo -- one of the most celebrated luxury hotels in the city. Centrally located, impeccably appointed, and overflowing with amenities, this hotel does not just set the tone for the trip. It is part of the experience.
- 13 on-site restaurants, bars, and lounges - from traditional Japanese kaiseki and teppanyaki to French dining, a steakhouse, sushi counter, dim sum, cocktail lounges, and a rooftop bar with panoramic views of the Tokyo skyline
- Outdoor pool -- a 20-meter open-air swimming pool available complimentary to all in-house guests, with a separate children's pool for younger travelers
- Fitness center
- Full-service spa
- Daily housekeeping
- Wi-Fi throughout
- On-site parking available
And for the connoisseurs in the group - Main Bar Da Vinci on the third floor offers over 200 whiskies from boutique and rare distilleries, imported cigars, live nightly entertainment, and an intimate atmosphere that is worth every minute of an evening in.
Daily breakfast is included with your stay. Pool access is complimentary for in-house guests. Spa, dining, and all other amenities are available at guests' own leisure and are not included in the trip package price.
What's Included in the Trip
Luxury Accommodations
Daily In-House Housekeeping
Breakfast Every Morning
Local Transportation
Activity Entry Fees
Here's exactly what your trip price covers, and what to plan for on your own, so there are no surprises between now and the moment you land in Tokyo.
- 6 nights at the InterContinental ANA Tokyo (or comparable)
- Daily breakfast
- Guided city tour
- Matcha-making class
- Go-karts
- Temple visit
- Sushi-making class
- Tokyo Bay Cruise
- Private group transportation throughout the trip
- On-the-ground hosting by Amirah and Jarrell
- Pre-trip planning calls
- A custom welcome gift
What's Not Included in the Trip
Flights to and from Tokyo
Travel/Health Insurance
Shopping + Souvenir Expenses
Cash Tips
Bonus Activities
Not everything is built into your trip price. Here's what to plan for on your own so you can budget with confidence before you arrive.
- Flights to and from Tokyo
- Airport transfers
- Travel insurance
- Lunches & Dinners
- Personal shopping and specialty stops
- Kimono rental for the temple photoshoot (optional add-on)
- Extra activities not included in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, payment plans are available on both single and couples packages, spread across monthly payments for a small fee. Payments are automatic for reduced stress with no late fees.
No, this is a VIP private group trip, reserved exclusively for the guests Yolanda has personally invited. If you received this page, you're one of them.
No, this is a co-ed trip, welcoming single men, women, and couples.
Beyond the retreat cost, plan for lunches ($15-50 per meal), cocktails ($10-200 per drink), free day activities ($25-75 depending on what you choose), shopping, and gratuities for staff. A general budget of $500 for the week covers most people comfortably, not including flights.
All payments are final, no refunds. If you need to cancel more than 90 days before the retreat, your payments can be applied toward a future trip with Hosted By The Cooks within 12-months of your cancelled trip.
Not at all. Part of what makes our trips so special is that everything is handled for you. If this is your first international trip, you're in good hands.
Pick Your Package
$3,600
Single Occupancy
$6,500
couples suite
From Our Travel Family:
Camille B.
Best vacation ever. Amirah leaves no stone unturned. From the moment you land, you are taken care of. The villas, the sites, the food. Literally everything was amazing.
Ariel M.
Amirah truly treats you like a bestie and she provides only the best for her besties. Her attention to detail is impeccable. Anything you want to do, see, or eat, Amirah will make it happen."
Samantha S.
There was a great balance of exploration and chill time. The villa was beautiful and the meals were divine. There was laughter, there were tears, and lots of Beyonce. I couldn't ask for more.