Travel like you know someone there.

Now, you do.

Locals
5,800+
Avg rating
4.7
  • Travel insurance included
  • Guided by professionals in every field
  • People who know the area
  • Consult Locals online

How WOW U works

Four steps from finding Locals to meeting them in person.

  1. STEP 1

    Find Locals

    Discover Locals that match your area, interests, and more.

  2. STEP 2

    Send a message

    Message your Locals directly within WOW U.

  3. STEP 3

    Book & pay

    Pay securely within WOW U, powered by Stripe.

  4. STEP 4

    Meet on site

    Meet your Locals and enjoy an experience like no other.

Featured Locals

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What travelers say

Real reviews from people who actually went.

  • “I think your program is a great way to meet locals at a grass roots level. It was such a pleasure to be invited to this. It’s such an amazing opportunity especially if people feel like their Japanese isn’t at conversation level or they just don’t know any Japanese!”

    Fraiser United Kingdom

    Home Visit · in Ehime

  • “The visit with Yoko and her husband was awesome! They were very welcoming and generous, and taught me some about how mushrooms grow and how to barbecue them! I was also amazed to learn their farm is 500 years old and has an air raid shelter, so there’s a lot of history. They were kind and a ton of fun to talk to, and fed me very well. I never had shiitake before but ended up loving it (and natto too)! Made for an unforgettable experience, and I’m very grateful for it.”

    Alice United States

    Home Visit · in Yokohama

  • “In the art museum, the explanation about the difference between tachi and katana impressed me. Having a visual reference and a demonstration really helped me to understand the differences and the history, and piqued my interest in Japanese history. There were also many casual conversations while we walked around that were engaging and fun.”

    Traveler

    Activity · in Hyogo

  • “It was really great meeting the girls! The ice cream was delicious and the games we played were really fun. Would definitely recommend for kids!”

    Clyde

    Activity · in Shizuoka

  • “This wagashi sweet-making workshop allowed for a lot of fun and creativity while getting to use traditional Japanese techniques and ingredients! We learned how to make four different kinds of figures that were almost too pretty to eat!”

    Madison

    Activity · in Wakayama

  • “We had a really good half-day tour with Ann in Asakusa. Ann is really sweet and good at creating a good atmosphere and experience. Before the day she paid a lot of attention to uncovering our wishes and showed up very well prepared for the day. We were fully satisfied with the tour. Definitely recommendable.”

    Stine

    Activity

Ready to start?

Whether you're traveling or joining the Locals, it starts here.

Start planning your trip

Connect with Locals who match your interests for a special experience. Message them to plan, and arrive on the day with peace of mind.

  • A special trip with Locals who know the area inside out
  • Customize it into a trip that's uniquely yours
  • Message your Locals directly for peace of mind

Join the Locals

Share your everyday life and culture with travelers from around the world. Create meaningful connections and earn income doing what you love.

  • No upfront cost — earn income as you get active
  • Whether and when you guide is entirely up to you
  • Make friends around the world and enrich your own trips abroad
For Professional Guides

At WOW U, we use the term "Locals" to represent everyone who offers experiences rooted in their region. This includes professional and certified guides, as well as local experts and community members.

Using "Locals" does not diminish professional expertise. On the contrary, it recognizes professional guides as local experts who represent the culture, history, and daily life of their destination.

To ensure clarity and trust, professional qualifications are clearly highlighted through dedicated titles and badges, such as "Certified Guide." This allows travelers to easily recognize professional credentials while keeping our platform inclusive and community-driven.