Where journeys begin with people.
Deeper experiences, shaped by locals who live there.
How WOW U Works
You don't need to speak the local language.
WOW U helps bridge communication so you can connect with confidence.
4 Simple Steps
-
1
Find a Local
Explore profiles of locals who live in the area you're interested in. Each profile gives you a sense of who they are, what matters to them, and the kinds of experiences you might enjoy together. You're not choosing a tour or a package—you're simply finding someone who makes you think, "I'd love to meet this person."
-
2
Reach Out
Once you've found a local you'd like to connect with, send them a message directly. Share what you're curious about, ask questions, or let them know it's your first time visiting. Even if you don't speak the local language, that's okay—WOW U helps support communication so you can reach out with confidence.
-
3
Create the Experience Together
Through your conversations, you and the local shape the experience together. You'll decide the timing, meeting place, and what you'd like to do based on your interests. There's no fixed itinerary or predefined tour—each experience is created organically through your exchange.
-
4
Meet & Experience
On the day, you meet your local in person and experience the place through their eyes. You'll discover everyday spots, hidden corners, and stories that don't appear in guidebooks. More than just visiting a destination, you'll leave with a meaningful connection that stays with you long after the journey ends.
When you want to hear from multiple locals
-
1
Share Your Dates and Interests
Start by selecting your preferred dates and sharing what you're interested in experiencing. Instead of choosing a specific person first, you simply describe what you'd like to do and when you're available. This allows locals who are available on those dates to respond.
-
2
Hear from Multiple Locals
Locals who are available and interested will reach out with their ideas and suggestions. Each response reflects their personality, perspective, and the way they see their community. You're not comparing tour packages—you're getting to know different people through their proposals.
-
3
Choose Who to Connect With
Review the responses and continue the conversation with the local who feels like the best match. You can ask follow-up questions, adjust details, and shape the experience together. The focus isn't on finding the "best plan," but on choosing the person you feel most excited to meet.
-
4
Meet & Experience
Once everything is set, you meet your chosen local in person and experience the place through their eyes. You'll explore everyday spots, hear personal stories, and enjoy a moment that goes beyond sightseeing—creating a connection that lasts beyond the day itself.
Value Proposition
I believe that people who use WOW U are those who seek intrinsic value. While leveraging AI to efficiently gather information and add value to travel is, of course, possible, WOW U provides added value to your journey through interactions with local residents and exposure to their opinions.
In an era where information is readily available anytime and anywhere, WOW U delivers value that can only be experienced through traveling to the actual destination.Rather than information anyone can obtain, WOW U offers experiences that are unique to you—gained by being on-site and sharing moments with local people.
-
- Encounters with People
- By meeting a guide who lives in the area, you can use that guide as a hub to meet and connect with even more people. For those who believe that the essence of travel lies in ‘encounters with the people who live in the region,’ this will be a unique, life-changing experience like no other.
-
- Essential Culinary and Cultural Experiences
- Culture matures through the region’s climate, natural environment, and the people who live there. To truly grasp the essence of culture, it is not superficial experiences but connections with the people involved and the experiences gained through them that are most important.
-
- Dedicated Concierge
- Travel is something that excites you from the moment you start planning. What maximizes that excitement is information from local people. Beyond just web-based information, you can receive personalized recommendations from locals that cater specifically to your preferences.
How to Use WOW U
Please select the purpose of your journey that is closest to your intention.
-
‘・The essence of travel lies in encounters and conversations with local people.
・When you look back on past journeys, it’s the faces of the people you met that come to mind.’‘GUIDE’Cultivating human connections. Every destination has local people with their own stories; take a trip to meet them.
‘Find a guide’
-
‘・Experience tours recommended by a team of local professionals, rather than ordinary, cookie-cutter tours.’
‘ORGANIZATION’Cultivating human connections. Every destination has local people with their own stories; take a trip to meet them.
‘Find a guide’
-
‘・The purpose of travel is to experience the local cuisine of each region.
・I want to enjoy local dishes while having conversations with residents.
・I want to learn about the lives of locals and even step into their homes.’‘HOME VISIT’Discovering Japanese culture through food is best achieved by enjoying home-cooked meals in a typical household.
‘Find a HOME VISIT’
-
‘・I want to experience original tours created by guides.
・Rather than joining tours that many people experience, I want to customize and enjoy tours tailored to my own interests and preferences.’‘ACTIVITY’Expand your horizons by interacting with diversity. Take a look at guided tours on which you can connect personally with the guides and have truly extraordinary experiences.
‘Find an activity’
-
‘・I want to visit Japan, especially to deeply enjoy places outside of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
・I’ve searched websites, but they are only in Japanese. Still, I really want to go.’‘ONLINE PLANNING’We provide personalized information tailored to you that cannot be found through SNS, search engines, or AI.
‘Find an online planning’
-
‘・I want to find popular tourist attractions, hidden gems, and well-known spots.
・I’m interested in Japan’s history, traditions, and cultural landmarks, such as temples, shrines, and festivals.’‘SPOT’Open the door to the real Japan. Browse unique and intriguing spots around the country that will surpass your imagination.
‘Find a spot’
Join as a Local
Local experts, guides, and community members
Share your everyday life and culture with travelers from around the world. Create meaningful connections and earn income doing what you love.
What you'll get:
- Risk-free advertising and promotion for locals
- Flexible scheduling designed to fit your lifestyle
- Build meaningful and lasting cultural connections
- Special plan with POCKETALK AI translation support
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.
What is EXest,
the company behind WOW U?
-
The Best Team -
A group of passionate professionals driving innovation and excellence. Stay tuned as we reveal the team behind our global success.
-
Awarded in Asia -
Selected as one of the Top 10 Startups in Japan 2025 by Startupcity APAC and featured on the cover of the magazine.
-
Welcoming Global Talent -
We actively welcome international interns and have hosted over 60 participants from abroad to date.
Comments from WOW U
The best way to use WOW U is to explore local culture through HOME VISIT and create unique activities with a guide. Your experience could inspire someone’s new adventure anywhere in the world.
HOME VISIT is your gateway to the region. Over a meal, ask locals for hidden gems, from must-visit spots to unique souvenirs. Immerse yourself in the community to truly experience the culture and create unforgettable memories.
We believe that such experiences will enrich your life. While the number of people you can meet in a lifetime is limited, WOW U aims to maximize those connections and enhance their value.
In a world where it’s possible to live without interacting with others, we believe that the value of connecting with people is more important than ever.