Scott Gilman Scott Gilman spent seven years living and traveling throughout Japan before returning to the United States to create his company, JapanQuest Journeys, in 2010. He returns multiple times per year to stay up-to-date on the latest goings-on in the country, including its best new hotels and destinations. He incorporates all of this insider knowledge into clients' itineraries — think traditional Japanese ryokans with hot-spring baths, a visit to a sake microbrewery, or a night in a Buddhist temple mountain retreat. A recent 15-day trip included a cultural venture to Naoshima Island, known for its contemporary art museums and site-specific installations.• 12+ years of experience specializing in bespoke luxury travel to Japan• Member of T+L’s A-List for 5+ years in a row• Member of the Wendy Perrin WOW List for 7+ years in a row• 2021 Condé Nast Top Travel Specialist• Advisor to Japan Tourism Agency• Received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Isenberg School of Management UMass Amherst About Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, is a top travel media brand with a mission to inform and inspire passionate travelers. Our expert team includes a network of hundreds of writers and photographers across the globe, all providing a local eye on the best places to stay, eat, and explore. We reach an audience that takes 76 million round trips annually, offering valuable travel tips, ideas and inspiration, and products you need to get you to your destination — whether it’s a small town or big city, beach or lake, national park or theme park, road trip, cruise, or long-haul flight, and everything in between. Learn more about us and our editorial process