Our Story
The Spark
Where Two Souls, One Dream Began...
There are stories that whisper, and there are legends that speak clearly. This is a story born from rhythm, wanderlust, culture, and connection. Two men from different worlds, united by one unshakable belief that Japan is not just a destination, but something you feel.
JPN Guides began with a shared instinct. Travel should transform you, not rush you. It should feel human, not transactional.
The First Calling
Manhattan Beach, 2002
Phil Baranchik arrived in California in 2002 with big dreams and a deep curiosity for music, hospitality, and culture. Over two decades, he built a career shaped by human connection, unforgettable moments, and an instinct for what moves people.
Japan had already left its mark years earlier through food, art, and tradition. Long before he ever visited, it felt familiar, like a place calling him forward.
Living the Culture
Manhattan Beach, 2002
Michael Zislis Jr. was already immersed. Fluent in language, culture, and hospitality, Japan was not a fascination. It was lived experience. Having spent the majority of his early adulthood between the two countries, he learned early how culture shapes people and how people shape places.
His career grew at the intersection of cultural fluency and execution, guiding brands and building trust in a country most travelers never truly access.
When Paths Aligned
Friendship Before Business
For years, their connection grew naturally through concerts, sporting events, long conversations, and shared respect. Phil’s relationship with Michael’s father anchored trust long before ideas took shape.
What began as conversation slowly became clarity. Together, they saw what was missing in travel to Japan, and why people kept asking the same questions.
The Question Everyone Asked
There Had to Be a Better Way
Where should we go in Japan? What’s the hidden place no guidebook shows? How do you experience the real culture without feeling lost?
Those questions were not casual. They revealed a gap between tourism and connection.
JPN Guides was built to live in that gap.
The Commitment
Friendship Before Business
The turning point came over dinner in Las Vegas. Two veterans with different strengths realized they shared one vision. This was not about selling trips. It was about building trust through culture.
In January 2025, Phil joined full time. JPN Guides became a mission, not a side project.
Everyone Needs a Friend in Japan
Our Philosiphy
This is not a tour. It is not a checklist. It is not something you book. It is something you experience with people who understand the culture and care about your journey.
Every itinerary is designed with intention, access, and respect. You are not passing through Japan. You are being welcomed into it.
Our Team.
Think Hogan’s Heroes meets Tokyo Drift ...With less sabotage, more spreadsheets, and the occasional
matcha-fueled brainstorm. Click on any team member name to learn more.
