A Bridge to History and Culture, Specializing in Satoyama Walks and Historical Sites

I have been working as a guide for about four years, mainly in Nagano Prefecture and in other areas such as Gifu, Toyama, Mie, and Aichi Prefectures. My specialties include guiding tours of historical sites, city walks, and satoyama (rural) hikes, such as walking along the Nakasendo, or guiding visitors to popular spots like Jigokudani Monkey Park and Kamikochi. I propose itineraries and guide foreign visitors who want to experience nature walks, famous tourist spots, and Japanese cultural experiences.

Recently, I have had the opportunity to guide in Takayama City, Gifu, and Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, conducting preliminary surveys before the actual tours. I was responsible for guiding a tour route that connects historical and cultural cities, passing through the mountainous areas in the center of Japan via the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. The opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, connecting Nagano, Gifu, Ishikawa, Toyama, and Niigata, has made it possible to plan tours in the Hokuriku and Shinetsu regions, which is something I am delighted about.

In the future, I will be in charge of travel interpretation guides and other stuff for an upcoming travel package for affluent clients that combines sightseeing spots in Mie, Matsusaka, Ise, and Shima along with golf trips.

What I am striving for is an interpretation that conveys a story-driven theme rather than just introducing tourist spots. Additionally, to learn more about the theme, I would like to reexamine Japanese history and culture from a foreigner's perspective and question what I typically ignore based on my common sense. As a guide, I am not an encyclopedia or dictionary but a human being. I want to play a role in facilitating discussions and mutual understanding, using Japan as the subject matter. I also want my guests to create many memories, just as I enjoy meeting various people through my work as a guide. I hope they can engage in direct conversations with local people, experience craftsmanship, and embrace challenges and surprises along the way.

Encountering Nature During Student Days, Followed by Living Abroad

I was born and raised in Tokyo, experiencing daily commutes on packed trains during my high school and university days, growing up as a city dweller through and through. My encounter with and connection to the natural environment likely began with skiing. I found it fascinating when I visited Myoko Akakura Onsen Ski Resort as a child. I joined a ski club during university, spending over 100 days each year in the mountains. Conquering challenging slopes like the Kurobishi and Usagidaira at Happo-One gave me a sense of achievement as I overcame my fears. Besides that, another memorable experience I had was successfully executing a ski jump from a 10-meter ramp for the SAJ (Ski Association of Japan) Level 1 Ski Test. Another fun experience was the summer skiing at Mount Gassan.

After becoming a working adult, I spent some time living abroad, where I was taken care of by locals and shown around various places. Particularly during my time in the Netherlands, I enjoyed golfing on weekends and going to pubs after work, engaging in casual conversations that made everyday life enjoyable. These experiences might be the starting point of how I came to become a more natural guide. Although my work was related to IT and cybersecurity and not directly connected to guiding, sharing stories of struggles and failures from that time resonates with people everywhere. These life experiences help others better understand my personality when I work as a guide.

Valuable Training for Practicing Safety and Security

When I participated in training, I was working as a company employee while also working as an interpreter guide, assisting the tourism association, and managing a local campsite. My motivation for enrolling in the training was to learn WAFA (Wilderness Advanced First Aid) and LNT (Leave No Trace). Although I hope such situations never occur, as a guide, it was necessary to have experience in what to do in the event of an incident or accident.

The repeated simulations for rescuing sick or injured people during WAFA practical training were particularly memorable. Despite many uncertainties, I practiced recalling what I had learned and thinking about how to execute it quickly. Being in a situation where I had to make final decisions was invaluable. I always carry a first aid kit while guiding, regularly review the manual, and strive to remember what I learned in training.

Fundamentally, I want the tour to be an enjoyable experience. To ensure that, I want to be able to provide appropriate treatment and clear communication when necessary. Building a trusting relationship with guests early on is also essential to ensure they have a comfortable time.

Providing High-Quality Travel Experiences with High Satisfaction at Any Time

My goal is to be an all-weather outdoor guide. I aim to acquire the knowledge and skills to adapt flexibly, ensuring guests have a fulfilling time using what is available, even when their target activities cannot proceed as planned due to weather, crowds, or time constraints.

Equally important is my desire to enjoy myself and remain active on the front lines for a long time. Visitors to Japan have diverse ages, physical abilities, and interests, so I want to adapt my guiding skills to meet their needs and put them into practice.

Nagano Prefecture is where you can enjoy the best of Japan while avoiding crowds. It offers visits to historic roads and cultural heritage sites, challenges in mountain climbing, and trails in nature-rich satoyama. Enjoy spring, summer, autumn, and winter, along with Japan's representative foods like hot springs, fermented foods, and sake, while appreciating the abundant flora and fauna.