A Flexible Approach to Maximize
Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounters

I began working as a local interpreter tour guide for Azumino City in 2023. I usually give tours in Azumino City, where I reside, as well as Matsumoto City, Kamikochi, and recently, the Kiso region. I organize plans and guide individual guests from Europe, America, and Australia several times a month. My personal favorite route involves forest bathing in the woods that serve as Azumino City's water source, followed by a walk through the area where spring water emerges. I enjoy nature interpretation and forest bathing, which I consider my areas of expertise.

What I've come to appreciate about being a tour guide is the fascinating opportunity to meet various people. This includes not only the guests but also the connections I make within the community as I visit different places to organize tours. These encounters with fellow guides contribute to the rewarding nature of my work. Another interesting thing about giving tours is that all my life experiences, from birth to everyday life, are put to use. In my private life, I'm a mother of two living in Azumino City, and the insights I gain through parenting also serve as valuable learning experiences for my work as a tour guide.

Another element that contributes to my current activities is my experience as an instructor at the "Ishikawa Nature School" and as a tour guide and interpreter for "TABITAIKEN" in Kanazawa City. Both organizations run programs that allow you to share the excitement of local nature and culture with others, while nurturing life skills and the ability to coexist with nature. I've supported various experiences, from casual, light activities to overnight stays that deeply engage with the local community. I believe this was a time when I learned to tune into "what customers want to see and do," to respond flexibly on-site, and to cherish each fleeting encounter - principles I still value today.

 

Rediscovering the Beauty of My Hometown's Nature While Studying in Canada

I'm originally from Azumino City and as a child, I used to love playing outdoors. I was strongly drawn to words like "adventure" and "exploration" and I remember often inviting friends over to play "make-believe". As I grew older, opportunities to play in nature decreased, but my experience studying abroad in Canada during my student years became a significant turning point for me.

The group I connected with at the time all loved camping, and no matter what the season, we would go to campsites for retreats. I still vividly remember a winter campsite in Quebec. One night, we did a Nature Sit Spot in the pitch-dark forest. The air was piercingly cold at minus 20 degrees Celsius, and a beautiful starry sky was visible through the tree branches. Even the tiniest sounds echoed loudly, and it was so quiet that I could clearly hear my own breathing and heartbeat. It was a mysterious night that made me realize that "even in a winter forest, life still goes on, and the forest itself is alive." 

After returning to Azumino City, I continue to enjoy its beautiful nature with all my senses every day. My decision to become a local interpreter tour guide for Azumino City was driven by my desire to share all the sensations I experienced in the changing seasons with my guests. I felt that by doing so, my experiences studying abroad and working at the nature school, along with my English communication skills, could be put to good use.

 

Training to Become a Prefecture-Wide Guide Capable of Handling Inbound Tourism

When I learned about the tour guide training course, I was already working as a "forest bathing facilitator," organizing forest bathing events and guiding forest bathing tours. I had experience hosting American groups and accompanying forest bathing tours, as well as guiding domestic tours in Azumino City. While I felt I was doing everything I could, there were few opportunities for the inbound tourism work I really wanted to pursue. I decided to take the course hoping it would lead to upskilling and new opportunities. 

There were many memorable moments during the course, but what stands out most is the practical training we did in Togakushi during winter. The training period made me acutely aware of how much more experience and knowledge I needed in areas such as guiding in English, effective communication in unexpected situations, and hosting inbound tourists.

However, a significant gain was discovering that there are many tour guides in Nagano Prefecture with wonderful skills, unique personalities, and charm, and being able to connect with them as colleagues. Even after the training ended, we voluntarily keep in touch, exchanging information and sharing updates. They have become important people to me.

Aiming to be a Leading Expert in Forest Bathing -
A Guide People Say They've Longed to Meet

Previously, my qualification was limited to Azumino City, but after completing this training, I can now work throughout Nagano Prefecture. Going forward, I want to work as a local tour guide who can maximize the appeal of Nagano Prefecture and give back to the local communities and nature, doing activities that only I can do. My first goal is to become a tour guide who can plan and propose "deep Nagano Prefecture journeys." I want to incorporate forest bathing tours, which are my specialty, into many areas and for many people, providing experiences that are beneficial for guests, local people, the region and its nature, myself, and my fellow guides - a win-win for everyone. Beyond that, I aim to do work that makes everyone smile, to the extent that Azumino City and Nagano Prefecture become known worldwide for having truly high-quality tour guides.

I believe that Nagano Prefecture, and Japan as a whole, have developed a unique relationship with their rich nature, from which their everyday life, culture, art, and values have evolved. My hometown, "Shinshu," is a place that can heal the hearts and bodies of visitors and fill them with newfound energy. 

These beautiful landscapes and cultures were born as a result of the continued coexistence of nature and humans, and I cherish them deeply. I want to pass on this blessed gift to the next generation, both as a tour guide and as an individual. Please enjoy your trip to Nagano Prefecture. And I would be delighted if you come to like and cherish its nature, people, and the landscapes and cultures woven by their interactions.