My Journey

For nearly twenty years, I have worked across every stage of Japan's travel industry with some of Japan's leading travel companies.

From designing tailor-made itineraries and escorting tours across all 47 prefectures of Japan to destination marketing, OTA management, and regional tourism development in collaboration with local businesses and government organizations, I have experienced Japan from every angle.

Spending more than 600 days traveling throughout Japan in my twenties transformed the way I see this country.

Traveling across all 47 prefectures revealed a Japan far richer than I had ever imagined.

It was there that I fell in love with the country's regional food culture, seasonal landscapes, timeless traditions, and the stories that quietly connect them all.

Since then, discovering hidden local treasures and sharing them with travelers from around the world has become my life's work.

A New Perspective

When I moved from Tokyo to Kyoto and began working as a guide, I started seeing Japan through an entirely new lens.

Having spent most of my life in the Tokyo metropolitan area before making Kyoto my home, I came to appreciate not only the unique character of each city, but also the different ways people experience Japan.

That perspective was further enriched by years of traveling across all 47 prefectures.

Today, I strive to design journeys that connect these different sides of Japan—its vibrant cities, timeless traditions, and the remarkable local stories that often remain unseen.

Then I became a guide.

Living in Kyoto and guiding nearly 200 days a year gave me another important realization.
I noticed that many itineraries followed almost exactly the same route.

The places themselves were extraordinary—but they were often shared with thousands of visitors at the same time.

I began asking myself a simple question.

Is this really the most meaningful way to experience Japan?

Then I remembered the Japan I had discovered while traveling across all 47 prefectures.

Quiet villages.

Family-run workshops.

Regional traditions.

Landscapes where visitors could slow down, breathe, and truly connect with the place.

I wanted more travelers to experience that Japan.

They ultimately became the inspiration behind ONKO. 

Why I Started ONKO

People often ask why I chose this path.　Looking back, perhaps it began much earlier than I realized.
My father worked with languages from around the world.
My mother loved spontaneous road trips, often deciding, "Let's travel today," without even booking a hotel.

Those small adventures taught me that the most memorable journeys aren't always perfectly planned.

My first trip abroad also changed my life forever.

On September 11, 2001, I found myself on a flight bound for New York.

The kindness I received from complete strangers—and a Japanese tour escort who helped me find my way home—showed me the true power of travel and human connection.

Surprisingly, the experience never made me afraid of travel. If anything, it deepened my desire to keep exploring the world.

Like life itself, travel doesn't always go as planned. It brings unexpected turns, moments of uncertainty, and unforgettable encounters. Rather than fearing them, I learned to embrace them.

Since then, I have traveled to more than 25 countries, carrying that same curiosity and openness wherever I go.

That mindset continues to shape how I design journeys today—not simply as itineraries, but as opportunities for meaningful encounters, unexpected discoveries, and memories that stay with us long after we return home.

What Guides Me

Curiosity

Never stop discovering.

Human Connection

The most meaningful journeys are built through people.

Timeless Heritage

Past and present are never separate.

They enrich one another.

Today, ONKO is my way of connecting people with the stories, places, and communities that have shaped my own journey.

I hope it becomes part of yours.

Credentials & Experience
Learn more about my professional background on LinkedIn.