During my tours, I tend to set aside trivia—street names, dates, or mythical stories whose truth is often uncertain—and focus instead on underlying principles and recurring patterns.

These are the ideas that explain why Japan appears mystical in the first place. By paying attention to these deeper structures, many of the country’s layers begin to peel away, revealing a logic that is both surprising and quietly profound.

I focus on what is mentally and emotionally striking, not just visually striking — because there are already enough beautiful pictures. For example, instead of saying, “This temple was founded in year X by Y,” I might say, “Notice how the rock settles into the space…”

My aim is to share the soul of Japan through lived perception, offering insights that usually emerge after many years of being here — not simply information that can be fact-checked elsewhere.

You deal directly with the supplier — me — and have full visibility into who your guide is, their experience, and their credibility.

I’ve worked with many tour agencies in the past, and I often noticed that guests were confused about how they ended up with me as their guide. Their booking passed through multiple layers: an agency in their home country, a supplier in Japan, a local operator, and finally the guide. This distance creates uncertainty and diluted responsibility.

With me, there are no layers. You know exactly who you’re booking, what you’re getting, and who is responsible for your experience. That clarity reduces risk.

If, for any reason, you’re not satisfied with the tour, I offer a 100% refund. I don’t believe in carrying the burden of an unhappy guest — I would rather return your payment than leave you dissatisfied.

When I’m out on a tour, it never feels like work or an obligation. It feels like a walk with a curious traveler — someone asking questions and genuinely seeking understanding, which I’m always happy to share.

I enjoy walking with travelers who ask thoughtful questions—about why things are the way they are, not just what they are. A good tour, to me, resembles a long conversation rather than a performance: one where ideas about culture, beauty, and meaning are allowed to surface naturally, often prompted by something as modest as a stone lantern or a shop entrance.

Every tour feels different because every guest brings a different curiosity, and I genuinely enjoy adapting to that.

These tours are not for those who want to rush through highlights, collect photographs, or tick boxes.

If design, architecture, anthropology, philosophy, or psychology hold little interest for you, then my way of seeing Japan may feel unnecessarily reflective—and I would rather be honest about that from the start.

Calm, intuitive, and conversational. I read the air (空気を読む), adjust the pace, and make space for both discovery and rest. My goal is for guests to feel relaxed, engaged, and genuinely connected — not rushed or overwhelmed.

JP is for Japan.

AN is a deeply Japanese idea.

庵 is read an. In Japanese, it refers to a small retreat or a humble dwelling—a place of withdrawal, reflection, and study. Poets, monks, and thinkers historically retreated to an an, seeking clarity away from the noise of society.

The word carries connotations of humility, inwardness, and deliberate distance. Many Japanese gardens end with -an—such as Rikyu-an (利休庵), Myochin-an (妙椿庵), and Murin-an(無鄰庵)—a quiet reminder that these spaces were conceived not as spectacles, but as places for contemplation.

“An” with the character 安 can also mean peace, calm, or tranquility, as seen in the prominent Zen garden in Kyoto, Ryōan-ji (龍安寺).

Yes.

If, during the tour or immediately at its conclusion, you feel that the experience was not worthwhile, simply let me know. I will reimburse 100% of the tour cost on the same day, no explanations required.

I offer this guarantee because I care deeply that time spent walking together feels meaningful. Travel is too precious—and days are too few—to settle for experiences that do not enrich you in some way. If a tour fails to do that, I would much rather return your money than your disappointment.

As for karma—whatever one believes it to be—I prefer to stay on good terms with it.