Bio
Having lived and worked in a number of locations around Asia/Pacific, I have decided to settle here in Fuji, Hakone, Izu National Park as it is the most amazing place. Izu Peninsula is surrounded on three sides by the expansive Pacific Ocean and on the fourth side by Mt Fuji. Forests, lakes, rivers cutting through lava flows, cascading waterfalls, volcanos, hot springs, delicious seafood, all accessible in 30 minutes from Tokyo Station by Japan’s amazing bullet train. Yet I was stunned to find that beyond Hakone, few international visitors make it to Izu Peninsula, and fewer get to experience the wonderful heritage (natural and cultural) that this region has to offer. So in 2019 I started Hike Hakone Hachiri local licensed tour operation to help international visitors connect with this region, and with Japan.
Message
My goal is to immerse visitors in the natural and cultural heritage of Fuji, Hakone, Izu National Park, and thereby help them understand Japan. We achieve this through story sharing, and I act as a link between visitors and local heritage. My clients are often New World (US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong) families whose children are studying Japanese at high school or university. They have been motivated to visit Japan by their interest in manga and anime. Another type of frequent clientele are multi-national corporate groups who find my hikes, so conveniently located to Tokyo, to be a great team building exercise.
Guide Q&A
Q: What is your most memorable experience in nature?
Deep forest off-trail listening to nothing but the sound of rustling leaves.
Q: What does nature represent to you?
An environment for our species to thrive in, of course in a sustainable way.
Q: What has nature taught you?
Resilience, patience, survival of the fittest, nothing lasts forever, give it a try, reap what we sow.
Q: What do you hope that people will get out of experiences with you as a guide?
Engage with the natural and cultural heritage of Fuji, Hakone, Izu National Park, and therefore Japan.
Highlights
・30 years in tourism, mostly executive roles with various Pacific Destination Marketing Organisations (Tourism New Zealand, Tourism Australia, South Pacific Tourism Organisation, Destination Queenstown, Tourism Shizuoka Japan) ・Bachelor of Forestry Science 1st Class Hons, 10 years as a Forester with NZ Forest Service ・Founded Hike Hakone Hachiri in 2019 ・Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese
