Mike

Hi, I’m Mike, the founder of Really Rural Japan. I’m a professional bilingual hiking guide who has worked on some of Japan’s biggest and most challenging mountains including the big one, Mount Fuji. I am also the only foreign master craftsman of wara-zaiku, a traditional Japanese craft that makes things out of rice straw, in the world. On my tours, I love to tell stories and dive into local myths and legends. I also like to focus on the countryside and the secrets of rural Japan. A tour with me is not just an off-the-shelf scripted experience but more of an exploration of the Japanese countryside/mountainside with a local, one who is enthusiastic to share with you everything that living in Japan has taught him.

Since the coronavirus pandemic struck I have been studying the ancient Japanese craft of wara-zaiku to become the very first and only foreign shokunin (master craftsman). I would love to share my love for the craft with you too when you visit!

Not only do I guide in the countryside, I also live here. And while I am not guiding I am also a rice farmer (I use my own organic rice straw for my wara-zaiku products) and a hunter. You can often find me deep in the mountains hunting local game, which of course I butcher and eat.

Skills/Certifications:

  • Wilderness First Responder (80 hour)

  • Licensed Tour Conductor

  • Fluent in Japanese and English having lived here since 2012.

Professionally guides in:

  • Nakasendo

  • Kiso Valley

  • Ina Valley

Founder of:

Previously Guided:

  • Hakone

  • Mount Fuji

  • Yakushima

  • Kumano Kodo

  • One Day Mountain Hikes from Tokyo

Yuki

Yuki is a native of the Kiso Valley, born and raised in Kiso-Fukushima. As a younger man he spent 12 years outside of Japan living and working in Australia and Liberia, during which time he mastered the English language. On his return to Japan, he became a professional translator.

Yuki has always loved his hometown and returned home, becoming a guide when he did. He has a deep passion to purvey the beautiful place he calls home to visitors in the Kiso Valley. He sometimes goes by his alias, The Nakasendo Monster.

Mike and Yuki are working together, sharing knowledge, guiding, covering dates, and creating work in the local area to boost the economy and provide high-quality guidance from real local guides.

Skills/Qualifications

  • WAFA (Wilderness Advanced First Aid - 40 hour)

  • Native in Japanese and fluent in English.

Dan

Daniel, originally from the UK has been a lifelong outdoor professional. Working in the industry in various positions as a snowboard freestyle coach, bungee instructor, ski patroller and of course as a mountain guide. He has lived in Japan for over 8 years and now resides at the base of Mt.Fuji. Fluent in Japanese and having a love for the country's history, trips with Dan focus on hiking for stunning Fuji views while including interesting details about the local shrines we pass and folklore of the mountains we can see from our view points.

Daniel's passion for the mountains of Japan and the stories they hold has led him to start guiding in the Hakone area and on the iconic Fuji. For those looking to get off the beaten path in Hakone or interested in seeing japan's highest mountain up close and personal, a hike with Dan is a sure way to get your fix.

Mike and Dan started to work together after they met on Fuji. Dan is our local guide in the Hakone/Fuji area.

Jiro

After graduating from university, Jiro worked in the international department of a major general contractor for about 24 years. During that time, 14 of those years were spent working overseas, visiting more than 20 countries in the process. After an early retirement in December 2021, Jiro moved to Nagano where, utilising his past international experience, he decided to open a guiding business guide for inbound tourists to Japan from the summer of 2023. Jiro likes activities that allow him to enjoy nature from the sea, land, and even the air. Currently, he enjoys the charms of Nagano through cycling, trail walking and paragliding. He also has experience walking the World Heritage pilgrimage route of the Camino de Santiago and the Kumano Kodo.

Jiro guides on the Nakasendo and also in Matsumoto area where he runs cycling tours.

Skills/Qualifications

  • Certification JCTA Certified Cycling Guide

  • Azumino City Licensed Guide Interpreter

  • Wilderness Advanced First Aid

  • Tour Conductor