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About UsKumano Kodo Guides is an English speaking, outdoor and cultural touring company that began as an offshoot to its much larger parent company, Fuji Mountain Guides. The Kumano region is rich in spirituality and history, and for that reason we keep our guiding operation very small to ensure that we provide you with the most meaningful, educational and culturally immersive experience during your stay. Our professional mountain guides, while native English speakers, were born and raised in Japan and have a deep appreciation for and understanding of Japanese culture, language and history. We focus exclusively on the Kumano region because we want to share a more real side of Japan - away from the crowds, steeped in nature and sustained through the generosity of those we meet along the way.
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Our Mission: |
To use our bilingual, multicultural backgrounds to provide our clients with a culturally immersive, fun, unique and meaningful experience. To treat our clients and the Kumano people with respect and kindness. To conduct all of our tours in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. To support local, family businesses and have a positive, sustainable impact on the region. We are not opportunists, we are here to stay.
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Meet the Guides: |
Takehiro is one of our fully bilingual guides born to Japanese and Swedish parents.Growing up in a few different countries and educated in English, he is as multicultural as one can be.
Takehiro’s days outdoors began before he could even walk. He spends the winters in Hokkaido as a backcountry ski guide, springs with Kumano Kodo and other adventure activities including multi-day hikes, and works as a guide on Mt Fuji during summer and fall months. He believes that nature is Japan’s most valuable treasure and cannot wait to share good times along the Kumano Kodo with you!
Soren is the third generation in his family to have been raised in Japan. He grew up going to Japanese public school and frequently joined his friends' families on hiking and skiing trips around Japan. While attending Haverford College in the US, Soren spent his summers working as a Wilderness Ranger for the US Forest Service, a waterfront lifeguard at a lake near the Japan Alps, and as a volunteer at an organic farming and leadership training school near the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant. He loves ramen, dogs, mountains, and hot springs. 
Brent was born in Hokkaido and grew up climbing mountains around Japan. In 2007 he started Fuji Mountain Guides with a vision to help foreigners to Japan, in not only summiting Mt. Fuji, but also in coming away with a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and its people. Brent's humorous stories and epic mountain poses, have led to many foreigners leaving Japan with great memories of its mountains and the Japanese people.
Luke, like Brent grew up in Japan as the son of Christian missionaries. Having lived more than half of his life in Japan, and married to a fine Japanese lady, Luke has a deep understanding of Japanese culture/people and considers Japan his home. Just like all of our other guides, Luke speaks fluent English and Japanese.
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Japan Guides Group
Fuji Mountain Guides is run by the Japan Guides Group, an adventure tour company and travel agency in Japan. Japan Guides Group has existed as a Limited Liability Company in the U.S. since 2009 and registered as an official Japanese company and travel agency in 2015. Founded and operated by Japanese bred American citizens, JGG exists to design adventure tours in Japan with an emphasis on experiencing and understanding Japan's culture, customs and society. Read up more on Japan Guides Group and our partners, including Fuji Mountain Guides and Japan Ski Tours
-- Japan Guides Group
-- Japan Guides Group
Fuji Mountain Guides
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Fuji Mountain Guides is an English speaking guiding company on Mt. Fuji in Japan. Our guides are bilingual, speaking Japanese and English fluently, as well as having a deep understanding of the Japanese culture/society. Our company exists to serve foreigners visiting and living in Japan, seeking to provide them with background on a unique culture, while experiencing a once in a life time adventure. Since our inception in 2007, FMG has guided over 2,500 clients successfully and safely to the summit of Mount Fuji. Join us on a tour to the summit of the worlds most recognizable mountain. |
Japan Ski Tours
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Japan Ski Tours began with a vision to create ski tours which incorporate more then just skiing Japan's renowned powder. Following the same philosophy as its predecessor FMG, Japan Ski Tours has built a platform which allows people to enjoy both the sights and culture of Japan as well as the many famous ski resorts. With any of our 7 to 14 day tours, JST will provide an amazing cultural experience, filled with sake breweries, relaxing hot springs and great lodging on top of the fantastic skiing. |
