Walk Japan, the pioneering operator of off-the-beaten-track tours of Japan, has been well-known in providing meticulously planned and expertly led tours to immerse visitors in Japanese society, culture and history. Since its establishment in 25 years ago, Walk Japan has developed a large range of tours delving into many areas of unexplored Japan.
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Walk Japan, its key team – Co-founder Tom Stanley, Managing Director Llewelyn Thomas and Customer Services Director Naomi Addyman, have shared their wisdom on the lesser known aspects of Japan, their personal favourite tour, and what they love most about the fascinating country.
Tom Stanley, Co-Founder
- Favourite tour: Definitely the Nakasendo Way. Aside from pride of invention, the Nakasendo pleases and inspires me because it connects, in a crescendoing manner, ancient and old Japan with the magnificent transformation that occurred in the Edo period to make modern Japan. The story is wonderful and can be related in so many ways according to context, whether the highway itself or the developments of religion or craft industry. In addition, since I have been doing the trip for 25 years, there are layers and layers of personal stories connecting me to the people along the way.
- Something about Japan that continues to surprise you: Japan “works”. Public transport is thick on the ground; runs frequently; and runs on schedule. The same is true for nearly everything in urban and rural districts. What makes it work is an attention to detail as well as simple human kindness in every situation.
Llewelyn Thomas, Managing Director
- Favourite tour and why: For me, it’s got to be the Basho Tour: Narrow Road to the North. I’m a history fan and I love the multiple historical layers to the tour. We’re following a literary hero in Basho, but Basho was also following his own literary and historical heroes, and so while following his story, we get involved in theirs too, from both his perspective and ours. As a tour leader, bringing these threads together and communicating them to the participants effectively is an exciting challenge.
- Something about Japan that continues to surprise you: The Shokunin culture – the satisfaction taken with mastering something, and furthermore, being content with not trying to scale it!
Naomi Addyman, Customer Services Director
- Favourite tour and why: If I had to choose it would be The Kunisaki Trek. It has the adventure component along with stunning scenery, great food and fascinating people. I love being somewhere that feels so remote, somewhere almost hidden. When you stumble across a statue of Kobo Daishi or Fudo Myo on one of the ridges, it feels like you have made a great discovery.
- Something about Japan that continues to surprise you: the opposites, or the yin and yang. The Traditional and modern cultures, nature and concrete in the countryside – we encounter contrasts in everyday life in Japan that never fail to surprise me.
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