Meet your guide Miyuki!
I’m a licensed guide based in central Japan.
I’ve been exploring smaller cities and rural areas, learning about regional traditions and the stories behind them. What I love most is connecting with the people who carry these traditions forward today, and understanding how the past continues to shape everyday life in Japan. I also have a strong passion for feudal Japan and Japanese castles, which are especially prominent in this region.
I’d love to share these experiences with you through the Uniquely Japan Tours.
Why choose
the Uniquely Japan Tours?
Each tour is thoughtfully designed around your interests and guided personally by me,
so you can experience Japan in a way that feels meaningful and connected.
Places with meaningful stories
Visit culturally and historically significant places, and experience them through the stories that bring them to life.
Experiences with local specialists
Spend time with skilled artisans and experts, and gain insight into Japanese crafts and traditions directly from the people who practise them.
Authentic japanese food
Enjoy carefully selected local dining experiences that are often difficult to access without Japanese language support.
what makes these tours special
The Uniquely Japan Tours are hosted in less-visited places I’ve carefully selected, offering a different perspective of Japan that’s harder to discover on your own.
This is for you if you’re looking for:
1. A quieter side of Japan
Step into rural landscapes and smaller towns, where life moves at a gentler pace and you can experience a deeper sense of place beyond the major cities.
2. A local perspective
Spend time in places where daily life unfolds naturally, giving you the chance to connect and understand Japan in a more meaningful way, something you wouldn’t experience from visiting major cities alone.
3. A place that’s easy to include in your trip
Located in the heart of Japan, these experiences can be easily incorporated into your overall trip, with convenient access from cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Kanazawa, even as a day trip.
4. Craft traditions and ways of life
Meet artisans and specialists who continue long-standing traditions, and gain insight into the skills, materials, and philosophies that shape their work and daily lives.
5. Samurai history and castles
Explore a region deeply connected to Japan’s feudal past, home to historic battlefields and remarkable castles that bring this period to life.
Real Words from My Guests
Some of the main tourist places are so interesting, but they're also very crowded and there are just many tourists from all over the world, and that can sometimes make it feel less authentic at times.
We found that some of the smaller, less traveled places were every bit as special to see and then we were able to connect that much more with the local culture and people, which really added to the experience for us.
We also think that coming to a place that maybe isn't quite as visited is sometimes more affordable and can be more enjoyable just in that there's space and time that people are willing to give you for a chat.
Ben and Claire from Seattle
Here are some of the authentic experiences you can enjoy!
Click on the images below to learn more about each one.
Why travel with me
At the centre of my tours is helping you experience things you wouldn’t access on your own, whether through time with local specialists, meaningful stories, or spontaneous encounters.
I carefully select each experience from my trusted network and bring them together into a well-paced itinerary, so you can make the most of your time while still having space to enjoy those unexpected moments.
Throughout my career, from journalist to communicator, storytelling has always been my passion, and I now bring that into helping you connect with a more authentic side of Japan.
Whether it’s a craft, a place, or the people you meet, I guide you through the context in a clear and accessible way, so you can step into each experience with understanding, not just see the sights, but connect more deeply and create memories that stay with you long after your trip.
What my guests are saying
Click on the images below to hear about their experiences in their own words.
Hear their words in videos...
Real Words from My Guests
The highlight of our entire trip came when Miyuki took us to the workshop of a local artisan who practices yuzen kimono painting technique.
He showed us in his beautiful workshop how we could use the same technique and we were able to paint on a handkerchief and take that home. We loved it.
He was such a gracious man, so helpful and encouraging. He showed us all his kimonos. That was just a blast. I would recommend that to anyone!
Lorie from California
Which experience feels aligned with you?
Many tours you’ll find
Fixed itineraries:
Limited flexibility and customisation
Well-known locations:
Focus on places you can often visit on your own
On-the-day guiding:
Meeting your guide for the first time on the day
Narrow focus:
Information limited to a single site
One-way guiding:
Less space for questions or deeper interaction
The Uniquely Japan Tours
Personalised approach:
Private tours fully tailored to your interests and priorities
Carefully selected places:
Offering a different perspective of Japan
Local connections:
Time with specialists and insight into everyday life
Wider context:
Designed with your overall journey and
the bigger picture of Japan in mind
Interactive experience:
Space to explore, ask, and engage more deeply
