Newsletter: Summer 2025

Our second new tour is the 6-day, 5-night Self-guided Izu Wayfarer, which takes travellers on an exploration of the dramatic volcanic landscape and epoch-making history of the Izu Peninsula, a UNESCO Global Geopark. Although only a short journey from Tokyo, this fascinating and beautiful peninsula is far from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. It is a landscape of lava-formed coastlines, limpid rivers and charming fishing towns. Top features include scenic coastal walks, historic towns that have witnessed pivotal moments in Japan’s history, onsen hot spring bathing and glorious cuisine that is firmly centred on seafood sourced from the fertile seas surrounding the peninsula. Although sometimes elusively hidden behind cloud, when visible Mt. Fuji adds an extra frisson to a tremendous experience.

We have been impatiently biting our tongues for the past 12 months as sensitive discussions were underway for Walk Japan to take on a wonderful historic property. A serendipitous series of events led us to a picturesque valley in the Nakatsugawa area, a short distance from the Nakasendo Way, and to the local shoyatei. This traditionally-built structure is as imposing as it is amazing. It needed to be as it has been the regional chief’s home and, consequently, the most important building in the wider area for over four hundred years. Dignitaries from the early Edo samurai period (1603-1868) until recent times were welcomed here to discuss matters of importance, be entertained and stay overnight. The understated and dignified opulence of this extensive building, its magnificent guest entrance, three chashitsu tea rooms and wonderful storehouses attest to the wider importance it once held. To this day, the building has long been a loved and respected symbol for the surrounding community. However, after four hundred years the owners can no longer maintain their home, which they have kept in very good condition considering that the current structure is estimated to be over two hundred years old. With the blessing of the family, we will take over their custodial duties, protecting and respecting the building and its history while continuing their traditional role of welcoming visitors both Japanese and from overseas. Look out for updates in future newsletters on our plans for the shoyatei and also a number of other properties that have recently come into our care around Japan.

Two new full-time young members of staff and a steady stream of volunteers from around Japan and overseas have helped us cope. Most recently, we have been testing a brace of ‘robotic ducks’, which have been roving some of our paddy fields on the endless task of weeding. We hope these latest recruits, solar powered black boxes, will not only significantly help with this onerous task but also help us greatly reduce or eliminate the use of agricultural chemicals.

In recent days, we wrapped up our latest Summer Seminar, the fifteenth of our company-wide, annual multi-day event. The first in 2010 was a handful of people, while this year welcomed a record-breaking 120 plus colleagues. In his opening remarks, our CEO Paul Christie talked about how ‘We are the Community Project’. Our tours, agricultural efforts, English education programme, akiya empty property renovation and repurposing, and every other activity we undertake contribute to what we are achieving as a travel company and member of wider society. A host of presentations and interactive workshops, socialising over delightful meals including a barbecue, yoga sessions, and singing our karaoke hearts out followed. Our two annual seminars, summer and winter, are vital to Walk Japan, helping us, amongst other things, to understand clearly how we all support each other in providing the best tours available in Japan, to strengthen our ties with each other and to build an ever better business. Even after 15 years of holding seminars, they remain essential to Walk Japan while providing a wonderfully enjoyable way for our multi-national - currently from more than 15 nations - body of staff to come together so effectively.