Staff

A native of Fujinomiya, Masaki was raised in the shadow of Mt. Fuji. Under the influence of his grandfather, who was the leader of the local Mt. Fuji Sherpa Association, Masaki began climbing the volcano at the age of seven. He has since established a close affinity with Japan’s greatest natural icon and estimates that he has since reached Mt. Fuji’s peak 120 times.

After graduating from high school in 1999, Masaki's desire to study overseas led him to New Zealand where he took a diploma in Adventure Tourism at Taranaki Polytechnic in New Plymouth. Influenced by his energetic and adventurous classmates he started hitch hiking in his holidays through New Zealand beginning an enthusiasm for adventuring to new places, meeting people and learning about their culture.

After graduating in 2002, Masaki spent the next three years travelling through Europe, North Africa and Asia. A sports fanatic since his days at school in Japan, he says he always carried a soccer ball with him on his journey having discovered that kicking this around was an excellent way to make friends with locals wherever he went.

When Masaki finally returned to Japan he found work selling English study materials. However, within a few years he was ready to go overseas again and, in 2008, he moved to the Philippines to take up a post as an administrator of a commercial pilot training school. By 2011 he was promoted to be the school's General Manager after success in developing the recruitment market for trainee pilots in India, Oman and Indonesia.

His travel bug satiated and a longing of an early morning coffee while enjoying the view of Mt. Fuji from his back garden led Masaki back to his home city in 2014. Here he established his own company operating tours on and around Mt. Fuji.

When not found on the mountain, Masaki enjoys soccer and indulging his passion for ramen noodles. He is also active in the Japan chapter of Junior Chamber International.

Masaki joined Walk Japan in 2016.