Staff

Shima was born and raised in Tokyo. She has an MBA from Columbia Business School and over 20 years experience in finance at global investment banks in Tokyo and New York. Wishing to spend more time with her family, in early 2013, Shima relocated to Durham, North Carolina where her husband is a professor of Japanese history at Duke University.

Through her experiences of living outside Japan Shima realised that she wanted to introduce her native country to others. To this end she joined Walk Japan, and also promotes the appreciation and consumption of sake in the USA. Her expertise in Japan’s traditional and popular alcoholic beverage, which is made from fermenting rice, led her to become the Head Researcher at Sake Industry News, an on-line magazine for sake professionals worldwide.

Shima’s passion for travel is not limited to Japan. She has also logged thousands of miles on foot exploring the streets of cities, towns and villages from New York to Colombo.

Shima joined Walk Japan as a Tour Leader in 2013.