I began traveling in Japan in 1990 and during my travels I have been fortunate to meet many talented and creative Japanese artists and craftspeople. From these experiences I initially developed the concept for tours in the countryside because many of my friends here in Oregon are craftspeople and I felt there would be mutual benefit from their direct contact with Japanese artists and craftspeople. Thus, my first tours focused on traditional arts and crafts.

     As I have traveled more in the Japanese countryside I have been inspired to offer tours to others with specific interests that I also happen to share, such as hiking ancient pilgrimage routes in Japan’s Kii Peninsula and sea kayaking along Japan's east coast, in addition to visiting rural centers of traditional crafts and relaxing mountain hot springs.

    With all of my tours it is my personal goal to bring Americans and Japanese together to share their creativity and interests and foster better understanding between our two societies. I make only one or two trips a year and limit the group size to eight participants. I am not subsidized by any government or organization and I do not profit from the sales of airline tickets or accommodations–I am simply a facilitator with an interest in intercultural communications between American and Japanese people. I want to assist others in developing their own rewarding relationships with people in Japan, the same as I enjoy with my friends there. Prior to departure I will be offering, as part of the tour, four afternoon/evening cultural orientation sessions (up to 20 hours total) so that the experience will be as rewarding as possible. You will learn, among other things, that the red (or blue) toilet slippers must be left in the toilet room.

Domo arigatou gozaimasu.

Jack Sanders on the Kumano Kodo Ancient Pilgrimage Routes in
Wakayama Prefecture, Kii Peninsula.