Hello, World.
I am Kota Yaguchi, the CEO/Founder of Japan Adventures Co.
In the first issue of JAC Magazine, I'll offer a brief introduction about myself and explain why I started this service.
Until recently, since I was 20, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I had even lost sight of the dreams I once had.
Until the age of 20, I was devoted to baseball. I dreamed of becoming a Major League Baseball Player and garduated high school in Florida to pursue that dream.
After giving up my dream, I felt a lack of passion and spent a long time in a state of restless dissatisfaction.
However, I vaguely had an image of what I wanted to be like. That was:
Wanting to connect with the world.
Wanting to do something to make Japan a country filled with lively and vibrant people.
Wanting to do something that I can enjoy myself.
In the midst of this ongoing restlessness, there was a turning point.
It was a trip to Costa Rica in January 2023.
Costa Rica, a major ecotourism country, is known for ranking first in happiness levels and they even have no army.
I had the best time visiting coffee plantations, going on cave exploration tours, and visiting natural hot springs.
On the other hand, I felt that the experiences listed on the internet including OTAs didn't quite match what I was looking for.
In fact, I learned about those tours from a lady at breakfast at the hotel.
It made me think that information recommended by locals might not be fully covered by the OTAs alone. Being a foreigner for the first time in a while, I experienced a troublesome experience of being a foreigner.
And the decisive moment was while I was surfing alone during the trip.
"I had fun on my first overseas trip after the end of the Corona lockdown. Playing in nature is the best. And businesses that use nature are the reason why people cherish it."
I pondered how the economy circulates profits generated there back into nature conservation, and how the people involved in it continue to protect it.
While thinking about all this... I had an epiphany!
"Why not create this type of travel experience in Japan!"
From there, the feelings I had earlier – wanting to connect with the world, wanting to make Japan a country filled with lively people, and wanting to do something enjoyable for myself – all came together, and I set a goal to start a travel company offering natural experiences in Japan that locals truly find fascinating.
And not just interesting, but our tours follow five principles:
Introducing hidden gems, away from the crowds, resulting in support from local residents.
Directly and indirectly experiencing nature, rejuvenating both the mind and body of participants.
Sharing history and culture, preserving the old and satisfying curiosity.
Providing tours that stimulate all five senses, creating opportunities to feel something for participants.
Offering sustainable tourism, prioritizing quality over quantity.
With that, on November 29, 2023, the company was established. Thanks to the tremendous support from various people, we were able to launch this site. My ultimate goal is to host tours all over Japan, making participants feel lively and invigorated, and having them return again.
I hope that this cycle will energize Japan and restore the pride of the Japanese people.
The journey has just begun; won't you join me in exploring Japan?
The tours guided by me, with such intentions, are available here.