Meet Jessop, Arigato Travel’s Travel Operations Director, and a true explorer at heart. With 20 years of experience crafting unique adventures across Asia, he has a knack for uncovering the little-known corners of Japan that make each trip unforgettable. Jessop’s passion lies in connecting travelers with local communities, helping them experience life like a local, whether it’s wandering tucked-away streets or joining a seasonal festival. Off the beaten path, you might find him fishing alongside some of Japan’s top anglers, proving that for him, every journey, big or small, is about discovery, connection, and a touch of adventure.
Join us for our next interview!
Hi Jessop, please introduce yourself and share a brief overview of your background and your role at Arigato Travel.
Making my way from Ohio to Japan as an ‘uninformed’ university student originally, I could have never imagined I would someday be working as the Travel Operations Director for such a well-respected organization providing guidance and unforgettable experiences for inbound visitors.
Jessop among the crowd at a fishing event – Photo Credit: Jessop Petroski
What first inspired your passion for travel, and how did that journey eventually bring you to Japan?
Definitely, the seeds were planted very early on by my mom, who frequently traveled with me and my sister all over the United States. While we were busy trying to visit as many of the states in the US, an opportunity arose to visit my father on a work assignment in Japan.
While visiting, I was fortunate enough to meet a welcoming Japanese family in Tokyo, who sent me to Kyushu to do a homestay with extended family in the countryside. That visit single-handedly changed my entire view of the world and just how little I actually knew.
Jessop standing on the docks as fishermen pass by in their boats – Photo Credit: Jessop Petroski
Fishing is a big part of your life here. How did you get into fishing in Japan, and what do you enjoy most about it?
Fishing was a part of my life from a young age, and something I did daily back in Ohio, and eventually competed in local tournaments. After graduating from university, life got busy working on a “career,” and my travels abroad consumed my ambitions.
Then a global pandemic put a halt to both my career and international travel, leaving me desperately seeking fresh air and a familiar hobby to occupy my time and mind.
A random encounter with Lake Nojiri in Nagano prefecture in 2021 re-awakened my love for fishing and being outdoors, along with the opportunity to connect with local people on a much deeper level than the big cities in Japan can provide.
Since that moment, I have quickly made strong relationships with anglers throughout the country and been able to visit prefectures in Japan that I previously would not have gone to.
How would you compare living in Japan to other Asian countries?
Having lived in Thailand for 3 years, and traveling around most of the Asia-Pacific region, Japan sets itself apart from other countries in its pride in cleanliness, orderly co-existence with one another, and the daily head-scratching moments you can encounter that are very creative compared to the normal daily routines that happen here like clockwork.
In regard to travel, the country has really made a substantial commitment to tourism in the last decade, and I can honestly say, prior to the commitment, other destinations, quite frankly, were much more exciting and appealing to travel to, but now, things have changed, and it’s very evident that Japan is a premier global destination now.
Jessop paddleboarding on the lake – Photo Credit: Jessop Petroski
Can you describe your role as Travel Operations Director and what a typical day looks like for you?
As Travel Operations Director at Arigato Travel, every day presents new challenges and opportunities.
Working with an incredible team of international travel professionals, I have the privilege of leading our travel planning and support team to create unforgettable experiences for people visiting Japan.
We also get the chance to work with an extensive network of local suppliers, artisans, restaurants, and accommodations that provide us with an incredible opportunity to try their experiences firsthand, and then share them with our guests.
How do you ensure that Arigato Travel experiences feel authentic and meaningful for guests?
Having the opportunity to try the experiences ourselves ensures the quality is there and also that it aligns with our company values.
As well, our team has a wide variety of nationalities working on delivering the best experience for visiting guests, and I believe that empathy really is our secret sauce that helps us to relate with our guests on both their concerns as well as their aspirations when coming to Japan.
Jessop showing off a largemouth bass he caught in Japan – Photo Credit: Jessop Petroski
Which lesser-known Japanese location or region do you hope more tourists will explore?
Shiga prefecture, located right next to Kyoto city, only a 10-minute local train ride through the mountain range, presents a stark contrast to the bustling, “overrun” city of Kyoto.
Naturally, as an angler, I was drawn to Japan’s largest lake – Lake Biwa, one of the oldest lakes in the world and home to the world-record largemouth bass.
Not only is the lake impressive in its size and history, but the local community and lifestyle that surrounds the lake are unique and authentic in their down-to-earth mentality that is very welcoming to visitors, in a non-touristy way.
Reflecting on your career, what particular moment or experience cemented your dedication to the travel industry?
Taking part as a volunteer in Tohoku following the Great 3/11 earthquake and tsunami disaster connected me deeply with the northern region of Japan, where I could see that tourism would be a key economic source for recovery.
The second event that cemented my dedication to the travel industry was the disruption to international travel caused by the COVID pandemic. With a lack of work, staying connected and active in the industry through monitor tours, podcasting, and fishing content creation and article writing further enhanced my desire to work in this industry.
Jessop at a start-up event, presenting his company’s technology to the Mayor of Fukuoka, Soichiro Takashima – Photo Credit: Jessop Petroski
Finally, what advice would you give travelers who want to immerse themselves in local Japanese culture?
“Local culture” is all around, in every corner of the country. It often gets lost in the hustle and bustle of the larger cities, although it still exists in an infinite amount.
Smaller cities and rural areas present local culture much more quickly, though they can feel more intimidating to go and explore without local guidance.
In the big cities, leave “free time” and find those moments of wandering upon the local culture that will show itself when you least expect it. In smaller and rural settings, keep an open mind to the differences and embrace encounters with locals with a friendly acceptance and gratitude for taking part in their community.
Thanks for chatting with us, Jessop! Whether on the water or behind the scenes, your dedication to creating meaningful connections makes travel with Arigato truly unforgettable.
Follow Jessop on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessoppetroski/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessop_p_photography & https://www.instagram.com/bassfishingjapan/
Others: https://www.bassfishingjapan.com/
Check his profile on our Team page: https://arigatotravel.com/about-us/our-team
Featured Photo Credit: Jessop Petroski
