Our Team

Ramona

Ramona is Italian and LOVES food. She ran restaurants in Italy before moving to Japan where she lives with her husband and son. Her aim is to instill in our guests her passion for Japanese cuisine and help them to understand the many interesting aspects of life in Tokyo. Ramona is also part of the Hiring and Training Team and is in charge of the Travel consulting service.

Jason

Jason is a Marketing Assistant here and was born in the US, but grew to love everything about Japan. He wants to share his passion for Japanese culture, food, music, and more with people all over the world. Jason graduated with an International Studies degree and loves playing video games and cooking in his free time.

Sarah

Sarah is from Trinidad and gained a BSc in Biology and Biochemistry. An anime lover from a young age, this led to her passion and love for Japan. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and creating new content for Instagram to share her Asian Nerd fever. Other hobbies include drawing, learning languages, watching Asian dramas, catching up on anime and manga. One of her main goals is to become fluent in Japanese one day in hopes to travel to Japan.

Chloe

Chloe is from a small town in New South Wales, Australia. She has always loved foreign cultures and languages, as such she began her Bachelor of Languages at university, majoring in Japanese. As a creative person, she loves to draw, specifically the modern and traditional styles of Japanese art. She also enjoys studying and writing about Japan, and is always looking for opportunities to learn more.

Kate

Kate is a member of our admin team with a great love for Japan and its food. She strives to provide great customer service and makes sure everything is arranged accordingly. She’s also a traveler and plans to travel to Japan someday since she's been a fan of anime since childhood. She's also an avid fan of Japanese horror! She hopes that one day she can fly to Japan and stay for good.

Sae

Sae was born and raised in Japan and has studied in New Zealand and Canada, working as a makeup artist, beauty advisor and English tutor. Sae fell in love with the food and truly multicultural area of Toronto where people are proud of their cultures. She is genuinely passionate about sharing her love for Japanese culture, beauty and ultimately, unforgettable fun memories with her guests.

Berlyn

Berlyn is from the Philippines. She is one of the members of the Admin team. She loves watching anime, traveling, and taking photos. She would definitely love to visit Japan someday. Her goal is to share her knowledge and collaborate effectively with the team, ensuring that she provides excellent customer support outcomes for visitors that want to explore the beauty of Japan.

Annalyn

Annalyn is a member of the Admin Team. She is from the Philippines and has years of experience in providing assistance and support services. She aims to give our guests a smooth, amazing and memorable travel and food experience throughout their stay in Japan. Her love for food and interest in Japanese culture makes her want to travel to Japan someday.

Aira

Aira, an Admin Team member, hails from the Philippines. With a strong background in customer service, she helps ensure that our guests have an exceptional time in Japan. As a Certified Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, she specializes in the Kaizen Approach, constantly striving for improvement. Her profound fascination with Japanese culture and its traditions, particularly Japanese street cars, fuels her desire to witness their presence locally in the near future. Her hobbies include cooking and watching documentaries.

Sandra

Sandra is a passionate food enthusiast from Barcelona who found her heart captivated by Japan a decade ago. Now deeply rooted in the country, she embraces Japan as her second home, savoring its diverse culinary wonders and joyfully sharing her love for Japanese cuisine with others.

Nikka

Ry

Ry is from the Philippines and loves gaming and adventuring in both virtual worlds and exploring hidden gems in her local area. She loves discovering the best foods that these hidden gems have to offer and recommending them to those she cares about. In her free time, she also loves learning about the newest technology and gadgets and dives headfirst into the captivating universes of her favorite anime.

Claire

Claire is a vegetarian and absolute foodie from the U.S. She spent many years learning about Japan and studying the language and has come to love her new home here in Tokyo. She does yoga, plays video games and goes to vegan/vegetarian meetups with friends in her spare time.

Ramona

Ramona is Italian and LOVES food. She ran restaurants in Italy before moving to Japan where she lives with her husband and son. Her aim is to instill in our guests her passion for Japanese cuisine and help them to understand the many interesting aspects of life in Tokyo. Ramona is also part of the Hiring and Training Team and is in charge of the Travel consulting service.

Josh

Josh came to Japan in 1983, living in Sapporo for a short time. He then moved here in 2005 and has since lived in Hokkaido, Ibaraki, Chiba and now Tokyo, traveling extensively around Japan. Josh is an expert on many parts of Japanese food culture and loves answering questions. His favorite food in Japan is from Hokkaido and called jingiskan.

Russ

Russ is musician from Wales who first visited Japan in 2010 with his band after discovering a record he released in 1980 was selling for 7000yen. He has since undertaken 8 tours of Japan and regularly plays solo gigs in Dotonbori and Shinsekai. Russ has a Higher National Diploma in Fashion and Textiles and an MA in Garden History.

Yappy

Yappy moved to Tokyo from Osaka 20 years ago, and has worked in the entertainment industry since then. As a bartender and DJ, he has the chance to use both his Osaka dialect and his English. From 2015-2017, he had an Airbnb listing where he hosted more than 400 guests. This unforgettable experience made him want to continue sharing his love of Japan.

Ike

Ike was born in Japan and moved to Boston in 1983 to go to music school. He also got into the restaurant business around that time. During his 35 years in Boston, Ike was a sushi chef, manager at a Japanese market and owned a restaurant. He is excited to share his knowledge about Japanese food with you.

Miyuki

Miyuki traces her lifelong fascination with travel, culture and world cuisine back to reading “People” by Peter Spier, and tasting food at her father’s Teppanyaki restaurant. She has lived in the U.S.A., Australia, Vietnam, Thailand, Mexico, Norway, Ireland and Malta for school and work, and loves to share her knowledge of Japanese “soul food.”

Timothy

Timothy, from Austin, Texas has been living in Japan since 2000. He came to study design and language. He likes visiting lesser known parts of Tokyo, exploring the country, taking photos, of animals and Tokyo nightlife. He knows some of the most fun and traditional parts of the city.

Alexandro Renee

Alex is and amazing Senior Guide in the Arigato Travel team. Alex also runs Spanish-language tours. He has many stories about this amazing country and is always happy to meet new friends from around the world! He is an Artist and a fan of Anime and Manga.

Kumie

Kumie is from Osaka and has lived in Tokyo since 2014. She studied food science and nutrition, working as a food researcher. Living in both urban and rural areas all over Japan, Kumie has strong knowledge of regional specialities and local culture. She loves sharing that viewpoint.

Norma

Norma is our Training and HR coordinator. She shares her knowledge with our guides and also runs Spanish-language tours. Norma is a passionate etching and woodblock artist who came from Mexico to learn Ukiyo-e. As a foodie, Japan was the perfect place in the world to explore and share!

Kay

Kay is a Korean who grew up in Osaka and Tokyo, and went to college in the U.S. She has visited 12 countries and always enjoys meeting new people around the globe, exploring new cultures and trying the local food. She’s very easy going and awaits the opportunity to share tasty food and a fun time with you.

Michie

Michie was born and raised in Tokyo, attended college in Iowa for 2 years, and also lived in Hong Kong while working as a flight attendant. Michie believes enjoying food is the best way to relax, and that sharing good food helps people build relationships and understand other cultures. She is looking forward to enjoying good food with you.

H

‘H’ was born and raised in Kyoto, and has worked at several companies engaging in overseas marketing & sales before his retirement. His job brought him to many countries around the world, and he has made many friends overseas and ate a lot of food in different countries. He would like to help you try the food Japan has to offer.

Ida

Ida, originally from Gothenburg, Sweden, first moved to Japan in 2014 and quickly fell in love with the unique culture and rich history of the country. Whilst in Japan she attended language school in Osaka and later moved to Kyoto to attend university. After spending over 6 years in Western Japan, she now sees the country as her second home and is eager to share her love for Japan with visitors from all over the world. She’s been a guide for Arigato Travel since 2019, and now also helps out the HR department with training and hiring. Ida is particularly fond of Japanese fashion, art, and cuisine.

Hannah

Hannah is a Canadian with a background in Graphic Design and Pastry Arts and is the head Baker of an up-and-coming cafe in Tokyo. She first visited Japan in 2007 driven by an admiration for the bold Tokyo subcultures and pop culture. In her subsequent visits, she sought out more traditional culture and lesser-known charms throughout Japan. Finally moving to Tokyo in 2017 she spends her free time seeking out unique cafes, bathhouses, and seasonal festivals.

Hayato

Hayato is a Tokyo-born local tour guide but has lived in several other countries. To name a few, he went to Australia and the UK for his English study and resided in Canada for his Master’s program in education. He spends his free time exploring hidden gems in Tokyo and is always passionate about sharing what he has found with his guests.

Marie

Marie is originally from Nagoya but has been living in Osaka for 17 years. She has lived and worked in both Canada and Australia. She has a bright personality that makes you feel like you’re hanging out with a local friend. Marie has learned so many things by living abroad or through her worldwide friends so she believes it’s her turn to share her passion for Japanese food, culture and her experiences.

Spencer

Spencer is originally from Houston, Texas but now calls Kyoto home. Growing up in the Houston food scene, he loved being able to enjoy food culture from every continent and considers food one of the best ways to immerse yourself in a new culture. (To this day, anytime he visits a new country, making a supermarket run is first on his list!) Since first coming to Japan at age 14, he has wanted to show his gratitude to so many teachers and mentors in Kyoto by sharing the knowledge he was taught with tourists from all over the world.

Noboru

Noboru was born in Kyoto and has been there for decades and decades. He would love to help you discover the city he loves so much and make your day memorable. Just like any city with lots of history, his knowledge could be dated and rustic. However, this is a perfect representation of the nostalgic Wabi Sabi culture found in Kyoto that you'll come to admire during your time with Noboru and the city he calls home. He loves to share a good time with you and hopes to introduce you to the Japanese concept of Ichigo Ichie; one lifetime, one encounter.

Shigeki

Shigeki is originally from Kagoshima but has lived in Tokyo for decades. He has a passion for travel and has visited many foreign countries and prefectures in Japan. He loves food and drinks and always makes sure to check out the regional specialties when he travels. If you're interested in sake, Shigeki can introduce you to some great local varieties and the best foods to pair with them. In his free time, he goes fishing and hunting, then even cooks the game on his own. He is looking forward to sharing the best that Japan has to offer with you.

Sakura

Sakura is originally from Akita but has lived in Tokyo for about 30 years. For 12 years, she was a tour guide taking Japanese guests abroad. Then she went to the US to study as an exchange student for one year and, due to realizing how unique and special Japan is, she decided to become a tour guide again. This time she wanted to share her passion for Japanese food and culture with people all over the world.

Daniela

Sanae

Sanae was born in Kyoto and brought up with delicious provincial food. As such, she is an expert in cooking Kyoto dishes. She doesn’t mind cooking black soybeans for more than ten hours as a New Year dish and never fails to make umeboshi, plum pickles, every summer for the health of her family. Regional vegetables are the things she most regularly cooks, including even leaf vegetables in a small garden for pot dishes in winter. She can’t stop talking about recipes, especially for noodles, and she hopes to share her passion for Kyoto's best food with people from around the world.

Miyuki

Miyuki was born and raised in the city of Hiroshima. She also lived in Osaka for a while before returning to Hiroshima. She likes eating and especially loves Okonomiyaki, Hiroshima’s soul food, and hopes that everyone can enjoy it. She also likes visiting shrines and enjoying Kagura performances, which are related to Japanese myths. As a tour guide, she loves sharing her passion for Japan and Hiroshima and having fun with other people and strives to help her guests have wonderful memories in Japan.

Motoko

Maya

Maya was born and raised in Tokyo around an exotic team of multi-cultural beings all endowed with a love of cuisine. She has traveled through the Americas, Europe, and Asia to experience the diversity of customs, colors, and sights from around the world. After her studies in Fine Art and Painting at the most renowned Art & Design Institute in the US, she was awarded a fully-funded art residency located in the heart of Amsterdam. As she embarked on a radical project of human restoration, her consciousness of food as medicine and as an apparatus of love became entrenched in the forefront of her mind. With this knowledge and much more, she has returned home to Japan after nearly a decade to reconnect with her roots. Maya welcomes you to explore with her the tasty textures, full flavors, and nutritious notes of Japanese cuisine.

Wesley

Wesley is an adventurer who swapped LA for Tokyo two years ago and never looked back! His passion for food and exploration has taken him from the snowy landscapes of Tohoku and Hokkaido to the cultural gems of Kyoto and Osaka. And guess what? There are even more exciting trips ahead! As a video creator, he's always on the move, capturing incredible moments and finding inspiration in every corner. Join Wesley on a thrilling journey in Tokyo – a melting pot of flavors, sights, and unforgettable experiences. Let's create memories together!

Marcos

Marcos is a professor and psychologist from Mexico. He moved to Japan to explore the culture, history and psyche of the country. His goal is to travel to and through all 47 prefectures. He loves to exchange impressions and experiences on Japan with people all around the world on topics of food, art and culture, as well as finding familiarity in any culture with his own.

Daniel

Hailing from the sunny shores of San Diego, California, Daniel brings a touch of California spirit to the mesmerizing landscapes of Japan. As an aspiring filmmaker and adventurer, he found an unexpected love for the Land of the Rising Sun during his first visit to Hokkaido which instilled an irresistible allure for its rich culture, history, and breathtaking scenery. Daniel infuses every tour with the joy and love that both Japan and California have brought into his life. His warm and inviting personality makes you feel like you're traveling with an old friend, as he shares his experiences and deep knowledge of Japan's hidden gems. He wants to help guests immerse themselves in the beauty of Japan, one extraordinary experience at a time!

Stefania

José

José came to Japan in the mid-90s for the first time and started working as a graphic designer. His childhood interest in Japanese design, music, anime, and food helped him immediately feel at home. Even now he continues to explore new places to enjoy food in Tokyo and everywhere he travels in Japan. He enjoys showing international visitors the fantastic places and food that Japan has to offer.

Yu

Yu is Japanese-Venezuelan and originally from Washington, DC. After growing up spending summers in southern Japan with his family, he moved here full-time several years ago to further his training and education as a Buddhist priest. Before entering the priesthood, he worked in the legislative branch of government and as an action-sports/event photographer. He became a tour guide due to his passion for and desire to share Japanese food and culture and new experiences with others.

Daniele

Daniele is an Italian who has had a deep passion for Japan, as well as its history and pop culture since he was a child. He travels the country frequently and enjoys amateur photography. He dropped everything in Italy to live in this wonderful place. Greedy for Ramen, he loves to give those who have a strong passion for the Japanese world the right "ingredients" to fully enjoy not just a trip but a real experience.

François

François is from France, but came to Japan from Germany after transferring within his company 15 years ago. Since then, he has been living and working in Yokohama. When he is not at the office or on a food tour guiding guests, he enjoys outdoor activities like snowboarding, cycling, trail running and also experiments with Japanese home cooking.

Eduardo

Eduardo is a Mexican who moved to Japan for his Ph.D. in Information Sciences. While he enjoys several hobbies like photography and boxing, he discovered he loves cooking and learning how to cook Japanese food when he started his life in Kyoto. He loves sharing his love for ramen, as well as narrating his funny experiences while living in Japan.

Daisuke

Daisuke grew up in Miyazaki and then moved to Chiba. He spent 10 months in Toronto studying abroad. He has always enjoyed meeting new people and talking nonstop! He does professional videography and photography so taking pictures is one of his passions. Hopefully, he can help you create precious memories of Japan!

Glenda

Glenda is an outgoing Singaporean who loves food and exploring nature. She can speak English, Japanese, and Mandarin Chinese. Having gotten a taste of life in Japan during her university exchange program, she moved to Tokyo to satiate her love and immense passion for Japanese food, language, and culture. When she's not busy with her day job and guiding tours, Glenda is trying new recipes or on the hunt for hidden gem ramen joints and off-the-radar cocktail bars where she can interact with locals. If she's lucky, she'll get to hear the stories behind these establishments. As she is constantly seeking new adventures, Glenda enjoys meeting new people and would not hesitate to share interesting stories and local tips on her tours!

Melissa

Melissa is American and has lived in Osaka for over 20 years with her Australian husband and children. In the daytime she works as an English narrator, recording announcements for various train lines, tourist destinations, and more. Now that her children are a bit older she has decided to share her love of Osaka and Japanese food with visiting guests.

Jacob

Jacob, originally from Israel, first found himself in Japan back in 2013, traveling throughout all the prefectures of Japan. He found himself returning every year to Japan until he decided to move completely in 2021. Besides traveling around Japan, Jacob also studies design at a famous Japanese fashion college in Shinjuku. Whenever he gets the opportunity to travel to a new prefecture, the first thing he'll do is try out the local famous dish and write it down, to make the list of the best foods of Japan.

Claire

Claire is a vegetarian and absolute foodie from the U.S. She spent many years learning about Japan and studying the language and has come to love her new home here in Tokyo. She does yoga, plays video games and goes to vegan/vegetarian meetups with friends in her spare time.

Amna

Amna is from Pakistan and has been interested in content writing for a long time. She aims to use her abilities to help everyone in any way she can. Japanese culture has inspired her a lot, including the beautiful scenery, the captivating cuisine, and the Japanese lifestyle and traditions that have compelled her to write and tell people around the world about this attractive and delightful country. Amna is an energetic and ambitious person who loves taking risks and overcoming challenges. During her leisure time, some of her hobbies include playing badminton, cooking, dancing, and reading books.

Hanzla

Hanzla was born in Tokyo but grew up in Pakistan. He moved to Japan 12 years ago and has lived here ever since. He has an immense love for traveling and food and likes to socialize with people and learn all about different cultures. He loves to explore new places and restaurants in Japan, havingtried different cuisines in Tokyo due to its diversity, and would love to share these experiences.

Mason

Mason is from Canada and discovered his interest in Japanese culture during his childhood from early exposure to Japanese media. He majored in Japanese language and culture and spent a year studying in Kyoto in 2017-2018. Although his current job doesn’t utilize the experience he gained during university, he can now combine both his interest in Japan and passion for cooking/food after joining Arigato Travel! He spends his free time playing video and board games, exercising, and building model kits. He is also obsessed with Shiba Inus and will purchase Shiba-themed products whenever he sees them!

Tim

Tim was born in the Netherlands and is now in Tokyo. Tim is studying business administration and wants to learn more about marketing. Japan has appealed to him since a young age partly because of his practice in the sport of judo. Arigato Travel is the perfect place where Tim's interest in marketing and his passion for Japan come together.

Chisato

Chisato was born in Japan and is currently studying Communication and Digital Marketing in Lithuania. She is a cultural ambassador, sharing Japanese traditions in the countries she visits. She loves travel, Japanese cuisine, and judo. Her goal is to master cross-cultural communication, particularly for approaching effective marketing strategies across diverse cultures without misunderstanding.

Alan

Alan is from the United States and is a member of our intern team, helping with blog posts and website management. He currently lives in Tokyo and enjoys traveling around Japan, sampling local food everywhere he goes. He works daily to give Arigato Travel readers the best experience possible, hoping to see them come on our tours!