Early Days in Singapore
My story begins after college, when I realized the best way to truly understand my own country was to see it from the outside. That thought led me to move to Singapore, where I lived for a decade.
Singapore may be small, but it's incredibly diverse. I began exploring every corner with my folding bike and connected with people from all walks of life. I quickly learned that you can’t judge a country by its size. Every street held a unique secret, far beyond what any guidebook could offer. My experience taught me the importance of discovering a place firsthand, and I fell in love with Singapore.
When I returned to Japan after 10 years, I continued cycling. Even as a local, I was amazed at how much I still had to discover. I saw my hometown with new eyes, finding countless hidden gems and fascinating people. It was through cycling that I fell in love with Japan all over again.
An Encounter with a Bike Tour Guide
My journey as a guide started in 2018. I had never considered combining my two passions—cycling and sharing my country with others—until a social media post appeared with the words, "Guides urgently needed!" Up until then, I thought of cycling as just a hobby and guiding as something reserved for buses or walking tours. But the idea of merging the two captivated me.
I immediately signed up for a trial session. Under the cold winter sky, I went to Tokyo, thinking I knew the city like the back of my hand. I was wrong.
Rediscoveries
The trial was a series of eye-opening discoveries for me. I learned new local facts and rediscovered places I thought I knew well. The most amazing part was how seamlessly cycling connects different areas, weaving a narrative through the city. I was hooked.
Starting as a Guide
About six months later, I officially became a bike tour guide. I'll never forget my first tour on a hot summer day with guests from the Netherlands. When they started looking tired, we took a break—something only a flexible bike tour can offer.
Over coffee, we talked about everything from politics and economics to daily life in Japan. Through our conversation, they gained a deeper understanding of my country. At the end, their firm handshake was all the thanks I needed. I knew I had offered them something special, a moment that only a bike tour could provide.
Be an Ambassador
I see myself as an ambassador for Japan. For many tourists, I am the first Japanese person they meet, and their introduction to the country starts with me. My mission is to help them connect with Japan on a personal level—by taking photos, enjoying a coffee, or savoring a traditional sweet together.
My Mission
While there is a wealth of information online and on social media, some things can only be learned by experiencing them firsthand, like cycling through the bustling streets of Tokyo. Guiding people through the city is a moment of pure bliss for me.
After six years as an employed guide, I decided to turn that passion into a business: Tokyo Bike Bliss.
