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OUR STORY
It all started when Rika’s Australian friends called in a favour to create an itinerary for their first trip to Japan.
Being a travel enthusiast herself, she took this mission very seriously and couldn't hide her passion.
Being a Japanese who loves and is proud of her home country, she wanted to show the real side of Japan, not a tourist trap.
She has enjoyed the whole process so much. When her friends came back awed by Japan and loved how easy their custom itinerary made their trip, she decided to officially start Kuroko Boutique Tours and dedicate herself in crafting unparalleled boutique trips to Japan.
WHAT WE DO
We design, curate and lead authentic experience-focused boutique and unique tours of Japan.
Here are our offerings.
For individual travellers -
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Kuroko's signature small-group guided tours
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Custom itinerary service if you wish to go self-guided
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For businesses and group travellers -
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Custom-made group tour (i.e. educational, photography, art & craft, wellbeing tours etc)
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Custom itinerary service if you wish to go self-guided
WHO WE ARE
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Rika Nishimura
Founder/Travel Designer/Tour Leader
Rika was born and raised in Kochi, the southern part of Japan. She spent her 20s in Kyoto before moving to Australia, where she started Kuroko Boutique Tours. She designs and leads bespoke ‘one of a kind’ tours. Her dedication to authenticity transforms each tour into an incredibly deep exploration of Japanese culture, tradition, landscape, cuisine and people. Rika’s passion for sharing her beloved home country shines through in every step she takes. Rika, a former professional interpreter, also holds a bachelor's degree in International Law from Ritsumeikan University.
Joan Shiba
Office manager
Joan, a native of the Philippines, moved to Japan in 2017 when married to a Japanese husband. Thanks to the warm hospitality of her new Japanese friends, she quickly felt at home in a scenic rural part of Gifu prefecture. She indulged herself with its well-known traditional sweets called Kurikinton (fresh chestnut paste) and Ayu river fish (sweetfish). She enjoys celebrating the Matsuri, a Japanese summer festival, together with her two bubbly sons. They get to dance at the energetic processions, savour the street food, and watch the impressive display of fireworks. She is the backbone of Kuroko Boutique Tours, helping the business operation be smooth and efficient. She obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Manila University.
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Soryou Yamaguchi
Master of Japanese Tradition and Culture
Soryou Yamaguchi a tea master and Japanese culture researcher from Osaka. After graduating from high school in Canada, he started learning the Urasenke tea ceremony while his university studies in Kyoto. As a tea master, he organises tea ceremonies at special events. He is deeply devoted to Japanese history, shrines, temples, festivals, Kabuki, Bunraku (a Japanese puppet theatre), Noh (classical Japanese dance-drama), hanging scrolls, Japanese poetry, and Ikebana. Yamaguchi is currently enrolled at Tanechiin University for a further understanding of Buddhism and Japanese art culture. He is an avid open-water swimmer.
Yamaguchi has strong connections with traditional Japanese communities, schools and masters. We can offer authentic cultural experiences involving masters like Yamaguchi to showcase the real Japan.
Takayuki (Yuki) Sato
Tour leader/ Guide
Yuki was born and raised in Fukushima, the northern part of Japan. A former acting director of the Hokkaido Kucchan Tourism Association, Yuki studied Biological Environmental and Agricultural Economics at Akita University. His deep and extensive knowledge of Japanese native flora and fauna is second to none. Together with his gentle and caring nature, it makes him a great credit as a tour guide.
He resides in Hokkaido with his family and holds an instructor license for skiing, snowboarding, road biking, and mountain biking. He enjoys outdoor sports and is on an executive committee for the annual road bike event in Hokkaido.
Contact
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