Mirka Niemi
I first visited Japan in 2007 and have been traveling to the country almost every year since. While studying Japanese culture and language in Kyoto for a year, I fell in love with the old capital and ended staying here even after finishing my studies. Born and raised in Finland, I enjoy the onsen (hot-springs) just as much as I love the Finnish sauna. I'm also a karaoke enthusiast and enjoy kicking it back in traditional karaoke bars, meeting local people.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"We specialize in rural off the beaten path Japan and have a strong expertise in the Nakasendo trail, the Kumano Kodo and Shikoku 88 pilgrimage routes. Our cultural and self-guided walking tours are designed to show visitors the famous sites of this wonderful country, with a specific focus on lesser-known locations: small villages, temples, the beautiful countryside and national parks. Highlights of our trips include traditional Japanese inn stays, relaxing natural hot spring baths, and the delicious local cuisine each region provides."
Featured trips & expertise
Self-Guided Walking Tour on the Nakasendo Trail - 10 Days
Take a walk through time on this 10-day self-guided tour of the Nakasendo Trail, part of feudal Japan's original network of highways. Travelers on the mountain path between Kyoto and Tokyo took several days to travel the distance, staying overnight in Juku post towns. You'll retrace their footsteps as you travel through serene forests, stay in historically preserved local inns by night, and explore the vibrant cities of Kyoto and Tokyo.
Kumano Kodo Self-Guided Tour - 6 Days
Get ready for an unforgettable village-to-village trek on the Kii Peninsula along sections of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail. Perfect for avid hikers, this self-guided tour will take you past thermal hot springs, grand shrines, and waterfalls as you walk in the footsteps of emperors.