Stefaan Goossens
I love connecting with new people from different cultures and learning new perspectives or ways of thinking as I strongly believe that these experiences enrich our lives and makes us more understanding human beings. Originally from Belgium, I have been living in Kyoto for over 10 years now. I am passionate about introducing Japan and its culture to the rest of the world either through my job or through my hobby (photography). The country has so much to offer that it's easy to come back regularly and explore a new city each time. Or just explore more of the same city, like I did. Even after 10 years of living in Kyoto, I still discover new temples and shrines from time to time.
While travelling is always a great experience, I believe that exploring more off the beaten path locations can often lead to unexpected encounters with the local people. And usually those small things, become the topics that we will talk about with our friends and family for many years. While I enjoy many of the major sightseeings spots as well, I always find myself reminiscing about the more hidden spots or unique and warm encounters during my travels.
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, the Kumano Kodo, and the Shikoku 88 pilgrimage route. In addition we are pleased to offer walking trips and stays at Mount Koya, Nara, and Asuka and can arrange tours that include many other UNESCO World Heritage sites in Japan. "
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"Staying overnight at a small inn at Koguchi (on the Kumano Kodo trail, in Wakayama prefecture). The owner is a retired older man and prepares homemade meals with freshly caught fish and fresh mountain vegetables he forages in the morning. He also makes his own plum liquor and that day he was proud to open one of his bottles that had been riping for some time now and he was curious to see my reaction. As expected, it was absolutely delicious and he was truly happy to see my reaction.
And after that, we kept talking for a while about his life in the deep countryside, while enjoying more of his homemade liquor. Learning about the rural life in Japan while connecting with the local inn owner is one of the experiences that you can not get in the major cities and it's those small moments that stick with me and make it worth to explore the more off-the-beaten path regions in Japan. "
Stefaan's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
This active tour of Japan combines modern cities with outdoor adventures, including five days of hiking along the famous Nakasendo Trail. You'll start in Kyoto, visiting the...
Get ready for a memorable village-to-village trek on the Kii Peninsula along sections of Japan's famous Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail. Perfect for avid hikers, this self-guided...
Step back in time and immerse yourself in nature on this five-day hiking trip along the historic Nakasendo Trail. Feudal lords and samurai once walked this mountain path...