The Story Behind My Tokyo Guide
Our StoryBack in 2008, Richard Reay saw Japan’s travel industry for what it was—exciting, but closed off to most outsiders. He wanted to change that. So he did something no foreigner had pulled off before: he founded My Tokyo Guide Inc. and became the first non-Japanese entrepreneur to earn the coveted Type 2 Japanese Travel Agency License.
Based in Tokyo, the company carved out a reputation fast. Not by cutting corners, not by chasing fads—but by delivering the kind of travel experiences that actually matter. We handle it all: transportation, lodging, handpicked excursions, and of course, legendary Mt. Fuji climbs.
This isn’t mass tourism. It’s carefully curated, deeply personal, and built on years of living and breathing Japan from the inside out.
So why wait? Start planning your Japanese adventure with My Tokyo Guide Inc. today—and see the country the way it was meant to be experienced.
Based in Tokyo, the company carved out a reputation fast. Not by cutting corners, not by chasing fads—but by delivering the kind of travel experiences that actually matter. We handle it all: transportation, lodging, handpicked excursions, and of course, legendary Mt. Fuji climbs.
This isn’t mass tourism. It’s carefully curated, deeply personal, and built on years of living and breathing Japan from the inside out.
So why wait? Start planning your Japanese adventure with My Tokyo Guide Inc. today—and see the country the way it was meant to be experienced.
Annual Mt. Fuji Pilgrimage "Fujiko Monks"
Our Passion
Anyone can sell you a trip to Japan. Shinkansen tickets, hotel vouchers, a list of “Top 10 Japan attractions" done. But that’s not why we’re here.
At My Tokyo Guide, our license lets us operate tours across the country, from snow-drenched Hokkaido to the coral reefs of Okinawa. Yet our hearts keep pulling us back to one place: Mt. Fuji.
This mountain isn’t just a climb. It’s an entire world, ancient forests where monks once trained, shrines that whisper Japan’s spiritual history, waterfalls that crash like thunder, and hot springs that burn away the fatigue of the trail. Hike far enough and you’ll find hidden crater routes, rugged volcanic paths, and views that rewrite what you thought “beautiful” meant. Add in the food, local noodles, mountain hut curry, sake that tastes better at altitude, and you’re not just traveling anymore. You’re living it.
Our passion is simple: to share the real Mt. Fuji with you; raw, unfiltered, unforgettable. Let us help you craft an adventure that lingers long after your boots come off.
Anyone can sell you a trip to Japan. Shinkansen tickets, hotel vouchers, a list of “Top 10 Japan attractions" done. But that’s not why we’re here.
At My Tokyo Guide, our license lets us operate tours across the country, from snow-drenched Hokkaido to the coral reefs of Okinawa. Yet our hearts keep pulling us back to one place: Mt. Fuji.
This mountain isn’t just a climb. It’s an entire world, ancient forests where monks once trained, shrines that whisper Japan’s spiritual history, waterfalls that crash like thunder, and hot springs that burn away the fatigue of the trail. Hike far enough and you’ll find hidden crater routes, rugged volcanic paths, and views that rewrite what you thought “beautiful” meant. Add in the food, local noodles, mountain hut curry, sake that tastes better at altitude, and you’re not just traveling anymore. You’re living it.
Our passion is simple: to share the real Mt. Fuji with you; raw, unfiltered, unforgettable. Let us help you craft an adventure that lingers long after your boots come off.
Mt. Fuji 2-Day Group Climbs
Trailblazer
Richard didn’t stumble into Japan by accident. Back in 1997, he landed here as a University of Lethbridge exchange student and got hooked—for life. The people, the culture, the rhythm of a country that’s equal parts ancient ritual and neon chaos, it pulled him in. After graduation, he came back, living everywhere from snowy Hokkaido to rural Miyagi and Niigata before finally making Tokyo home.Armed with a B.A. in Economics and a Master’s degree in Business earned in Japan, Richard wasn’t just another foreigner passing through, he built a life here. And in 2008, he founded My Tokyo Guide Inc., the first non-Japanese-led travel agency licensed at the Type 2 level. His vision? To open Japan up for travelers the way locals know it.
But Richard’s real obsession has always been Mt. Fuji. In 2013, he took years of guiding experience and published Climbing Mt. Fuji: A Complete Guidebook. What started as a handbook for his clients exploded into the best-selling Mt. Fuji climbing guidebook on the market. Now in its 5th edition, it’s packed with not just trail maps and safety advice, but the cultural rituals and traditions that make climbing Fuji more than just a hike.
Richard’s work has even been recognized by NHK, Japan’s national broadcaster, where he appeared on Japan’s 100 Most Famous Mountains as a professional English-speaking guide.
So whether you’re strapping on boots for Fuji, or diving deep into Japan’s culture, Richard isn’t just your guide, he’s the real deal. Grab the latest edition of his guidebook here
Richard didn’t stumble into Japan by accident. Back in 1997, he landed here as a University of Lethbridge exchange student and got hooked—for life. The people, the culture, the rhythm of a country that’s equal parts ancient ritual and neon chaos, it pulled him in. After graduation, he came back, living everywhere from snowy Hokkaido to rural Miyagi and Niigata before finally making Tokyo home.Armed with a B.A. in Economics and a Master’s degree in Business earned in Japan, Richard wasn’t just another foreigner passing through, he built a life here. And in 2008, he founded My Tokyo Guide Inc., the first non-Japanese-led travel agency licensed at the Type 2 level. His vision? To open Japan up for travelers the way locals know it.
But Richard’s real obsession has always been Mt. Fuji. In 2013, he took years of guiding experience and published Climbing Mt. Fuji: A Complete Guidebook. What started as a handbook for his clients exploded into the best-selling Mt. Fuji climbing guidebook on the market. Now in its 5th edition, it’s packed with not just trail maps and safety advice, but the cultural rituals and traditions that make climbing Fuji more than just a hike.
Richard’s work has even been recognized by NHK, Japan’s national broadcaster, where he appeared on Japan’s 100 Most Famous Mountains as a professional English-speaking guide.
So whether you’re strapping on boots for Fuji, or diving deep into Japan’s culture, Richard isn’t just your guide, he’s the real deal. Grab the latest edition of his guidebook here
Richard holding a copy of "Climbing Mt. Fuji Guidebook" at the Mt.Fuji Visitor Center
Working with Local Partners is key
Climbing Mt. Fuji isn’t just about testing your lungs and legs—it’s about stepping into a living culture that’s been shaped by pilgrims, monks, and locals for centuries. The mountain has rules, traditions, and unspoken customs, and if you ignore them, you’re just another tourist passing through.
As Mt. Fuji climbing specialists, we’ve learned that the real magic of the mountain comes from the people who live and work here: the hut owners cooking curry at 3 a.m., the families running onsen baths that melt away exhaustion, the local staff who’ve kept this community alive for generations. These aren’t “extras” on a package tour—they’re the heart of the Fuji experience.
That’s why we partner directly with them. From mountain huts and hot springs to traditional ryokan stays, we go beyond the summit push. We want you to feel Fuji, not just climb it.
Safety will always be our top priority, but our mission goes further: to deliver a Mt. Fuji adventure that’s authentic, memorable, and impossible to replicate.
Climbing Mt. Fuji isn’t just about testing your lungs and legs—it’s about stepping into a living culture that’s been shaped by pilgrims, monks, and locals for centuries. The mountain has rules, traditions, and unspoken customs, and if you ignore them, you’re just another tourist passing through.
As Mt. Fuji climbing specialists, we’ve learned that the real magic of the mountain comes from the people who live and work here: the hut owners cooking curry at 3 a.m., the families running onsen baths that melt away exhaustion, the local staff who’ve kept this community alive for generations. These aren’t “extras” on a package tour—they’re the heart of the Fuji experience.
That’s why we partner directly with them. From mountain huts and hot springs to traditional ryokan stays, we go beyond the summit push. We want you to feel Fuji, not just climb it.
Safety will always be our top priority, but our mission goes further: to deliver a Mt. Fuji adventure that’s authentic, memorable, and impossible to replicate.
Mt. Fuji Guide Association
My Tokyo Guide Mission Statement
"Craft unforgettable experiences for visitors and guides through one-of-a-kind, personalized tours."
"Craft unforgettable experiences for visitors and guides through one-of-a-kind, personalized tours."
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