About TEAM JIN
About TEAM JIN
Our Four most important values
Travel like life, Live like travel.
We cherish four values to ensure that our guests enjoy their trip safely.
Safety
Compassion
TEAM JIN treasures guests’ journeys. Each guide loves to travel and adheres to the motto “Travel like life, Live like travel.” We guide our guests as we would host friends. We strive to approach every situation with an open mind and make ourselves available to assist guests with a customer-centric culture.
Sustainability
TEAM JIN aims to create sustainable tours by sharing the allure of Mt.Fuji. We guide, those who are captivated by the mountain, and explain not only climbing but also faith, history, art, plants, geology, and other interesting aspects to make the climb enjoyable and entertaining as bearers of its historical legacy for generations to come.
Passion
TEAM JIN is passionate about Mt. Fuji. The guides are officially certified by the Fujiyoshida City as having more than 10 years and over 100 climbs of experience. We never tired of Mt. Fuji and continue to deepen our relationships with the mountain, inspiring each other daily. Mt. Fuji is a part of our lives.
Guides' Stories
Kenji Fujimoto
Ko Yamashita
Daiki Nishikawa
Ryoma Ueno
I’m Kenji, founder of JIN, a travel company offering English tours for Mount Fuji climbing. With eight years of experience at three travel agencies, I explored many world trekkings such as Nepal, Pakistan, and Mt Kilimanjaro, and I launched JIN in 2018.
Around the age of 10, I first climbed Mount Fuji during a Boy Scout activity. I still remember the fun of staying in the mountain hut, the deliciousness of the noodles I ate at the summit, and the headache from altitude sickness.
The first time I climbed Mt. Fuji was at the age of 8. I remember that I suffered from altitude sickness and reached the summit in a daze.
Kenji Fujimoto
I’m Kenji, founder of JIN, a travel company offering English tours for Mount Fuji climbing. With eight years of experience at three travel agencies, I explored many world trekkings such as Nepal, Pakistan, and Mt Kilimanjaro, and I launched JIN in 2018.
Ko Yamashita
Around the age of 10, I first climbed Mount Fuji during a Boy Scout activity. I still remember the fun of staying in the mountain hut, the deliciousness of the noodles I ate at the summit, and the headache from altitude sickness.
Daiki Nishikawa
The first time I climbed Mt. Fuji was at the age of 8. I remember that I suffered from altitude sickness and reached the summit in a daze.
Ryoma Ueno
Since I was a child, I have been climbing various mountains in Japan with my family. The first time I climbed Mt. Fuji was in junior high school as part of a school trip.
See details
My journey began as a Mount Fuji guide during my five-year university experience. Despite scaling the same route over 100 times, the mountain never ceases to captivate me. Each climb offers unique weather, scenery, and interactions with clients, fostering personal growth and evolving perspectives. Mount Fuji has become more than a career; it’s a lifelong pursuit. I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue my journey with my “spiritual home” Mount Fuji, through my work. Another dream of mine is to climb Mount Fuji one day with my two little kids.
BACKGROUND
Kenji grew up in a family of passionate hikers and has been exploring mountains since childhood. He joined a mountaineering club in junior high school and began guiding on Mt. Fuji during his university years. His love for travel led him to backpack across the world as a student, shaping his belief that travel has the power to transform people.
After working at three travel companies for eight years, Kenji founded Japan Exploration Tours JIN in 2018. Since then, he has specialized in creating meaningful, immersive experiences for international travelers. Mt. Fuji guiding remains his life’s work and a core inspiration for everything he does.
Kenji has over 13 years of Mt. Fuji guiding experience, more than 400 days escorting adventure and remote-region tours overseas, and has visited around 50 countries. During the pandemic, he developed an online Mt. Fuji climbing experience that connected people with Japan’s nature from around the world. Alongside his spouse, he has completed a round-the-world journey and describes himself as a “Tourism Artist,” dedicated to designing journeys that inspire.
Qualifications & Experiences
- Founder & Lead Guide, Japan Exploration Tours JIN (Osaka, Kyoto & Mt. Fuji)
- Certified Mt. Fuji guide by Fujiyoshida City since 2004 (Japanese/English)
- Over 400 days guiding international trekking and remote-area expeditions
- Guided as a tour leader on major overseas treks: Stok Kangri (6,156m), Kilimanjaro (three summits), Mt. Wilhelm, Mt. Toubkal, Kala Patthar, Annapurna Sanctuary, Patagonia W Circuit, and more
- Holder of Japan’s national certifications for tour conducting and travel operations
- Former member of Musashi Junior & Senior High School Mountaineering Club
- Member of the Kyoto University Exploration Club
- Exchange program at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Hospitality & Tourism Management)
- MBA in Tourism from Kyoto University
In college, I began to work on Mount Fuji. Life atop the mountain is both very simple and tough, but I grew to love it. The mountain environment reminds me that I, too, am an animal. While studying cultural anthropology, I joined the exploration club and delved into the creases of the world (the deserts of Namibia and cinemas in India left a particularly deep impression!). Later, I pursued training to become an airplane pilot but realized it wasn’t for me. I prefer the shade of a tree in summer to the cockpit, and the wind caressing my cheeks feels much better than looking at a speedometer. Now, I regularly lead overseas mountaineering tours (to Nepal, Kilimanjaro, etc.) and work as a tour guide in Japan. Mount Fuji, the starting point of my career, is my spiritual home. I feel that being a guide, able to directly engage with the “here and now” of travel, and able to support irreplaceable moments for our guests, is my true calling. A member of the publishing team: “FUGAKUZEROKEI”
BACKGROUND
Born and raised in Japan, he graduated from Kyoto University with a degree in Integrated Human Studies, majoring in Cultural Anthropology.
During his university years, he joined the Exploration Club, conducting fieldwork both in Japan and abroad.
He began working as a Mt. Fuji guide at the age of 19 while still in college, and climbing Mt. Fuji has since become his life’s work — with approximately 200 summits as of 2025. In addition to Mt. Fuji, he regularly leads trekking expeditions to Nepal, the Middle East, and Mt. Kilimanjaro.
While at university, he also launched English-speaking guided tours in Kyoto and Osaka, and continues to serve as both the main guide and tour coordinator. After graduation, he entered the Civil Aviation College for pilot training but eventually left the program, choosing to return to the world of travel and guiding. He currently serves as a managing director at JIN, overseeing operations and management. His favorite countries are India and Namibia, and his favorite food is “something I’ve never tried before.”
Qualifications & Experiences
- General Manager, Japan Exploration Tours JIN (Osaka, Kyoto & Mt. Fuji)
- Certified Mt. Fuji guide by Fujiyoshida City since 2014 (Japanese/English)
- Certified in Wilderness First Aid (WFA).
- Experienced in leading international trekking tours, regularly guiding group expeditions to Nepal and Mt. Kilimanjaro.
- Holds both the government-issued Tour Conductor license and the Travel Business Manager qualification in Japan.
- Graduated from a national university with a major in Cultural Anthropology.
When I started working as a mountain guide at Mt. Fuji during my university days, I had a moment that I will never forget. It was the encouragement I received from the owner of the Yoshida Route 8th station Taishikan hut. He told us, “Grow up and mature on this mountain”. Working as a mountain guide, I was nurtured both physically and mentally at Mt. Fuji. In this mind, I am delighted to climb Mt. Fuji with our guests from all over the world and Mt. Fuji photo book project with my colleagues, which has been published as a photo book “FUGAKUZEROKEI”, is a part of my outcome.
BACKGROUND
Drawing on his cross-disciplinary experience in culture, arts, architecture, and tourism in cities such as Barcelona and Kyoto, he explores how travel can connect people and places and transform the way we see the world. As a travel professional, he oversees the full spectrum of operations, from tour design and marketing to digital strategy and brand development.
Centering his work around the symbolic presence of Mt. Fuji, he designs journeys that link the mountain’s base and summit — connecting people with nature, and tradition with contemporary life. Beyond the act of climbing, his tours invite guests to experience Japan’s spirituality, mountain faith, and cultural narratives as a living story. Through meaningful dialogue with local communities, he strives to create travel experiences that allow each guest to encounter the deeper essence of Japan.
In 2023, he self-published FUGAKUZEROKEI, a photo book inspired by his experiences climbing Mt. Fuji as a mountain guide. From concept and photography to editing and publication, the project embodies his belief that travel is more than movement. It is a journey of inner transformation.
Qualifications & Experiences
- Sales Manager, Japan Exploration Tours JIN (Mt. Fuji)
- Certified Mt. Fuji guide by Fujiyoshida City since 2013 (Japanese/English/Spanish)
- Certified in Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
- B.A. in International Relations, Ritsumeikan University (Kyoto, Japan)
- Withdrew from M.A. Program in Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University (Kyoto, Japan)
- M.A. in Arts and Cultural Management, International University of Catalonia (Barcelona, Spain)
- Completed Mountains 101 Course, University of Alberta (Canada)
At the time, I didn’t realize it, but the guide who accompanied our group was from Taishikan, the same lodge I am now part of as a guide.
I feel a special connection knowing that I now guide guests from the same lodge as that guide. During my university years, I was a member of the mountaineering club, where I gained knowledge and skills about mountains. This eventually led me to become a guide for Mt. Fuji.
In my 15 years as a guide, I have climbed Mt. Fuji over 200 times and guided more than 5,000 guests. Guests often ask me, “Don’t you ever get tired of climbing Mt. Fuji so many times?”I confidently answer, “Not at all!”Mt. Fuji is a mountain that offers new encounters and different views every time I climb.
I believe my mission is to cherish the connections I make with people and fully support guests from around the world as they take on the challenge of Japan’s tallest and most beautiful mountain.
BACKGROUND
Born in Kyoto and raised in Osaka, he grew up in an urban environment with little access to nature. However, from a young age, his parents often took me to the mountains, including the Northern Alps, where he developed a deep love for the outdoors.
In university, he joined the mountaineering club and gained experience in rock climbing and alpine climbing. During his time as club captain, he led expeditions to Mt. Kinabalu, the highest peak in Southeast Asia, and the Rocky Mountains in the United States.
He became fascinated with Mt. Fuji while still a student, which led me to start my guiding career. He has been guided more than 250 ascents of Mt. Fuji and is appointed as a board member of the Fujiyoshida City Guide Association.
Qualifications & Experiences
- Senior Guide, Japan Exploration Tours JIN (Osaka & Kyoto)
- Certified Mt. Fuji guide by Fujiyoshida City since 2009 (Japanese/English)
- Board Member, Fujiyoshida City Guide Association since 2025
- Certified in Wilderness First Aid – Basic Course (Outdoor Emergency Care)
- Former Captain of the Ryukoku University Mountaineering Club
- Licensed Comprehensive Travel Supervisor (Tour Conductor Qualification)
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Accounting), Ryukoku University
Mt. Fuji Photo Gallery by Daiki Nishikawa
Mt. Fuji Photo Gallery
by Daiki Nishikawa
Click an image to jump to photo gallery
Our Network
We are active in various networks in Mt. Fuji climbing.
