GTJ Insiders

Local residents and experts in hospitality, gastronomy, art, private travel and business — those who have spent years building networks, understanding unwritten rules, and opening doors others might never gain access to.
Every insider is our personal contact in Japan — your guide to places, experiences and connections beyond the pages of any guidebook.

Akemi Koyama

A guide with the keys to Kyoto’s most exclusive spaces
Akemi Koyama is a former concierge at The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto. She knows the city as only the initiated do: hidden temples, private gardens, traditional houses and closed artisan workshops. She will open the doors that remain closed to most travellers.

Hitomi Ito

Kimono expert
Raised in an ancient Zen temple in Kyoto and immersed in traditional Japanese aesthetics, Hitomi has mastered the art of kimono from everyday wear to artistic form. For over 20 years she has taught celebrities, collaborated on media projects and worked with brands. Her unique Matou-kai method involves dressing without a mirror, allowing one to feel the inner harmony of this ritual — a blend of art, meditation and authentic Japanese aesthetics.
Secret insider
Gastronomy
A columnist and author for leading magazines, restaurant critic and traveller. He understands the finest nuances of haute cuisine and gastronomy at large.
For our guests he curates bespoke restaurant routes and accompanies exceptional culinary experiences.

Hideki Ura

Antique specialist & founder of Wanokura Gallery
Mr Ura specialises in late Edo and Meiji period crafts, including renowned Satsuma ceramics and porcelain. He travels personally across Europe and the US, attending exhibitions and engaging with collectors to study Japan’s finest masterpieces. He brings back rare items with stories of their makers and their pride in craftsmanship, sharing this unique beauty with connoisseurs.

Shota Yamada

Tea & ceramics master
Shota Yamada is a ceramist and tea master exploring Japanese aesthetics through the unique practice of mitate. He blends the craft of ceramics with the tradition of Japanese tea, hosting exclusive tea ceremonies in unusual spaces and in nature. His approach reveals a personal perception of beauty, turning each ritual into a meditative experience.
Margarita Nomura
Professional childcare specialist
With formal training, vast experience and an unbounded curiosity about life, Margarita connects with every child and ensures activities that not only entertain, but introduce them to Japanese culture and spark discovery.
A unique professional adored by children, she oversees our nationwide nanny network, delighting both parents and little ones.

Maxim Polkin

Sake insider
Maxim is a certified lecturer in the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Sake programme (London/Tokyo), a speaker at international festivals and instructor at the ENOTRIA sommelier school. Since 2022 he has delved deeply into the sake world, helping our guests discover the culture behind Japan’s oldest beverage. Under his guidance you will explore sake’s history, learn to distinguish subtle flavour notes, visit traditional producers, or attend a paired sake dinner. It’s a culinary journey that reveals the drink anew, even to the most discerning.

Anna

Architect & development expert
Anna, an architect at the renowned Japanese firm Nissen, will introduce you to Japan’s architecture through professional expertise. She immerses guests in the world of architecture and development with talks and visits to outstanding sites, letting you explore and discuss each project alongside an expert.
Mr Nakagawa
Private aviation insider
This expert specialises in premium flights and logistical arrangements at every level. He will help you plan helicopter or private jet journeys, select optimal routes, provide personal support and access to exclusive infrastructure.
Your flight will be as impeccable as the rest of your journey.

Daria Terekova

Insider photographer
Daria has lived in Japan for over 15 years and knows it as only a local can — hidden streets, ancient quarters, the finest views of sakura and secret places beyond the tourist trail. She helps you live your journey fully, without constantly reaching for your phone or camera. Daria creates a relaxed atmosphere and captures extraordinary, natural images that preserve the memory of your trip in vivid detail and emotion.

Vladislav Volkhin

Business insider
Vladislav is an entrepreneur, consultant and expert in the Japanese market. His experience spans export and import, business negotiations, organising site visits and building partnerships of any complexity. He speaks Japanese fluently and understands intercultural business nuances. With Vladislav, you can tackle tasks that ordinarily take months of preparation — from partner vetting and introductions to meeting support and access to closed facilities. He is the ideal guide for those travelling to Japan on business.
Secret insider
Secret guide to Toyosu Fish Market
Our insider has worked with one of the world’s largest fish markets — Toyosu — for 14 years. He personally selects the finest fish for top restaurants in Europe, Dubai and Moscow. With him you will enter restricted areas of the market, unseen by ordinary visitors.
You can witness the morning auctions, learn how the perfect tuna is chosen, follow the fish from auction to delivery — and sample the freshest seafood on site.