[Club Tourism Travel It is made of various "skis"! Young employees talk about how to create a Club Tourism-style trip

Junichiro Niwa (left)

(As of 2026), in my fourth year at the company, I am in charge of Hiking and Cycling travel. I'm still passionate about cycling, which I started as a university student. I just want to pedal my bike, even if it's a mamachari! That's how passionate I am.

Takuya Okamoto (center)

(As of 2026) Despite being in his third year at the company, his smart approach to handling everything with ease is well known even within the Mountain Climbing Tour team. On his days off, he enjoys driving and barbecues, and is a true outdoor enthusiast.

Akari Maenou (right)

Since joining in 2020, I have been organizing town walks and Hiking tours. In 2022, I fell in love at first sight with a video of Awa Odori by chance on social media. Now, she practices three times a week in preparation for the Awa Odori festival.

Okamoto

I haven't been a regular employee yet, but I think Club Tourism is a bit different from typical travel agencies. It's not just about recommending travel...

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That's right, it's not just about where you travel, but also about the experiences you can have at your destination. So, I think it's really important that not only our customers, but we ourselves are passionate about that experience. That's why today, I'd like to hear about the things that each of us is passionate about and how those passions connect to our travel planning.

Niwa

I had no idea that was the intention. But it seems like most people have something they're really passionate about, and they're suggesting trips related to that.

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Yes, exactly Niwa-kun, you love Cycling and plan Cycling trips, right? How often do you usually ride your bicycle?

Niwa

Well, always (laughs). I go out on my bike almost every weekend. That's why, you see! I get really sunburned.

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Looking at it again, you're really tanned! By the way, what made you so fond of cycling?

Niwa

It all started when I saw an overseas bicycle race on TV. I was a university student at the time, and I was completely captivated by the speed and the sheer power of it all! I thought I had encountered something incredibly cool, and it didn't take long before I started cycling.

Niwa

That's why I'm truly happy about my current job that allows me to plan Cycling trips. We are thinking about how we can somehow convey this sense of emotion and joy. Okamoto-kun, you plan mountain trips, but are you originally a mountaineering enthusiast?

Okamoto

Yes, that's right. For me, it all started with a mountain climbing club at university.

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But of course, you've never climbed a mountain before, right? Before you start, don't you feel like it's going to be tough, or that you're worried because you don't have the knowledge, or that it's a high hurdle?

Okamoto

Well, that's true until you start. But once you actually start climbing, it's nothing but fun. When you're talking with your friends, you forget how tough it is, and even though it's hard, the sense of accomplishment when you reach the summit is incredible. Plus, there are "discoveries" to be made in mountain climbing.

Niwa

What?! A discovery? Like a pretty stone?

Okamoto

Well, it happens sometimes (laughs). But it's not just that, there are so many moments that take your breath away. Flowers you've never seen in everyday life, beautiful forests. The sunlight and snowscapes are also special sights that you can only see by climbing the mountains.

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Oh! This is amazing. Indeed, this is a view you won't encounter without hiking. That kind of 'discovery' is also present in Hiking. If you think about it, there really isn't a 'Hiking path' to begin with.

Okamoto

Huh? That's pretty common, isn't it?

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But if you trace back to the beginning, it's just a 'path.' Rather, it might not even be a place on the road. However, someone passing by the place said, "It feels great to walk here!" and "The view from here is amazing!" That feeling spread, and before long, it became a standard course in Hiking.

Niwa

I see! That's how it spreads to many people and eventually becomes a tourist attraction.

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That's right! That's why I also want to discover beauty that's still unknown and share that feeling with customers through tours. Although, finding new courses is really difficult...

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Are there those kinds of 'discoveries' that only those who have traveled can understand in Cycling?

Niwa

Hmm, let's see... For cycling, it might be the "terrain."

Okamoto

Does "topography" refer to the shape of the land?

Niwa

Exactly. Of course, the uphill climb is tough, while the downhill is exhilarating. When you're pedaling a bike, you can literally feel firsthand what kind of terrain you're riding on. For example, Kumamoto Aso, which is currently one of the top recommended spots. There are many slopes, but if you think of the uneven terrain as Warm, it can be flat or curves continuously. This is a place where you can enjoy the unique changes in terrain unique to calderas. Actually, although this Aso was included in some tours, there were no tours for Cycling of Aso. Since I built it from scratch together with the guide, it's a place I personally feel deeply attached to.

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This tour truly originated from a passion for music. How wonderful!

Niwa

We also want people to enjoy the famous Cycling roads in the country as part of our tours, and the area I'm planning to organize right now is South Africa!

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South Africa isn't exactly a typical tourist destination, is it?

Niwa

That's right. But when I ride a bike, the sea breeze along the coastline feels really pleasant. Even in places or countries you're not familiar with, if you have a hobby like Cycling, you might want to give it a try.

Okamoto

Indeed! Traveling to popular tourist spots and favorite places is fun, but if you have a hobby you're passionate about, it might also be fun to visit a new place for that purpose. It feels like my perspective on life is expanding. That's why Club Tourism might have a lot of unusual trips.

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Speaking of unusual trips, how about combining Hiking and Awa Odori?

Okamoto

That's... either a very broad perspective or just an incredibly original idea (lol).

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Actually, my hobby is Awa Odori. By chance, I saw a video of her dancing on social media and fell in love at first sight. When I tried it, it was even more fun than I imagined, and I realized I had to let the customers experience it too. So, I once planned a tour that combined Awa Odori with the Walking Tour of the underground facility.

Niwa

No way, I have absolutely no idea what kind of tour it will be!

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There's a huge underground facility called the 'Metropolitan Area Outer Floodway,' which is hard to book for individuals, and there are tours where you can visit it. But I felt it would be a waste to just walk and finish. "Ah, it's Awa Odori," I had an idea. We Walking a special underground space and then enjoy Awa Odori together. Since it was pitch dark, there was only a limited amount of light, and the sound of drums echoed around us, creating an incredible sense of power. It's an incredibly new experience, isn't it?

Okamoto

That sounds like an amazing experience. While there are many tours to see famous Awa Odori performances in places like Tokushima, there aren't many that allow you to actually participate in the dance yourself.

Niwa

After hearing Mr. Maenou's story, I'm kind of interested in trying Awa Odori, but is it easy for beginners to dance?

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It's surprisingly complex. Experienced, skilled dancers have a completely different level of hand flexibility and footwork. Walking on tiptoe is difficult, but they don't look like they're struggling at all. I've been practicing a lot for the past few years, but I still have a long way to go. But I feel incredibly fortunate to have found something that makes me genuinely want to improve, even as an adult!

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But looking back, my experience with Awa Odori started when I stumbled upon it on social media and it just clicked. It was a completely chance encounter, but just taking that first step can open up a whole new world, right?

Niwa

However, it's natural to feel a little anxious when starting something new. When I heard Okamoto-kun's story, I thought mountain climbing might be a good idea! But I'm still a little worried about my physical fitness, knowledge, and other things.

Okamoto

If you ride a bicycle like Niwa-san, you'll probably be fine (laughs). But there are also many customers who feel uneasy. But I just can't accept that just because I'm anxious, I don't know the appeal of mountain climbing. To help you start with peace of mind, Club Tourism offers a tour called the "Starting Mountaineering Class from Zero."

Niwa

How zero is it?

Okamoto

First, we'll start with how to tie your shoelaces. Hiking boots are dangerous if the laces come undone or get tangled, so there's a special way to tie them. We'll also cover the minimum necessary equipment, so you can learn everything from scratch, even if you're a complete beginner. Plus, since it's a series of sessions, you can start with comfortable clothing. You can gradually add equipment as needed, so you can start out traveling light. Climbing a big mountain right away can be very daunting, so we'll start with mountains that are smaller in elevation and shorter in distance. And the final goal is the coveted Northern Alps! By the end of the tour, you'll be a full-fledged mountaineer.

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If that's the case, Niwa-kun should start too (laughs). The Hiking Tour I'm in charge of also needs proper equipment, but the tour conductor will provide solid support. If you're worried about starting with Hiking, we recommend a city walking tour. Some people join during spare moments between work or outings, so you can join casually.

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But when it comes to equipment, Cycling seems like you'll need a lot of things. Even in town, you often see people wearing special clothing and riding authentic bicycles. It also gives off a stoic impression.

Niwa

Of course, there are some serious people like that, but the tour includes rentals of bicycles and helmets, so if you come dressed comfortably and feel like you're Cycling the neighborhood, you can start riding right away! During the tour, everyone runs together, and there are occasional breaks, so don't worry.

Niwa

However, there's one thing to be aware of. If you get hooked on cycling because of this tour, I'm a little worried that you might gradually become obsessed with it. If you start getting particular about equipment like clothing and helmets, there's really no end to it.

Okamoto

I totally understand! When it comes to mountain climbing, you start to get particular about things like clothing, shoes, and backpacks, and you end up buying too much because you feel like "it has to be this brand."

Niwa

Right? (laughs) Mr. Maenou, do you have any favorite Awa Odori items that you're particular about? Like a straw hat?

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No, that's not true (laughs). Most Awa Odori dances are standardized. But it's great to enjoy something you love casually, and it's also wonderful to get deeply involved and focus on the equipment. But hearing stories like that makes me realize there are still so many worlds I don't know about. It's wonderful to find something you can be passionate about even as an adult. For that reason, it's important to just start without being too afraid.

Niwa

I hope that readers of this article will also discover a new passion. And I would be delighted if you could join our tour as a starting point for that discovery.

Niwa, Okamoto, and Maenou

We look forward to seeing you!