山澤 玉木 Tamaki Yamasawa
Director of Rishiri Rebun Guide Net, nature and culture guide on Rishiri and Rebun islands
Bio
Yamasawa was born in Chiba, Japan in 1971. After graduating from high school, he studied tourism in Australia and traveled the world. After returning to Japan, he worked as an office worker before moving to Rishiri Island, where he established Ri:Re (Rishiri Rebun Guide Net) in 2014. In 2021, he launched a new cycling business, offering tours that allow visitors to feel the island's lifestyle, time, and atmosphere. He runs "Odashiya Risen," which manufactures and sells original additive-free dashi (soup stock) using the island's specialty, kombu kelp. He would like to show the potential of Japan’s northernmost island to the world.
Message
Our activities include: Mountain climbing, sea play, fishing, surfing, kayaking, flower trekking, bonfires, SUP, camping, cycling, plant observation, cooking, skiing, photography, fruit picking, bird watching, stargazing, coffee roasting, and jam making. The whole island is our playground. Come and spend our daily life with us.
Guide Q&A
Q: What is your most memorable experience in nature?
Seeing a sea gull swallow a purple sea urchin by the shell and choke on it. When I tried to take a large number of sardines that had washed up on the beach, a crow told me not to eat them because they were rotten. This is what the crow told me.
Q: What does nature represent to you?
The air. Things that are there as a matter of course.
Q: What has nature taught you?
Identifying and finding change.
Q: What do you hope that people will get out of experiences with you as a guide?
Luxury is the opposite of all-inclusive. Glamping with everything in place is nice, but the real fun is enjoying yourself in nature with what's there.
Highlights
・ Ri:Re Founder, Risen director ・ JMGA Mountaineering Guide ・ JMGA Ski Guide ・ Hokkaido Outdoor Guide, Summer Mountains and Winter Mountains ・ Established Risen in 2008 ・ Established Rishiri Rebun Guide Net in 2014 ・ Started Spectra Cycling Business in 2021 ・ Languages: Japanese, English
