About Us

Known to most guests as Yoshi, Tsuyoshi Tagawa is a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter with more than 20 years of international living and working experience.

Throughout the year, he leads both private and small-group journeys across Japan, helping travelers connect with the country's culture, people, and everyday life beyond the typical sightseeing route. As the lead guide for Japan Sideways, he enjoys creating experiences that are both personal and meaningful.

Okinawa has long been one of Yoshi's favorite destinations. Over the years, he has traveled extensively throughout the islands, including many of the remote islands, building a deep appreciation for their unique history, culture, and textile traditions.

Yoshi has also planned and led a variety of craft-focused journeys, working closely with artisans and local communities to create memorable experiences for international guests.

He looks forward to exploring the islands with you and sharing the people, stories, and craftsmanship that make Okinawa so special.

Yuki Mizuki is the founder and representative of TIME and DESIGN Co., Ltd., a Kyoto-based design company. A textile designer and artist, she creates hand-dyed fabrics inspired by Japan's culture, landscapes, and everyday life.

Since first visiting Okinawa for her own textile research in 2024, Yuki has been captivated by the islands' rich craft traditions, natural beauty, and the warmth of the people she has met along the way.

She has been involved in planning and coordinating two previous Okinawa textile tours and, through Japan Sideways, hopes to create even more meaningful opportunities to visit workshops, meet artisans, and experience the islands beyond the usual tourist route.

Yuki believes the best journeys are those where everyone—including the host—is still learning. She looks forward to exploring Okinawa together and sharing the people, places, and stories that continue to inspire her own creative work.