About us ｜ MIWA | A boutique travel agent based in Kyoto

Introduction

Hi and welcome to us! We are Aiko and Christoffer, a couple and the founders of MIWA, a boutique luxury travel agent based in Kyoto.

Our experience in the Japan inbound industry goes back many years. However, having a strong passion for traveling and creativity, sitting in an office all day is not our style. We live to explore what’s out there, and we wish to share all the unique and exciting things we bump into through our travels across Japan. While having a comfortable and seamless vacation is important, luxury travel is also about the experience. To us, this means meaningful encounters with locals, visiting uncharted destinations, learning something new, and having an individualized plan made just for you.

In order to offer this, we decided to establish MIWA, a travel agent, but also a lifestyle.

Photo by gaap & Maiko Fukuno.(licensed CC BY-SA 2.0)

https://55maiko.net/

Who we are

We are both extremely curious and adventurous people. However, as we started our business together, we came to appreciate the differences in our work styles. Aiko is the impulsive and pragmatic who happily dives head first into things, a valued trait when developing innovative ideas and forging supplier relationships. Chris, on the other hand, is the analytical type with an almost disturbing attention to detail (he keeps a spreadsheet of his wardrobe…). This comes in handy as a luxury travel provider where even the tiniest details matter.

With a joint passion for travel and a customer-centric approach, you can rest assured that your holiday with us will be an experience of a lifetime!

Aiko

CEO & CO-FOUNDER

I am a Kyotoite with deep roots in the city. Although I have experience living in Australia & New Zealand, I always find myself back in Kyoto where my heart belongs. My love for traveling started during my childhood when I went driving throughout Japan visiting local places and hot springs with my family in a cramped, although lovely, camping car. My preferred way of travel is by car and I love driving to remote places to discover new hidden areas. Soaking in an onsen followed by a lovely dinner at a traditional ryokan after a long drive is my ideal vacation!

Favourite destination

Hokkaido & Kyushu (I love the wide space, as opposed to Kyoto!).

Favourite food

Somen noodles & Obanzai (Kyoto traditional cuisine).

Other things I love

History, reading, cafes, Yoga, hiking, snowboarding, psychology, and mindfulness/meditation.
I am also a licensed guide of Kyoto.

Christoffer

CO-FOUNDER

I was born and raised in the dark corners of this world, also known as northern Norway. Being interested in WW2 history, I studied in Japan for a while before moving there about 6 years ago. As for traveling, I love getting up early and ride the super fast ´Shinkansen´ bullet train while having a yummy ´Ekiben´ bento box for breakfast. One of my most memorable travel experiences was walking through the quiet and dim lit hallways of a temple stay in Mt Koya while hearing frogs croak in the distance. It took me back hundreds of years in time! Good food is however what I appreciate most about traveling and I would be happy to share my food experiences with you!

Favourite destination

Takayama & northern Kyoto by the ocean.

Favourite food

Kyoto bakeries, I say no more!

Other things I love

Cooking, cafes, WW2 history, onsen hot springs, Shinto shrines, hiking, photography, gaming, and cats.