The person behind every tour
Akihiro “Aki” Wada is the owner and guide behind Coconuts Hike Japan. He personally leads tours in English, French or Japanese. Most regular tours may combine compatible bookings into one small group; the Private Guide Custom Tour is private.
Aki’s story
From Kanagawa to Yakushima—and home to Hakone
Aki was born and grew up near Hakone. At twenty, he moved to Seattle to study American and English literature, later joining an exchange programme in Nantes, France, and backpacking through Europe.
After returning to Japan, he cycled from Tokyo to Kagoshima. A visit to Yakushima changed the direction of his life: he lived and worked on the island for thirteen years, guiding guests through its forests and mountains.
In 2021, Aki returned to Kanagawa to live near his parents. He and Carmen explored the trails and onsens around Hakone together and started Coconuts Hike Japan in spring 2023.
For Aki, walking changes how a place is understood. Hakone’s history, volcanic landscape, forests and old roads become clearer when the day is experienced on foot.
Trip planning and communication
Meet Carmen
Carmen is the travel consultant at Coconuts Hike Japan. Originally from Hong Kong, she now lives in Japan with Aki and brings the perspective of a frequent independent traveller who has visited more than eighty countries.
She enjoys hiking and diving, with Kitadake among her favourite Japanese mountains and the Myojingatake-to-Mt Kintoki route among her favourite Hakone trails.
Carmen helps with itinerary thinking, guest communication and the practical details that make a guided day easier to understand before arrival.
No rotating team
One guide, small groups and private custom tours
Aki is the guide guests will meet. Most regular tours may combine compatible bookings into one small group. If there are no other bookings, Aki may guide just one or two guests. The Private Guide Custom Tour remains private for your group.