Hello, glad you’re here! My name is Chris W. Gladden. I’m a freelance tour guide, translator, writer, and the creator of this website. I spent seven years in Otaki Village and still visit often. Currently, I’m based in Matsumoto, a historic castle town at the foot of the Northern Japanese Alps where I live with my wife and 18-month old daughter Hana.
I’ve been leading regional walking tours since 2017, including on the Ontake Pilgrimage Trail in Otaki and on the Kisoji, the historic Nakasendo trail through the Kiso Valley. Having lived in Nagano for two decades, my deep ties to the region have provided me with a nuanced understanding of the land and its people, setting the stage for an immersive exploration of the region’s rich cultural and natural heritage through my walking tours.
My unique approach
The cross-cultural outlook of my anthropology degree, extensive travels throughout Japan and internationally, and long familiarity with the local culture all inform my tours. Inspiration also comes from my years of Japan-related writing, which ranges from travel essays to a novel.
My tours bridge the traditional and the modern, placing the sights and landscapes we encounter along the way in a living context. Especially in Otaki, this involves encounters with the land’s spiritual traditions as you explore its storied landscapes. For those interested, you can connect with the place even further through periods of mindful walking, immersing in the practice of shinrinyoku (forest bathing), or experiencing the ancient tradition of takigyo (waterfall meditation). Rather than a cookie-cutter approach, I’ll work with you to adapt tours to your interests and needs. You’ll leave with a fuller appreciation of the region’s traditions, their intersection with modern life, and our interconnectedness with the natural world.
Check out my tours, then get in touch and let me help you experience this place for yourself. I look forward to hearing from you!
Profile photo by Yuki Koshi
Kiso's Otaki Village 