WHO WE ARE
TOKI is composed of both Japanese and international team members who share the same core values: the need to preserve Japan’s traditional culture in an ever-changing world.
We work to support Japanese artisans in their continuous pursuit of ancestral traditions alongside providing TOKI guests with high quality and culturally immersive experiences.
Through the extensive effort of our Japanese team, we have formed exclusive partnerships with the most skilled and passionate artisans in Japan to offer experiences normally inaccessible to the public
Our multicultural team further advantages our services within the travel sphere, as our international perspectives aid in understanding the needs of our culturally diverse clientele.
Thus, TOKI provides its clients with unparalleled custom experiences in Japan that are mutually beneficial for local artisans impassioned with preserving their ancestral traditions.
TOKI’S Core
Meet the team who bridges the gap between you and Japan’s finest artisans
YUKO
Founder. Lived in Tokyo and NY. Worked in US and Europe based strategy and design consulting firms.
Enjoys traveling around the world and visiting museums, and practicing tea ceremony.
SUE
China relationships. Lived in China and Japan.
Sue has been pivotal in developing customized cultural experiences for our Chinese speaking guests and is also a big foodie.
MayukA
Strategy and organization. Lived in Yokohama and the US. Worked in strategy consulting, launch of IT platform and donation funding.
Performs as a professional butoh dancer.
Ayumi
Administration and operations. Lived in UK and Tokyo.
Professional dancer.
Maki
Experience Team guide and hospitality arrangements. Lived in NY and Tokyo.
Kazuma
Strategy and finance. Lived in Tokyo, Hong Kong and LA.
Worked in investment banking, private equity and startups.
Shizuka
Accounting and finances.
Lives in Japan.
The main members of TOKI are supported by a handful of part-timers, interns and a great number of expert facilitator-guides.
Our founder’s philosophy
“With a childhood spent in Japan, I consider myself well acquainted with Japanese culture. However, I still find myself learning new things everyday. As I grow with TOKI, I realize more and more that Japanese culture is unique. The people who are engaged in the culture world do not treat it as a mere hobby; they have been engaged for generations, and even centuries, of their family lineage. They are not just passionate and skilled, but have a responsibility to keep their values and techniques alive to pass down to the next generation. They are so dedicated, with an unwavering motivation to purely work on their craft. They devote their whole selves to their singular, focused culture. This is quite different from how the rest of the people in this world live.
As I nurture this service, I have encountered traditional houses and craftsman that cannot sustain themselves and go out of business. Every time, I feel sad learning that generations of compiled history, stories, and techniques will be gone with the closure of the house. Realistically, I think it may not be possible to sustain all traditions. But I simply think that it would be a less interesting world without unique cultures lying within each city. Without culture, everyplace in the world would be the same, there would be no inspiration.
Through TOKI, I want to preserve and bring new life to these cultures, so they can continue to inspire us for generations to come.”
