About
Originally from Southern New England's Connecticut River Valley (USA), I’ve lived in central Japan’s Nagano uplands since 2004 and am a permanent resident of Japan.
The cross-cultural perspective of my anthropology studies, extensive travels, and long familiarity with Japanese culture all inform my work.
The Pillar Festival —my first novel—is a story of community and environmental peril set amid Onbashira, one of Japan’s most ancient and dangerous celebrations.
I have led walking tours in central Nagano since 2017. In January of 2025, I launched Mindful Japan Tours, the next step in my efforts to help travelers explore the region in a more connected way. I also created and continue to manage the inbound travel sites www.otakiexperience.com and www.onbashirafestival.com. Alongside guiding and writing, I have years of experience in freelance Japanese to English translation, primarily in travel, cultural heritage, and sustainable tourism.
Walking and writing have always been a pair for me, and they form the backbone of my Walking on Earth blog on the Mindful Japan Tours website.
In October 2022 our daughter Hana came into the world. These days, I spend most of my non-work time dadding and learning to be a dad. We currently live in Matsumoto, a historic castle town in central Nagano at the foot of the Northern Japanese Alps.
I’m always glad to hear from people potentially interested in working together. Feel free to get in touch!
* Shizuka Gladden or I have taken all photos on this site, unless otherwise credited
* Profile photo credit: Yuki Koshi