First Month Running Tours in Tokyo: Building Welcome to Japan
- Alex
- May 5
- 6 min read
One Month of Welcome to Japan
Looking back at April, it’s honestly hard to believe how much has happened in just one month.
This was the first full month of operating tours for Welcome to Japan, and in many ways, it feels like everything has started to become real. What began as an idea in 2021, is now something I’m living, breathing, and growing every day here in Tokyo.
And not just slowly, either.
Things have moved quickly. Tours are running consistently, new ideas are forming, and the business is already starting to evolve in ways I didn’t fully expect this early on. At the same time, life hasn’t just been about work. It’s been about finding a rhythm between building something meaningful, staying on top of my own training, and continuing to experience Japan in a way that keeps everything exciting!
Tours, Momentum & a Month That Moved Fast
The biggest focus this month has obviously been the tours themselves.
Running tours across Asakusa, Yanaka, and Harajuku has been everything I hoped it would be, and more. Each area offers something completely different, and that contrast is what makes the experience so special. One day you’re walking through the energy and history of Asakusa, surrounded by temples and crowds, and the next you’re slowing things down in Yanaka, where everything feels more local, more nostalgic, and a little quieter. Then you have Harajuku, which brings a completely different kind of energy again - modern pop-culture, the sounds and colours of Japan's youth!
What really stood out this month was how much people valued the experience. The small group sizes, the ability to ask questions, the conversations that naturally develop along the way. It’s exactly the kind of environment I wanted to create from the beginning, and seeing that come to life so early has been incredibly rewarding.
Timing-wise, we couldn’t have asked for more.
The cherry blossoms were in full bloom at the start of the month, and not long after, the azaleas came through. Especially in Asakusa and Yanaka, it created this atmosphere that you can’t replicate. It just felt magical, and it added something extra to every single tour.
There’s also been strong demand for private tours, particularly half-day experiences, which I’ve absolutely loved running. Those more personal tours allow for deeper conversations and more flexibility, and they feel like a really important part of what Welcome to Japan can become.
And then, almost unexpectedly, we took another step forward.
We soft launched our first food tour at Tsukiji Fish Market.
It wasn’t originally part of the immediate plan, but the demand was there, and it felt right to move on it quickly. In a way, we’re ahead of schedule, but it’s also a reminder that sometimes you have to adapt and follow where the opportunity is. Now, I’m working on building that into the website properly, with the goal of running that tour consistently in the coming month.
Even small things, like the QR code review cards, are starting to make an impact, which is great to see. At this stage, every bit of feedback, every review, and every interaction matters as we continue operating tours.
Staying Locked In: Training, Discipline & Performance
At the same time as running tours, I’ve been really focused on staying disciplined with my own training and performance.
Just before kicking off this first stretch of tours, I ran the Hatsune 30km trail race, and not long after that, we were down in Hiroshima for a 50km ultra trail. That race was tough in every sense, especially because I compete in endurance events specifically to test the strength of my character lol, but it was part of a bigger picture. Staying consistent with training alongside everything happening with the business.
Mid-February at the Kyoto Marathon, I was sitting at 80kgs. I’ve been focused on cutting weight and improving how I move and perform. By the end of April, I’m down to around 73kgs, and I can feel that difference every day. Not just in how I look, but in how I move, train, and how my body responds under pressure.
Now, the focus shifts again.
With Hyrox Hong Kong coming up, it’s about being fit, being agile, and being ready to perform. That balance between building a business and maintaining performance hasn’t always been easy, but it’s something that's at the core of my lifestyle. I'm committed.
Sport, Culture & Experiencing Japan
And speaking of performance, one of the things I’ve really enjoyed this month is experiencing more of Japan’s sporting culture as well.
We made it out to the Tokyo Dome to watch the Yomiuri Giants take on the Yokohama BayStars, and it was an incredible experience. The atmosphere, the chants, the constant energy from the crowd, it’s so different to what you see elsewhere, or the picture you might have of Japanese people at a sporting event. It feels less like just watching a game and more like being part of something!
Not long after that, we were down at Nissan Stadium watching Kawasaki take on Yokohama in the soccer, which brought a completely different kind of energy again. I’d love to get out to the National Stadium and watch FC Tokyo next. Similary to food, there’s something about being in those sporting environments that I think connects you more deeply to a culture, and it’s a part of Japan I’m really enjoying experiencing.
Learning, Thinking & Building for the Future
Outside of the physical side of things, I’ve also been spending a lot of time learning and thinking about where this business can go.
A lot of that has come through podcasts and books while I’m out running. I’ve been listening to “How I Built This” by Guy Raz pretty consistently, sometimes one or two episodes a day, hearing directly from founders about how they built their businesses from the ground up.
At the same time, I’ve been reading and revisiting work from Dr. James Doty around mindset, and using things like Magic Mind to stay focused and clear in how I approach everything day to day.
That combination of physical training and mental input has started to shift how I think about the business as well.
We’re now beginning to explore things like B2B relationships, particularly with Australian travel agencies, and also looking into potential funding opportunities through the Japanese government or local organisations that support startups in tourism and social impact. That’s something we align with strongly, and it feels like a natural next step as we continue to grow.
At the same time, we’ve also started building out “Alex the Athlete” as a personal brand, alongside exploring other ideas, including a potential project under the name Hashiru.Art. It’s still early days, but it’s extremely exciting to see how everything might connect over time.
Golden Week, Ekiden & Wrapping Up the Month
To round out what’s been a massive month, Golden Week brought everything together in a pretty special way.
After weeks of staying disciplined with training and diet, I took Sebastian out for a celebratory dinner where we finally sat down and enjoyed a proper steak. It was delicious and felt well earned after everything that had gone into our first month.
And then, right in the middle of Golden Week, we both lined up and competed in the Asics half marathon Ekiden event with Namban Rengo, our runclub.
It felt like the perfect way to close things out.
Looking back on it all, from launching tours, to building the business, to training, racing, exploring Japan, and sharing experiences with people from all over the world, it’s one of those moments where you just stop for a second and think… What an amazinggg life?!?
Gratitude & What’s Next for Welcome to Japan
More than anything, I feel grateful.
Grateful for every person who joined a tour this month, for the support, for the conversations, and for the opportunity to build something like Welcome to Japan here in Tokyo.
This is still just the beginning.
There’s a lot more to build, a lot more to learn, and a lot more to experience. But if this first month is anything to go by, I’m excited for what’s ahead.
Thanks for reading!
This is awesome truly happy you