My name is Kouhei Nishida, and I’m the founder of SHINANO DISCOVERY.
I moved to Shinano Town in 2016, drawn in by its extraordinary natural beauty — Lake Nojiri, the ancient forests, and the mountains that rise all around.
I knew from the moment I arrived that this was somewhere special, and I’ve been here ever since.
With four distinct seasons and an incredible variety of terrain, this region is a genuine paradise for outdoor lovers.
But what makes it truly unique goes beyond the scenery. Ancient beech and oak trees that have stood for hundreds of years.
A deep spiritual history rooted in mountain worship.
The shores of Lake Nojiri, where fossils of the Naumann Elephant were unearthed. Timeless satoyama landscapes that feel untouched by the modern world.
There is so much here that I want my guests to see, discover, and experience for themselves.
We run guided tours throughout northern Nagano and the Myoko area year-round — hiking and pilgrimage trail walks, E-bike Satoyama cycling, snowshoeing, and multi-day treks in the Japan Alps and beyond.
If you’re looking to explore Japan’s wilder, less-travelled side, we’d love to hear from you.
Kouhei Nishida — Founder, CEO & Chief Guide
· National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter
· JMGA Trekking Guide Stage II / Ski Guide Stage I
· JAN Avalanche Operations Level 1
· WAFA (Wilderness Advanced First Aid) Certified
· National Certified Domestic Travel Service Supervisor
· Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor
· Shinano Town Licensed Forest Therapy Guide
While Shinano Discovery is rooted in the trails and landscapes of northern Nagano, our guiding territory extends across the full length of the Japan Alps. Kouhei holds a Stage II Trekking Guide licence from the Japan Mountain Guide Association (JMGA) — one of the highest trekking qualifications in Japan — and has guided extensively in the Northern, Central, and Southern Alps over many years.
Shinano Discovery is based in a 90-year-old traditional farmhouse, tucked into a small village between Mt. Madarao and Lake Nojiri.
In the seasons when we’re not out on the trails, you might find us foraging for wild mushrooms and bamboo shoots on the mountainside behind the house, then cooking them up in a hotpot over the irori — the traditional sunken hearth at the heart of the home.
This is countryside living at its most authentic. And this is the world we want to share with you.
We run guided tours year-round across northern Nagano and the Myoko area — hiking, pilgrimage trail walks, E-MTB cycling, and snowshoeing. Custom itineraries are available to suit your schedule and interests.
As a licensed mountain trekking guide and certified English interpreter guide, we work with domestic and international travel agencies and regional DMOs on a subcontract basis.
We support local governments and regional DMOs with inbound tourism promotion — including English content creation for social media, liaison with overseas travel agencies, and the coordination of familiarisation tours.
