Hi, I'm Doug.

My relationship with Japan started like many travelers: a fascination with the culture, food, mountains, and sense of adventure.

What began as a two-week visit during Middle School turned into a lifelong fascination. I majored in Japanese Language and Culture at Pacific University, spent a semester at Nanzan University’s intensive language program in Nagoya, and eventually spent two years building a life in Ishinomaki, in Japan’s Northern Tohoku region.

Living in Japan changed the way I think about travel.

I learned that the experiences people remember most aren't usually the ones at the top of a guidebook.

They're the conversations with locals.

The tiny restaurant you never would have found yourself.

The unexpected detour that becomes the highlight of the trip.

The confidence that comes from understanding not just where you're going, but why it matters.

When friends and family came to visit, I found myself doing the same thing every time: helping them navigate the country, introducing them to places I loved, and removing the stress that often comes with traveling somewhere unfamiliar.

Eventually, that became DB Guiding.

Today, every trip is personally guided by me and intentionally limited to a small group.

My goal isn't to rush guests from attraction to attraction.

It's to help people experience Japan with confidence, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of the country than most visitors ever get.

You'll still see iconic destinations.

But you'll also experience the side of Japan that exists between the major tourist attractions—the places, people, food, and moments that make travel memorable.

In many ways, DB Guiding isn't about seeing more.

It's about experiencing more.

I look forward to sharing Japan with you.