After a 16-year career at a travel agency, Namiko Kawaguchi now jokingly calls herself “unemployed,” even as she simultaneously leads three new ventures. We sat down with her at .andwork Kyoto to learn about her ambitious projects: a Machiya-style guesthouse, tours pairing English learners with international visitors, and cultural experiences in private temples.
#Shota Tokaji
From Ishikawa Prefecture; based in Kyoto City. Spent 16 years in corporate sales and MICE operations at a travel agency.
Currently producing tour programs through an English conversation school, designing cultural experiences at private temples, and preparing to launch a Machiya guesthouse.
Tell us about your university days and your first career
I grew up in Ishikawa, Kanagawa, and Singapore before heading to university in Osaka. I worked part-time every day, saving up for trips abroad—and before I knew it, I’d stretched my studies out over five years! (Laughs.)
After graduating, I joined a travel agency—more from my passion for travel than anything else. However, I wasn’t in leisure travel but in corporate sales, handling everything from arranging overseas business trips to crisis management: evacuating clients stranded by disasters or conflicts. It was intense, but I learned how to navigate even the most off-the-beaten-path destinations, which enriched my personal travels over 16 years.
What did you do after leaving the agency?
For six months, I freelanced offering unique experiences—tea ceremony, zazen meditation, and private temple visits—for foreigners. But something felt off, and personal circumstances pushed me to wrap it up. So, I became—well, unemployed. (Laughs.)
What are you working on now?
I’m moving forward, albeit slowly, on three projects:
- Machiya Guesthouse
Partnering with a Kuwaiti owner I met at a standing bar, we’re turning a traditional Kyoto Machiya into a guesthouse. - Tours Connecting English Learners with Travelers
Creating tours where people studying English can practice by guiding international guests around. - Cultural Experiences at Private Temples
Developing programs at off-limits temples after meeting collaborators through social media.
All three focus on inbound tourism. My goal is not just to showcase Japan’s culture but to share its people, history, and everyday life. The most memorable part of my own travels is always the conversations I have—more than just beautiful sights, it’s the laughter and stories that stick with me.
Will you be busy once all three projects take off?
That’s the hope! With all three up and running, I’m excited to see what kind of new collaborations and synergies will emerge. We could even host cooking classes in the guesthouse space—so many possibilities.
How did you discover .andwork Kyoto?
A friend recommended it as the perfect coworking spot for me. I had struggled with Wi-Fi compatibility at an Osaka lounge, and working from home wasn’t much better. I walked over—about 20–30 minutes—and found exactly the environment I’d been looking for. Almost a year later, I still love working here every day.
What do you find most appealing about .andwork Kyoto?
Connection. Working solo can be isolating, but here there’s always someone around—staff or members—to chat with. It’s great for stress relief, and I often pick up ideas and information organically.
Through connections made here, I’ve received technical advice from freelance engineers and designers, and I’ve teamed up with other members for outings. It’s a relaxed, “anything goes” atmosphere—someone might be grilling yakiniku next to you, while another person is deep in work. That freedom actually fuels my productivity.
I’d recommend .andwork Kyoto to anyone who feels cramped working from home or craves more social interaction.