What we do

One-stop inbound tour arrangements for the West-Japan region

We provide comprehensive inbound tour arrangement, including itinerary creation and proposals for the West-Japan region (with our chief focus on Kyushu), based on requests from clients and the numerous worldwide travel agencies we are proud to work with.

In addition to our experienced staff, who have long been involved in the inbound tourism industry, it is thanks to our strong links with the local Japanese community (a rare asset that few Destination Management Companies can boast) that we are able to offer tailor-made travel itineraries that not only meet travellers' needs, but vastly exceed their expectations by providing local, 'hands-on' experiences and opportunities which would not typically be found elsewhere.

Inbound tours and activities at Space Beppu - our base in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture

We plan, develop, and operate tours and activity programmes in Beppu, targeting inbound FIT (free independent travellers). In 2024 alone, we conducted over 50 activity programmes for more than 100 participants.

Through these, we gain insight into the needs of inbound travellers, accumulate expertise in attracting future customers through various OTAs (online travel agencies), and apply this know-how in the consulting services we offer.

Explore our unique tours across Kyushu!

We curate and operate original tours across Kyushu, from immersive 1-day experiences to multi-day journeys with accommodations. Each tour is carefully designed with passion and attention to detail.

The Volcanic Wilds of Central Kyushu Tour

A journey through history, nature & culture

7 to 13 days
Nagasaki / Unzen / Kumamoto / Aso / Takachiho / Saiki / Beppu

View Details
HAJIMARI BEPPU Tour

Onsen, Culture, Hands-on, Local, Unique

4 days
Beppu

View Details
Usa Jingu Shrine to Kunisaki Long Trail Hiking 1 day tour from Beppu

Sacred Shrines & Scenic Trails: Usa Jingu & Kunisaki Adventure (Depart from & Return to Beppu)

1 day tour
Beppu

View Details
Nagasaki's Highlight: Full Day Tour

Nagasaki Highlights Tour - Explore everything you need to know about Nagasaki in just one day! 

1 day tour
Nagasaki

View Details
Nagasaki History & Culture Full-day tour

Nagasaki Cultural & Heritage Tour - Know the past & Experience the past!

1 day tour
Nagasaki

View Details
Nagasaki History & Culture Half-day tour

Nagasaki Cultural Experience Tour

Half-day tour
Nagasaki

View Details
Saiki City Full-day Coastal Cycling Tour

Saiki Coastal & Culinary Adventure

1 day tour
Beppu - Saiki

View Details

Check out our unique activity programmes in Beppu!

With Space Beppu, our directly operated facility in Beppu, we offer a variety of immersive experiences designed to make your stay even more enjoyable.

Arts, Crafts & Onsen Walking Tour

2.5 hours / ¥7,000 ~

Bamboo Lantern Crafting Workshop

1 hour / ¥4,000 ~

Tea Ceremony Experience

1.5 hours / ¥5,000 ~

Japanese Calligraphy Class for Beginners

1.5 hours / ¥5,000 ~

Authentic Japanese Calligraphy Experience

1 hour / ¥8,000 ~

Cooking Class: Make a Local Delicacy

2 hours / ¥9,000 ~

Art Workshop with a Local Painter

2 hours / ¥15,000 ~

Beppu Night Out: Sake Tasting & Izakaya Tour

3.5 hours / ¥18,000 ~

Authentic Karate Experience Workshop

1.5 hours / ¥12,000 ~

GUEST REVIEWS

★★★★★

Very kind tour guide and generous information offered. Amazing to have insight into the local works completed by the locals. Will definitely be coming back to explore more of the town. Thank you for a wonderful and informative time!

Australia
October 2024

★★★★★

I felt very welcome as soon as I stepped inside. The teacher explained everything and we chatted throughout. They even planned the rest of my trip in Japan! I had a great time and will definitely be making the Dango soup at home.

England, United Kingdom
May 2024

★★★★★

A very beautiful place with some very beautiful people. I searched specifically for a calligraphy class and found Space Beppu by accident as the venue, but it is probably somewhere I would have come specifically to see or do a class if I knew that it existed before arriving in Beppu.

Wales, United Kingdom
August 2024

★★★★★

It was a wonderful tour. It felt more personal than any tour we've had before. Starting with this tour helped us to feel comfortable in this new city. We appreciated the artists showing us their space and the vision behind Space Beppu. There is so much this area has to offer and we're grateful we got a glimpse of it.

United States
October 2024

ARTICLES

Tips & anecdotes to help you plan your journey

How long should I spend in Beppu and how do I get here?
Read more
What visitors to Beppu sometimes get wrong & ideas on how to improve your trip
Read more
Experiencing a traditional INN in Beppu
Read more
Introduction to Beppu Onsen hot springs
Read more

What's new with us

1

On-the-ground Insight

We develop and refine our services and strategies based on first-hand information from both international travel agencies and the inbound tourists who participate in the local activities we offer.

2

Local Expertise in Kyushu & Setouchi

As one of the few inbound tour operators based in Kyushu and Setouchi, we are deeply rooted in the local community, delivering region-specific services.

3

Expansive Global Network

Leveraging a vast network of domestic and international partners built through our travel arrangement services and community-based activity programmes, we are able to provide globally comprehensive business solutions and proposals.

OUR MISSION & VISION

Message from the CEO

Mission

As ambassadors of our region, we connect local communities with the world, paving the way for a prosperous future.

Vision

Our goal is to become Japan’s leading engine of regional revitalisation, making it a norm to attract young people to rural areas, driven by their dreams.

During my time living in the UK countryside, bustling with young energy, I realised that the true driving force behind a thriving community is its youth. For regional revitalisation in Japan, the power of young people is essential. But to keep them in these areas, we must offer them fulfilling, dream-worthy careers.

Although the number of international visitors to Japan is soaring, most are drawn to major cities. However, Japan’s rural regions are rich in natural beauty, cuisine, and other unique tourism resources. I believe that inbound tourism holds immense potential for revitalising these regions and creating exciting, meaningful job opportunities that inspire young people to pursue their dreams locally.

Our mission is to build a thriving inbound tourism industry based in rural areas, creating economically and socially meaningful jobs. By doing so, we aim to foster a society where it’s natural for young people to stay and chase their dreams in the countryside.

Masahiro Ide, CEO

COMPANY

Company Overview

Company NameGlide Japan Inc.
CEOMasahiro Ide
Capital¥1,000,000
EstablishedApril 20, 2023
Number of Employees11 (including contractors)
Head Office12-9 Chiyomachi, Beppu City, Oita 874-0942, Japan
Phone+81-977-75-9566
Australia Office421/4 Spring Street, Rosebery, NSW 2018, Australia
Business ActivitiesInbound tourism consulting, travel arrangement services for international visitors, regional revitalisation projects, multilingual translation, video production, and more.
as of Jan 2025

STAFF

Meet Our Team

Masahiro Ide

CEO

Born in Germany and raised in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, Masahiro graduated from Kwansei Gakuin University. After undertaking a working holiday in the UK, he began his career at a travel agency specialising in inbound tourism, where he focused on sales in the Asian market as well as business development in Europe and Australia. He relocated to Beppu with his family in 2018, before going on to establish Glide Japan in 2023.

Frances Ide

Director

Hailing from Yorkshire, England, Frances moved to Beppu from Osaka in 2018, having previously worked for a Hong Kong-based manufacturing company. Utilising her varied past experience in product development, travel writing, proofreading and English teaching, Frances edits & translates company content whilst overseeing the day to day running of Glide Japan and its base - Space Beppu.

Aya Ono

Manager

Aya has been involved in inbound tourism since 2017, primarily focusing on sales in the Vietnamese market, including group tours and MICE projects. Since 2019, she has been engaged in promoting the charms of Kyushu and developing tours for inbound travel companies. In 2024, she joined Glide Japan to specialise in inbound tourism in Kyushu.

Haruka Kumashiro

Planner

A graduate of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Haruka studied abroad in Germany. Upon graduating, she remained in Beppu, where she worked for an advertising agency before eventually becoming independent. Having guided over 30 groups in Beppu and elsewhere in Kyushu,
she currently engages in both the advertising and the travel industries.

Audreay

Planner

Originally from Malaysia, Audreay is proficient in Malay, Chinese, English and Japanese.
She is currently studying social sciences with a focus on international relations at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.
Her journey with Glide Japan began after participating in an internship for international students hosted by Oita Prefecture in 2024.

Aoi Tanaka

Planner

Hailing from Chiba Prefecture, Aoi began her studies at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in 2020 but had to delay her move to Beppu until 2021 due to the impact of COVID-19. She met Masahiro Ide through a university programme and has since worked as an intern at Glide Japan. In 2023, she travelled to Melbourne, Australia, for a working holiday.

Kanae Omote

Australia Partner

Having lived in Australia for nearly ten years, Kanae has been involved in the inbound tourism industry for over six years, primarily as a consultant focusing on the Australian market. She collaborates with government agencies and private companies, having worked with over 50 organisations. Her responsibilities range from online strategies such as social media marketing to offline initiatives such as event support. Additionally, she imports sake as part of her own business, and acts as a bridge between Japan and overseas in various sectors, including tourism and local products.

Loi Wei Shun

 Planner

Originally from Malaysia, Loi graduated from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in 2024. While at university, Loi developed a passion for cycling and founded a cycling club, actively contributing to its success. He was deeply moved by the charms of Kyushu through cycle touring and joined Glide Japan to share those attractions with others.

Riko Ishizuka

Planner

A student of social sciences at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Riko spent a total of two years in Finland through a high school exchange programme and working holiday. Inspired to share Japan’s yet-to-be-discovered attractions with the world, Riko joined Glide Japan.

PARTNERS

Our Global Partnerships

Coming soon!

Office hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM JST (excludes Saturdays, Sundays & national holidays)