ABOUT PMP
ABOUT PMP
We discover inspiring destinations in Japan and help you experience them.
From itinerary writers to tour guides, we all share two things: a love for travel and a passion to help others experience all the wonders Japan has to offer. Our greatest reward is seeing our customers return home inspired and fulfilled.
People are at the heart of what we do. Both our travel guides and our tours focus on characterful destinations and the individuals who create them: the restaurant and its chef, the fashion brand and its designer, the coffee shop and its barista. Our mission is to introduce these wonderful people - and their places - to you, and most importantly to help you visit them.
That's why People Make Places is a multi-platform service, with a range of premium travel services and guides including a beautiful hardback book and a handy digital app. Together they provide inspiration, navigation and human-to-human help.
MEET THE PMP TEAM
CHARLES SPRECKLEY
Founder and CEO
Charles originally moved to Tokyo from the UK in 1998, the result of severe wanderlust and “getting stuck” en route to China. After working as a television producer and journalist, he founded his first travel business in 2007, offering tours with a friend. This eventually became what People Make Places is today, and Charles still personally designs most customers’ itineraries, while also running the business. “We just like helping people,” he says. “Simple as that.” He enjoys wandering around Tokyo’s Daikanyama area, which also happens to be home to the PMP office. “It’s one of the nicest ‘urban villages’ in the city – you never feel the pressures of the rat race here,” he says. His favourite region of Japan is Kyushu, for its volcanic landscapes and amazing ryokans.
CHARLES SPRECKLEY
Founder and CEO
Charles originally moved to Tokyo from the UK in 1998, the result of severe wanderlust and “getting stuck” en route to China. After working as a television producer and journalist, he founded his first travel business in 2007, offering tours with a friend. This eventually became what People Make Places is today, and Charles still personally designs most customers’ itineraries, while also running the business. “We just like helping people,” he says. “Simple as that.” He enjoys wandering around Tokyo’s Daikanyama area, which also happens to be home to the PMP office. “It’s one of the nicest ‘urban villages’ in the city – you never feel the pressures of the rat race here,” he says. His favourite region of Japan is Kyushu, for its volcanic landscapes and amazing ryokans.
TOHRU OKAHARA
COO
Originally from the island of Shikoku, Tohru moved to Tokyo in 1994. He’s been with PMP since the beginning, and has a hand in every aspect of the business. “I believe that encounters with people are what make a great trip even more wonderful,” he says. “PMP knows this, which is what makes working here stimulating and fun.” In the summer Tohru spends his free time at the beach, and he hopes to one day become an expert on Japan’s many beautiful islands. His most-loved Tokyo area is the one he calls home: Yoyogi Uehara. “Even though it’s in the city centre, the neighbours are friendly with one another, which gives it a village-like feel, and there are a lot of good restaurants,” he says. “I’ve moved to other areas many times, but somehow I always end up back here."
TOHRU OKAHARA
COO
Originally from the island of Shikoku, Tohru moved to Tokyo in 1994. He’s been with PMP since the beginning, and has a hand in every aspect of the business. “I believe that encounters with people are what make a great trip even more wonderful,” he says. “PMP knows this, which is what makes working here stimulating and fun.” In the summer Tohru spends his free time at the beach, and he hopes to one day become an expert on Japan’s many beautiful islands. His most-loved Tokyo area is the one he calls home: Yoyogi Uehara. “Even though it’s in the city centre, the neighbours are friendly with one another, which gives it a village-like feel, and there are a lot of good restaurants,” he says. “I’ve moved to other areas many times, but somehow I always end up back here.
LAERKE PYNDT STEINMANN
Head of Events
Hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, Laerke first came to Japan in 2006 to visit a friend in rural Gifu Prefecture. This inspired her to study Japanese at university, and she moved to Tokyo in 2014. She is now in charge of corporate and social events for PMP. “I feel very lucky to work with a lot of inspiring people, including our collaborators, vendors and clients,” she says. “And I like to work out the mental puzzle of fitting all the pieces of the event planning together to create a great experience for everyone taking part.” When she’s not working, she loves hiking, exploring small, local Tokyo neighbourhoods, gardening on her balcony, and cooking. Her favourite place in Japan outside of Tokyo is Kanazawa: “I really like the mix of art, culture, history and food, all within biking distance!”
LAERKE PYNDT STEINMANN
Head of Events
Hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, Laerke first came to Japan in 2006 to visit a friend in rural Gifu Prefecture. This inspired her to study Japanese at university, and she moved to Tokyo in 2014. She is now in charge of corporate and social events for PMP. “I feel very lucky to work with a lot of inspiring people, including our collaborators, vendors and clients,” she says. “And I like to work out the mental puzzle of fitting all the pieces of the event planning together to create a great experience for everyone taking part.” When she’s not working, she loves hiking, exploring small, local Tokyo neighbourhoods, gardening on her balcony, and cooking. Her favourite place in Japan outside of Tokyo is Kanazawa: “I really like the mix of art, culture, history and food, all within biking distance!”
MICHIE TOMOI
Travel Designer
Known affectionately around the office as Tomochin, Michie was born and raised in the Tokyo suburb of Machida, and worked in the fashion and dental industries before joining PMP as project coordinator. “I enjoy researching and making travel plans that are carefully catered to each individual customer, and I want to help more foreigners to experience all the wonderful things Japan has to offer,” she says. In her free time she enjoys watching movies and international TV dramas, and shopping for clothes and stylish furniture. Her favourite areas of Tokyo are Shibuya and Harajuku: “I love these neighbourhoods because there are so many people with a really unique fashion sense, and you can find any kind of trendy thing you want there.”
MICHIE TOMOI
Travel Designer
Known affectionately around the office as Tomochin, Michie was born and raised in the Tokyo suburb of Machida, and worked in the fashion and dental industries before joining PMP as project coordinator. “I enjoy researching and making travel plans that are carefully catered to each individual customer, and I want to help more foreigners to experience all the wonderful things Japan has to offer,” she says. In her free time she enjoys watching movies and international TV dramas, and shopping for clothes and stylish furniture. Her favourite areas of Tokyo are Shibuya and Harajuku: “I love these neighbourhoods because there are so many people with a really unique fashion sense, and you can find you can find any kind of trendy thing you want there.”
SHU KUGE
Travel Designer
The son of ceramic artists, Shu moved from Tokyo to the United States in 1990, where he studied at UC Berkeley and earned a Ph.D. in Japanese literature and comparative literature from Stanford University. He taught comparative literature at Penn State between 2003 and 2007. Teaching about Japanese culture in the U.S. made him want to return to Japan, which he did in 2008, working as a writer and writing coach. Now he designs itineraries for PMP and also conducts history tours in Tokyo. “I have a bad sense of direction, but I feel that I always discover interesting things in a place by getting lost,” he says. “Then I can introduce those places to visitors in my tours.” His favourite place to go when not working is Kujukuri, a long stretch of beach in Chiba prefecture to Tokyo’s east.
SHU KUGE
Travel Designer
The son of ceramic artists, Shu moved from Tokyo to the United States in 1990, where he studied at UC Berkeley and earned a Ph.D. in Japanese literature and comparative literature from Stanford University. He taught comparative literature at Penn State between 2003 and 2007. Teaching about Japanese culture in the U.S. made him want to return to Japan, which he did in 2008, working as a writer and writing coach. Now he designs itineraries for PMP and also conducts history tours in Tokyo. “I have a bad sense of direction, but I feel that I always discover interesting things in a place by getting lost,” he says. “Then I can introduce those places to visitors in my tours.” His favourite place to go when not working is Kujukuri, a long stretch of beach in Chiba prefecture to Tokyo’s east.
KELLY WETHERILLE
Editor in Chief
When Kelly moved to Japan from the U.S. in 2002, she told her family she would stay about a year, but she still hasn’t left. She works as a freelance writer and editor, and is in charge of PMP’s ever-expanding library of content. “My favourite thing about my job is getting to meet interesting people and hear their stories, and then to share them with the world,” she says. She’s happiest when she’s in or on the water, so on weekends when the weather is nice, she teaches stand-up paddle boarding and SUP yoga from the beaches near Tokyo. She loves living in what she firmly believes is the world’s greatest city, but she also tries to get sneak away whenever possible: “Most people don’t realise what incredible natural beauty Japan has, and how easy it is to get there. I am always trying to discover new places to hike, swim and relax.”
KELLY WETHERILLE
Editor in Chief
When Kelly moved to Japan from the U.S. in 2002, she told her family she would stay about a year, but she still hasn’t left. She works as a freelance writer and editor, and is in charge of PMP’s ever-expanding library of content. “My favourite thing about my job is getting to meet interesting people and hear their stories, and then to share them with the world,” she says. She’s happiest when she’s in or on the water, so on weekends when the weather is nice, she teaches stand-up paddle boarding and SUP yoga from the beaches near Tokyo. She loves living in what she firmly believes is the world’s greatest city, but she also tries to get sneak away whenever possible: “Most people don’t realize what incredible natural beauty Japan has, and how easy it is to get there. I am always trying to discover new places to hike, swim and relax.”
MAE CHIKUBA
Intern
Born in Tokyo to an American mother and Japanese father, Mae has grown up in the city, where she is currently a full-time university student studying visual arts and tourism. She helps out behind the scenes on PMP events and tours, doing everything from folding origami table decorations to buying snacks. “I love working behind the scenes, and I love the fact that my contributions help to create some kind of order,” she says. When not working or studying, Mae relaxes by watching movies at home on her laptop. Her favourite area of Tokyo is Kichijoji. “Kichijoji was like Shibuya to us kids who grew up in the neighbourhood—we went there all the time. It has a huge park, but also cool places to shop at and good food. I've been there countless times, and there are still places I didn't know existed!”
MAE CHIKUBA
Intern
Born in Tokyo to an American mother and Japanese father, Mae has grown up in the city, where she is currently a full-time university student studying visual arts and tourism. She helps out behind the scenes on PMP events and tours, doing everything from origami table decorations to buying snacks. "I love working behind the scenes, and I love the fact that my contributions help to create some kind of order," she says. When not working or studying, Mae relaxes by watching movies at home on her laptop. Her favourite area of Tokyo is Kichijoji. "Kichijoji was like Shibuya to us kids who grew up in the neighbourhood - we went there all the time. It has a huge park, but also cool places to shop at and good food. I've been there countless times, and there are still places I didn't know existed!"
MARIKA KINOSHITA
Travel Designer
Marika was born and raised in Niigata, where her family runs the city’s oldest bakery. When she was 17 she traversed the globe in order to study in Brazil, an experience that she says changed her life. Before joining PMP she worked in a variety of service and hospitality positions, including at the Ritz Carlton Tokyo and at a co-living space. She thinks Japanese hospitality, or omotenashi, is one of the best aspects of Japanese culture. “I never used to be interested in Japanese culture or history—I was more internationally focused. But taking guests around Tokyo has given me a new perspective and awakened in me a new fascination with my own country,” she says. Marika describes herself as a huge dog lover, and she enjoys wearing kimono, cooking, baking and doing crafts.
MARIKA KINOSHITA
Travel Designer
Marika was born and raised in Niigata, where her family runs the city’s oldest bakery. When she was 17 she traversed the globe in order to study in Brazil, an experience that she says changed her life. Before joining PMP she worked in a variety of service and hospitality positions, including at the Ritz Carlton Tokyo and at a co-living space. She thinks Japanese hospitality, or omotenashi, is one of the best aspects of Japanese culture. “I never used to be interested in Japanese culture or history—I was more internationally focused. But taking guests around Tokyo has given me a new perspective and awakened in me a new fascination with my own country,” she says. Marika describes herself as a huge dog lover, and she enjoys wearing kimono, cooking, baking and doing crafts.”
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CORPORATE INFORMATION
PMP Japan Co. Ltd.
Company number: 0132-01-019003
5F Daikanyama Center Bldg.,
15-9 Daikanyama-cho,
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0034,
Japan
Tel: 03-6455-5154