Hans O. Karlsson

Your Man in Japan

Japan beyond the tourist trail, with a trusted local since 1989.Friendly, relaxed guidance to the people, places, and moments most travelers never quite reach – pottery villages, quiet temples, neighborhood bars, and everyday life in Japan. You choose: trip‑planning from afar over video, or unhurried days together on the ground – so you feel safe, welcomed, and free to gather a memory for life.

Services

Thank You

Support

Commercial Disclosure

Since 1989

Your liason, near and far

Since 1989, I've helped international design firms, cultural institutions, and boutique importers establish authentic partnerships in Japan's ceramic heartland. Based in Tajimi—the center of Mino ware production—I provide what you can't arrange from abroad: pre-vetted introductions, real-time cultural translation, and ongoing local representation after you return home.

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My offering

Bespoke services

On-site personal guidance, language assistance, and coordination of meetings
Individual remote consulting sessions lasting 60-90 minutes
Ongoing client support via email, messaging platforms, and follow-up calls
Specialised programs featuring comprehensive pottery workshops, Zen training, and retreat experiences—available as single or multi-day options
Interactive virtual reality sessions with a Zen monk
Field representation services, including client visits and stakeholder meetings on your behalf

We've teamed up with Abbot Sasaki Houkaku for a digital recreation of his Dragon Zen temple. Enjoy full VR, or view it on your PC or smartphone. Take a guided tour from the comfort of your home.

VR Zen Temple

quality over quantity

Tiny customer portfolio

Social media campaigns target millions. I seek a handful of people. My mission is to provide superior, unique service tailored to each of your needs.

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My background

This is me

My journey led me to the shores of Japan in 1989, driven by a deep passion for human connections and cultural exploration. Over the decades, I've worn many hats - from media professional to academic, and from cultural guide to language bridge-builder. In 2016, I embraced the digital frontier by founding a Virtual Reality company, dedicating our efforts to preserving and recreating cultural treasures in the digital realm. We've had the privilege of collaborating with prestigious cultural institutions and businesses, both in Japan and internationally.This unique path has allowed me to enjoy the best of both worlds: a peaceful life in a charming rural Japanese town while virtually traversing the globe. In these times of unprecedented technological growth, I firmly believe in striking a balance - embracing innovation while staying true to our essential human nature. I'm a caring person who uses the latest technology to research thoroughly and communicate clearly.

Customer support

[email protected]

I usually reply within 1–2 business days.

Commercial Disclosure (特定商取引法に基づく表記)

Item Type	Details
Legal name	We will disclose without delay if requested.
Address	We will disclose without delay if requested.
Phone number	We will disclose without delay if requested.
Email address
Head of operations	Hans Olof Karlsson
Additional fees	Travel expenses as necessary, including transportation costs to and from the meeting or guiding location, as agreed in advance with the customer.
Exchanges & returns policy	Cancellations are accepted free of charge up to 48 hours before the scheduled start time of the service. Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the scheduled start time, or after the service has been provided, are not refundable. If I am unable to provide the agreed service due to my circumstances, I will offer an alternative date or a refund according to separate agreement with the customer.
Delivery times	Services will be provided on the date and time agreed with the customer, such as the date and time for guiding in Tajimi city. For desk work, delivery dates will be arranged individually by agreement and communicated in advance.
Accepted payment methods	Credit card or local bank transfer.
Payment period	Credit card payments are processed immediately, while local bank transfers must be sent within 3 days of the date of order.
Price	Standard fee: 5,000 yen per hour, or flat-rate pricing according to separate written agreement with the customer (all prices include consumption tax).

Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how I collect, use, and protect personal information when you visit yourmaninjapan.site or use my services.

1. Information I Collect

I may collect the following information when you use this site or contact me:

Name
Email address
Any information you choose to include in messages or booking requests
Payment-related information processed by third-party providers (for example, Stripe). I do not store full card details on this site.

2. How I Use This Information

I use your information to:

Provide and manage consulting and cultural experience services
Communicate with you about inquiries, bookings, and support
Maintain records required for accounting, tax, and legal compliance
Improve my services and this website (for example, understanding what people ask for most often)

3. Sharing and Disclosure

I do not sell or rent your personal information. I may share information only with:

Service providers who help me operate the business (for example, payment processors like Stripe, email providers, and video-call platforms)
Professional advisers (for example, accountant or tax adviser) where necessary
Authorities or third parties if required by law or to protect my rights and comply with legal obligations

These parties are only given the information needed to perform their services and are expected to protect it appropriately.

4. Method of Collection and Disclosure

Information is collected when you:

Fill in a contact or booking form
Send me an email or other direct message
Complete a payment through a payment link or invoice

Information may be disclosed electronically to the service providers listed above through secure connections, and may be stored on their systems as part of providing the service.

5. Data Security

I use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information, including:

Using reputable third-party providers with industry-standard security (for example, HTTPS encryption and secure payment processing)
Limiting access to personal information to myself and, where necessary, trusted service providers
Using strong passwords and security settings on devices and accounts used to run this business

However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so I cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

I keep personal information only for as long as necessary to provide my services to you and to meet legal, accounting, and tax requirements. After that, information is deleted or anonymized where reasonably possible.

7. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights to access the personal information I hold about you, request corrections or updates, or request deletion where legally permissible. To exercise these rights, please contact me.

8. Contact

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact:

Hans Olof Karlsson
Email: Please use the contact form below

Terms of Service

These Terms of Service apply to the consulting and cultural experience services provided through yourmaninjapan.site by Hans Olof Karlsson (“I”, “me” or “my”). By booking or using my services, you agree to these terms.

1. Services

I provide online consulting and cultural experience services related to Japan, including 1:1 advice, trip and experience planning, and personalized guidance for visitors and Japan enthusiasts.

2. Bookings and Payment

Services are provided only after payment has been completed.
Payments are processed securely by third-party providers such as Stripe.
Prices and available services are shown on my website or communicated directly by email.

3. Cancellations and Refunds

If you need to cancel, please contact me as soon as possible via the contact form below.
For sessions cancelled at least 24 hours before the scheduled time, I will usually offer a rescheduled session or a refund at my discretion.
For sessions cancelled less than 24 hours before the scheduled time, or if you do not attend, the fee may be non‑refundable.
If I must cancel a session, you may choose between a rescheduled time or a full refund.

4. Use of Services

You agree to use the services for lawful purposes and in a respectful manner.
The information and advice I provide is based on my experience and knowledge, but I cannot guarantee specific outcomes (for example, travel results, third‑party service quality, or visa approvals).

5. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, I am not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential loss arising from the use of my services or this website. My total liability for any claim is limited to the amount you paid for the relevant service.

6. Changes to These Terms

I may update these Terms of Service from time to time. The latest version will always be posted on this page, and your continued use of the services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated terms.

7. Contact

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact:

Hans Olof Karlsson
Email: Please use the contact form here below.