Expedition Leader Ryo Ijichi Goes Home Again, and Brings PONANT Guests Along

With an abundance of islands and its long, narrow mainland, the small island-nation of Japan boasts the fifth longest coastline in the world. This makes the entire country easy to explore by ship. After years helping travelers discover the remote polar regions that he loves, Expedition Leader Ryo Ijichi is thrilled to take PONANT guests deep into the remote reaches of his breathtaking homeland surrounded by the sea.

When PONANT Expedition Leader Ryo Ijichi was five years old, his father’s work took him and his family from their native Japan to New Jersey, in the United States. The curious Ryo took in his American surroundings with eyes wide open. Even at his young age, he noticed what a melting pot the United States were. America was not like the islands of his homeland, Japan, where everyone looked like him. The boy was captivated.

By the age of 12, he and his family were back in Japan. But the American experience instilled in him a desire to wander. After college, he jumped at an opportunity to join an expedition crew to Antarctica as a freelance tour guide. His time in the icy continent turned out to be more than a job – it was a revelation. “I was amazed by how pure and unpopulated this place was,” he says. “I became obsessed with this pristine natural world, and with learning as much about it as I could. I become a full-time expedition leader and worked on Antarctic and Arctic voyages for about 20 years.”

From Icy Polar Reaches to Subtropical Japan

“The expedition leaders I worked with were my inspiration; I learned so much from them.” In 2022, he discovered PONANT – or PONANT discovered him, depending on who tells the story. Ryo’s eyes were opened yet again.

“As a freelancer, I had grown used to being on ships that were pretty basic,” he remembers. “PONANT was a breath of fresh air. Elegant staterooms. Freshly prepared cuisine.” But it was the clientele that most impressed him. “Our guests are motivated by their curiosity to learn and to grow. I love working with them.

“I love working with PONANT,” he continues. “Their approach to discovery aligns with my approach to life. They’re always asking where the next best place is that a small ship can explore.”

As PONANT expanded its fleet – and its global reach – Ryo realized that there was one part of the world that the company had yet to explore. And contrary to what everyone might believe, it offered endless opportunities for the kind of expedition-style travel at which PONANT excelled.

That place was his native Japan.

Expeditions into Stunning Natural Beauty and Villages Frozen in Time

With some of the most densely populated cities in the world, Ryo’s home country may seem – shall we say – the polar opposite of Antarctica and the Arctic. But there is endless beauty in the Japanese archipelago, from subtropical islands to soft sand beaches, and countless tiny villages hiding among them. 

Still today, when he visits the remote, secluded places of his home country with PONANT guests, Ryo is reminded of those wild and unspoiled polar regions from earlier in his career. “The poles,” he explains, “are devoid of human life for geographic reasons, whereas these tiny Japanese villages are so sparsely populated for historic reasons. Human industry essentially passed them by. People here live much as they did in the 1700s.”

“Japan has always been an insular nation,” Ryo explains, putting on his Expedition Leader cap – and his winsome charm. “While the rest of the world was developing into industrial powerhouses in the 19th century, Japan kept to itself. When it finally decided to ‘catch up,’ all the attention was given to the mainland cities. The tiny island villages were not necessary to Japan’s progress, to be honest, so they never changed. Today, the local people work hard to preserve their villages, keeping them just as they were. Visiting these villages really is like stepping back 300 and 400 years in time.”

Travel That’s Enriching for PONANT Guests and for Host Villages

In keeping with the values-based ethos of PONANT, Ryo works closely with the community leaders of Japan’s coastal villages to ensure our visits are conducted with respect. Elders and others tell him which places they are happy to show to their guests, and which places are off-limits. They talk about what social etiquette visitors should follow, then Ryo and other Expedition Leaders guide guests accordingly before disembarkation. Respecting local culture and tradition goes a long way in creating a positive and enriching experience for all.

Ryo cites the economic benefit to these tiny communities, too. “These are shrinking villages,” he says. “With their dwindling populations, they have been asking themselves how they can continue to exist. Through our eyes, sustainable tourism is one answer. Our expeditions contribute to the livelihoods of people on these islands.”

Easy Access to Authentic, Enlightening Rural Experiences

PONANT makes it easy to get to these remarkable enclaves. Ryo continues: “If you were to visit Japan on your own, it would take you hours of difficult travel over land and sea to reach these rural communities, fishing villages, and islands. Our ships take you right to their doorsteps and bring you to shore via Zodiac. It’s the most mobile access you can imagine. That’s what makes Japan a perfect expedition destination. You can easily arrive at remote islands that time forgot – places that are not in any guidebook – and have a deep and distinctive cultural experience.

“Some locals invite us into their houses. We often meet monks and offer prayers with them. We learn the significance of these beautiful, modest temples. In one case, the best sushi chef in the community happened to be available to join us on board. So we invited him to the ship and he prepared a meal for us.”

PONANT Japan expeditions are, as Ryo likes to point out, adventurous, spontaneous, and efficient. In his view, that’s the best way to explore his home country’s remote corners.

Ryo and PONANT invite you to experience the remote, secluded villages and wild beauty of Japan. We look forward to welcoming you!