Tour Guide (Seasonal)

What to Expect

Long days, unexpected challenges, and rewarding connections with guests from all over the world. You’ll spend most of your time outdoors, guiding riders through the Japanese countryside, maintaining bikes and equipment, and sharing your knowledge of Japan and its culture. This role is hands-on, physical, and people-focused.

Key Responsibilities

• Care for tour guests both on and off the bike
• Ensure all riders complete each day’s ride safely
• Maintain and service bikes and other cycling-related equipment
• Teach guests about Japanese culture, history, and daily life
• Work closely with a small team of fellow guides to deliver a seamless, five-plus star experience

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Strong cycling ability: Comfortable riding 70–100 km per day with 1,200–2,000+ meters of elevation for multiple consecutive days (tours are typically 8 days long; guides should be comfortable riding at least 3–4 days in a row)
• Bike mechanics: Confident with basic bike maintenance, including changing tires/tubes, adjusting derailleurs and shifters, and replacing brake pads
• Driving in Japan: Holds a valid Japanese driver’s license and is comfortable driving up to 2–3 hours at a time (occasionally totaling 6–8 hours on long days)
• Language skills:
  • Fluent in English (all guests are English-speaking)
  • Basic Japanese ability (able to check guests into hotels, assist with restaurant ordering, and communicate with local traffic or construction staff if needed)
• Physical fitness: Able to lift 20–30 kg of luggage and load/unload a ~15 kg e-bike onto a car roof (requires lifting the e-bike overhead)
• Strong Interpersonal skills: Comfortable communicating professionally with guests and teammates; enjoys connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and engaging in meaningful conversations
• Seasonal Availability: Can join 2-4 tours during both our spring and fall seasons. Peak months are April, May, October, and November.

Personal Qualities That Suit This Role

• Flexible: Adapts well to last-minute changes and unexpected situations
• Reliable: Dependable, self-directed, and trusted by the team
• Positive: Approaches challenges with a constructive mindset and looks for ways to improve future tours
• Calm under pressure: Handles stressful situations with composure and sound judgment
• Proactive: Anticipates what needs to be done and takes initiative without being asked

Season & Availability

We operate two main cycling tour seasons each year—spring and fall—with a several-month off-season in between. Ideally, members of our core guide team join us for 2–4 tours per season.

• Spring season: Mid-March to early June (typically 4–5 guided tours)
• Fall season: September to early December (typically 6–8 guided tours)

Training & Support

What to Expect

We believe the best way to learn is on the job, with strong support from an experienced team.

• Pre-tour training: New guides receive 1–2 days of preparation and training at our warehouse before their first tour. This covers expectations, tour flow, and our systems for pre- and post-tour logistics, with plenty of time for questions.
• On-tour support: You’ll be placed on a team with 1–2 experienced cycling guides, a lead guide, and our dedicated SAG staff. The lead guide will help keep things running smoothly day to day, while other experienced guides provide guidance and support as you learn.
• Post-tour review: After each tour, the team meets to review what went well, what didn’t, and any challenges that came up, with the goal of continual improvement.

Why Work With Us

At Rindo, our culture is built around doing things exceptionally well. We’re a small team focused on creating unforgettable experiences, and our goal is for every guest to finish their tour wishing they could give more than five stars.

For our guests, this means smooth logistics, clear and honest expectations, and going above and beyond as our baseline standard.

 For our team, it means strong communication and support, a positive and respectful working environment, and a shared sense of purpose. This is not a job any one person can do alone—it takes a committed team from start to finish—and we want every guide to feel valued for their contribution to that collective success.

Compensation

We believe in rewarding guides who keep showing up and growing with the team. The more tours you complete, the higher your daily rate becomes. Experience matters out on the road, and our pay structure is designed to recognize that. 

Below is a breakdown of how your daily tour pay increases as you complete more tours with us.

For every two tours completed in a single season, guides are eligible for a ¥15,000 bonus as an added reward for their time, commitment, and support. 

Tour Accommodations: Rindo covers the cost of all accommodations during tours, including prep and drive days. If a guide requests a room change for personal reasons, any additional accommodation costs will be the guide’s responsibility.

Guide Meal Compensation: Guides receive a food allowance of ¥1,000 per day for breakfast and ¥1,000 per day for lunch, and ¥2,000 per day for dinner. This applies to all prep, drive, and tour days.