What began as a way to connect Australia and Japan, AJ INTERBRIDGE INC. has now expanded its projects to bridge Japan to cities ‘All over the World’.
I was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, and moved to Adelaide, Australia at the age of 16. Living abroad from a young age gave me the opportunity to see Japan through a new lens. I discovered how deeply people around the world are drawn to Japanese culture, and I gained a better understanding of how Japan is perceived from the outside. Being part of a multicultural environment also taught me to appreciate and learn from other cultures, and this experience continues to shape how I approach both business and hospitality today.
After graduating from university, I began working at the Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns. There, I learned the ins and outs of the hospitality and travel industry—knowledge that I brought back to Japan when I founded AJ INTERBRIDGE INC. in 2009. My goal was to create accommodations that would serve as a “home away from home” for travelers, where they could experience the beauty of Japan’s culture and everyday life in an authentic and comfortable setting.
Our first brand, MACHIYA RESIDENCE INN, began in Kyoto, offering entire machiya (traditional Japanese townhouses) as self-catering holiday rentals. As we grew, we brought these offerings together under MACHIYA INNS & HOTELS, which now includes a wide range of accommodations—from renovated machiya homes to boutique-style machiya hotels—along with curated cultural experiences, regional cuisine, and unique travel activities. We’ve also begun integrating AI and technology into our services to better meet the needs of today’s travelers, without losing sight of what makes each stay personal and meaningful.
Today, AJ INTERBRIDGE INC. has a strong presence in Kyoto, Kanazawa, and Takayama. We continue to focus on revitalizing regional destinations and creating deeper connections between guests and local communities. I believe that travel has the power to inspire lasting memories and genuine cultural exchange, and that’s what we strive to offer through every project we take on.
As we look ahead, AJ INTERBRIDGE INC. remains committed to preserving Japan’s traditions while embracing new ideas that move our industry forward. Through AJ INTERBRIDGE INC., I hope to share the charm of Japanese culture with people around the world, and to create experiences that guests want to return to, time and time again.
—Hiroaki Araki
Managing Director, AJ INTERBRIDGE INC.