Salamatsyzby! This is Sugi from ASHU TRAVEL, specialists in scenic horse riding tours across Central Asia.
At the age of 40, I left Japan, and these days I’m in Kyrgyzstan, wrestling with Russian and swaying on horseback.
Believe it or not, my chaotic daily life and the breathtaking scenery of Kyrgyzstan are going to be featured on TV!
In this post, along with announcing the TV appearance, I’d like to share why I got involved with Kyrgyzstan and the passion behind it.
Sharing Kyrgyzstan Today on “Gutto Chikyubin”
Program: Yomiuri TV “Gutto! Chikyubin”
Air date: Sunday, February 1, 2026, from 10:25
What Is “Gutto! Chikyubin”?
A Japanese documentary program that delivers gifts from families in Japan to family members working hard overseas. The “Chikyubin” (Earth Delivery) connects the feelings of families living far apart.
This episode followed my life in Kyrgyzstan, where I’m studying the language while sharing the country’s charms.
It shows my bond with my husband, who is waiting for me in Hyogo Prefecture, and my reckless (?) challenge of learning a new language from the age of 40. Please cheer me on as I struggle with unfamiliar Russian while riding all over Kyrgyzstan.
You Can Also Watch Online!
Can’t watch at that time? Don’t worry. After the broadcast, it will be available for catch-up streaming on TVer. You can watch it for free on your smartphone or computer from anywhere in Japan.
In Fact, ASHU TRAVEL Handled the Tour Coordination
For the production of this program, we at ASHU TRAVEL provided local tour coordination and filming support.
Our strength is the strong connections our local guide Nuriya has with the government and embassies. From applying for filming permits to arranging location scouting, everything proceeds smoothly at a fair price. If you work in media and want to capture the best footage in Kyrgyzstan, please talk to ASHU TRAVEL.
Why Is a 40-Year-Old Former English Teacher Riding Horses in Kyrgyzstan?
People often ask me, “Why Kyrgyzstan all of a sudden?”
To put it simply, it’s the result of my inner geek spirit going into overdrive. Let me tell you a little about myself.
A Past of Aiming for Perfection and Burning Out
I used to be a high school English teacher.
I was so absorbed in creating the ultimate lessons, wanting to “show the kids the wide world,” that I wore myself out physically and mentally and had to give up.
After that, I made a fresh start and switched to working at a furniture store, but this time I had to quit because of an injury.
What saved me when I was a walking catalog of setbacks was my hobby: chairs. I wrote endlessly about the appeal of chairs on my blog, and that led me to become a writer.
How a Chair Fanatic Found Her Lifework
While I was active as a chair fanatic, I met Takeshi, who promotes horse riding tours in Mongolia.
*He has the same name as my husband, but he’s a different “Takeshi.”
Tsokto Mongolia Horse Riding Tours website: https://mongol-jyouba-gakkou.com
At first I wrote articles as an outside writer, but I realized I couldn’t create the best website without actually going there, so I volunteered for an inspection trip to Mongolia.
That’s where I became captivated by nomadic culture and horses, and that’s how it all began.
From Sitting on “Chairs” to Sitting on “Horses”
Takeshi wants to energize his guests through horse riding and nomadic culture. When he invited me with “Next, let’s put Kyrgyzstan on the map,” I was somehow drawn to the idea and decided to give it a try.
That’s where I met our local guide, Nuriya. Touched by her warmth and by the pure “We love Japan!” feeling of the Kyrgyz people, I made up my mind.
“I want to make it my lifework to deliver experiences that go beyond sightseeing, directly, on horseback.”
And so the place I sit changed from classic Scandinavian chairs to the back of a Kyrgyz horse.
My Mission: Sharing the Kyrgyzstan That Japanese People Don’t Know
Through my work in Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia, what I want to do, and what I need to do, has become clear.
I Want to Connect Japan and Kyrgyzstan Through Tourism
When I introduce myself in Kyrgyzstan with “I’m Japanese,” everyone welcomes me with a smile. I hear everything from passionate words like “I love Japanese anime” to words of gratitude like “Japan helped us.”
But in Japan, when I say I work with Kyrgyzstan, the usual response is “Where’s Kyrgyzstan?” I felt it was a real shame that such a wonderful country is so little known.
So I came to strongly want to bring Kyrgyzstan to Japan through tourism, and to let people know that there are people here who love Japan.
A Message for Adults Who Find Life Hard
I especially want people worn out by the fast pace of city life to experience the fluid nomadic spirit of Kyrgyzstan.
Their way of life, moving with the seasons and living in harmony with nature, lightens a stiff and weary heart. Becoming one with a horse amid stunning scenery is the ultimate detox.
A Message for the Children Who Will Shape the Future
I decided to appear on this program not only to share the charms of Kyrgyzstan, but also because I wanted to speak to the children on the other side of the screen.
I hope that seeing me, at 40, moving forward while making mistakes will make them think, “Maybe I can do it too,” or “You can change the way you live even as an adult.” If you say out loud what you want to try and keep trying, the path will always connect somewhere.
Featured on the Show! A Tour Riding Through the Hidden Gem of Jeti-Oguz
The tour Nuriya was creating on the show is a tour of Jeti-Oguz, one of Kyrgyzstan’s hidden gems. In this vast wilderness, there are places you can only reach on horseback. You can enjoy proper riding where you feel the power of the horse directly, with climbs, descents and canters.
[Celebrating the TV Broadcast] Limited Time! $30 OFF Campaign Now On
For everyone who watched the program and thought, “I want to ride a horse in Kyrgyzstan!”, I’ve prepared a special gift as a token of my thanks.
- Offer: $30 off the tour price
- Eligible period: Bookings made by the end of March 2026 only
- Eligible tour: The “Jeti-Oguz” tour featured on the program
I’d be happy if this becomes the push for your “someday I’ll go.” Take this opportunity to come and feel the wind of Kyrgyzstan!
Redraw the Map of Your Life with an ASHU TRAVEL Tour
At ASHU TRAVEL, we offer moving, scenic horse riding tours that take you on horseback through the magnificent nature of Kyrgyzstan and the rest of Central Asia.
- A Japanese-speaking or English-speaking guide accompanies you, so there’s no need to worry about language
- Meals, accommodation and transfers are all included, so first-timers can relax
- Scenery you won’t find on a sightseeing trip, and rich experiences of nomadic culture
Why not come and travel through stunning landscapes on horseback?
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