Craig McLachlan

Craig McLachlan, of New Zealand, graduated from Auckland University with a degree in Management Studies and Japanese in 1985, then earned his MBA from the University of Hawaii. He’s the ultimate guide for the Japanese Alps, having climbed the 100 Famous Mountains, hiked the 88 Temples of Shikoku Pilgrimage, and hiked from the Sea of Japan to the Pacific, climbing all 21 of Japan’s 3,000-meter peaks along the way. In 1997, Craig approached Lonely Planet about writing a Hiking in Japan guidebook, and since that time he has authored 10 titles for Lonely Planet, covering everything from the Greek Islands to a South Pacific guide. During the winters, Craig leads hiking tours for Japanese hikers in New Zealand, and in summers, he brings hiking groups to Japan. Craig met and married his Japanese wife, Yuriko, in New Zealand in 1990, and they spend part of the year in Japan and part of the year in New Zealand with their two sons, Riki and Ben (both of whom are now attending the University of California at Berkeley on tennis scholarships). Craig holds a 4th Dan Black Belt in Okinawa Goju-ryu Karate. 

Upcoming Trips:

Hiker's Japan, September 29-October 11, 2013
Japan: Shikoku Island, October 20-November 1, 2013