I LIVE IN JAPAN / Matt Okuhara / Interpreter for the Matsumoto Castle Gun Corps

I saw it as a good opportunity to start a new chapter in my life. I knew that it would be challenging at times and that a lot of the activities that I took part in, in the UK would come to an end. But I also knew that I would be able to develop new interests and pursuits – which in and of itself is an exciting prospect.

View More I LIVE IN JAPAN / Matt Okuhara / Interpreter for the Matsumoto Castle Gun Corps

I LIVE IN JAPAN / Sophia Appelbaum / Writer

Which places in Japan do you recommend that foreigners see?

Maybe Nagano! I know it’s a popular prefecture among Japanese vacationers, but it tends to be an afterthought for anyone coming from overseas, and I think it deserves to be better appreciated. Matsumoto Castle has one of the oldest original castle keeps in Japan, and it even has the cool nickname “Crow Castle”! Nagano’s onsen-loving snow monkeys are also adorable, and the wasabi farms in Azumino are fun to visit. Plus, basically everywhere you look is green and gorgeous.

View More I LIVE IN JAPAN / Sophia Appelbaum / Writer

I LIVE IN JAPAN / Nicholas Gardiner / Senior Wine Ambassador

What do you do in Japan? Can you talk about your job in Japan?

I first came to Japan to do Karate! I was lucky to have a Japanese instructor at my university and he recommended that I train in Japan. I trained with 2 of the most famous masters and have a 3rd-degree black belt. I studied Japanese very hard and got a very good job working for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry promoting Japanese crafts and culture overseas as well as helping with press releases and media communications. I studied wine with the Japan Sommelier Association and the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) and changed my career to working with wine. I now teach WSET courses at a famous wine school in Tokyo and am a Senior Wine Ambassador for Pernod-Ricard. I do training for staff, educate consumers and sommeliers, do wine-tasting events, and promote wine in general. My dream is to become a Master of Wine (Japan only has 1 MW at the moment).

View More I LIVE IN JAPAN / Nicholas Gardiner / Senior Wine Ambassador

I LIVE IN JAPAN / Lisowska Magdalena / English Teacher

October 2023 (VOL.192) Lisowska Magdalena Were you hesitant to relocate to Japan? No, I dreamed of coming to Japan since I was a teenager. After moving to Japan did you have any funny or interesting experiences? When I moved to Japan, I got lost so many times.  I didn’t have a map either or a sim card.  I just asked for directions at convenience stores. Can you talk about your activities in Japan? I enjoy teaching children as well as traveling around and discovering delicious foods with my family and friends.  Japanese kids are so cute, and it is wonderful…

View More I LIVE IN JAPAN / Lisowska Magdalena / English Teacher

I LIVE IN JAPAN / Betti FULAN / Singer, Songwriter, Pianist, Model

September 2023 (VOL.191) Betti FULANbut everyone calls me Fulan in Japan What is your occupation in Japan? Right now, I work in the entertainment business in Japan as a freelancer model and singer.  I also compose music and do shows where I perform as a Singer and Pianist.  In the future, I plan to work full-time as a musician, and I really would love to become a singer for anime and video games. What is the distinctive difference between the lifestyle in Italy and Japan? There are many differences, but the first thing which comes to my mind is the…

View More I LIVE IN JAPAN / Betti FULAN / Singer, Songwriter, Pianist, Model

After 10 Chaotic Years, YOSHIKI’s Music and His Way of Life Became a Ray of Light for the World

YOSHIKI is a composer, pianist, rock drummer, and the leader of Japanese rock bands X JAPAN and THE LAST ROCKSTARS. Consequence calls YOSHIKI “one of the most influential musicians and composers in Japanese history,” and Billboard says he is “a musical innovator.”

In this interview, we asked him how he continues to take on challenges at a time when hope is hard to see.

View More After 10 Chaotic Years, YOSHIKI’s Music and His Way of Life Became a Ray of Light for the World