Our Team

Anne Kyle

Anne is the CEO and Founder of Arigato Travel. She founded the company in 2016 with tours in Japan, realizing her calling to create amazing experiences for international visitors. She was a featured speaker at the New York Times Travel show and continues to share her love of tourism. Read more about Anne, her story, and her media appearances here: https://elizabethannekyle.com/

Matt Kyle

Matthew is the Co-Founder of Arigato Japan alongside his wife, Anne. He focuses on strategy and business development. In addition to his work at Arigato Japan, Matt is CCO at weConnect, helping global companies discover a better way to manage their finance and payroll functions.

Jessica

Born in Paris and now based in Tokyo for 8 years, Jessica is Arigato Travel’s Marketing, Sales & Business Development Director. After 6 years in the gaming industry, she took a leap to pursue her dream life in Japan. Passionate about Japanese culture, music, local food, and izakaya vibes, she loves connecting with locals. She is also a huge Aimyon fan and travels around the country to attend as many concerts as possible!

Jenkie

Jenkie was born and raised in the Philippines. She is a marketing graduate and former manager of Kirelis International for 10 years. She joined Arigato Japan in 2017. Jenkie is our Head of Finance and is working hard to manage our financial and budgeting operations.

Kristine

Kristine is our Admin Manager. She is dedicated and committed to providing excellent service to clients and continues to be responsible for our goal in offering the best food and travel experience to visitors from around the world, by showing Japan’s unique culture.

Sae

Sae was born in Japan and has studied in New Zealand and Canada, working as a makeup artist, beauty advisor and English tutor. She is genuinely passionate about sharing her love for Japanese culture, beauty and ultimately, unforgettable fun memories with her guests. Read more about Sae!

DeeJay

DeeJay is from the Philippines with a Master's in Business Administration and a degree in Financial Management. He may be a Filipino, but he has a heart for Japan. He believes that his leadership skills were honed by the anime he watched growing up. He is a proud fur-dad of 3 dogs and enjoys spending quality time with them. In his free time, he volunteers at local community church groups as one of their leaders. With a passion for continuous learning, DeeJay is always looking for new opportunities to grow both personally and professionally.

Ramona

Ramona is Italian and LOVES food. She ran restaurants in Italy before moving to Japan where she now lives with her husband and kids. She aims to instill a passion for Japanese cuisine in our guests, is a part of the Ops Team, and is in charge of the Travel consulting service.

Josh

Josh came to Japan in 1983, living in Sapporo for a short time. He then moved here and lived and traveled extensively around Japan. He's an expert on many parts of Japanese food culture and loves answering questions. His favorite food in Japan is the Hokkaido specialty jingiskan.

Kate

Kate has a great love for Japan and its food. She strives to provide great customer service and makes sure everything is arranged accordingly. She’s also a traveler and plans to travel to Japan someday, since she's been a fan of anime since childhood.

Annalyn

Annalyn is from the Philippines and aims to give our guests a smooth, amazing and memorable travel and food experience throughout their stay in Japan. Her love for food and interest in Japanese culture makes her want to travel to Japan someday.

Karina

Karina graduated from Sophia University in Tokyo. Originally from Kazakhstan, she has lived in Japan since 2016 and has developed a deep passion for Japanese history and culture. In her free time, she maintains a blog sharing insights on education and Japanese history. Read more about Karina here!

Diane

Diane is passionate about art, food, travel blogs, and lifestyle vlogs. She has been working in the customer service industry for almost 5 years. Her main goal is to provide an excellent travel experience and good memories to as many guests as possible.

Heder

Heder lives in the Philippines. She loves to travel and explore the unique qualities of every country. Among all the places she has visited, Japan holds a very special place in her heart. Bringing joy to others has always been her passion.

Maylene

Maylene was born in California and raised in Arizona, USA. She first came to Japan as a study abroad student at Kyushu University in Fukuoka and returned in 2017, living in several regions of the countryside. Maylene loves Japan's nature, onsens, and traditional crafts with her favorite foods being sukiyaki and Japan’s seasonal fruits.

Tammy

Tammy is from Hawaii, USA, and has a Master’s degree. She’s been living in Japan for 9 years and now calls Osaka home, drawn by its warm people and nearby nature. On her free time, she jumps between hiking, illustration, ceramics, dance, and book club. Tammy loves uncovering Japan’s quieter side, hoping to share hidden countryside gems and spots for self-reflection.

Michael

Michael is a huge fan of Tonkotsu ramen and fell in love with Japanese food at a very young age. He is also a fan of Manga, Kobe Bryant, and riding the Bullet Train. He supports our teams in both Kansai and Kanto.

Bertely

Bertely is a passionate adventurer from the Philippines, with a heart for discovery and the open road. When she’s not planning her next getaway, you’ll likely find her cruising scenic routes on her big bike, chasing sunsets and new experiences. With her vibrant spirit and deep love for exploration, Bertely is excited to help others plan their most unforgettable travel experience in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Aira

Aira hails from the Philippines. With a strong background in customer service, she helps our guests have an exceptional time in Japan. Her fascination with Japanese culture and its traditions, particularly Japanese street cars, fuels her desire to come see them in person.

Nikka

Charina

Charina loves Japanese food and culture and has been part of our Admin team helping mostly with customer service, back office support, and assisting our Kansai team members. She loves anime, udon, and cooking Japanese food.

Kathleen

Kathleen is from the Philippines and has worked as an Executive Assistant, bringing over 4 years of dedicated experience in coordinating projects and ensuring seamless operations. She's passionate about music, arts, and crafts. A food lover and travel enthusiast, she looks forward to exploring Japan’s rich culture and cuisine.

Jamaica

Jamaica is from the Philippines and has extensive experience in executive support and customer service leadership. Outside work, she enjoys exploring new cafés, restaurants, and finding hidden gems around the city. She’s excited to bring her love for culture and to experience more of Japan’s rich traditions.

Sandra

Sandra is a passionate food enthusiast from Barcelona who found her heart captivated by Japan a decade ago. Now deeply rooted in the country, she embraces Japan as her second home, savoring its diverse culinary wonders and joyfully sharing her love for Japanese cuisine with others.

Wesley

Wesley is an adventurer who swapped LA for Tokyo two years ago and never looked back! His passion for food and exploration has taken him from the snowy landscapes of Tohoku and Hokkaido to the cultural gems of Kyoto and Osaka and given him many unforgettable experiences.

Sebastian

Sebastian is a nomad passionate about exploring new locations and cultures. He finds peace in nature and outdoor activities. He also practices the martial art Jiu Jitsu. He now looks to share all these experiences as a guide and to express his love for Japan to you!

Ryan

Ryan originally came to Japan from the U.S. on a bit of a whim, yet ended up falling in love with it and has been living here ever since. When people ask why he enjoys living in Japan, his answer comes down to three things: the scenery, the people, and of course, the food.

Michael

Michael is a huge fan of Tonkotsu ramen and fell in love with Japanese food at a very young age. He is also a fan of Manga, Kobe Bryant, and riding the Bullet Train. He supports our teams in both Kansai and Kanto.

Erika

Erika is from Manila, Philippines, and graduated with a Business Economics degree. She loves to cook and travel, and her visit to Japan in 2017 made her appreciate and love Japan and its culture, food, and scenery, as well as Arigato Travel even more.

Joi

Joi is from the Philippines, and is an Accountancy graduate who dreams of becoming a CPA. Though Filipino by birth, her heart beats for Japanese culture because of its beautiful traditions, breathtaking places, and inspiring anime. One of her favorites, Slam Dunk, taught her the importance of teamwork and perseverance. She also enjoys exploring creative and meaningful experiences that inspire her to keep learning and improving.

Jason

Jason was born in the US, but grew to love everything about Japan. He wants to share his passion for Japanese culture, food, music, and more with people all over the world. Jason loves playing video games and cooking in his free time.

Sarah

Sarah has been passionate about anime since childhood, which sparked her deep love and interest in Japan. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and creating content for Instagram. One of her biggest goals is to become fluent in Japanese, with hopes of traveling to Japan in the future.

George

George is from the UK, where he graduated with a degree in Film & American Studies, and designs strategy board games in his spare time. His real passions are film and Japanese culture–two obsessions he is thrilled to be able to indulge in and share with others at Arigato Travel.

Maria

Maria is from Spain and moved to Japan in 2020 to experience a new culture for herself, falling in love with the country in the process. She cannot live without drinking Matcha every day and loves picnics in places where she can enjoy the beautiful sights of Japanese nature.

Catherine

Born in Hong Kong, Catherine pursued human resources and corporate branding in Toronto. Fascinated by Japanese culture, she now studies Japanese in Kyoto. Combining her passion for branding, travel, and storytelling, Catherine aims to share Japan's incredible sights worldwide.

Ramona

Ramona is Italian and LOVES food. She ran restaurants in Italy before moving to Japan where she now lives with her husband and kids. She aims to instill a passion for Japanese cuisine in our guests, is a part of the Ops Team, and is in charge of the Travel consulting service.

Josh

Josh came to Japan in 1983, living in Sapporo for a short time. He then moved here and lived and traveled extensively around Japan. He's an expert on many parts of Japanese food culture and loves answering questions. His favorite food in Japan is the Hokkaido specialty jingiskan.

Yappy

Yappy moved to Tokyo from Osaka and has worked in the entertainment industry ever since. As a bartender and DJ, he has the chance to use both his Osaka dialect and his English. An unforgettable experience hosting guests in an Airbnb made him want to share his love for Japan. Read more about Yappy!

Ike

Ike was born in Japan and moved to Boston in 1983 to go to music school. During his 35 years in Boston, Ike was a sushi chef, a manager at a Japanese market, and owned a restaurant. He is excited to share his knowledge about Japanese food with you. Read more about Ike!

Alexandro Renee

Alex is originally from Mexico and has had a deep love for Japanese culture since childhood. He also runs Spanish tours, has many stories about this amazing country, and is always happy to meet new friends from around the world! He is an artist and an anime and manga fan. Read more about Alex!

Norma

Norma is our Training and HR coordinator. She shares her knowledge with our guides and also runs Spanish-language tours. Norma is a passionate etching and woodblock artist who came from Mexico to learn Ukiyo-e. As a foodie, Japan was the perfect place to explore and share! Read more about Norma!

Michie

Michie was born and raised in Tokyo, attended college in Iowa, and also lived in Hong Kong while working as a flight attendant. Michie believes enjoying food is the best way to relax, and that sharing good food helps people build relationships and understand other cultures. Read more about Michie HERE!

Yuko

Yuko was born in Yokohama and raised in Tokyo. Until recently, she lived in Hawaii with her two children for 7 years. She brought the Aloha spirit back to Japan with her. Yuko is happy to share Japanese food and cultural facts so guests can bring wonderful memories back home.

Hannah

Hannah is a Canadian with a background in Graphic Design and Pastry Arts and is the head Baker of an up-and-coming cafe in Tokyo. She has an admiration for the bold Tokyo subcultures and now seeks out more unique cafes, bathhouses, and seasonal festivals in her free time.

Sae

Sae was born in Japan and has studied in New Zealand and Canada, working as a makeup artist, beauty advisor and English tutor. She is genuinely passionate about sharing her love for Japanese culture, beauty and ultimately, unforgettable fun memories with her guests. Read more about Sae!

Noboru

Noboru was born in Kyoto and has been there for decades and decades. He would love to help you discover the city he loves so much and make your day memorable. He hopes to introduce you to the Japanese concept of Ichigo Ichie; one lifetime, one encounter.

Shigeki

Shigeki is originally from Kagoshima but has lived in Tokyo for decades. He loves to travel and has visited many foreign countries and prefectures in Japan. He always makes sure to check out regional specialties and can give you the best sake and food pairing recommendations.

Miyuki

Miyuki was born and raised in the city of Hiroshima. She likes eating and especially loves Okonomiyaki, Hiroshima’s soul food, and hopes that everyone can enjoy it. She also likes visiting shrines and enjoying Kagura performances and want to share her passion for Hiroshima. Read more about Miyuki!

Makki

Makki was born and raised in Kawasaki and lived in New York for dancing. After that, she worked as a guide throughout Japan and in the US for Warner Brothers. After early retirement, she wants to help guests from all over the world fall in love with a second culture as she did.

Wesley

Wesley is an adventurer who swapped LA for Tokyo two years ago and never looked back! His passion for food and exploration has taken him from the snowy landscapes of Tohoku and Hokkaido to the cultural gems of Kyoto and Osaka and given him many unforgettable experiences.

Satoko

Satoko was born in New York and raised in the States, Japan and Switzerland. She is a foodie who loves meeting new people and sharing experiences. She received her governmental tour guide license and wants to welcome each guest like they are one of her friends visiting Tokyo.

Trevor

Trevor is an American who has been residing in Japan since he came in 2017 to spend a year working overseas. He liked it so much that he decided to stay. His favorite Japanese food is Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki, and he’s looking forward to sharing Tokyo tips and tales with you.

François

François is from France, but came to Japan after transferring within his company 15 years ago. When he is not at the office or on a food tour guiding guests, he enjoys outdoor activities like snowboarding, cycling, trail running and also experiments with Japanese home cooking.

Glenda

Glenda is an outgoing Singaporean who loves food and exploring nature and can speak English, Japanese, and Mandarin. Having gotten a taste of life in Japan during university, she moved to Tokyo to satiate her love and immense passion for its food, language, and culture.

Melissa

Melissa is American and has lived in Osaka for over 20 years with her Australian husband and children. In the daytime, she works as an English narrator, but now that her children are a bit older she has decided to share her love of Osaka and Japanese food with visiting guests.

Ray

Ray first came to Japan in 2015 and immediately fell in love with the culture, people, and food! Ray is a former traveler, having visited more than twenty countries and ended up living here in Japan. His wife is Japanese so he has deep knowledge of the country's culture.

Akiko

Akiko was born and raised in Osaka. She is friendly and talkative and is pleased to share her passion and love for Osaka and its food with guests. Inspired by her time abroad, meeting kind people everywhere, she would now like to return that kindness to international visitors.

Melissa T

Originally from Guatemala, Melissa came to Japan in 2018 to study the history of architecture. She was able to extend her stay from 2 to 6 years and counting. A foodie, anime, art and cooking lover, she'll be happy to guide you through the fun and interesting parts of Tokyo!

Saika

Saika is a foodie from Taiwan who loves traveling. She first came to Kyoto as a backpacker for 3 months and instantly fell in love with the food and traditions. Saika believes the key to understanding the customs and history of a country is through its culinary background.

Masaki

Masaki is a friendly local host born and raised in Hiroshima. He says the area's landscapes are a sight to behold and wants to tell you all about its wonders. He knows the ins and outs of the city and can't wait to share the warmth and wonders of his beloved hometown with you!

Olivia

Originally from Indonesia, Olivia has been living in other countries for quite a while and moved to Hiroshima in 2022. She loves venturing out to interesting new places that people hardly know. She loves Japanese food and loves sharing new places and experiences with her guests.

Hiro

Hiro is an engineer who grew up in the auto industry and is native to Kyoto. He loves his home town which is historical and beautiful. Spending some time abroad helped him appreciate the beauty of Kyoto. He loves nature, playing with children, singing and meeting new people!

Ami

Originally from Shimane, Ami studied travel and tourism in the US. After working various jobs, she returned to Japan to work for an oyster company in Hiroshima. Ami enjoys traveling and local foods and drinks. She's excited to share Japanese & Hiroshima culture with her guests!

Giulia

Giulia is a cheerful and outgoing person from Italy. Her passion for Japan led her to move to Tokyo in 2022, and she now wants to share that love with others. She's looking forward to exchanging experiences and learning about your cultures while enjoying Tokyo together.

Cindy

Cindy is a seasoned sake professional, writer, and photographer. Having lived in various regions across Japan, she currently calls Kyoto home and is passionate about Japanese culture. She loves sharing her experiences of Japan’s captivating sights and flavors with visitors.

Ryan

Ryan originally came to Japan from the U.S. on a bit of a whim, yet ended up falling in love with it and has been living here ever since. When people ask why he enjoys living in Japan, his answer comes down to three things: the scenery, the people, and of course, the food.

Serena

An American whose lifelong love of anime and all things kawaii brought her to Japan in 2017, Serena has taught English in Saitama Prefecture and Tokyo throughout the years. But now she is excited to share her first-hand knowledge of her favorite city and foods with everyone!

Atsuko

Currently residing in Kyoto, Atsuko has a passion for learning languages and loves talking to people. Additionally, she loves Japanese cuisine and hopes her guests will have a delightful experience savoring delicious food in Japan, as well as discovering the hidden gems of Kyoto.

Shasta

Shasta grew up in Australia, studied Japanese in university, and has lived in Japan for nearly eight years. Her hobbies are reading, playing too many video games, and finding interesting new spots! She loves Japan and is excited to share that enthusiasm with others.

Lucas

Lucas was born in Hong Kong and came to Japan for love in 2020. He formerly lived in Australia where he studied and worked in hospitality. He enjoys the cultural differences between China, Japan and the West. A lover of snow & Japanese food, he is also a snowboarding instructor.

Kazuno

Kaz is from the UK and has a British/Japanese background. A natural Japanese foodie, having grown up with the culture in the UK, he returned to Japan in 2006 to reconnect with the country. He loves discovering places with a camera in hand looking for moments that express Japan.

Kevin

Kevin is from the UK and has lived in Japan for 23 years. He has a deep passion for fostering cultural understanding through his music and love for Japanese culture. He regularly performs live in Osaka, enjoying the opportunity to share his music with locals and visitors alike.

Ana

Ana came from Portugal to Japan for her studies after fostering a life-long love of the language and culture, mostly through anime and manga. She's lived in Kyoto since 2020 and completely fell in love with the city, its traditional culture, and, of course, the delicious food.

Masayuki

Masa, a certified sake sommelier, is recognized as an International Kikizake-shi. He is also a data analyst specializing in tourism. He was born and raised in Hiroshima but has also lived in Singapore, Texas, and Tokyo. Masa is passionate about promoting Hiroshima's sake.

Ully

Ully is Brazilian-Japanese and has spent 12 years in Japan with many back-and-forth trips between the two countries. Her passion for Japanese cuisine led her to create her food blog that has amassed 14K+ followers on IG. She hopes to provide a fun and informative tour with you!

Nanako

Nanako, who also goes by the nickname ”d,” is very optimistic and positive about life. After working for 22 years as an art dealer, she has become what she calls a food experimentalist. Her dream is to become a food artist to express her “omotenashi” (hospitality).

Maru

Maru is from San Diego and has been in Japan for a little over a decade. He was brought here by his love of video games and anime. Enticed by the beauty of Japanese art, Maru is happy to share food and quirky cultural differences so you can take unique memories back home.

Matt

Matt is originally from the United States and has been living in Japan since 2012. He is an avid gamer and a passionate fan of Japanese pop music, especially the Osaka-based girls group NMB48. Matt is excited to share his enthusiasm for Japanese food and culture with his guests.

Karim

Karim, originally from England, has lived in Japan for several years and has come to cherish the country’s culinary delights. One of his favorite dishes is Miso-nikomi-Udon, a rich and fruity clay pot dish. In his free time, Karim loves reading books and playing the guitar.

Ema

Originally from Chile and now living in Tokyo, Ema is a musician, performer, and DJ deeply involved in Tokyo’s underground scene, producing original tracks and performing across the city. Ema thrives on sharing Japan's unique energy with visitors from around the world.

Daniela

Daniela is a Colombian-born creative whose passion for knowledge has led her to live in Oxford, Barcelona, and now Kyoto. Since her first visit to Japan in 2018, she’s been captivated by its culture and flavors. Blending her love for storytelling, culture, and cuisine, she seeks to ignite that same spark of curiosity in every guest, crafting unforgettable experiences through meals that can melt anyone’s heart.

Kenley

Kenley is an American who came to Japan as an English teacher. He is now finishing his master’s degree in Kyoto. He has several hobbies, including Japanese archery, martial arts, and a love for all things anime and video games. He loves trying regional delicacies all over Japan and is passionate about hidden gems in the countryside.

Ronan

Ron was born and raised in the countryside of the Philippines surrounded with rice fields. His love for anime, manga, and Japanese culture (and rice!) brought him to Japan. He is a self-proclaimed outdoorsy hikikomori because you can either find him binge-watching shows in a dimlit room, or feeling his oats in a sunlit grove of trees.

Morten

Born in Denmark, Morten first became interested in Japanese culture and history in his childhood. After studying in Spain and France, he settled in Kyoto to pursue his PhD in philosophy. Living in Japan and discovering its exquisite and richly varied cuisine has only deepened his admiration for this country – a passion he loves sharing with his guests.

Livia

Livia is a passionate teacher, language enthusiast, and dedicated tour guide with a deep appreciation for cultural exchange. Having lived in seven different countries, she has developed a broad international mindset and a genuine love for exploring new cultures. With a strong interest in gastronomy, local history, arts and crafts, and nature-based tours, Livia excels at engaging with diverse audiences, creating memorable experiences, and building meaningful relationships with local communities. She is always eager to share her passion for food, culture, and Japanese hospitality (Omotenashi) with her guests!

Yuki

Yuki is a second generation Japanese-American from Southern California, and moved to Japan to get in touch with his heritage. He loves sharing his perspectives and insights into both countries being a third culture kid.

Natsumi

Natsumi was born and raised in Kobe, a beautiful port city located near Osaka. She studied abroad in Australia for a year, where she had many opportunities to interact with people and introduce Japanese culture. During her travels in Australia, she joined a local tour and was inspired to become a guide herself, this time, as a local Japanese sharing her own culture. That experience sparked her passion for guiding and connecting with people from around the world.

Kurtis

Originally from San Diego, California, Kurtis first came to Japan during a study abroad in his Junior year of the University of California Santa Cruz, in 2008. Now a long-term resident (migrated in 2010), Kurtis leans toward outdoorsy, unconventional trips through Japan, but is also very in-tune with the most popular foods, locations, and attractions; not to mention is full of cultural, historical, and linguistic insight to make any trip more intriguing. A quick thinker, he never fears impromptu adjustments during travel, and is more than willing to take some physical exertion for the sake of the group's enjoyment. In his free time, he does a range of board sports from surfing to skateboarding, and even kitesurfing, but will also take the occasional weekend day to read or play video games. Oh, and while he misses the Mexican food of California, he doesn't think he'll ever get enough ramen here in Japan!

Joshua

Joshua moved from Canada to Japan in 2015. One of his goals is to be a professional interpreter. He enjoys traveling around the country, and dreams of cycling in every prefecture.

Tak

Tak was born and raised in Kyoto, but he started a company that was an agency for American department stores and an agency for Italian tableware, and lived in Nagoya for 35 years. He closed his company in 2017 and returned to Kyoto to care for his elderly parents. Now he is involved in the tourism industry, which he had wanted to pursue when he was a student, and an NPO that supports children with developmental disabilities, hoping to contribute to society as he grows older. He also lived in Tokyo when he was a student. Still, after leaving Kyoto and living there, he was able to appreciate once again the beauty of the historic ancient city, surrounded by mountains on three sides. He has many hobbies, but currently, he especially enjoys traveling and road biking, as well as dining out to eat his favorite foods and singing Western music once a week in the Gion area. He likes many kinds of food, including Mexican, Italian, Korean, Spanish, and Japanese cuisine, and he particularly loves sushi. He also enjoys fishing with his colleagues and sometimes catches sea bream, yellowtail, and other fish to eat. Of course, he also loves hamburgers! He enjoys taking care of people and remains a boy at heart.

Lia

Lia is a British Creative Director for global brands. Off the clock, she’s equally at home at music festivals in the middle of nature, sketching in galleries, or chasing her next adventure in the outdoors.

Nagi

Nagi was born and raised in Hiroshima. She studied arts management and graduated from university in the US. The world heritage site, Itsukushima Shrine, is located in her hometown. She’s visited there every year since she was born. Currently, she lives on a remote island in the Seto Inland Sea.

Vasilii

Vasilii moved to Tokyo three years ago after exploring 45 countries and has since fallen deeply in love with Japan’s rich culture. A professional filmmaker specializing in short videos, he’s captured the essence of Tokyo’s urban areas, vintage and food scenes. With extensive experience in the fashion industry, Vasilii crafts tours that highlight these passions. He's eager to share his enthusiasm for Japanese culture with his guests.

Lin

Lin was born and raised in Taiwan and is now living in Kyoto. A karate practitioner, a student of Japanese tea ceremony, and a history enthusiast, she is constantly learning about Japanese culture in different fields. She believes that good guides can make travel experiences more meaningful and cultivate better cultural understanding. She is looking forward to sharing her passion for the city with you!

Ethan

Ethan is an American living in Tokyo. As he avoids starvation, he vows only to eat the most worthy and delicious of foods. Luckily, in Japan, such places are abundant. He loves learning new things (especially useless facts) and will be delighted to talk way too much about them. When he gets a moment between meals, he enjoys scuba diving, playing the piano, drawing portraits, board games, and basketball.

Astrid

Astrid is originally from Baja California and has also lived in the United States. She has called Japan home for over 12 years. Passionate about travel and languages, Astrid enjoys exploring new cafes and trying local cuisines wherever she goes.

Asli

Asli is a true foodie at heart. She loves exploring new restaurants and trying dishes she’s never had before. Every outing with friends turns into a new culinary adventure for her. She’s passionate about discovering hidden gems, from cozy local eateries to trendy spots, and often plans her travels around food experiences.

Sorayda

Sorayda came to Japan to study graphic design. Originally from Honduras, she’s passionate about storytelling and culture, and is currently exploring how Japanese and Honduran children learn through art and picture books. She loves Ghibli films, traditional crafts, and eating local food from Kyoto.

Amna

Amna is from Pakistan and has been interested in content writing for a long time. Japanese culture has inspired her a lot, including the beautiful scenery and the captivating cuisine that compelled her to write about this attractive and delightful country.

Natalie H

Born in Taiwan, Natalie is a third-year student studying Film and Television. Her appreciation for Japanese culture inspires her to create content that celebrates Japan’s vibrant culture and culinary heritage. Her interests and passions include art, music, food, and cooking.

Emma

Emma has been obsessed with Japan since she was thirteen. After studying abroad in Sendai as a teenager, she returned to Japan and graduated from university in Tokyo. She loves anything beautiful, unique, or cute. She spends her free time snacking, collecting trinkets, and making art.

Sarah U

Sarah is a Senior at Temple University, majoring in Communications. Driven by a passion to connect with her Japanese heritage, she explores various regions of Japan. In her free time, she documents her journey through photos and videos, capturing Japan’s unique beauty.

Brad

Brad, half-Japanese and half-American, was born and raised in Japan and now lives in the U.S. A devoted foodie with a soft spot for tonkatsu, he brings Japanese culture, flavors, and traditions to life through Arigato Travel, hoping to inspire wanderlust in as many people as possible.

Kainu’u

Kainu’u, a recent Temple University Japan Graduate from Watsonville, California. With a background in Sport Management and a passion for Japanese sports, he aims to expand Arigato Travel’s marketing and content. He enjoys movies, museums, exercising, and meeting friends. 

Dahlia

Dahlia was born and raised in Thailand and has always been curious about stories that connect people. She is now living in Japan and studying Communication Studies while also experimenting with writing, photography, and digital media to share her perspective on everyday life.

Lulu

Lulu is a design freelancer fascinated by Japan’s art, graphic design, and food. Growing up mixed-race and surrounded by rich traditions in Indonesia, her love to explore our world’s diverse cultures has been strongly increasing. In her free time, if not snacking, she enjoys crocheting and playing Pikmin 4 or Minecraft.

Melinda

Melinda doesn't remember a time when she wasn't fascinated by Japan's culture. So when she got a chance for an in-person internship there, she didn't hesitate to take it. If she isn't working on her ceramics or studying for exams, she can be found rewatching Howl's Moving Castle.

Aminah

Aminah was born and raised in Washington, D.C., and has always had an interest in different cultures and traveling. She is currently studying abroad in Japan and is a Communications Studies student with a high interest in international communications. She has been learning Mandarin for six years and has a variety of interests, including anime, shopping, reading, and trying new foods.  

Jarl

Growing up in Vancouver’s diverse landscape and having the opportunities to travel to many countries, Jarl has found a passion to inspire those around him to experience cultural exchanges by sharing his own history of travel. In his free time, he loves to stay active by playing basketball, pickleball, or going on hikes!