Just Another Human

When I came to Melbourne, I didn’t just want to travel—I wanted to live like a local.

In this episode, I share my Workaway experience: how I exchanged my design and cooking skills for a place to stay, what it was like living in a beautiful Airbnb studio, and the lessons I learned from helping a real family in Melbourne.

From dumpling-making and video editing to wine tasting and rabbit poop (yes, really), it was a few weeks full of new challenges, warm connections, and unforgettable stories.

If you're curious about slow travel, Workaway, or what it's really like to live and work in Australia, this one’s for you.

What started as a failed interview turned into a spontaneous trip to the Southern Hemisphere—and somehow, a dream life in Melbourne.
In this episode, I share my first impressions of Australia, the travel mistakes I made (yes, even at the airport 😅), and how I unexpectedly found myself falling in love with this country… in just three days.

I had to take selfies in a Narita Airport toilet to verify my visa.

Spoiler: there are animals, braces, and $4 water involved.

🛫 Come along for the start of this new adventure!

IG: @just_another_human_jp

YouTube: @just_another_human_jp

I’ve been to Hiroshima more than 30 times, but this trip hit differently. From childhood memories of folding paper cranes and crying museum dolls… to adult reflections on war, shame, respect, and peace — this episode is a personal journey through one of Japan’s most important cities.

I also visited Kure and Ōkunoshima (aka Rabbit Island!), and realised just how much I still carry from that sixth-grade school trip.

Travel isn’t just about new places. Sometimes it’s about seeing old ones with new eyes.

🎙 Just Another Human | EP.16 “When a Mahjong Game Got Me a Design Job”

What do mahjong, a traditional Japanese house, and a hundred bucks of paint have in common?

In this episode, I share the story of how a casual game night turned into my very first interior design job. From childhood memories with my miya-daiku dad to turning old furniture into something beautiful, this project brought together everything I love — DIY, creativity, and making people feel at home.

I talk about the challenges, the funny surprises (like the client's dad slowly taking over the house), and how I transformed the space on a tight budget. Plus, the real lesson I learned: design isn’t just about making things look good — it’s about helping people feel confident in their own space.

🎙 Just Another Human

This week, I’m talking about my dream to live in a traditional Japanese countryside house—and why that might be harder than it sounds.

From Japan’s “Empty House Problem” to moldy clothes, freezing winters, and shoji magic, I share my experience living in a super old house in snowy Ishikawa and what I’ve learned about why Japanese homes were never really built for the cold. I also talk about what I’m looking for in my future home, and how DIY culture is giving these homes a second life.

If you’re into Japanese design, rural life, or just curious about how people actually live in Japan, this one’s for you!

You can find script for this episode from here.

If you realize some weird English and you are just a human, please let me know.

Sometimes, a cute little penguin on ice can reveal big cultural differences.

In this episode, I share a funny and surprising story from my trip to Latvia, where I ended up “hiring” a penguin to help me skate. 🐧✨

What started as a Google Translate fail turned into a discovery about how different countries approach design, childhood, and even cuteness. From penguins in Latvia to chairs in Germany, and… nothing in Japan?

Let’s slide into this cultural clash on ice ❄️

I used to think Shiga was just… a giant lake that gives Osaka drinking water. That’s it. Nothing more.

But this spring, I went back for the first time in years—with zero expectations—and it totally surprised me.

Trout fishing, castle towns, duck cafés, Shaun the Sheep (yes, really), even a fire festival. It was full of charm and calm—and way more fun than I ever expected.

In this episode, I’ll take you through our 2-day adventure around Lake Biwa, all planned with nicody, a travel app I’m actually designing.
If you're looking for local, underrated travel spots in Japan, or you just love a good story, this one’s for you.

You can check Our plans on nicody!

If you’re into anime, manga, or just curious about Japanese internet culture, this episode is for you! I’m breaking down popular otaku slang—especially the kind you’ll find on Twitter (X) and in fan art communities.

We’ll explore how anime titles get shortened (like “Kimetsu” and “Gokamu”), what “推し (oshi)” really means, and funny terms like “現パロ (modern-day parody)” and “生存if (what if they didn’t die?)”. I also touch on some gendered words like “腐女子” and “百合男子”—and why I think boys got the cuter nickname.

It’s a fun (and kinda nerdy) journey into the world of Japanese fandom lingo. You might even discover a new way to talk about your favorite character!

To be continued… maybe?

Kyoto is known for its beauty, tradition, and history—but do you ever feel like it’s just a bit too much? In this episode, I share my honest thoughts about Kyoto, the love-hate relationship I have with it, and why my family is still hooked on it. 🌸💔 From crowded streets to unexpected coffee culture, let’s dive into the contradictions of Japan’s iconic city!

At a recent party, I realized—everything I’ve done somehow connects to design. From teaching beginner designers to snowboarding, I’ve learned that teaching and design are all about understanding others’ unique ways of learning.

In this episode, I talk about my experience going from an intuitive designer to a teacher who explains design logic, and how I’ve applied those skills to teaching snowboarding. Plus, I’ve got a new goal: becoming a certified ski and snowboard instructor! ❄️

🎧 Listen now for some “aha” moments, teaching tips, and why everyone learns in their own way.

✍️ You can find the script for this episode from my bio.
If you're just another human, not AI, and you notice any unnatural phrases or pronunciations, please let me know!