“Watashi ga Nihon ni sumu riyu” shares the unique personal stories and careers of internationals living in Japan, as well as the reasons why they chose to make Japan their permanent home. 

Swastika was invited to appear on the program due to her work with Futaba Area Tourism Research Association (F-ATRAs), which organizes study tours, events, and other information-sharing activities to help revitalize the Fukushima coastal area devastated by the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster. As a manager at F-ATRAs, Swastika helps curate custom-made tours for clients, often with a focus on education, as well as handles communication including translation and interpretation. She is also a poet and is pursuing a PhD in Linguistics at Tohoku University, with research focused on how people talk about furusato (home).

Across a multi-day shoot, the BS TV Tokyo crew filmed Swastika both at work and amid her daily life in the Fukushima towns of Namie and Futaba, as well as in Sendai, where she previously lived and still maintains close friendships. As Swastika recounted to the crew, she knew little about Japan when she first arrived in 2017, but found in the Tohoku region a new home, new perspectives, and treasured communities. 

“Having a crew follow my ordinary days, my run, my onigiri order, made me see how much of a life accumulates in small places,” she reflects on the shoot. “I spend my days telling Fukushima’s stories as a guide and researching how people talk about furusato (home). Being filmed turned all of that around: Someone was asking for my story, in the places where it quietly happens. It helped me look at my life more objectively.”

“I hope people come away feeling that home is not only the place you were born. Sometimes it is a riverside you run along, a park where a stranger waves you over, an onigiri that tastes like your mother’s cooking. I found mine in Tohoku, and I’d love for viewers to look at their own hometowns a little differently afterwards,” she adds.

Through the lens of Swastika’s story, the program portrays coastal Fukushima as a place where people go about their daily lives, rather than simply as a disaster site. JI — which helped put the TV crew in touch with Swastika — is proud of her and her colleagues’ contribution to the area’s revitalization, and we look forward to seeing how the warm community there continues to grow going forward.

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The proceeds from the tournament go to charity. JI sponsored one of the prizes: a golf package that we have recently developed with ryokan Kakujoro. One lucky participant won the all-expenses-paid two-night/three-day “Historic Ryokan, Artisanal Dining, and Coastline Golf” package, which combines a relaxing stay at the traditional inn with a day spent golfing in the beautiful Tahara area of southern Aichi Prefecture. JI also sponsored Kakujoro-branded gift bags and hand towels for tournament participants. 

Golf lovers will be pleased to know that Kakujoro is located just 10 minutes by car from the windy links of Irago Seaside Golf Club. The ryokan welcomes international guests and flexibly accommodates those with dietary restrictions. Even those not golf-inclined can enjoy a ferry trip across the bay to Ise Grand Shrine as well as sample local seafood, with torafugu (wild tiger pufferfish) a particular regional delicacy.

The golf package is one of several tours JI is developing with Kakujoro, whose building is registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan, to help visitors discover this historic ryokan and the amazing Tahara area. Anyone interested in purchasing a two-night/three-day package — not limited to golf tournament winners — can get in touch with Project Manager Lila Klopfenstein (lila@jarman-international.com) about reservations.

In other golf news, the Jarman International Charity Cup was also held on October 17 at Eastwood Country Club in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture. The total charity raised was 74,000 yen, which will be donated to Second Harvest Japan.

Thank you to the participants of both tournaments, and we look forward to seeing you again next year (or at Kakujoro!).

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JAL is supported by an increasingly international workforce and operates in environments where Japanese and local business cultures need to work together effectively. The London programs — consisting of Global Leader Basic Plus, Global Leader Advanced Plus, and Cross Culture Difference — were designed specifically to support JAL employees working in the European environment through further developing their ability to communicate, collaborate, lead, and solve problems across cultures.

Topics covered included cross-cultural communication, self-awareness, leadership, teamwork, listening and feedback, discussion and presentation skills, problem identification and problem solving, logical and critical thinking, and practical workplace situations involving Japanese and European expectations.

A major emphasis throughout the programs was practical applications and group discussions. Participants were encouraged to discuss real workplace experiences, exchange perspectives, participate in role plays, and consider how they could apply what they learned immediately in their own working environment.

The team — led by Jarman International Partner and Head of Train to Globalize Austin Auger with support from JI Core 50 members Kjell Yadon and  Paul Walsh — designed, customized, and delivered the programs in close cooperation with JAL.

“After working with JAL in Japan for many years, it was especially rewarding to bring our training to Europe and work directly with the JAL European region team. What impressed me most was the participants’ openness to sharing their experiences and challenging themselves to think about how Japanese and European approaches can work complement each other,” Austin reflected on the London training.

He added that one key message he hopes participants take from the training is that success in a global organization is not about abandoning one culture in favor of another, it is about developing the ability to understand different perspectives, adapt when necessary, and bring out the best in people regardless of their cultural background.

It is with this mindset that JI will continue developing programs that support Japanese organizations and their employees as they operate in increasingly global environments, and we are honored to have had this opportunity in London to further evolve our training content together with JAL.

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The event will take place at Paddlers Coffee, whose owner — Daisuke Matsushima, a friend of Muramatsu — will also give a talk introducing the shop.

“Beyond starting a new guesthouse in Iya, our aim is to build international connections. I believe that sharing our message from Tokyo, the heart of Japan, will be key to our future, alongside having our authentic presence in Iya, one of Japan’s most secluded regions,” Muramatsu says. “Therefore, I truly hope to build a long-term partnership with Jarman International.”

Hana and Kim are looking forward to getting to know the Chiiori team and their network better at the event. Alongside profiling another of Matsushima’s eateries, Thai restaurant Orangutan, for the Japan Times, Kim has experience writing about akiya restoration and has previously visited the original Chiiori house that American writer and Japanologist Alex Kerr bought more than 50 years ago. The house eventually led to the founding of Chiiori Alliance and its mission to thoughtfully renovate abandoned folk houses where travelers can experience the beauty of traditional Japanese countryside living. 

Chiiori Alliance aims for Nishi-iya COMMONS, a renovated folk house set to open in winter 2026, to provide “a shared ground of intellect, where the communal nature of the land merges with the collective wisdom of our visitors.” The team hopes the new guesthouse will be not only a physical facility that enables visitors to spend more time in the Iya region, but also a space that fosters new ideas and possibilities through interaction with both local residents and other travelers.

The event at Paddlers runs from 18:00 to 20:00, with an entry fee of 1,000 yen (light snacks included). Following a roughly 1-hour talk, the event concludes with time to mix and mingle. Paddlers Coffee is accessible via Hatagaya Station on the Keio New Line or Yoyogi-Uehara Station on the Odakyu and Chiyoda lines. Contact Chiiori Alliance (info@chiiori.org) if you would like to attend.

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Sébastien had stayed at the 100-year-old ryokan — located in Tahara City, Aichi Prefecture, and with one of its buildings registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan — from June 22 to 24, 2026. He subsequently published articles describing his stay to the aforementioned Japan Travel and Jarman-owned media Deep Japan. 

In his article, Sébastien describes Kakujoro as a place to “experience traditional Japan without the crowds,” with a historic building “where the floors creak softly underfoot and golden lamplight catches the grain of aged timber.”

Staying at a ryokan is also a perfect opportunity to experience a kaiseki course meal in a relaxing atmosphere, and Kakujoro’s cuisine doesn’t disappoint. “The star,” Sébastien writes, “is natural torafugu, the prized blowfish for which the Atsumi Peninsula is nationally renowned, prepared across several courses, from paper-thin sashimi to a warming rice porridge made from the simmering broth.”

Kakujoro is a client of Jarman International. We strive to promote the charm, beauty, and history of this ryokan to internationals, and we are thrilled that it can be noticed by an even wider audience through JAL Explore Japan!

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The Hokuriku-Shin’etsu District covers Niigata, Nagano, Toyama, and Ishikawa prefectures, a region famous for stunning nature (mountains in particular), heavy snowfall, and delicious food and drink. Various domestic and international tourists — from avid skiers to foodies and beyond — enjoy visiting Hokuriku-Shin’etsu, with popular destinations including Kanazawa, a city known for historic buildings and traditional culture, and ski areas like Hakuba and Myoko. 

Based on Ruth’s comments, the bureau’s series of posts on X introduces the region’s charms as well as current tourism hurdles. 

“The challenge for the Hokuriku-Shin’etsu region is to encourage tourists to explore the areas surrounding already-popular destinations,” Ruth notes in the series’ second post, published Aug. 24. She recommends that local businesses and others hoping to attract inbound tourists update and post photos to their Google Maps profiles, as the platform is popular with internationals. 

“It was really interesting to be the only international AND only woman in my latest Hokuriku area meeting. I hope I can be a good representative for the international community and try to give feedback that will give the local community the confidence to welcome more and more of us,” Ruth says.

Consulting is one of Jarman International’s core services, and we are proud to help organizations like the Hokuriku-Shin’etsu District Transport Bureau clarify their strengths and address challenges in order to make the most of opportunities related to inbound tourism.

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Chiiori Alliance aims “to preserve the beauty of the Japanese countryside and to create an environmentally friendly community rooted in traditional culture” primarily through operating  accommodations in Tokushima, Kagawa, and Kyoto prefectures. They thoughtfully renovate abandoned folk houses, preserving their traditional charm while making them more accessible to the modern traveler.

Jarman International has worked with Chiiori owner and Chiiori Alliance co-founder Alex Kerr in the past, including organizing a livestream to promote Kochi Prefecture. However, Hana and Sébastien’s visit marks the first time JI has worked with Chiiori Alliance. The collaboration aims to highlight the beauty of Chiiori Alliance’s accommodations as well as showcase their new team and concept led by CEO Toru Muramatsu.

The two sides initially connected when Toru and his colleague Shota Koda, Chiiori Alliance’s Iya area manager, visited JI’s booth at the Inbound Expo in March 2026 and listened to Hana’s presentation on Jarman-owned media Deep Japan, which promotes Japan through personal stories with an international perspective. Toru felt a human-centered approach like Deep Japan’s was the best way to share Chiiori’s vision and truly connect with the organization’s audience.

Chiiori Alliance recently bought and is currently renovating a folk house they have named “Nishi-iya COMMONS,” located in the Nishi-Iya region of Tokushima Prefecture. It is scheduled to open as a guesthouse, with capacity for up to 10 guests, in winter 2026. 

Chiiori’s COMMONS concept refers to “a shared ground of intellect, where the communal nature of the land merges with the collective wisdom of our visitors.” They aim for Nishi-iya COMMONS to become not only a physical facility that enables guests to spend more time in the Iya region, but also a space that fosters new ideas and possibilities through interaction with both local residents and other guests. Chiiori’s other accommodations are mainly whole-house rentals, so Nishi-iya COMMONS represents a new initiative for the company. 

During their trip, Hana and Sébastien visited Nishi-iya COMMONS, stayed at the 300-year-old “Chiiori” house that Alex originally bought over 50 years ago, and visited other Chiiori Alliance accommodations, including Ten-Ippo, Yukyo, Chiiori Utazu Branch, and Co-machi-no-ie.

Based on their trip and discussions with Chiiori Alliance’s team, Hana and Sébastien will be publishing four articles, mainly on Deep Japan but potentially also other media, to promote Chiiori Alliance’s accommodations, mission, and vision.

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Following his stay, Sébastien published articles to both Deep Japan and Japan Travel chronicling his experience. 

One of the highlights of Kakujoro is its kaiseki cuisine. In his Deep Japan piece, Sébastien reflected on the meals served at the ryokan: “The inn’s owner still goes in person to the fish market in nearby Irago every morning to select what will end up on that counter by evening … it changed how I ate. Each dish stopped being simply ‘fresh’ in the generic, menu-language sense and became the result of one person’s morning decisions.”

Kakujoro is roughly two hours from Nagoya by car, or 30 minutes by car (or the ryokan’s shuttle service) from Mikawa-Tahara Station. Thanks to its relatively remote location, Sébastien writes, “The experience was truly soothing and felt timeless.” The inn’s hot spring baths complete the picture of total relaxation.

Meanwhile, in his Japan Travel piece, Sébastien shared practical information for travelers, such as access, amenities, and service hours, alongside introducing the ryokan’s history and cuisine.

Deep Japan has published several pieces on Kakujoro: “Kakujoro: An antique Japanese ryokan with 100 years of history,” “Delighted by the vegan cuisine at Kakujoro, a 100-year-old Japanese ryokan,” and “Inside Kakujoro ryokan: Learning the elegant language of a traditional Japanese room.” 

We are honored to partner with this historic inn and look forward to sharing more of its stories in the future.

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An expert on Japanese swords, Paul received his OSS award in recognition of his contributions to Japanese sword culture and UK-Japan relations. Originally from England, Paul formerly worked as a curator at the British Museum. He has appeared in various documentaries related to Japanese swords, translated several major sword books and exhibition catalogs, and is a columnist with Sankei Shinbun’s JAPAN-Forward and martial arts magazine Hiden, among other activities.

The Times Gallery is a photo feature published by The Japan Times that covers mainly diplomatic and cultural exchange events. 

JI is proud to call Paul a member of our Core 50 consultants. He wrote in his Core 50 profile that “I get to do what I love as my career, while being totally immersed in the culture and feeling very close to its history.” He is also a writer for Jarman-owned media Deep Japan,  to which he contributed an article titled “The appeal of Japanese swords might not be what you think.” 

Once again, congratulations to Paul on his achievement!

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This year’s Earth Celebration will be held from Aug. 21–23. The highlights of the festival are its evening Harbour Concerts, which feature performances by world-renowned taiko troupe Kodo (originally founded on Sado in 1981) alongside guest artists from Japan and around the world. 

Originally launched in 1988, Earth Celebration is centered around taiko, Japanese drumming, but has expanded to encompass many other performing arts, as well as workshops and markets. This year, Mongolian folk ensemble Khusugtun will also perform, including in an original collaborative performance with Kodo titled “Earth Echoes.”

Festival participants “connect beyond cultures, languages, and ways of life, and as the festival village grows, so do the smiles,” writes Hirofumi Uenoyama, Earth Celebration Event Director, in a message on the event’s website.

You can learn more about this year’s Earth Celebration via a press release published in Japan Today.

The festival’s full schedule and tickets information can be found on its webpage, alongside tips for first-time visitors, guidance related to transport and lodging (including camping), and more. Sado Island can be accessed via a 2.5-hour car ferry or a roughly 70-minute jetfoil from Niigata port.

Jarman International is honored to have been involved with Earth Celebration since 2019, and we have helped promote the festival — as well as the beautiful and fascinating Sado Island itself — to international audiences through arranging coverage in English-language media, social media promotion, and supporting the development of travel itineraries.

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