Between big city and nature: working, travelling and living like a local. From Hokkaido to Okinawa – on foot, by car, by motorbike and with plenty of curiosity.
My first trip to Japan in 2017 excited me so much that I had to go back. When I later heard about the working holiday visa, I took the chance for a whole year in Japan – and it turned into five years of living, working and travelling there.
I spent longer stretches in single regions, was outdoors a lot and often travelled on a whim. The map shows where I lived, worked and travelled.
All of Japan
Pick a region or tap a dot to see photos and details.
Some of the trips that shaped that time most. Each had its own pace, its own people and small routines that only settled in after a few days.
Hokkaido
A hike of several weeks through the north of Japan, mostly sleeping in a tent. Lots of untouched nature, long stages and two surprise encounters with bears on remote mountain trails.
Long-distance hike · Mountains · Wildlife
Okinawa
A subtropical climate, crystal-clear water and a very different pace from the main islands. Snorkelling, small harbours and a lot of culture.
Sea · Beaches · Island hopping · Subtropics
Kyushu
Hitchhiking along country roads, spontaneous invitations to dinner and unexpected detours. Conversations that would never have happened on the bullet train.
Hitchhiking · Onsen · Country life · Encounters
Honshu · Hokkaido
Flexible routes, remote coastal roads and small mountain passes inland. Handy for reaching places where buses hardly run any more.
Road trip · Motorbike · Coastal roads · Freedom
Tokyo
Tokyo is made of countless neighbourhoods, and even after months you keep finding new streets, places and routines.
City life · Bars · Neighbourhoods · Culture
Tokyo · Osaka · Aomori
Classic sights, summer festivals and short trips – with many moments you only get when you stay in a region for longer.
City life · Culture · Festivals · Food
Japan
Food that tastes twice as good late at night after a long day – from tiny ramen shops to izakayas where you quickly end up talking to people.
Food · Izakaya · Ramen · Everyday life
Hokkaido · Nikko
Deep powder days, early starts and runs across wide, untouched slopes – winter at its best.
Winter · Snowboard · Powder · Outdoors
Kansai · Nara · Kamakura
Among old temples, incense and great Buddha statues, Japan often feels timeless.
Culture · Temples · Buddha · Tradition
Places and moments that stayed with me.