I travel the way some people collect records—slowly, intentionally, and always chasing feeling over flash. Over the years, moving from place to place has taught me how quickly environments can shape perspective. But it was Japan that truly slowed me down and changed how I experience the world.

Some of my favorite moments there live far from postcards. Diving at Maeda Misaki in Okinawa, suspended in blue silence. Sitting with a glass of whisky at the Suntory restaurant in Osaka, letting conversation and time stretch naturally. Sharing meals with my family in Tokyo—cool, unpretentious restaurants where food speaks louder than décor. And riding trains everywhere, because in Japan, movement itself feels thoughtful, rhythmic, and calm.

Over the past few years, I’ve even lived between Hawaiʻi and Japan, long enough for both places to leave their imprint. Hawaiʻi taught me patience and presence; Japan taught me precision, respect for craft, and the beauty of routine. Together, they’ve shaped how I travel, eat, and pay attention.

Food is my first language. Wine is my second. I’m fascinated by how flavors carry culture—how a dish or a glass can tell you where you are, who you’re with, and why a place matters. By training, I’m a business finance student, grounded in systems, structure, and strategy. By instinct, I’m a storyteller. I enjoy connecting tradition with modern tools and finding meaning in the everyday moments most people rush past.

I’m not here to offer perfect itineraries or “top ten” lists. I’m drawn to lived experience—the dives, the long dinners, the missed trains that lead to better memories. This space is where those moments come together, thoughtfully and intentionally. It reflects curiosity, discipline, family, learning, movement, and a desire to build a life that balances exploration, responsibility, creativity, structure, reflection, growth, patience, and purpose over time.