Hi, I’m Aki. I run a small hair salon in Nagano. I prefer the kind of atmosphere and moments you can only experience in person. When I travel, I’m not only interested in sightseeing, but also in naturally connecting with the people I meet along the way. I like simple, genuine connections that come from meeting face to face.

I want to stay in other countries and make good friends all over the world. The best thing about Couchsurfing for me is being able to interact with local people. I can also offer my own value, such as Japanese food and drinks. I have many travel memories with you, the reader, such as beautiful buildings, delicious food, and local history, so I hope to enjoy them both as a tourist and a local. Best of all, since I'm traveling alone, I don't need to stay in a hotel. I can also use the money I save on food. Talking to people from different cultures, learning, and sometimes experiencing differences is wonderful and very enjoyable for me. I would be grateful if you could help me in any way to make my first Couchsurfing experience a great one.

No bio yet, probably off exploring

CURRENT MISSION To get medical skills and dive into the huge world ABOUT ME Merry Christmas 2019 Everyone! I am a surgery nurse working my ass off in a Yokohama hospital.I used to be working for NGO's in Cambodia and Myanmar. At that time, I had been teaching Japanese language to people in Cambodia as a volunteer and also working as a nurse in Myanmar after they had a terrible cyclone. I decided to get into the medical field because of backpacking travels and volunteering in university. From now on, I want to dedicate my life to helping people in need. I'm going to try to spread medical treatment to the places where it usually doesn't reach. Currently I'm on the tour of the world by bicycle since 2011. (8 years on the road so far) On the way to your country! facebook: http://www.facebook.com/coucou.kei Instagram: keilovesyouguys blog(Japanese): http://sekainoinakanitomaro.blogspot.jp/ Documentary TV 1 (2012,China) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDOodQ9D3jg Documentary 2 (2013,China) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkjcEvdLwGM TV interview in Ukraine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=877Plpoh7JA TEDx talk speaker PHILOSOPHY If you are hungry, I will give you a food. If you are thirsty, I will give you a drink. If you feel dirty, I will give you a soap. If you are cold, I will give you a blanket. If you need warmth, I will give you a hug.

CURRENT MISSION Japan will be the longest trip i do (Graduate and do what i want! ABOUT ME someone feel me hard to make friend if they meet me in a crowded meeting. But i am friendly when i am in a small group. I am serious guy most of time, but sometimes i am crazy and i love it. If you want to find a friend, you can make friend with me. I'll be your good friend. PHILOSOPHY with me, life always be pink. haha

I’ve traveled around the world from November 2015 from Japan for 4 years with my boyfriend.After traveled 97 countries we have got a lot of great meeting and experiences through CS. Now we’ve got our house live in Nagano city nearby St.Kita-Nagano.there is Zenko-ji which has great architecture and history near our house.and nice mountain around Nagano pre. I always want to meet up with nice people and would love to share our beautiful culture,food,history and how they are thinking about their way of life.Personally for me,I have passion to take photograph especially snapshots Also I use to watch films,go to library,museum and cinema If you are also interested in those fields,it's going to be interesting! Here is my Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shooting_maiam/

CURRENT MISSION Exploring this world through CS ABOUT ME Hi, everyone. I'm an ordinal Japanese citizen and an engineer who works for a material mining company. I'm really interested in other countries and cultures which might be totally different to Japanese ones. It is because Japanese society doesn't have so much diversity. Everyday, I meet only "Japanese faces". I think human beings can grow up or change their views toward life/work when he/she encounters a whole new perspective. Actually I don't know what kind of things people in other countries think of, behave and discuss. Therefore, I decided to use CouchSurfing to meet and talk with people in this world . Exchanging views about cultures and lifestyles with other people who have authentic different backgrounds lead us, ---I mean both sides of us---, to the new next phase of thought, a authentically philanthropic thinking. Any way, I will welcome you to visit&stay my place. I am not a professional guide or in something like that job. So, I don't know so much about touristic information nearby here which the professionals are supposed to know normally. But, As a Japanese citizen, I think I can help you to understand Japan and its cultures through discussions. Recently, I'm getting busier. So, Should I have business reasons such as business trip to Tokyo, important meetings etc. , I might decline your request at times even though we have some confirmed dates. Please consider above points before you send me your request. However, as far as time allows, I will do my best to host and meet you. I should mention my view to Couch Surfing. This is very personal opinion. But, please read at least once, if you would like to meet me. CS should be "a kind of spice" in a life since once we get used to surfing and hosting we could become boring to meeting new people. It might even become a burden to fit our local lifestyle into a traveller. However, These things seem to be avoidable if we consider spending time with a different person should be memorable...Still, we should be deeply immersed into getting new points of view from every corner of this globe. I have hosted more than 50 guests in my apartment room since 2013. Mainly there are two simple reasons. First, I have wanted to know more about your country and its people. We can, at least I hope to, keep in touch with each other by letters, postcards, Whatsapp message, or e-mail etc.. even after I host or surf. Second, Every time and everywhere I surf I was always moved by hospitality of local CS hosts. Some people kindly took me to local places (movie theatre, coffee shops, restaurant...) by metro, motor cycles or car although they were busy due to their daily jobs! Those two reasons of my core of CS motivation. That is to say I would like to get even with "giving and taking". In my opinion, this is an important way of thinking in order to maintain CS community. PHILOSOPHY Where there is a will, there is a way to proceed.

CURRENT MISSION To learn. To live well. To eat delicious food. ABOUT ME ***I host an international language table for university students and local community members every weekday during lunchtime (12:15-13:15) in Nagano City. We share food, culture, and discussion. You are very welcome to join us! Please message me.*** Born in South Korea, raised in the United States, and now living in Japan. I’ve been a CSer for 15 years now. How I keep busy: Research, publishing, presenting; I co-founded a magazine; I used to organize monthly restaurant visits and arts-related activities. PHILOSOPHY To stop moving is to sink.