Hi there, I’m Aki from Tokyo. After a decade of studying and working in Europe—and a few years based in Kyoto—I’ve settled back in my hometown, and I’m looking forward to meeting Couchsurfers who are open-minded to share what they know and have.

I’m not looking to host just anyone searching for a free place to stay—I love hosting guests who like to share something each other. Please include in your request what you’d like to offer or share during your stay. Whether it’s a skill, a story, a recipe, or a creative idea. Do you feel like cooking a dish from your country? Absolutely welcome!
I may offer you a traditional Japanese dish (or perhaps something delightfully random, haha) when I have time.

Special welcome to architects, designers, and chefs—I’d love to learn about your projects, exchange design insights, or taste your culinary creations.

A Bit About Myself

- Origins & Education
Born and raised in Tokyo, I studied Social Welfare and Sustainability at Waseda University. Later, I completed an M.A. in Sustainability, Society & the Environment at Kiel University in Germany.

- Professional Path
I spent time in Amsterdam researching circular economies, then from 2021 to 2025 I lived in Kyoto, where I started working as a business designer / strategist across architecture, food, and fashion projects with a focus on sustainability. This spring, I returned to Tokyo to explore new opportunities and earn fresh perspectives.

Here you can see a part of my projects and what circular economy in Japan looks like:

Basics of Circular Economy and Repair Culture in Kyoto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3GrKAPeOds&t=460s

This regenerative pavilion was built for the Osaka Expo, and I was proud to contribute to the architectural project:
https://www.takenaka.co.jp/takenaka_e/library/news/2024/m1001_05.html

Movie
https://youtu.be/yFLPhqrMhys?si=S_hB32NcnLZD4yi2

Circular Initiatives at Kyoto Music Expo (Article)
https://zenbird.media/compost-station-and-upcycled-vegan-ice-cream-at-music-event-kyoto-onpaku/

Circular Initiatives at Kyoto Music Expo (Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QguShu8Iyvo

- Happoryoka (八方良菓)
In Kyoto, I founded Happoryoka, a small confectionery brand. A lot of still good food are wasted in our society.
Working with the people with disabilities, we turn local by-products—sake lees, tofu okara, ume, lemon peel, Nama Yatsuhashi—into Stollen, a traditional German Christmas sweets. It’s my way of supporting local producers as well as the welfare facilities and reducing food waste at a time.

Happoryoka
https://www.instagram.com/happoryoka

- Published Work
In 2021, I published my book “Circular Economy in Practice (『サーキュラーエコノミー実践』”, which examines cutting edged initiatives from different industries. It has been sold over 10,000 so far and I am happy to see the movement has been growing in Japan these days.

“Circular Economy in Practice (『サーキュラーエコノミー実践』”
https://amzn.asia/d/1Nrp5Ox

Documentary Films
I hardly film these days but I have created a few short films spotlighting zero-waste restaurants, upcycling brands, and community-driven sustainable projects in Europe and Asia.

Here you can see my website and some of my film works I have made so far:

Earthackers:
https://www.earthackers.com/

Pizza 4P's (Ho Chi Ming City):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84iOVCR8xQk

Instock Restaurant (Amsterdam):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOiwgna97gc

MUD Jeans (Amsterdam):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM9gkv2vxWo&feature=emb_title

Løs Market (Copenhagen):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZnPzutOZvY

Sustainable, Zero Waste YouTuber Mimi (Berlin):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2ZHdTRFgA8

SirPlus (Berlin):
https://www.facebook.com/sirplus.de/videos/1901987736795950/

我为什么加入 Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Back in 2012, I spent a month WWOOFing on farms in both Italy and Germany. During that time, I took a short trip to Zurich—and that’s where I had my very first Couchsurfing experience. Until then, I thought Couchsurfing was just a way to get free accommodation. But I quickly realized it’s so much more than that—it’s a powerful way to meet locals, share stories, and truly experience a place through the eyes of someone who lives there. Since then, Couchsurfing has become an essential part of how I travel.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

【May 2012】
Get started!

【Zurich】
Hansl&Haeyeon

【August 2012～January 2013】
Used Couchsurfing as a host in Tokyo, and it was really fun to exchange our thought and experience. Then, I decided to travel around South America through Couchsurfing for two months.

【January 2013～March 2013】
【Montevideo】
Felipe,

【Buenos Aires】
Dardo,
Sebastian&Maria,

【Cordoba】
Toia&Manu,

【Jujuy】
Sergio,

【La Paz】
Edson,
Ninomiya san,

【Cusco】
Durva,

【Lima】
Miguel.L,
Miguel.A,
Ernest,

【Guayaquil】
Ivan,
Ssong,

【August 2013】
Trip to Kyoto and met Hamid, Det, Milan, Ainara and Sonia.

【March 2014】
Reunion for the first time through Couchsurfing.
Toia and Manu from Argentina. They hosted me in Cordova, Argentina just a year ago.

兴趣

Filmmaking / Photography / Media Technology / Volunteer (Earthquake, Tsunami Disasters in Japan / Food Sharing) / WWOOFing / Sustainability / Organic Farming / Zero Waste / Refugee Issues / Suicide Rates in Japan / Vegetarian, Vegan / Language / Homeless / Social Entrepreneur / Freelance / Jazz / Football / Basketball / Traveling / Hiking / Cycling / Jogging / Cooking / Baking / Art / Design

• arts
• culture
• design
• photography
• film making
• cooking
• baking
• vegetarian
• vegan
• technology
• traveling
• jazz
• cycling
• entrepreneurship
• freelancing
• volunteering
• photo
• film photography
• videography
• wwoofing
• filmmaker

音乐、电影和书籍

Jazz
Miles Davis,
John Cortrane,
Stan Getz,
Kenny Barron,
Keith Jarrett,
Ron Carter,
Ray Brown,
Oscar peterson,
Sonny Clark,
Dexter Gordon,
Philly Joe Jones,
George Mraz,
Barney Kessel,
Shelly Manne,
Wes Montgomery,
Paul Chambers,
Bill Evans,
Scott La Faro,
Gary Peacock,
Thelonious Monk,
Cannonball Adderrey,
Red Micchel,
Jacky Terrasson,
Russel Marone,
Art Blakey
Paul Desmond
Barney Willen
Michel Petrucciani

Japanese
Tamio Okuda
Yosui Inoue
Keisuke Kuwata
Yellow Magic Orchestra
Nujabes

Others
Kimya Dawson
Nena
Kraftwerk
Michel Polnareff
Cyndi Lauper
Melody Gardot
Gotan Project
Beatles
Bob Dylan
Sting
Frank Sinatra
Antonio Carlos Jobin
Paul Simon
Pat Metheny
Tango
Bossa Nova
Latin

我做过的一件不可思议的事情

Couchsurfing has truly changed my life! It’s one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had. 🙂

A wonderful dinner with Alice Waters, when she visited Okinawa! A truly inspiring moment.

I love spending time with kids! They are all so creative and full of curiosity, and I always learn something new from them.

我可以与沙发主分享些什么

More than happy to cook traditional Japanese dishes!
My mum has run a Japanese restaurant for over 20 years, and I’ve learned most of my cooking from her. I’d love to share a homemade meal with you and introduce you to real Japanese flavors!

我游览过的国家

Argentina, Austria, Bolivia, Canada, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, Netherlands, Peru, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City State

我居住过的国家

Germany, Japan, Netherlands

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