Hey there! You can call me JP 🇵🇭🇯🇵
I’m a Filipino traveler, storyteller, and former engineer now living a full-time adventure between Japan and the Philippines. I lived in Tokyo for 4 years, and now I’m back in the Philippines — still flying in and out of Japan as part of my content creator life. ✈️

I run a travel and lifestyle vlog called JP in Japan, where I share budget tips, cultural gems, and real travel advice. I also manage a travel support group with nearly 200,000 members, helping others plan their Japan adventures. 🗾

Born in 1994 and a classic ENTP, I love conversations that go deep or go weird (both welcome 😄). I’ve already explored more than 40 out of 81 provinces in the Philippines and visited Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, Thailand, and South Korea — and I’m always planning the next trip.

Current Mission
To build genuine friendships through travel, share cultural stories, and help travelers — especially to Japan — experience it more deeply and affordably.

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Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love meeting people from all over the world. While I currently can’t host due to space (Filipino households, you get it 😅), I’m always happy to meet up, give you local tips, or help you book affordable stays. If you’re into Japan or the Philippines, I probably have some solid recommendations for you!

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Interests
🌏 Traveling every chance I get
🎥 Vlogging & Reels (check my FB & IG!)
🍜 Food hunting – Filipino, Japanese, Korean, all of it
🎤 Karaoke addict (yes, even the dramatic ballads)
📚 Languages, cultures & real conversations
🪙 Collecting currencies from every country I visit
🎶 Music, astrology, personality types
🧳 Building my new passion project: Omoide (思い出) – helping creators with merch & logistics in PH

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Fun Fact
I used to teach engineering in Manila, now I travel full-time and help others do the same — especially through content, community, and collaborations.

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Languages
🗣 Tagalog (native)
🗣 English (fluent)
🗣 Japanese (conversational)
🗣 Bisaya (basic)

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Let’s Connect
📷 Instagram: @jpinjapan17
📘 Facebook: JP in Japan
🟢 KakaoTalk: dyampoool
🟣 WeChat: lordnajela17

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love traveling and cultural exchange — not just seeing places, but connecting with the people who live there or are exploring too. Couchsurfing gives me the chance to meet amazing people from all over the world and, hopefully, build long-term friendships, not just short conversations.

I’m always excited to experience new environments, learn different perspectives, and share a few laughs (or karaoke sessions!) along the way. Whether it’s swapping stories, sharing food, or exploring together, I’m here for the experience and the connection.

Interests

• ✈️ Traveling – always curious, always chasing new places and stories
• 📸 Vlogging & Content Creation – capturing moments and helping others through real, honest travel content
• 🍜 Food hunting – from street food to underrated local gems (especially in Japan & the Philippines!)
• 🎤 Karaoke – a proud Filipino tradition I fully embrace (ballads, pop, OPM – let’s go!)
• 💬 Cultural exchange – learning how people live, think, and dream around the world
• 🗾 Japan & Southeast Asia – I love exploring these regions deeply, beyond just the tourist side
• 📚 Reading – young adult novels, inspirational books, and anything by Mitch Albom
• 🎶 Music – pop, OPM, Korean ballads, and of course, SB19 💙
• 💱 Currency collecting – I love collecting coins and bills from different countries
• 🌐 Building communities – I manage a travel group with almost 200k members and love helping people connect

• books
• photography
• movies
• traveling
• beaches
• mountains
• food
• language
• vlogging
• hiking in the mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

🎶 Music
I’m a big fan of pop, emotional Korean ballads, and proudly support OPM (Original Pilipino Music).
• 💙 Huge fan of SB19 — their music, message, and passion inspire me (A’TIN represent!)
• OPM faves: Ben&Ben, Moira, December Avenue, Silent Sanctuary
• K-Ballads: IU, Taeyeon, Davichi — songs that make you cry without knowing why
• Pop/Western: Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Olivia Rodrigo
• Go-to Karaoke Songs: Mapa, Hanggang Sa Huli, Nobela, Let It Go, When I Was Your Man

🎬 Movies
I love stories that mess with your head or hit your heart hard.
• Genre: Psychological thrillers — top pick: Confession (an underrated masterpiece from Japan)
• Also love: Anime films, emotional dramas, and plot-twisting series
• Faves: Your Name, A Silent Voice, Inception, Parasite, Crash Landing on You, Hospital Playlist

📚 Books
Books are my quiet sanctuary.
• I enjoy young adult novels that explore growing pains and self-discovery
• Inspired by Mitch Albom’s books (Tuesdays with Morrie is life-changing)
• Into motivational reads like Atomic Habits, The Alchemist, and spiritual/self-awareness books lately
• Also curious about astrology and personal energy books — always learning something new

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

• Traveled to 50 out of 81 provinces in the Philippines — mostly solo and on a budget 🇵🇭🗺️
• Explored 30 out of 47 prefectures in Japan, from Okinawa to Hokkaido 🇯🇵
• Lived in Japan for 4 years with zero Japanese at first, and passed JLPT N3
• Left a stable engineering and teaching job to become a full-time content creator
• Built a travel support community with nearly 200,000 members
• Created viral travel videos using just my phone that reached over a million views

Teach, Learn, Share

🧑‍🏫 Teach
• Philippine Tourism & Travel Tips – I’ve explored 50 out of 81 provinces, so feel free to ask about off-the-beaten-path spots, food finds, or how to travel the Philippines on a budget 🇵🇭
• Japanese Culture & Travel – After living in Japan for 4 years, I can guide you through language basics, etiquette, hidden gems, and local tips 🇯🇵
• Content Creation – I can teach you how to create engaging Reels, grow a travel page, or start documenting your journey with just a phone and creativity 🎥📱

🧠 Learn
• More about different cultures, languages, and perspectives
• Everyday life in places I’ve never been to — I’m always curious about how others live, eat, and explore
• Better Japanese and Korean — I want to keep improving and practicing through real conversations

🤝 Share
• Travel hacks, hidden spots, and unforgettable stories
• Food trips, karaoke moments, and a good laugh
• Real, honest conversations over coffee or street food
• Tips and tools for content creation, especially for beginners

What I Can Share with Hosts

• Great conversations about travel, culture, Japan, the Philippines, and life in general 🌏
• Local tips and travel hacks for exploring Japan or the Philippines — from hidden gems to food spots
• Stories from my travels across 30 Japanese prefectures and 50 provinces in the Philippines
• Content creation tips — if you’re curious about filming, editing, or starting a social media page
• Karaoke duets or song requests (I never say no to a mic 🎤😅)
• A good laugh, positive energy, and an open mind — I always try to make the experience meaningful and memorable

Countries I’ve Visited

Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Macao, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Japan, Philippines