Hi, My name is Era! I just finished my degree in literature at Tokyo, and now embarking on a grad trip around Europe for 2 months (Feb-March 2024). This is gonna be my last free days before starting full time job as a business consultant. I’ve done some backpack tours around Southeast Asia and the States on a small budget which I earned as a pianist-singer in a bar, and as an intern in IT startup. I was also engaged in volunteer work in Philippines to accomplish equal educational opportunities, and for the same aim, worked as a teacher for high school students that can’t afford cram school in Japan.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Traveling around the world makes your life richer.
Interacting with locals makes your travel richer.
—>>
So it is interacting with locals that makes your life richer!!!!

And I want you to know and try what I proudly bring to you: Japanese culture, which also could make your life richer!!

Interests

• books
• cooking
• working out
• rock music
• basketball
• calligraphy
• museums

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Queen, Rod Stewart, Elton John, David Bowie, The Beach Boys, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Maroon 5, Billie Eilish etc…

Writers: Haruki Murakami, Kazuo Ishiguro, Raymond Carver, Ernest Hemingway, Edgar Allan Poe etc…

Books: Jane Eyre/ Sense and Sensibility/ Tess of the D’Urbervilles/ Great Gatsby/ Giovanni’s Room/ The Country of the Pointed Firs/ Cane/ Ethan Frome/ Beloved etc….

Movies: I’ve been rewatching Harry Potter series to fully enjoy the stay in Edinburgh.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Well… that would probably be the impromptu concert that I did at a high school in Chicago that I went as an exchange student. OVER 200 STUDENTS HAD GATHERED in front of me when I finished a song. I was 15 then and having a hard time to make friends with American guys during the first week, as I couldn’t make myself understood in English. So when I found and picked up a deserted guitar in the nook of corridor, I could see no way but give it a try. And it was just amazing. It’s beyond words. They applauded, asked my name and hugged. I could get over the language barrier with music.

Teach, Learn, Share

•JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY: I definitely recommend you this sophisticated Japanese traditional style of meditation. It is a profound and interactive experience. Close your eyes and draw deep breath. And you pick up (or coin) a word or phrase that suit your state of mind, and focus on writing it slowly with brush to express your feelings or emotions with the shape and balance of the characters. When you’re finished and gaze at the letters, they would give you somewhat unexpected implications or suggestions about your mind which was hiding away in your subconsciousness. I’m very good at doing it myself and teaching it to others. Hope you’ll get interested and enjoy it with me!

•JAM SESSION: I sing, play the guitar and piano. Ever since I was born, I’ve been in love with those good old rock stuffs, such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Rod Stewart… and those classics are what I play mostly.

•JAPANESE CUISINE: UNESCO has registered it as an Intangible Cultural Heritage for its taste, healthfulness and beautiful looking. I’d love you to try one! I’ll cook for you.

Countries I’ve Visited

France, Philippines, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Japan