About me
English Version
About me and my travel style
Hi I’m Tomococo, born and raised in Japan, 100% Japanese by blood — but Latin at heart.
I liked my life in Tokyo and Japan whereI have family and friends, it’s safe, the food is incredible, and honestly you can find pretty much anything you need. But at some point, I started dreaming of taking a long trip abroad — of really living somewhere else for a while, not just visiting. I worked in Tokyo right up until I nearly burned out, if I’m being honest. Then the moment came, and I set off on a long journey.
I’ll admit it was a pretty late start compared to most people. But out there, I barely felt the pressure I used to feel in Japan.
“It is never too late to start” is one of my favorite quotes.
There are plenty of ways to broaden your horizons, and travel is just one of them, but it’s one of the best. There’s so much out there I never knew existed — the world really is huge. And funnily enough, looking at Japan from the outside, I have kept discovering things about my own country I’d never known.
Everyone has their own travel style. I’ve experienced lots of different ways over the years, but at the core, mine has always been about getting to the heart of a place — seeking out hidden gems, chasing food and culture, and simply talking with local people. That’s what I love more than anything.
Also, I want to travel while cherishing once-in-a-lifetime encounters.
I could just keep all of this to myself, but I think I’d like to start sharing it here — the journeys I’ve taken, and the ones still to come.
Things I Like / Things I’m Interested In
Nature. Give me the sun and the sea and I’m instantly happy. I love camping and trekking.
Hidden gems and the countryside.
Taking photos and admiring them (nearly all the photos on this blog are ones I’ve taken myself).
More than anything?! eating, drinking, and cooking.
I love eating out too, but making things from scratch is my basic rule — I share recipes I’ve picked up along my travels.
Yoga (one of the very few things I’ve actually stuck with, given how easily I get bored).
Meeting yoga felt like it was meant to happen — more on that here.
Dancing (forró, salsa, and samba) and playing piano.
Walking. I feel like I could walk forever — one of my dreams is to one day walk “the pilgrim’s way” (the Camino).
Writing (even though reading isn’t really my strong suit).
Sleeping. I used to fall asleep even at izakayas after a few drinks, ha.
Karaoke and Japanese baths — of everything I miss about Japan, these two top the list.
Agroforestry, permaculture, cacao farms, and of course, traveling!
Things I’m Not Good At
Waking up early, cleaning, decluttering, reading, and cold weather.
Favorite Animals
Dogs, sloths, dolphins, and cats (I never really understood the appeal of cats before, but after living in a house full of them, I discovered just how fascinating their behavior is).
My Motto
It changes depending on where I am in life at the time, so I have quite a few — but right now, it’s probably this one.
“It’s never too late to start something.”
“Live in the moment.”
“One encounter, one chance, Once-in-a-lifetime encounters” (ichi-go ichi-e, 一期一会)
