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About
My name is Kristina, and I've been living in Japan since 2016.
After graduating from language school in Osaka, I moved to Tokyo for work. But life in the city — with its constant crowds and noise — quickly became overwhelming. As someone who’s highly sensitive to environmental sounds, I found myself drawn to the quieter, more forgotten corners of Japan — places where time moves slower and the stories run deeper.
After graduating from language school in Osaka, I moved to Tokyo for work. But life in the city — with its constant crowds and noise — quickly became overwhelming. As someone who’s highly sensitive to environmental sounds, I found myself drawn to the quieter, more forgotten corners of Japan — places where time moves slower and the stories run deeper.
Before going independent, I spent several years working in Japan’s travel and hospitality industry. I helped open hotels like MIMARU Tokyo Suitengumae and The LIVELY AZABUJUBAN TOKYO, and later worked as a producer at the inbound media company MATCHA, where I helped introduce Japan to a global audience. These experiences taught me so much — not just about tourism, but about the importance of storytelling, connection, and the responsibility we carry when inviting others into special places.
In 2023, I decided to take a leap and become independent. Now I work as a freelancer, partnering with local governments, small towns, and private companies to promote sustainable, community-based tourism.
At first, I wanted to keep the places I discovered to myself. But through conversations with locals — many of whom shared concerns about disappearing traditions, aging populations, and abandoned buildings — I came to understand how responsible tourism could help. Thoughtful travelers can play a part in preserving these places, simply by showing up and engaging with care.
That’s why I now focus solely on lesser-known destinations in Japan. By sharing these off-the-beaten-path spots, I hope to inspire others to slow down, look closer, and connect with the quieter side of the country. I believe travel should be meaningful — for both the traveler and the places we visit.
On Instagram, I share these discoveries through my blog @sugalenin, where a community of nearly 300,000 people follows along as I explore Japan’s hidden gems, one quiet journey at a time.
In 2023, I decided to take a leap and become independent. Now I work as a freelancer, partnering with local governments, small towns, and private companies to promote sustainable, community-based tourism.
At first, I wanted to keep the places I discovered to myself. But through conversations with locals — many of whom shared concerns about disappearing traditions, aging populations, and abandoned buildings — I came to understand how responsible tourism could help. Thoughtful travelers can play a part in preserving these places, simply by showing up and engaging with care.
That’s why I now focus solely on lesser-known destinations in Japan. By sharing these off-the-beaten-path spots, I hope to inspire others to slow down, look closer, and connect with the quieter side of the country. I believe travel should be meaningful — for both the traveler and the places we visit.
On Instagram, I share these discoveries through my blog @sugalenin, where a community of nearly 300,000 people follows along as I explore Japan’s hidden gems, one quiet journey at a time.
