I’ve been fortunate to enjoy traveling from a young age and began to start crossing off countries on a map. After staying in Europe for most of my childhood, I loved the idea of Asian culture, and it was no surprise to my friends and family that my professional career started in Shanghai. What followed was adventures living abroad for the following decade, in China, Australia and Japan, where I worked as a tour guide.
When I first moved to Japan, I gravitated to cities of bright lights and energy, new technology and convenience stores, but shortly understood the pleasure of the countryside. The rich food, stunning nature and traditionalism only enhanced the experiences of Japan, and the perfect blend of the two has kept me visiting nearly every year from 2018 to the present day.
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Q&A with Gemma
What tips would you give for people who want to visit your specialty destination?
Japan has such a wide array of culture that high-quality souvenirs can be found in many forms, such as hand-crafted chopsticks, stunningly woven kimonos, or a delightful bottle of sake. For me, artwork has always reflected the travel experiences I’ve had, and though I do love a good piece of crockery and its decals, you can’t go wrong with the beloved postcard.
What's the one thing you always pack?
I always make sure to travel with my journal and a pen to capture the standout moments of my day. For me, nothing solidifies a day of adventures like sitting down in a cozy corner and recounting the landmarks I’ve visited and the people I’ve met. It’s a great memento to have once back home.
What’s the best local dish you’ve tasted?
The food across Japan is incredible, but among my favorites are Kobe beef teppanyaki-style, oyster okonomiyaki in Hiroshima, and Michelin-star ramen in Kyoto. In my opinion, the crème de la crème is shabu-shabu. When in doubt, opt for the soy-based broth as it adds an incomparable depth to the dish. It’s hard to believe that I was once a vegetarian.