Translator, Writer, Runner
Sharing Japanese running culture with the world through creative storytelling and translation
This Is Me
When I was 14, I finished 7th in my school's cross-country race. I can still picture the course: a death-trap woodland gully, a lung-busting hill climb, and a final clamber over a stile before a boggy dash to the finish. I remember the buzz of the top-ten finish and the euphoria of pushing my limits.
A few months later, however, at a regional meet, I placed somewhere past 200th, fell face-first into a lake-sized puddle, and decided running wasn’t for me. Or so I thought.
At 40, seeking a reset — giving up alcohol, focusing on my mental health — I turned to it again. And I realized that spark had never left. Running had always been there, woven into my life in Japan, where it became a way to explore, absorb the culture, and learn the language.
That’s when it clicked. As a translator, writer, and social media strategist, I had spent years bridging cultures through storytelling. Now, I could do the same for Japan’s rich running culture.
Japan has one of the world’s deepest running cultures, centered around Ekiden, the team relay that captivates the nation every winter. To truly understand it, you have to experience it firsthand.
I’m doing my best to do just that, training alongside the Tamagawa University women’s Ekiden team, running with RETO running club under Hakone Ekiden legend Daichi Kamino, and immersing myself in the sport. Through these experiences, I aim to bridge the language and cultural gap and share Japan’s running stories with the world.
Kochi Ryoma Marathon
2025
3:14:20
JA - EN Translation Copywriting
Social Media Writing & Strategy
Editing Subtitling Digital Marketing
Interviewing
Let's connect
Successful storytelling starts with connection
The key to bringing Japanese running culture to a global audience — whether through writing, translation, or social media — is authentic storytelling. While I can provide linguistic expertise and cultural insights, the real story belongs to the runners, teams, and traditions that make this sport unique.
I've found that sharing experiences, training philosophies, and the voices of those within the Ekiden and distance running world can create a deeper, more meaningful impact. By engaging in open conversations, we can bridge cultures, celebrate Japan’s rich running heritage, and inspire a new audience to connect with this incredible sport.
