Hi all!

My name is Aldo, and I am a writer, artist, and filmmaker based in California and Japan!

You can view some of my work on my website:
www.aldoschwartz.com

I began solo backpacking in Japan at age 16, and I have returned to Japan every summer since then (except 2020 due to COVID).

The experiences I had while backpacking were profoundly transformative, and they inspired me to pursue art and filmmaking in the future.

I’ve met many kind and generous people during my journeys, and some of them have become lifelong friends.

I love visiting new places, meeting new people, learning new things, and building connections that expand each other’s worldviews — and CouchSurfing seems like the perfect way to do that!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

One of the greatest sources of joy in my life is meeting new people and having deep conversations.

I’m also looking for people to collaborate on creative projects (e.g. short films).

CouchSurfing seems like a great way to build these kinds of connections!

Interests

• arts
• writing
• folklore
• photography
• concerts
• festivals
• running
• reading
• podcasts
• music
• hiking
• scuba diving
• physics
• psychology
• science
• filmmaking
• mythology
• japan
• deep conversations
• meeting new people
• cinematography
• long walks
• tea ceremony

Music, Movies, and Books

Music 🎵

Folk rock, Vegyn, Aphex Twin, Daft Punk, The Police, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Peter Gabriel, Classic Rock, Japanese Hip-Hop and Indie Rock, Jazz, Psychedelic Rock, Classical, Ambient/Experimental

Movies 🎞

Spirited Away, Castle in the Sky, Nausica and the Valley of the Wind, Only Yesterday, After Life, Twin Peaks, Mulholland Drive, High and Low, Past Lives, Wings of Desire, Yi Yi, Tokyo Story, anything directed by Werner Herzog…

Books 📖

“The Wind Up Bird Chronicle” by Haruki Murakami
“Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway
“Man’yōshū” (万葉集)
“Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” by Hunter S. Thompson
“Maps of Meaning” by Jordan B. Peterson

+ anything related to history, culture, and art!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

After graduating from high school, I spent 1 month working on a scuba diving boat in Okinawa. 🏝🛥

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach 👨🏻‍🏫
- Analog/Film Photography and Cinematography
- Personality Psychology
- English, and a bit of Japanese and Spanish

Learn📚
- Languages, Cultures, and History
- Cooking
- Anything you want to share!

Share 👥
- Life experiences and advice
- Book and film recommendations
- Good times!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I’m an avid photographer and filmmaker with experience in a variety of mediums (both film and digital).

I can provide photographic and filmmaking services to my hosts for little/no charge (e.g., making a short film or photographs for your business).

I’m not an experienced cook, but I will gladly help with food preparation in any way I can!

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Denmark, France, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Japan, United States