instagram: @ajisaijapan / @hedgehogsandhydrangeas

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

It is a more interesting way to travel than staying at a hotel. I want to have more meaningful encounters with people. So far I have had several positive CS experiences in Japan and have also tried WWOOF there once. I would like to continue traveling this way.

Interests

I love art and photography. I enjoy going to museums. I collect art postcards. I like to draw and paint. I like to listen to music, watch movies, read books.

• arts
• culture
• books
• photography
• movies
• traveling
• drawing
• music
• wwoof
• museums
• postcards

Music, Movies, and Books

Some authors I like:
Margaret Atwood, Kazuo Ishiguro, Iris Murdoch, Kenzaburo Oe, Ray Bradbury, Edward Gorey, Haruki Murakami. I'm currently very interested in reading more V.S. Naipaul and John Irving

A few movies that I love:
One million yen girl, Pierrot le fou, Don't laugh at my romance, Josee the Tiger and the Fish, Desert of forbidden art, Electrick Children, Tuvalu, A band apart, Anna 1967, Hedgehog in the fog, 2001: a space odyssey, Pride and prejudice, Amelie, Tony Takitani, The Hours, Goodbye Lenin, In the land of the deaf, April story, The twilight samurai, Kamikaze girls

I like most types of music but am selective as to what I listen to. Favourite bands and artists include:

Aoba Ichiko, Soutaiseiriron, Hitsujibungaku, Homecomings, Ogre You Asshole, Spitz, Shiina Ringo, Tokyo Jihen, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Serani Poji, Shonen Knife, Takako Minekawa, Tujiko Noriko, Cokiyu, Perfume, Cibo Matto, Kahimi Karie, The Blue Hearts

Boards of Canada, Pavement, Bai Ann, Nina Nastasia, Velvet Underground, Nico, Pixies, Vashti Bunyan, Blonde Redhead, God is an Astronaut, Grimes, Conduits, Broadcast, Kino, My Bloody Valentine, Joy Division, Ros Sereysothea, Dengue Fever, Fiona Apple, Lali Puna, Mogwai, Francoise Hardy, Amiina, PJ Harvey, Regina Spektor, David Bowie, Novos Baianos

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I’m not sure if these are amazing or not but here are some experiences I’m glad I had:
• Since Japan is quite safe, I don't know how "amazing" this is, but I hitchhiked alone from Kyoto to Tokyo and back. I met a lot of great people while I was traveling and during my stay in Tokyo.
• I taught English to refugees in Bulgaria as a volunteer. 💛
• I spent almost two weeks in Paris, mostly visiting museums.

Teach, Learn, Share

I want to learn how to speak Japanese fluently and I’m interested in learning a bit of French and Spanish. If you’re interested in art, photography, crafts, etc, I’ll probably love talking to you. Let’s talk about art and culture! I can teach you some English if you’d like.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I will bring some small souvenirs from Bulgaria. If you need help with learning English, I would be glad to help. If you'd like me to draw your portrait, I will try my best. :)

Countries I’ve Visited

France, Japan

Countries I’ve Lived In

Bulgaria, Japan, Russian Federation, United Kingdom