Her story with Japan started when she was just three years old, living in Sapporo with her family. She went to a local kindergarten, picked up the language naturally, and settled into life like any other child. Then they moved back to Russia, and – without anyone to speak Japanese with – she forgot it all.

Fast forward to university, and something pulled her back. She started learning Japanese again from scratch, determined to reconnect with the country that had once felt like home. At 19, she spent a short exchange in Hokkaido, followed by a year in Chiba.

“I was just a student with barely any money, so I travelled the best way I could – hitchhiking, taking local trains, meeting incredible people along the way.”

One of those people would change her life – she met her now-husband during that year. Japan didn’t just give her adventures; it led her to Australia.

In 2024, she finally returned to Japan, this time with fresh eyes. The experience was incredible – familiar, and new all at once.

Having lived, studied, and travelled through Japan in such an immersive way, Anastasiia deeply understands what makes a journey there truly authentic. Whether it’s the hidden local gems, the cultural nuances, or the best way to experience Japan beyond the tourist trail, she loves helping others discover the real Japan – just as she has, time and time again.

For Anastasiia, travel isn’t just about seeing new places. It’s about the moments, the connections, and the unexpected turns that shape who we become.