Meet Elli, a Tokyo-based creator from Germany who fell in love with Japan through anime and travel. Now crafting crochet pieces and exploring pop culture, she dreams of better health and growing her handmade business.
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TOC
Interview on Life in Japan
＊English Original / Japanese Translation
Where are you from? 出身はどこですか？
Peru
ドイツです。
How long have you stayed in Japan? 日本にはどのくらいいますか？
15 years
15年
What do you do in Japan? 日本では何をしていますか？
I used to work for a translation company, but unfortunately I got sick with long covid and am currently too sick to work full time. When I’m able to I do like to crochet and I sell my creations online and at craft markets.
I am a fan of Japanese anime and games since I was a child. After graduating high school I did my first trip to Japan and fell in love with the country. Many more followed until I moved to Japan after graduating university.
Why do you choose to stay in this city? なぜこの街を選びましたか？
I live in Tokyo and what love about Tokyo is that you can enjoy the busy city center with all the high rise buildings as well as the downtown areas that have a more traditional atmosphere.
Tokyo also always has something you can do. There’s so many events taking place all the time, it never gets boring.
Where is your local recommendation in this city? この街でのおすすめスポットは？
The area of Tokyo I like most is Koenji. There are many cute cafes and lots of second hand and vintage fashion stores where you can find unique items. Also love strolling the traditional Japanese shopping streets you can find there.
What do you enjoy the most while staying in Japan? 日本での生活で一番気に入っていることは？
I really love the Japanese cuisine and enjoy all kinds of Japanese food. I especially love all the cute desserts that Japanese cafes and cake shops have to offer.
I am also a big fan of the Japanese pop culture and love collecting cute items of my favorite Japanese characters and going to events that feature them.
What is the biggest challenge being in Japan? 日本で一番大変だと感じることは？
Due to my illness I use a wheelchair when leaving the house and it’s pretty challenging to be a wheelchair user in Japan. Many places are not accessible in a wheelchair and using public transport always requires assistance of the personnel.
What are the differences between Japan & your country? 日本と母国の違いは何ですか？
In Germany trains are delayed most of the time. If you travel by train you always have to factor in extra time. In Japan the Shinkansen is hardly ever delayed and you can rely on the time table.
