My Life Story

Thank you so much for visiting this page!

As a health advisor, I make it a priority to deliver “vitality” and “smiles” every day. Here, I would like to share the story of how I began walking the path I am on today.

Looking back on my journey so far, I have truly been supported by so many people. When I felt lost or needed to pause, there were always those who reached out a hand, lighting up my life. I am sincerely grateful that, thanks to them, I am now able to do this work of being there for others.

Everyone faces walls or moments where they shed tears in life, don't they? Through my own experiences, I have strongly felt how important the power of a smile and mental well-being are. I hope that through this story, you might feel, even just a little, “It's good to be energetic” and “Smiles are a source of strength.”

I want this to be a place where readers can feel at ease and find a positive mindset. Please, take your time and enjoy reading!

I was born in Kyotanabe City, Kyoto Prefecture, during the busy end-of-year season on December 29, 1985.

Childhood and youth facing adversity

I loved running around with neighborhood children in our family's rice fields and exploring the area around our house. Perhaps because I was the youngest, I was very strong-willed and would stand up firmly against anyone who bullied my older sister or brother.

Our family was not wealthy; my mother supported us through side jobs and part-time work, and I helped her from a young age. My father showed little interest in raising children, and I often watched my mother struggle to balance work and childcare while being buried in daily housework. When I was three, a terrible incident occurred where my sister was kicked by my father, resulting in a serious head injury that required emergency surgery. Fortunately, her life was not in danger, but from that time on, I began to question the existence of a father figure and gradually distanced myself from him.

When I was 10, we were struck by the tragedy of our house burning down completely, and we lost almost everything. The loss was significant, and everything I cherished at the time was gone, but I was relieved that my family was safe. After the fire, we received support from neighbors, elementary school classmates, and seniors, which allowed me to somehow continue my school life. However, at the same time, a hellish cycle of debt began to weigh heavily on my family.

When entering junior high school, I was allowed to have my way and went to the same school in Nara as my friends. At that time, I loved feeling rhythm, so I joined the brass band without hesitation and encountered the drums there. When I was playing the drums, I didn't think about anything and was completely absorbed, so that was how I relieved my stress. Since I was in the sixth grade of elementary school, I had loved Western punk rock (especially The Offspring) and kept listening to it even in junior high. I felt as if their exhilarating music was speaking for my feelings. However, I also had bitter experiences in my friendships. I was betrayed by friends I trusted, had money I lent never returned, and was treated like an errand boy, which hurt me deeply. Gradually, my distrust of friendships grew, and by the time of graduation, I left school without feeling any sadness.

Amidst that, I entered a local high school and finally met friends I could truly trust from the heart. It started when a friend returned the money I had lent for a drink the very next day and said, “Thank you,” which deeply moved me. We built a relationship where we could talk about anything, from love stories to our future, and that friendship continues to this day. During my high school life, while continuing my activities in the brass band, I started a part-time job at a hotel restaurant in the summer of my first year. I learned the difficulty of earning my own money and the importance of cooperation with colleagues in the workplace, finding a sense of achievement and fulfillment that I couldn't learn at school. Even though I was a high school student, the work in the demanding customer service industry was tough, and at first, I made various mistakes and was scolded. However, by knowing the joy of overcoming challenges by working with my colleagues, I became drawn to the charm of customer service.

Even after graduating from high school, I continued my part-time job in customer service, but I had the opportunity to help in the busy kitchen, and I was moved to see the customers eating the food I helped prepare with such joy. Then, a new interest in cooking sprouted. My desire to study cooking more and see customers' smiles grew stronger, so I started studying culinary arts while working at a Western-style cafe restaurant. At 20, I obtained my chef's license and began working at a long-established Western-style restaurant in Kyoto. That restaurant was so popular that there were long lines, and I worked every day for long hours, barely taking breaks, pouring all my physical strength into it. Some customers even said they wanted to eat what I made, and some became regulars. I was exhausted every day, but the joy of seeing customers smile and the time spent working hard with my colleagues was so much fun that I thought that place was where I belonged. However, as expected, the long hours of standing began to cause physical pain, and my anxiety about my physical strength gradually increased. The question of whether I could continue working in this place forever began to cross my mind.

That anxiety moved me, and I began to explore if there was more I could do, starting to study bookkeeping on my own during breaks and commuting time. I then obtained my Level 2 Bookkeeping certification. To find new possibilities, at the age of 26, I decided to leave the world of cooking once to face myself.

While relaxing in my hometown for about a month, I participated in the neighborhood association and helped with my mother's food education volunteer work. There happened to be a job opening at the post office near my house, and I started working in a different field than before. Sorting parcels and letters was a job I had previously felt was mundane, but I realized that each one was carrying someone's thoughts, and I came to think of it as a wonderful job. No matter what work was assigned to me, it was very fun and stress-free. My boss saw that attitude and began to entrust me with more work, such as office tasks and payroll management. I always felt gratitude for being given work.

Wonderful encounters and experiences

One day, I met an elderly man who ran a guesthouse for foreigners near my hometown.
Since I had admired foreign countries and been interested in foreign languages since I was a child, I wanted to talk to him, so I decided to visit his guesthouse and hear his stories.
He was managing many foreign tourists all by himself, which looked very difficult. I thought there might be something I could do, so I decided to help out in my spare time.
My mother and siblings were also interested in international exchange, so they joined in to help with the guesthouse work. Gradually, we gained the cooperation of the local people, and we held many events, such as kimono dressing, nagashi-somen (flowing somen noodles), cooking Japanese food together, and performing martial arts.
The guests from overseas were very happy, and everyone would say, 'It was fun! I'm glad I came here! Let's meet again!'
By experiencing different cultures and customs firsthand, my longing for foreign countries grew stronger and stronger.

Around that time, I took paid leave to meet a friend from Singapore I had met at the guesthouse, and I took the plunge and challenged myself to my first solo trip abroad.
I had never been on an airplane before, and I was anxious about what I would need and what I should do once I arrived, but when I actually went, with the help of my local friend, they kindly and gently guided me to many places, and I was able to make wonderful memories tasting delicious homemade dishes and local specialties.

A wonderful encounter

After that, while continuing to help at the guesthouse, I met a man who was visiting from Spain. I was impressed by his deep understanding of Japanese culture and his politeness, and we became attracted to each other. I was touched by his kind and family-oriented personality, and eventually, we started dating with marriage in mind.
A long-distance relationship between Spain and Japan began, and there were times when it was painful not being able to see each other.
There were times when it was frustrating because the time difference limited when we could communicate, but he encouraged me with his positive attitude and made me laugh a lot so that I wouldn't feel lonely.

When I was 30, one year after we met, I decided to move to Spain to marry him. I got rid of everything in Japan, and all I took with me was one suitcase. I said goodbye to my family and friends, and a new life began in a foreign land.

Moving with almost zero Spanish was full of anxiety and confusion, but with the support of my husband and his family, I was able to experience many things I couldn't have done in Japan.
While attending language school, I gradually adapted to the new environment and increased the things I could do on my own.

My existence in Spain

When my life in Spain began, I struggled with the frustration of 'wanting to do something but being unable to do anything.' I would ask myself every day, 'I don't know my left from my right, I'm like a child,' 'I wish I could speak more Spanish,' 'What is my value in this place?' and sometimes I would get depressed.

Even so, seeing my Spanish family and friends who always treated me kindly, I spent my days searching for 'what I could do.' Then, I suddenly remembered that I had always loved 'writing characters.' With that thought in my heart, I decided to start calligraphy.

When I held the brush and faced the paper, my heart strangely calmed down, and I felt as if I had created a special place just for myself. It purified the anxiety and impatience I felt in Spain and became a sanctuary for my heart. Gradually, I began to write calligraphy to be displayed in the dojos where my husband and his friends practiced Aikido and Naginata, and that led to requests coming in from other countries as well. By that time, I felt that I was gradually finding 'my place' here.

Also, I noticed that the Spanish people who interacted with me were very interested in Japanese culture, especially Japanese food. So, we had more opportunities to share fun times, such as cooking Japanese food together using ingredients available locally or bringing food to the dojo. As those days went by, I felt the joy of connecting through culture, and I gradually gained confidence and a sense of fulfillment in my life in Spain.

Changes in life

Just before the lockdown was issued due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we bought our dream home. However, immediately after that, the lockdown was issued, and our lives changed completely. The house we had just bought had no furniture or daily necessities, so for about half a year, it remained untouched, and we couldn't do anything. While being taken care of at my husband's parents' house, we spent our days focused on COVID-19 countermeasures.

In Spain, going out for anything other than shopping or walking was prohibited, and they strictly enforced this, fining people who were out otherwise or not wearing masks.
At the supermarket, there were long lines every day, and entry was restricted. Food, diapers, toilet paper, and disinfectant became scarce, and we spent our time consuming what we had at home little by little.
Many of my acquaintances were medical professionals, and although they were in a situation where they were living side-by-side with death, not knowing when they might catch COVID-19 and collapse, they worked with a strong belief that they wanted to save even one patient suffering from COVID-19.
Every night at 8:00, we would always clap from our windows to show our gratitude to the medical professionals and everyone working during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The restrictions on going out were gradually eased, and our lives began to show a little more vitality.
Since our new home was a semi-detached house, we started repair work and were able to begin living there.

A new dog and a stray cat have joined our family, making our home lively and bringing warmth into our lives.

Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Parenting Abroad

When the pandemic had settled down a bit, I became pregnant with my first child and gave birth. My first pregnancy and childbirth abroad was an experience where joy and anxiety were intertwined.
During my pregnancy, I spent most of my time on the sofa due to severe morning sickness and anemia. At the time, I craved Japanese egg tofu and mozuku seaweed, and I lamented every day that I couldn't eat them.

Due to COVID-19, the only family member allowed in the hospital room during delivery was my husband. Amidst the anxiety, I cherished the time I spent feeling the baby's movements.

During delivery, the baby couldn't come out because my birth canal was narrow, and I had to push for over an hour, but the baby still wouldn't show its face. Eventually, I had an episiotomy and the baby was delivered via vacuum extraction.
When I heard the baby's first cry, I felt nothing but relief and applauded myself for my hard work.
Now, my life with the baby was about to begin.
However, my first experience with parenting was a constant struggle. When the baby cried, I didn't know what to do, and I spent my days in a flurry with tears in my eyes. I was so busy taking care of the baby that I forgot the pain of childbirth.
Being at home with the baby every day, feelings of loneliness and alienation grew rather than happiness. I didn't have anyone reliable around to consult with, and there were times when I felt like I was going to break down. Still, the warm words of encouragement from my mother and sister became my support, and I was able to face parenting with a more positive attitude little by little.

Experiencing Life and Death in a Short Period

About two years later, I experienced the birth of my second child. However, I lost my mother suddenly during the pregnancy, and the deep sorrow and sense of loss caused me to suffer from severe anemia and poor health.
Even so, I gave birth safely and became a mother of two.
While gradually overcoming my mother's death, I vowed to pour the love I had received onto my children and to live strongly.

The Wonder of Being Healthy

I realized the importance of listening to my own body, and I am convinced that being healthy leads to a happy life and brings smiles to my family.
Although my days are busy with parenting, I deepened my learning after the children were asleep and was able to receive my certification as a Total Wellness Advisor!

In this way, my life in Spain became not just an experience of living in a foreign country, but an opportunity to deeply reflect on myself and grow.

Currently, I am living a peaceful life with my family while struggling through the challenges of parenting.
As a health advisor, I wanted to deepen my knowledge further, so I also began studying Kampo medicinal cooking.

The path I have walked has by no means been flat, but everything has shaped who I am today. I will continue to move forward step by step and work hard to deliver vitality and smiles to more people.
I would be happy if I could share with you the importance of being positive and living strongly in any situation.

I sincerely thank you for reading this far!

I will be posting more health information from now on, so please come and check it out!