Keiichiro currently also works at Mitsuhashi Rice Milling, where he's hopped from role to role, ranging from systems, planning and PR, and online sales. Today, wanting to have as many people eat delicious rice as much as possible, he also supervises and operates the earthenware pot-cooked rice specialty restaurant, GOHANYA'GOHAN. He also runs classes on various rice blends, how to cook rice, and compares rice brands at schools, companies, and other events.
Gardening and wildcrafting food for her family, Amy grows in a variety of gardens including hydroponic, raised beds, containers, and in the ground. As a master gardener, she has successfully gardened across the country.
Lisa Lee is a Wine Consultant and Sommelier based in Myrtle Beach, SC. Lisa has been certified through The Wine and Spirits Education Trust earning her WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, with Merit.
Kazuki Okumura managed the K-two hair salons in Aoyama and Ginza, and now manages the Ikebukuro branch since its launch in 2019. He's currently a top-rated hairstylist who is often fully booked. He specializes in cutting and coloring hair and treatments to improve hair quality. In addition to appearing on Japanese TV and in magazines, he also utilizes his in-depth knowledge of haircare and haircare products, working with many major cosmetics companies as a product development consultant.
Yasuhiro Yamaguchi has appeared on several Japanese TV shows and on YouTube as an entertainer specializing in gaming under the name Yamaguchi Quest. He's also written many online articles introducing a variety of games. Currently, Yasuhiro is in charge of articles related to gaming devices at mybest, writing articles with the intent of helping out new and beginner gamers.
Rob has been employed for 19 years at a major US audio manufacturer, in various roles, including new product testing. He is well-versed in electronics, especially sound-related equipment.
His experience in medical care for the elderly led Mr. Hayasaka to realize the importance of bathing for health. He is now a leading researcher on bathing and hot springs, and has conducted studies with over 30,000 people. He received his M.D. from Jichi Medical University and is now a professor in the Human Sciences department at Tokyo City University specializing in balneotherapy. He has been on Japanese TV, radio, newspapers and magazines, giving lectures with easy-to-understand explanations. TV guest appearances include The Most Useful School in the World, HONMADEKKA TV, asaichi, Chico Will Scold You! and more. Published works include The Official Guide to Correct Bathing from the Japan Bathing Association and The Best Bathing Method published by Daiwa Shobo.
Natalya is a professional makeup artist based in Los Angeles and has been trying new products to find what is best for each individual's skin tone and type. She is self-taught but wanted to further her education, and she went to a makeup school in Los Angeles to learn the ins and outs of makeup. She has tried many makeup brands and products and can proudly say she has found some of the best and longest-wearing products. As a freelance makeup artist, she wants her clients not to worry about their makeup not lasting as long as they need it to.
Ayumi is the only journalist and coordinator that specializes in chocolate. She covers the world 365 days a year both in Japan and cacao producing regions for the latest news and trends related to chocolate on various media platforms. She's been a chocolate lover for roughly 30 years, and now coordinates chocolate-related media and provides brand consulting.
Mieko has participated in and won several awards at numerous barista championships and is now a judge herself. She won the 2006 Japan Barista Championship's Syphon Division and was runner-up for the 2013 Japan Coffee In Good Spirits Championship. While she's not training other aspiring baristas at her seminar Coffee Academy, she also supervises coffee-related books and produces coffee beverages.
Whiskey Richard is the founder of nomunication.jp, an English-language drinks blog specializing in Japanese whisky, spirits, and Tokyo's cocktail culture. He has lived in Tokyo since 2008. He is a certified Cocktail Professor, SSI Shochu Kikisakeshi, and he provides consulting services for foreign spirits brands seeking to enter the Japanese market. Since 2021 he has served on the Executive Committee and as a judge for the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition.
Jim Quast (JQ) is a lifelong professional restaurant and corporate R&D chef who loves everything food-related and the tools, both big and small, to make those great food memories. He's a super huge BBQ, grill, and kitchen gadget fanatic. JQ has spent the last 30+ years trying to figure out what works to make your kitchen life easier and fun. If you can use it to slice it, dice it, cook it, smoke it, or store it, he's been there checking it out. Food = Life!
Emiko Akahoshi has worked in the cosmetics industry for 19 years. Through her time at two major cosmetics manufacturers, as well as working at an organic cosmetics manufacturer where she was involved in the launch of a new cosmetics business, which includes planning, development, and the management of the manufacturing of organic cosmetics, Emiko has gained an incredible amount of experience and knowledge of the industry. Currently, Emiko is the CEO of ELATE COSME WORKS (https://elatecosmeworks.com/), a consulting company that helps those who want to manufacture OEM cosmetics as well as those who want to launch their own cosmetics business. Follow her on Twitter @emiposhi and on Instagram @emi.elatecosmeworks for information related to all-things cosmetics, including the business side of the industry.
Cody Mizuno is the editor and founder of Ramen Guide Japan, a website dedicated to sharing ramen with the English-speaking masses. He has eaten at over 500 ramen restaurants throughout Japan and documents his trips on his website where he writes detailed reviews and translates menus, as well as on his Instagram where he uploads photos of all the bowls he eats.
Akira Nomura is a 35-year-old who loves video games, his wife, and visiting hot springs. At the age of 20, he entered the world of consumer electronics by working at a mass retailer as a manufacturer helper. Always having an interest in customer service and home appliances from the beginning, Akira spent his days studying while making use of his PC skills, and started his own blog, where in two years, he exceeded 200 million yen in annual sales. In his fifth year, he recorded an annual sales of 300 million yen and received an award for being the top corporate salesperson. He currently runs the blog "Professional Salesperson Teaches You How to Buy Home Appliances without Losing Money" under the name of Tarossa.
After working at an Italian restaurant for six years, Akiko Kazama changed careers and began working at a cooking school before going independent. Akiko then helped launch cafes, catered for events, and supervised cooking for online media outlets and magazines. In 2013, she established her own cooking school, Kitchen Studio Ningyocho Kitchen, which primarily focuses on home cooking. In recent years, she has been active as an expert in taste testing, cooking utensils, and cooking appliances, and is familiar with a broad range of fields related to food.
I am the manager and head personal trainer for a local fitness facility. I graduated from college with my bachelor's in Exercise Science and have been in the industry for the past 5 years since. I am super passionate about fitness and how our bodies work!
With 16 years and counting in the education field, I have worked with pre-school age children all the way up to university students. I have taught in classrooms, trained teachers, and managed schools around the globe.
Dr. Regina Hardin is a pediatrician and the founder of MyKidzMD Pediatrics. She enjoys spending her day caring for newborns and helping parents handle their most common pediatric concerns. Dr. Hardin says: "Parents are often afraid of routine newborn care for fear of hurting the baby or possibly doing something wrong. My mission is to empower parents with education and by giving them the tools to keep children healthy, happy, and thriving."
Rachel Binkley is a registered dietitian who helps individuals develop healthy habits that fit into their lifestyle. She recommends adequate intakes of all micronutrients to help prevent deficiency as well as chronic conditions that may arise. You can keep up with her recipes, lifestyle, and more on Instagram or her blog, S'more Satisfaction.