Cultural and language exchange while living like a local in Tokyo, Japan

Infos

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  Description

  My name is Emmanuel, I'm originally from France but I've now been living in Tokyo for 7 years.
  
  I first came here against my will, while I had no interest in this country.
  However, I immediately fell in love with its values, its culture, its people, its landscapes, etc.
  
  Then I used the amazing Working Holiday Visa to experiment how it's like living here. It turned out to be even better than coming as a visitor, so I'm still here more than 7 years later :)
  
  I run my own small business on the Internet (related to dogs and cats), working with freelancers who are based all around the world. I also work occasionally as a freelance guide for tourists in Tokyo and around.
  
  I like history, geography and geopolitics, but I also deeply love go see places by myself plus learn about other cultures and ways of life. That's why I've already traveled to more than 40 countries, including some where not maybe people go (North Korea, Iran, Transnistria...). This curiosity has also led me to host more than 30 people from all around the world through Couchsurfing and similar websites - and some of them have actually become real friends :)
  
  Please note: I have my own apartment but my girlfriend is uncomfortable with me letting another girl stay at my place, so I refrain from doing that. Sorry, girls!

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Pratique d’une langue

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Événements/vie sociale

  

  Culture

  

  Animaux de compagnie

  

  Technologie

  

  Politique/justice sociale

  

  Photographie

  

  Architecture

  

  Langues

  

  Musique

  

  Histoire

  

  Animaux

  

  Nature

  

  Montagne

  

  Cyclisme

  

  Activités en plein air

  

  Randonnée
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  Being in love with Japan, I've read a lot about it, been driving more than 30,000 km all around the country, visited all of its 47 prefectures and attended more than 100 local matsuris (festivals). I'm always happy to share my love, knowledge and experience of this amazing country to help other travelers make the most of their time here. I also like being asked questions about Japan: it's a good way to learn new things when I don't have the answer. I also like exchanging about similarities and differences with your country and your culture.
  
  I have to work on daytime, but on the evenings I can definitely make myself available for having dinner together, showing you around and bringing you to various typical places, if you are up for it and want to experience Japan "beyond the touristic highways" :)
  
  I've traveled to more than 50 countries, including some "special" ones such as North Korea, Iran or Transnistria. I can definitely tell you more about this if you are interested in knowing more or considering visiting some countries I've been to. On the other hand, I'm also always open to hearing and learning about other travelers' experiences: it's a good way to learn about the world and sometimes identify great ideas for future trips.

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  Aide

  I work quite much but I also travel several times a year, so I'm always interested in welcoming other travelers:
  - you can share with me interesting information and advice about your country or other countries you've traveled to;
  - you can help me practice my English or my German, which I'm always happy to do as I want to improve.
  
  You could also help a bit for the house (cleaning the windows or other parts, removing dust, fixing things...).
  
  But if you think of other ways you can help, I'm open to it as well :)

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Anglais: Courant
  Français: Courant
  Allemand: Intermédiaire
  Japonais: Intermédiaire

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  Cet hôte a indiqué qu’il souhaitait faire partager sa propre langue ou en apprendre une nouvelle.
  Contactez-le pour en savoir plus.
  
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  Hébergement

  My apartment is quite big for Japanese standards (60 square meters), has a long balcony and views on Nakano, Shinjuku and the mountains - including Fujisan, when the weather allows.
  
  It's 6mn on foot from Numabukuro station. Numabukuro is a lovely, green, quiet and typical Japanese neighborhood, yet the train takes only 11mn to reach Shinjuku and 20mn to reach Shibuya.
  
  You'll have your own futon in a traditional tatami bedroom.
  
  My additional bicycle will be at your disposal as well. It's not only a way to save money on transportation costs: it's also the most pleasant and exciting way to explore and discover Tokyo!
  
  There is also a washing machine in my apartment, which you can use of course.
  
  Same for the Super Nintendo (Famicom) in the living room :)
  
  The kitchen will be at your disposal whenever you want. It has gas stoves for saucepans and frying pans, a microwave / oven, etc. And on some evenings, we can definitely hangout and have dinner together in various typical restaurants and izakayas.

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  Autres infos...

  My interests: traveling, hiking, computer science and technology, geopolitics, history, driving and car racing, airplanes, karaoke, badminton, dogs and cats...
  
  Regarding music: I LOVE it, I couldn't live without it.
  Among my favorites bands and singers are Angus & Julia Stone, First Aid Kit, Hot Chip, Leonard Cohen, Of monsters and men, Parov Stelar, Scorpions, Supertramp, The Cranberries, The Cure, The National, The Paper Kites, The Killers, The Strokes, The War on Drugs...
  I'm always up for having fun in karaoke: it originates from Japan and it's one of the most popular entertainments here :)

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  You can use the living's room table, it's big and I don't really make use of it. There is also a spare office chair and a spare monitor, if you want to be in dual screen.

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  Possibilité d'accueillir les animaux

  I manage websites about dogs and cats, so obviously I love them even though I unfortunately don't have one.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Un

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  Mes animaux

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