Manami Okazaki is a journalist fluent in English. She writes for major newspapers and magazines internationally about Japanese culture. She specializes in Japanese culture, popular culture and folk culture. She has written 13 books on Japanese culture including Kawaii, the Culture of Cute, Takumi, Downtown Tokyo Japanese Artisans, Land of the Rising Cat, Japanese Kokeshi Dolls: The Woodcraft and Culture of Japan's Iconic Wooden Dolls and Japan's Best Friend. She also curates exhibitions globally in collaboration with Japanese artisans. She is also the owner of Tonbi Books which specializes in rare Japanese books and folk craft in downtown Tokyo. Because of her work, she is very familiar with Japan's downtown culture and can give insight into the lives of denizens and artisans that make up the East side of Tokyo and the unique urban layout of the region. She has studied Japanese urbanism and post war history at an academic level (MA in journalism from Columbia University). She is genuinely passionate about sharing Japanese culture and sharing her knowledge with people in an accessible and effervescent manner.

Aquiles has been living and working in Tokyo since 2009, when he arrived on a MEXT scholarship to develop his art practice at Tokyo University of the Arts, where he completed his MFA and PhD degrees in Fine Arts. His artistic work and research focus on the links between free improvisation, experimental music and visual arts. He has performed and shown his work in many countries including the US, Japan, Germany, Venezuela, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Aquiles’ relationship to Japan predates his arrival to the country, as he has been studying Japanese Art and culture since the late 90’s. He has focused on the study and practice of Kendo (Japanese fencing) and Zen Buddhism of the Soto school, integrating the philosophical core of both disciplines into his artwork. During his time in Tokyo, Aquiles has lived in the Yanesen neighborhood, an area that has been gaining popularity the past few years for its unique combination of old temples and ancient buildings with many curious shops and cafés in which independent designers have channeled the area’s historical background through ingenious renovations.

Maciej, a professional photographer, was born in Warsaw, Poland in a family with many Japanese connections, thus the idea of traveling to the Far East was his dream since childhood. Fascinated by Japanese literature and classic cinema, he received a Master’s degree from the University of Warsaw with a specialization in Japanese Studies. Before graduation, he spent one year at Kobe University and one year in Tokyo where he was an intern at the Embassy of Poland. Married for several years to Tokyo-born Japanese, a daughter of a sushi-making family, he lives and continues to discover an old part of the capital, the so-called 'Low City', which he admires for its amazing history and preserved unique atmosphere. A gourmet and Nihonshu (rice sake) lover, and author of articles for the Polish press about Japanese cuisine.