Hello, I’m Lisa in Sapporo — Airbnb, Travel, and What I Actually Do

Oh my God, my last post was in September!? Time flies when you’re busy building a business and surviving life. So here we go!

Today, I have two things to share:

1. I’m joining the “Real Gaijin” LIVE this Friday, Jan 30th at 8:00 AM (JST)!

2. So, what exactly does Lisa do? A long-overdue update on my real life.

If you think this Friday’s session with Mark is going to be a “Get Rich Quick with Airbnb” success story... think again.

Sure, I’ve launched a beautiful property in Sapporo. But do you want to hear about the chaos? The struggle of finding reliable cleaning services? The delicate balance of “Omotenashi” versus being a “Good Neighbor” in a quiet residential area?

Mark and I are going to get real. I’ll be talking about the partnership with my management company, the trade-offs, the fee structures, and the actual financial reality. No sugar-coating. In fact, I’m planning to be so candid that I’ll probably end up sharing things I usually keep behind the paywall on my Japanese podcast! It’s an AMA (Ask Me Anything), so bring your questions. Don’t hold back—I won’t.

Check out the link below for more details and to join the live session:

I just realized that I haven’t actually described it here. Some of you might know me as a Japanese podcaster or a traveler, but my professional identity is a bit more... multifaceted.

To be honest, I’m wearing so many different hats that whenever someone asks me what I do, I can’t give a straight answer. I usually end up saying something like, “Uh, I have a few different jobs... Oh, and I used to run a Thai restaurant in Rwanda,” only to be met with a look of pure confusion. I can practically see the “??” floating over their heads!

But the truth is, all these “hats” are connected by one single thread.

I lived a “dual-base” life between Rwanda and Sapporo from 2021 until I sold my Rwanda business in 2023. My career has been a journey of bridging cultures, including managing that Thai restaurant in Kigali for 8 years.

Actually, after graduating from university, I worked for a major Japanese corporation. But as a single mother, the environment was beyond brutal. I was at a complete loss, struggling to find a way forward, when a friend gave me the chance to go to Rwanda. That was the turning point that led me to where I am today.

Here is what my plate looks like right now:

• Founder of “Lisa in Sapporo”: I established my own LLC in October 2025. I’m not just a guide; I’m a Certified General Travel Service Manager. (The exam was hard!)

• Professional Interpreter & Local Navigator: I provide boutique travel concierge services and interpretation for international visitors. My goal is to help them “unlock” the true Sapporo and Japan.

• Airbnb Host & Consultant: I manage a vacation rental in Sapporo, navigating the fine line between local regulations and guest satisfaction. This is exactly what I’ll be "unlocking" in Friday's live session!

• English Coach & Program Planner: Drawing from my diploma in interpretation/translation from Canada, I provide English coaching for Japanese professionals. I also collaborate with a Canadian English learning service to plan study-abroad programs for youth and provide on-site coaching and support during their time in Canada. (Some of you may remember the post I wrote last summer, where I compared Vancouver and Japan. )

In short, I use my “outsider’s perspective” to help the world navigate Japan, and to help Japan connect with the world.

Whether it’s navigating the travel industry or managing a rental property, my goal remains the same: Decoding Japan for curious minds.

See you on Friday morning!