G'day and Ko nnichiwa!
How are ya going!? I'm Jake, the founder of Konnichiwa Melbourne— a passion project born from my love for Japanese culture and Melbourne. My goal? To bridge the cultural gap, bringing Japanese and local Melburnians together, creating real connections and friendships that help both communities thrive. Whether you're a Japanese tourist looking to experience the real Melbourne or a local wanting to connect with Japanese culture, this is the place for you! From language exchange to cultural deep dives, let’s build a community where everyone learns, grows, and prospers—because the best connections are the ones that go both ways!
My Sto ry
My journey with Japan started the same way as many Aussie kids—glued to the TV watching Dragon Ball Z on Toasted TV. I was fascinated by Japanese culture, but let’s be real—I was a bit of a menace in Japanese class. From primary school through high school, I goofed off with my mates (sorry, teachers!) and didn’t take it seriously. Eventually, I dropped Japanese altogether and forgot about it for a few years.
Fast forward to university, I decided to give Japanese another crack. Everything was going smoothly… until it wasn’t. I hit a wall and ended up failing intermediate Japanese. Frustrated with uni and itching for a change, I packed my bags and headed to Kyoto in 2019 for a year of language school. And let me tell you—that year changed everything. I immersed myself in the language, made incredible friends and fell in love with Japan all over again.
After returning to Melbourne, I knuckled down, finished my double degree in Japanese and International Business, and landed a spot on the JET Programme as a Coordinator for International Relations. I spent 2.5 years in Kyotango, Japan, working at a local government office, handling interpretation, translation, event planning, and admin work. But more importantly, I was a representative of Australia. For many locals, I was the first Aussie they’d ever met, so I made it my mission to share Australian values while respecting and embracing Japanese culture.
Now that I’m back in Melbourne, I want to continue bridging the gap between Japan and Australia. That’s why I created Konnichiwa Melbourne—a community where Japanese people and Melburnians can connect, learn from each other and experience the real culture of this amazing city. Whether it’s through language exchange, cultural events, or just hanging out, I hope to bring our two worlds closer together—one word, one mate, one piece of culture at a time!
