Hi there! We’re Shinji and Sandy, and we’re so excited to have you here at Kotoba Lounge. We created this space for two main reasons: to showcase the diverse services we offer as Japanese localization specialists, linguists, teachers, writers, and UX designers, and to share our unique journey as an international couple from opposite sides of the world.
Sandy is from South Africa and has lived in the United States, Japan, and now Paraguay, where we’re currently based together. I’m a Japanese American, born in Chicago and raised in Japan, with a passion for exploring new cultures—I’ve traveled to about 20 countries and have extensive experience as a freelance localization specialist. Together, we speak six languages fluently and have lived on four different continents.
The primary author of this blog is me, Shinji. Through this blog, I’ll be sharing insights into the unique aspects of Japanese culture that might catch your interest, along with tips for learning this beautiful language. I’ll also dive into topics like Japanese cuisine, travel spots, and my professional experiences in localization.
We hope you’ll find something here that resonates with you, whether you’re interested in language, culture, travel, or just curious about our global journey. Thanks for joining us at Kotoba Lounge—we can’t wait to share our adventures with you!