Living in a tiny kei van
Rusutsu, JP · 2023My girlfriend, Paige, and I spent a summer living and driving in this van, experiencing japanese culture firsthand. It's a good thing she's so short.
About
More about me and where I've been
I do actually go outside, and here is proof. Here, you can find some pictures I've taken of pretty places and moments I've loved.
How I spent my time living in Japan
I learned to ski in the Austrian Alps near my family and spent summers working at my family's white-water rafting centre. Between changing conditions and looking after guests, I learned to communicate clearly, share responsibility, and make decisions quickly.
I later spent a season in Japan as a ski instructor. Teaching international guests at temperatures as low as -20°C, often in heavy snowfall, meant changing each lesson to suit the person and the conditions in front of us.
After the season, my girlfriend and I travelled from Hokkaido to the bottom of Honshu and back in a tiny kei van. Living out of the van kept the trip slow, cheap, and close to everyday life. We really got to experience all of Japan.
Photo dump
Pictures that tell stories
A collection of photographs from memorable moments in my life.
Cloudy mornings before starting work
Rusutsu, JP · 2022Early morning views from the resort I worked at in Rusutsu. You had to hike up before the lifts opened for it to be so quiet.
Visiting Kyoto
Kyoto, JP · 2023Kyoto was one of the most beautiful cities we visited, there was a lot to see and do around here.
The Austrian Alps
Goldegg, AT · 2016This is one of the mountains I learned to ski on, I've been coming up these mountains since I was fourteen. The person in green and blue is my uncle, these mountains are local to him.
Riverside walks at home
Marlow, UK · 2024Not everything has to be so far away, when I'm home I enjoy walking my dog along the river and through the countryside. There are some beautiful views.
The canals of Amsterdam
Amsterdam, NL · 2025We had a brief stay in Amsterdam, the city was really fun to explore and had many great photo opportunities. So many cyclists though, maybe too many.
The Bell of Happiness
Sapporo, JP · 2023This bell is at the top of Mt. Moiwa in Sapporo. My girlfriend and I were visiting Sapporo for the weekend to commemorate the anniversary of our first year together.
The spacious and luxurious staff dorms
Rusutsu, JP · 2022The dorm I shared with some of the other instructors at the resort was ever so slightly crowded. This photo was taken before the other five moved in.
Nara Park and it's residents
Nara, JP · 2023The deer in Nara Park were normally respectful and even bowed, but some of them could sense the weakness in my girlfriend and would chase and nip at her until she gave over her food.