GENSEN

Boost your Curiosity

 

About GENSEN

People from approximately 100 countries and regions visit and live in Beppu City, which is about one millionth of the world's land area. Beppu is truly a city of globalization, where globalism and localism are evolving at the same time. From this condensed version of the world, we are starting to explore the future of Japan and the world from the perspective of "diversity" and "inclusion.

Its name is "GENSEN". Why don't you "heat up" your curiosity by soaking in Beppu Onsen, which is the world's largest in terms of the amount of hot springs that can be used for bathing and the number of sources.
世界の陸地面積

Interviewers

The interviewers from ten different international backgrounds bring their questions to the world from their own perspectives.

  • Taishi Utsunomiya

    Taishi Utsunomiya(Taishi)

    japan
    Japan

    Born in Beppu City. I have been working to revitalize the local area by promoting tourism and urban development. In my second year of college, I studied in San Francisco, California. I visited the headquarters of GAFAM, one of the world's top IT companies, to visit their offices and interview local employees. I'm currently working on company website development, blogging, and developing a community-based takeout app.

    MESSAGE

    I have been growing up in Beppu City for 21 years. I would like to communicate the realities of Beppu from a variety of perspectives, such as the hospitality of the people in Beppu as a hot spring resort, which is rooted in the city as a whole, diversity and the coexistence of a society that exceeds the barriers of gender.


  • Nichakorn Kurpipat

    Nichakorn Kurpipat(Pim)

    Thai
    Thai

    With the dream of becoming an international strategic manager, I am majoring in Strategic Management and Organization at my university, with a consideration of comprehending multicultural society and looking forward to doing business with a sustainable environment. I have participated in circle; promoting Thai culture with international students and circle that voluntarily teaches English to Japanese students.

    MESSAGE

    Due to the ongoing situation regarding COVID-19, I could not do anything or go anywhere much, except riding a bicycle around Beppu with a mask and favorite music, which inspires me to realize the true happiness is literally all around, starting from changing my perspective. Therefore, since I have seen various interesting lifestyles of the locals, diverse society, and a number of sustainable activities, as a Thai student, I would like to represent those potential appeal of Beppu to the global.

  • Amara Zahra Djamil

    Amara Zahra Djamil(Amara)

    Indonesia
    Indonesia

    I am currently a member of the Student Press Association team at my university that writes blogs/articles about university life, which are shared on the student's website. I am also currently freelancing as a travel journalist on Wakuwaku.

    MESSAGE

    Being a part of GENSEN is an opportunity for me as a resident of Beppu to both discover and share its diversity and rich culture. Despite it being a small city, I believe Beppu has many great appeals and attractive characteristics.


  • Manaka Tanaka

    Manaka Tanaka(Manaka)

    Japan
    Japan

    After studying abroad in Australia and Canada, I have worked as a representative of an educational support group for children in poverty. I am currently a member of an organization that supports exchange students and the supporter of the futsal club at my university.

    MESSAGE

    After moving to Beppu from the Kansai region, I discovered the diversity of Beppu's living environment and the many charms of the city that aren't only hot springs. I'm a beginner as a writer, but I'll do my best to share with the rest of the Japan and the world the many wonderful things about Beppu, which is not only as a hot spring resort, but also a very special place to visit.

  • Umar Danilo Aly

    Umar Danilo Aly(Umar)

    Mozambique
    Mozambique

    Serving as the project manager at a technical schooI-IMEPOL, located in Mozambique as well acting as the content writer for Global Business Leaders at my university

    MESSAGE

    Through the Gensen website, my enthusiasm is encapsulated through the following: I) Decolonizing mindsets II) Shifting the perspective and III) Depicting the untold

  • Kaede Kushida

    Kaede Kushida(Kushiko/Kae/Kaede)

    Japan
    Japan

    I worked as a department leader for an organization that supports exchange students at my university and participated in international exchanges. I also joined an eco-awareness club. Off campus, I interned at an international education company.

    MESSAGE

    It has been a year and a half since I started living in Beppu, and I have come to appreciate the warmth of the people and their ability to understand different cultures in various situations. I will do my best to show the world the goodness of Beppu from a student's point of view and offer new possibilities.

  • Thato Ramatseba

    Thato Ramatseba(Thato)

    South Africa
    South Africa

    I am currently working on starting a weekly food preparation and delivery service. the service will cater to people. in Beppu to start with, deliver fresh homemade food for the week every Sunday. My aim is to make healthy home cooked affordable and accessible, while giving people the opportunity to explore flavours from different parts of the world.

    MESSAGE

    Beppu is filled with people from incredibly diverse backgrounds, who have come together to form a community, all these people have so many stories to tell. My aim as a Gensen writer is to amplify the voices of the people in this community that don't always get a chance to be heard/. iI want to explore and discover the hidden treasures of Beppu and share them with others. I believe that writing, reading and sharing is an important part of building better communities, encouraging radical, transformative thinking as well as shifting mindsets.

  • BACKAERT, Gem Kenneth

    BACKAERT, Gem Kenneth(Ken)

    Philippines
    Philippines
    Belgium
    Belgium

    I have traveled all over Japan from Hokkaido, Sapporo to Kumamoto. It's my mission to visit nearly everything worth visiting in Japan! Next stop: Kagoshima.



    MESSAGE

    I have a passion for traveling and discovery. I have been to over 20 countries so far throughout Europe and Asia. Japan is easily my favorite destination, its beauty and culture are captivating. I want to see everything this country has to offer!




  • Mudra Srinivasan

    Mudra Srinivasan (Mudra)

    India
    India
    Oman
    Oman

    Currently working on a project called This is Me by student organization where we celebrate inclusivity in all forms- especially, the different cultures, backgrounds that we see on campus. We hope to create a musical show to highlight these like the movie The Greatest Showman.


    MESSAGE

    Beppu is a unique melting pot of cultures which has been largely due to students from all over the world. As an international student, I would like to take advantage of my point of view and write about things that excite me in the hopes that it will also excite the reader. Although a small city, I constantly find myself learning new things about Beppu and discovering new places and people. I would like to share this with the readers!

  • Sena Mizobe

    Sena Mizobe(Sena)

    Japan
    Japan

    While getting my cook's license in high school, I got interested in the functionality of microorganisms in food. Meanwhile, I went to university with a dream to plan a product that will be loved by many people in the future.Currently, I am majoring in fermented foods. Listening to Japanese music, rock and techno-pop has become a daily habit as my hobby.

    MESSAGE

    In today's information-rich society and the situation of COVID-19, I have been trying to uncover the hidden GENSEN(Things of value) of Beppu, which are full of charm. I'm not experienced writer, but I'll do my best to bring you articles that will tickle your curiosity and make you fall in love with Beppu.


  • Subah Ali

    Subah Ali(Sue)

    Bangladesh
    Bangladesh

    Volunteering for an online platform in Bangladesh that is working on talking about feminism, inclusitivity and acceptance



    MESSAGE

    It seems like an amazing and innovative way for people to know more about the place that I have fallen in love with! Oita and Beppu have so much to offer and I'm excited about the prospects

  • Graduate
    Yuka Yoshida

    Yuka Yoshida(Yoshiyuka)

    I was born and raised in Tokyo, and I'm a Beppu lover! I have been a Girl Scout, studied abroad in the US, and interned at a UN agency. I started a student organization (Instagram: @equal.apu) to promote the idea of gender equality at the end of 2019 and am currently working on one of my university's selection projects.

    MESSAGE

    I'll do my best to show you Beppu's Diversity, Inclusion, and the possibilities of Beppu!

  • Graduate
    Akane Hashimoto

    Akane Hashimoto(Akane)

    As a Touji girl, I am currently promoting a lifestyle with Touji. I also work as a graphic designer, illustrator, logo maker and exhibition producer.


    MESSAGE

    Before I moved to Beppu, Beppu had a big image of hot springs, but over the past year, I've come across many other attractions in Beppu. For example, the people, the cityscape, and the diversity of the environment. I would be more delighted if I could help to share these attractions with as many people as possible.

  • Graduate
    Celine Agatha

    Celine Agatha(Celine)

    I am currently a member of Yossha-Koi (traditional dance circle) in my university and like to take photos, play musical instruments and travel around Japan.

    MESSAGE

    As an international student, I would like to contribute to GENSEN website by sharing and promoting unique things that happen in Beppu with different perspectives.



editors

  • Kanoko Ikeda

    Kanoko Ikeda(Kanoko)

    After working for a film company and a major advertising agency, I am currently working as a local planner. Based in Beppu and Koenji, I'm involved in local planning, production and community management. My hobbies are surfing and researching bath bombs.

    MESSAGE

    I was born and raised in Beppu, and returned to Beppu for the first time in 12 years. I want more people to know about the fun of this town where art, welfare, different cultures and hot springs are all mixed together! May GENSEN be a source of inspiration for your curiosity!

  • Tomoko Otsuka

    Tomoko Otsuka(Tsukkachi)

    After working for a telecommunication company and a venture capital firm, I am currently working as a coordinator. I love to travel so much that I would like to travel the whole world.
 I have visited about 53 countries so far. As a psychologist and disaster prevention specialist, I also provide consultation for local communities.

    MESSAGE

    Two years ago, when I returned to Japan after a 10-month backpacking trip abroad, Beppu captured my heart. It's a city with elements that tickle your curiosity and inquisitive mind, and it's a place that will impress you forever. That's why I want to introduce Beppu to the world from here. Let's explore together!

  • Moe Maruyama

    Moe Maruyama(Moe)

    It's been four years since I came to Beppu from Kanagawa Prefecture to go to college! I am currently doing job hunting. Through traveling and working abroad as an intern, I have been fascinated by many countries and cities around the world, but no matter where I go, I feel most at home in Beppu, a city full of nature and diversity.

    MESSAGE

    It would be a waste of time not to know the inner charm of Beppu! We hope to share the charms of Beppu with a wider range of people beyond Kyushu, and we'd be happy to help you discover the charms of Beppu through GENSEN!

  • Kojima Kenichi

    Kojima Kenichi 

    Had worked as a university and vocational schools officer for 8 years and as a freelance career consultant for 12 years, he is experienced in human resources development. At B-biz LINK, he has been involved in supporting people who will take on future challenges.

    MESSAGE

    Spent 80% of my 45 years life in Beppu but still found Beppu has charms that other areas do not have. People come and go, bringing so many creative ideas, Beppu always keeps us from knowing it all. Delivering more diverse "GENSEN" than the hot spring quality and quantity of Beppu to tickle your intellectual curiosity.

  • Kojima Kenichi

    Zhuolin QIU(Chuchu)

    I am a 3rd year APU student from Sichuan, China! Was an AFS exchange student in Japan on her 15th. Currently majoring in tourism and development studies at APU. In the future, she wants to serve as a tourism consultation with developing regions worldwide to create sustainable societies and regions through tourism development.

    MESSAGE

    My "GENSEN" is to gain insight and experience while interacting with shining people in Beppu, a warm town without walls where people from all over the world gather. While spreading the charm of Beppu, I believe that I will move one step closer to my future dreams!

  • Kojima Kenichi

    Zhuolin QIU(Chuchu)

    After working for a publishing company and a web production company, I am now working as a freelance writer and editor. I am the chief editor of "Beppuru", an information website launched in Beppu. I work to convey the charm of people and services through articles, advertisements, websites, and advertising slogan creation.

    MESSAGE

    I moved to Beppu from Amami Oshima about five years ago. I love Beppu, where clouds and steam mingle, and everything seems to be covered in smoke. In Beppu, where the air is filled with sweltry heat, I'll be digging into the unknown GENSEN and sharing it with you!

CONTACT

Contact us for questions about articles or requests for interviews and appearances, etc.