A German national with Turkish roots, 34-year-old Gizem Sakamaki is the founder of Foodie Adventure Japan and a sustainable tourism influencer. The multipassionate entrepreneur and innovator lives, breathes and, of course, consumes food. From elegant kaiseki-ryōri (traditional multicourse cuisine) to the latest convenience store sweets, she documents her adventures across multiple media platforms with gusto.

Small steps: Gizem Sakamaki says every new vegetarian and vegan option is a step toward greater food sustainability in Japan. |
Small steps: Gizem Sakamaki says every new vegetarian and vegan option is a step toward greater food sustainability in Japan. 

1. What first brought you to Japan and what’s kept you here? A healthy diet of 1990s after-school anime, cheap cup ramen and a burning wish to immerse myself in a new culture.