Tim Romero - From selling tomato plants at 13 to building multi-million ventures in Tokyo | Action Over Analysis | Startups, Culture & Building in Japan

Life Beyond Tokyo: Community, Purpose & Freedom | Levi Pells

In this episode of Blueprint Japan, Levi Pells shares his journey from burnout in Tokyo to building a more intentional life in rural Japan. What started as a search for better surf conditions became a complete rethinking of success, community, work, and well-being. Levi and Oguzhan explore the realities of life beyond Tokyo, discussing how strong local communities, regenerative living, and a deeper connection to nature can create a richer and more fulfilling lifestyle. They dive into Japan's rural revitalization efforts, the opportunities available through government subsidies, and why respect, cultural understanding, and community involvement are key to thriving in Japan. The conversation also touches on loneliness in big cities, the value of slow living, the future of work, regenerative farming, entrepreneurship, and why many people who appear successful on paper still struggle to find fulfillment. Whether you're living in Japan, considering a move to the countryside, building a business, or simply searching for a more meaningful way to live, this episode offers practical insights and a refreshing perspective on what truly matters. Topics discussed: • Levi's move from Tokyo to rural Japan • Surfing, burnout, and designing a better life • Community building and belonging in Japan • Regenerative farming and sustainable living • Rural revitalization and government subsidies • The challenges of loneliness in Tokyo • Entrepreneurship, coaching, and retreats • Slow living, mindfulness, and quality of life • Financial freedom and redefining success Connect with Levi: 🌐 Sumeba: https://sumeba.org [https://sumeba.org/] 📧 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levipells/ [LeviHKP@gmail.com] If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Blueprint Japan and share it with someone interested in building a life, business, or community in Japan.

Japan's Certificate of Eligibility in 5 Weeks | First overseas hire

*disclaimer: this is just based on personal experience and is by no means an encouragement to do the process without a lawyer. Please consult thoroughly with any scrivener or lawyer. A year ago, Blueprint Japan host Oğuzhan got a LinkedIn DM from a young Dutch content creator. They started collaborating. He made a promise: work hard, and I'll bring you to Japan.In January, he filed for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). It came back approved in just over five weeks, with no lawyer, no immigration agent, and no shortcuts.In this episode, Oğuzhan walks through all 9 documents submitted for a 技術・人文知識・国際業務 visa (Gijinkoku / Engineer, Specialist in Humanities, International Services) — the most common Japan work visa category for professional roles — and explains exactly what each document was doing in the file.Documents covered:1. COE application form (在留資格認定証明書交付申請書)2. Degree certificate & education history3. 職務経歴書 — professional background statement4. Explanation letter to immigration (理由書)5. Work experience statement (職務経験について)6. Certificate of affiliation (在籍証明書)7. Outsourcing / service agreement (業務委託契約書)8. Company registry certificate (履歴事項全部証明書)9. Mailing instruction letterWhether you're a company in Japan looking to hire from overseas, or a professional hoping to make the move — this episode gives you a clear, practical picture of how the COE process actually works, what immigration is looking for, and how to build a file that moves fast.Topics: Japan work visa | certificate of eligibility Japan | COE application | Gijinkoku visa | 技術・人文知識・国際業務 | hiring foreigners in Japan | Japan immigration | work permit Japan | Japan visa documents | living and working in JapanThis episode is sponsored by RealEstate.jp [realestate.jp] — Japan property guidance for international clients. Also, for tasty honey, check out beebrazil.jp [beebrazil.jp]

Tim Romero - From selling tomato plants at 13 to building multi-million ventures in Tokyo | Action Over Analysis | Startups, Culture & Building in Japan

What does it take to build in Japan, as a foreign founder, investor, or operator? In this episode of Blueprint Japan, I sit down with Tim Romero — entrepreneur, investor, and long-time observer of Japan’s startup ecosystem — to unpack what actually moves the needle in business. From selling tomato plants at 13 to building ventures in Tokyo, Tim shares hard-earned lessons on entrepreneurship, resilience, cultural adaptation, and why action always beats overthinking. We talk about: • The reality of building startups in Japan • Corporate vs. startup culture • Why solving real customer problems matters more than hype • Cultural adaptation and the foreign founder experience • Job mobility and the future of Japan’s economy • Lessons from failed ventures • Why “action over analysis” is more than a slogan If you’re building — or thinking about building — in Japan, this conversation will recalibrate how you think about risk, momentum, and long-term growth. “Action always trumps non-action.” Listen now and keep moving.

Navigating Life in Japan: Why Blueprint Japan Exists

Japan can be hard, especially if you’re trying to figure it out alone. In this episode of Blueprint Japan, host Oguzhan Kara reflects on the podcast’s growth, shares why he started the show, and outlines his vision for the future. From navigating life as a newcomer to understanding the realities of living in Japan, Oguzhan talks honestly about the challenges people face, and why so many struggle without the right information or support. This episode explores the importance of building a supportive community, sharing real experiences, and creating accessible resources for people living in or moving to Japan. Oguzhan also discusses how Japan is changing rapidly, from visa policies to real estate, and why staying informed matters more than ever. Blueprint Japan is about diverse voices, practical insights, and connection, regardless of background or language. If you’re living in Japan, planning to move, or simply curious about life here, this episode is for you. Stay humble, stay curious, stay healthy. Topics covered: Living in Japan • Expat life • Community & support • Immigration & real estate • Cultural experiences • Language accessibility • Personal growth

#004 Anthony Griffin, M.B.A (Saga Consulting) | Entrepreneurship, Self-Care, and Building Sustainable Business Growth | Merry Christmas 2025

In this reflective and grounded episode, Anthony and I look back on the past year through the lens of entrepreneurship, personal growth, and sustainability; both in business and in life. The conversation explores why consistency matters more than motivation, especially when progress feels slow or invisible. Rather than chasing bursts of inspiration, we discuss how showing up day after day, imperfect but committed, creates momentum that compounds over time. A major theme of the episode is personal sustainability. Success is meaningless if it comes at the cost of burnout, and this episode dives into why self-care isn’t a luxury, but a strategic necessity. From protecting energy to setting boundaries, we unpack how taking care of yourself directly impacts long-term performance and clarity. We also talk about the concept of selective motion: learning when to say no. Not every opportunity is meant for you, and saying yes to everything can dilute focus, values, and effectiveness. This episode highlights how alignment, not activity, is what truly drives meaningful growth. Another key takeaway is the importance of putting yourself out there, even when things aren’t perfect. Growth only happens through action, reflection, and iteration. Whether it’s launching a project, starting a business, or sharing your ideas publicly, you can’t learn without being willing to be seen, and sometimes failing along the way. Finally, we reflect on how surrounding yourself with the right people, maintaining the right mindset, and committing to continuous improvement can dramatically accelerate both personal and professional progress. This episode is for entrepreneurs, creatives, and anyone focused on long-term growth who wants to build success that’s not just impressive, but sustainable.