Every Friday, we feature a one-on-one Q&A with Japas, our resident curators: Maíra Kimura, Yumi Shimada, and Fernanda Ueno—founders of Japas Cervejaria. They will share their personal reflections on culture, travel, and the everyday moments including their connection to Japan.
Q: How do you like to observe a city—by walking, sitting, or simply listening?
Maíra: I like to observe a city mostly by walking and really paying attention to the little details… the way people move, the sounds and smells, the mix of old and new architecture. Walking lets me soak everything in naturally, but I also enjoy sitting in a quiet café or park.
Yumi: In every way. I like to walk to notice every detail, feel the atmosphere and the people, see the design in the streets, the colors of the places, smell the restaurants and curiously try to find out what each little doorway is. On the subway, I see the opportunity to sit and listen to the sounds of people coming in, the stations passing by, and the distant view of nature.
Fernanda: For me it’s a combination of all of those. When I visit a new city or country, I like to spend enough time there so I can balance both calm days and more active ones. I really enjoy walking around, discovering parks, visiting museums, shops, taking photos and just taking in the rhythm of the place. I also love sitting at a good izakaya or spending time at a cozy listening bar, with great music and atmosphere. What I enjoy most is being in places where I can interact with locals. Bars, taprooms and izakayas are perfect for that, they create the kind of connection that makes the experience truly special.