LIFE IN JAPAN · A WORK IN PROGRESS

Building a life in Japan, one project at a time.

Stories about rural life, an old house to renovate, photography, technology, creativity and the things I’m learning along the way.

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Rice fields and homes beside wooded hills in rural Japan.

Black Fujifilm XQ1 compact camera on a dark surface.

FEATURED STORY

A small camera, rediscovered.

The Fujifilm XQ1 came back into my life in a moving box. Here’s how it holds up in 2026, with photographs from everyday life in Japan.

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I've used the same Canon 60D for 15 years across Brazil, Canada and Japan. Here's what still works, what doesn't, and who it still makes sense for in 2026.

Fujifilm XQ1 Review in 2026: Is This Tiny Camera Still Worth It?

Fujifilm XQ1 review in 2026 after rediscovering mine in a moving box. Sample photos, specs, real-world pros and cons, and whether it is still worth using.

Explore by topic

Life in Japan ↗

Everyday life, adaptation and the realities of living outside Japan’s big cities.

Home & DIY ↗

Renovating an old Japanese house, learning the tools, materials and decisions along the way.

Photography ↗

Cameras, images and the way I document everyday life around me.

Tech ↗

Technology, software and tools I actually use in my work and everyday life.

Creative ↗

Design, video, storytelling and the process behind making things.

Pop Culture ↗

Anime, manga, collectibles and Japanese pop culture as I experience it here.

Thiago outdoors beneath flowering trees.

THE PERSON BEHIND THE STORIES

Hi, I’m Thiago.

I’m a Brazilian living in rural Japan, renovating an old house and building a new chapter of life at the same time. This is where I document what I learn, make, fix, photograph and discover along the way.

More about Thiago →

Follow the journey

Some stories start here. Others begin as a photo, a short video or something I’m figuring out in real time.