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Profile of Takuma Oka

Hello, I’m TAKUMA, the creator of this site!

I’m a 34-year-old freelancer from Saga, Japan, born in 1990. This is my ninth year working independently.
My motto is “Stay true to myself”, and that principle guides everything I do as a freelancer.

My main work focuses on SEO content creation and website management support.
In July 2021, I published a book on Kindle, so if you’re interested, please feel free to check it out.

I was also recently featured on SEO Players Media (September 4, 2025).

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Lessons Learned Through Soccer: The Power of Consistency

During my school years, soccer was everything to me. Even after practice ended, I would play with my younger brothers until the sun went down.
Naturally, my childhood dream was to become a professional soccer player. I started simply because my close friends played, but my passion only grew stronger through junior high and high school—and it continues even today.

Soccer taught me the true meaning of “Consistency is strength.”
It also taught me the importance of communication, since it’s a team sport. Growing up in the countryside of Saga, I was shy and not good at interacting with others. But through soccer, I learned how essential communication would be in society.

Discovering the Meaning of Work: “Working = Hardship?”

After graduating high school, I joined the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to become a pilot. Unfortunately, I didn’t pass the pilot exam and became an aircraft maintenance officer instead.

I still remember my first week at the dorms—feeling homesick and asking myself, “Why am I even doing this…?”
Still, life in an all-male environment was fun in its own way, and the discipline of the Self-Defense Forces had a big impact on me.

At that time, I strongly believed that “working = hardship.”

Encounter with Professional Work: Culinary School

After about four years, I left the Self-Defense Forces because the work environment didn’t suit me. I decided to pursue cooking instead and studied at Tsuji Culinary Institute in Osaka, in the café specialization course.

There, I learned to prepare a wide range of café-style dishes and drinks, including cocktails. Having grown up mainly eating my grandmother’s home cooking, I was shocked by the depth and professionalism of culinary arts. It was an eye-opening and invaluable experience.

A Catalyst to Think About Culture and Diversity

After culinary school, I returned home and was helping with my family’s farm while figuring out my next step. At a seminar I happened to attend, the woman sitting next to me asked, “Do you want to try musical theater?”—and that’s how it started.

At first I worried: What kind of group is this? Will it cost money? Who are the members? Can a hundred people really build a show in a hundred days?

Contrary to my fears, it was incredibly fun! I never imagined I’d be dancing and singing on stage at Canal City Theater in Fukuoka—where the Shiki Theatre Company performs.

The following year, riding that momentum, I joined a production in Seoul, Korea. Half of the 100-person cast was Japanese and the other half Korean. The performances were entirely in Korean, so I was lip-syncing for about 90% of it—but I made many international friends, which was the best part.

Through this cross-cultural experience, I learned that despite differences in race and culture, there are things we can share and understand precisely because we’re all human.

New Insights from Going Abroad

Not long after returning home, my uncle invited me on a trip to Guam—my first time abroad. The shock of seeing the wider world was huge. I felt deeply moved and realized how small my world had been.

Good encounters followed, and I was fortunate to visit more places:

  • Guam (USA)
  • Seoul (South Korea)
  • Turin (Italy)
  • Bangkok (Thailand)
  • Sydney (Australia)

These days I usually plan solo trips. Learning about other cultures and histories broadened my perspective and, at the same time, helped me appreciate what’s great about Japan. It also sparked my desire to communicate with people from different countries—so I began studying English in earnest.

I truly want people—not just the young—to see and feel conditions in other countries. The world is stunningly beautiful, and I believe many would be moved just as I was. I hope to keep traveling, thinking, and sharing what I discover through this blog.

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Why I Started Blogging

It all began with a simple wish: I want to be able to work while traveling.
While researching online, I found the blog of Shion Amemiya, a writer around my age living in Germany. That discovery made me think, Maybe I can do this too!

I started out as a web writer on crowdsourcing platforms and have continued to accept work through CrowdWorks ever since. Eventually I wanted to run my own media, so I taught myself from scratch and launched a blog called “Kyushu Danji no Burari Tabi” (“A Kyushu Man’s Casual Journey”).

Why that name? Before the blog, I had a Facebook page with the same title where I shared travel tips. One day someone told me in person, “I always read your posts!” That feedback inspired me to keep the name when I started the blog.

Looking Ahead

TAKUMA

I want to visit many more places around the world and see things with my own eyes. I’m also interested in working abroad. I’m very curious by nature, so there are many things I want to try—but above all, my desire to explore other countries is the strongest. Through this blog, I hope to share honestly what I see and feel.

Things I Love

I have many interests, but here are a few that reflect my personality and passions.
I believe “what you love expresses who you are.”

Art & Painting

I enjoy painting, especially watercolor art, and sometimes draw in my free time.
In the past, I even attempted to publish a picture book with Bungeisha Publishing—though it wasn’t successful.

Whenever I travel, I love visiting art museums. Unlike business, art has no single “correct answer,” which is why I never get bored of it.

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紅葉の絵

Running

Even in elementary school, I was known for my endurance, and I still love running today. I’ve joined various marathon events—often in costume!
My personal best for a full marathon is 3 hours 42 minutes 39 seconds.

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マラソン_バッドマン

Music

Artists I listen to often include:

  • Sakura Fujiwara
  • YUI
  • Justin Bieber
  • Selena Gomez

People I Admire

  • Elon Musk – Founder of Tesla and SpaceX
  • Warren Buffett – Chairman & CEO of Berkshire Hathaway
  • Bill Gates – Co-founder of Microsoft

Social Media

You can also find me here:

Work Requests

I’m currently open to writing assignments, blog advertising, and other collaborations.
Please feel free to contact me via the inquiry form.

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