Interview Once you visit, you’ll be captivated: Hiroshima fosters close-knit communities of interesting, friendly, and welcoming people. - Rachel Nicholson (US)

Interviewer: What originally sparked your interest in Japan?

Rachel: I first heard Japanese spoken in anime, and I thought it sounded brilliant. I’d always loved studying languages, and learned French from middle school onward, but Japanese was something altogether different. It introduced me to a brand-new world.

I was in high school then, and when I discovered a Japanese evening class at a nearby community college, I found that learning Japanese was really fun. I matriculated into the University of Maryland and majored in Japanese linguistics and culture.

Interviewer: And that was followed by your first visit to Japan, as an exchange student.

Rachel: Yes. After two brief study-abroad and homestay experiences in Japan, I entered a one-year exchange program, choosing Hiroshima University for that third visit to Japan. The program included renowned universities across Japan, but my ulterior motive in choosing Hiroshima University was the superior scholarship (smile).
In those days, all I knew about the city was what we learned in world history about Hiroshima and Nagasaki, so to be honest, I had no idea about modern-day Hiroshima until I moved here.

During my first visit, I lived in Higashi Hiroshima City and remember thinking it was a beautiful city brimming with greenery not too far from downtown.

Interviewer: Was living in Japan completely different from residing in the US?

Rachel: I’ve lived here since I was 20, so a simple comparison is a bit difficult, but there’s no doubt that Japan’s convenient transportation is a major draw. Since the US is a car-based society, if you’re like me and have no driver’s license, you must always depend on others for a ride. Public transportation is inconvenient in the US; buses don’t run on time, for one thing.

In that respect, Japan’s transportation system is incredibly reliable. You can go anywhere quickly and smoothly with trains, buses, or ferries. And you can zip around on a bicycle, especially in the downtown area. It is amazingly easy to live in Hiroshima.

Hiroshima has so many rivers, and I especially like the well-maintained riversides around Naka-ku. You find rows of trees and flowers, benches, and small event spaces, creating spots where residents can relax and chat with friends over a cup of coffee. Moreover, the jogging trails and bridges are perfect for walking and cycling.

Interviewer: After graduating from college, you worked at Hiroshima University and run a restaurant before assuming your current position at Hiroshima City Hall, right?

Rachel: Yes. In 2019, I joined the city’s International Relations Department. I also freelance, translating for all four local TV stations and narrating for an English conversation show. I also translate materials targeting inbound visitors to promote Hiroshima Kagura (Hiroshima’s traditional performing art).

I’m proud of how much I’ve learned about Hiroshima’s history and cultural arts, thanks to the many work projects which have come my way. And now, 2023 marks 15th years since my arrival in Hiroshima.

Interviewer: How do you view the city after spending 15 years here?

Rachel: In a nutshell, it is a community of tightly knit groups. The coffee crowd and the pub lovers, among others…

People are often surprised at how easily one launches a conversation with the person sitting next to them in restaurants. For example, frequently the manager of an eatery will introduce you to a fellow diner, indicating their unique line of work that might interest you. Before you know it, you’re drinking buddies.

I took a Tokyo friend to one of my favorite bars on her first visit. When my friend announced a plan to sightsee alone the next day, four regular bar patrons said, “Hiroshima has tons of great places, so let’s go together!” Remember—it was the first time they’d met (smile)!

Interviewer: Strangers suddenly offer to become your tourist guide.

Rachel: One rarely discovers such an ingrained spirit of hospitality elsewhere. Hiroshima is brimming with such fascinating individuals who are immediately friendly and close-knit.

Interviewer: I now see that human bonds are key to Hiroshima’s appeal.

Rachel: When you enter a community, the world instantly opens up to you. However, since it’s a closely knit community, there is a conservative element. Many restaurants only have menus in Japanese. There can be significant barriers for those suddenly trying to penetrate well-established communities.

Moreover (and this extends beyond Hiroshima residents), some have an outdated image of those coming from overseas. Even after 15 years, I still hear things like: “Your Japanese is terrific!” and ”Are you an English teacher?” Some simply assume that all non-Japanese people speak English.

Interviewer: There may still be many such individuals who continue to think that way.

Rachel: It is tiresome to begin every encounter by explaining where I am from, how long I have lived in Japan, and how I learned Japanese. Of course I understand that they mean no harm, but…

Hiroshima proclaims to be an International City of Peace, but if such exchanges are the norm, they do not befit the “International” part of that reputation. I hope those reading this article will know how appreciative I am whenever I am treated as an individual during first encounters, with questions such as “What do you do for a living?”

Interviewer: You translate, but you also share insights into Hiroshima.

Rachel: Some 4 years ago, I started a social media account called “Hiroshima Food Snob” to share culinary tips in both English and Japanese.

Hiroshima is blessed with both marine and mountain delicacies. Wherever you go, you have fresh seafood and vegetables, along with brand-name beef and pork. You can cook these ingredients yourself, but I like to point out how many restaurants strive to create genuinely delicious meals with them.

Rachel: Since I once operated a restaurant, I know how much effort those independent restaurant owners put into their businesses. I launched “Hiroshima Food Snob” to support them in my own way.

One of Hiroshima’s most appealing features—community—was molded by food culture. I hope people will take the time to explore these places.

Interviewer: Finally, do you have any future goals you’d like to achieve in Hiroshima?

Rachel: My primary goal is to represent Hiroshima as a translator, which is my calling. Experience suggests that my strengths seem to lie in the fields of international peace, food and beverage, and tourism. However, I would also like to learn about other areas and serve as a bridge between individuals who speak only Japanese and those who speak only English.

I would love to become a gateway to Japan for others, just as those anime subtitles were for me years ago.