Staff

Florentyna, who was born and raised in Petaling Jaya in Malaysia, was a high-school student when she first visited Japan on a one-month youth exchange program in 2006. She spent her time split between two home stays; one with a family in Nogata in rural Kyushu and the other in Kobe. Intrigued and fascinated by her experience she returned home determined to live in Japan one day. In pursuit of her dream Florentyna gained a place at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and graduated with a B.A. in Japanese and Art History. During her studies she returned to Japan for one year as an exchange student before returning again in 2015.

Florentyna’s interests centre around food, music, travel and photography. While a student she worked in the kitchen of one of London’s top supper clubs and also sang with a Japanese minyo folk music group. Articles on food and art written by her have been published in a number of magazines and blogs including Singapore Airlines’ Silverkris Magazine, Roads & Kingdoms and Umamimart.

Currently living in Kyoto, Florentyna uses her free time to cycle around the ancient city photographing backstreets and people, as well as its doors and moss – she extols the surprising variety of door designs and beautiful moss to be found in Kyoto. Otherwise she can be found at home in the kitchen conjuring up dishes for work colleagues and friends.

Florentyna joined Walk Japan in 2015.