Meet Jessica: The Marketing Mind Helping You Discover Authentic Japan

Born in Paris but with a heart fully captivated by Japan, Jessica brings her passion for Japanese culture, music, and food to life as Arigato Travel’s Marketing, Sales, and Business Development Director. After over six years in the gaming industry, she courageously left it all behind to follow her dream in Tokyo, a city that fuels her curiosity and creativity every day. Through sharing her love of the country’s vibrant cultural landscape, Jessica connects guests to the authentic, colorful Japan they’ve always wanted to explore, blending insider knowledge with genuine warmth and enthusiasm.

Join us for our next interview with Jessica!

Hi Jessica, first off, could you please introduce yourself and tell us about your background and role at Arigato Travel?

Hi! I’m Jessica, but everyone calls me Jess. Whenever someone uses “Jessica,” I panic a bit because I only ever heard it growing up when I was in trouble! I’m originally from the Paris area in France, and before moving to Japan, I worked as a Marketing Manager at a video game company called DotEmu. My first trip to Japan was in 2012, and I completely fell in love with the country. From then until 2017, I came back at least twice a year until I finally decided to make the big move in 2018.

Starting over from scratch, I enrolled in a Japanese language school and came across a part-time job ad that felt too perfect to be true: “If you love Japan, food, and have experience in social media, we need you!” I thought, “Well, that couldn’t describe me better!” So I applied, joined the team, and spent a year managing social media before becoming full-time. Fast forward almost eight years later, and I’m still here! Thanks to my marketing background in France (and, I suspect, my ability to eat on command, very useful back when we were mainly focused on food tours), I now lead the marketing team and feel grateful every day that I took that leap.

You worked in the gaming industry for over six years—what was that experience like, and how did it shape your approach to your work today?

Video games have been a big part of my life since I was very young—I actually started playing on an Atari (yes, I’m that old!). I was so passionate that I even became a video game blogger for several years. After finishing my university studies, I landed an internship at a video game company, and they ended up hiring me full-time.

That experience taught me so much. I started as a team of one and eventually built out a full marketing department from scratch. It was a huge learning curve but also incredibly rewarding. Interestingly, I’ve done something very similar at Arigato: starting small and then growing into leading a full marketing team. I guess building things from the ground up has become my career pattern, and I really enjoy it!

What first drew you to Japanese culture, and what keeps you fascinated today?

Honestly, Japan wasn’t even on my original travel list; it happened totally by chance. A friend of mine was planning a trip and asked if anyone wanted to join. I thought, “Well, I have some vacation time and no plans in September, so why not?” That’s how it all started! Of course, Japanese culture had been part of my childhood through anime and video games, but I never really made the direct connection of “I love anime, so I want to visit Japan.” Funny enough, I probably watched more anime and played more games before moving here than I do now. I’m too busy exploring outside!

What keeps me fascinated today is that living in Tokyo feels like a never-ending adventure. The city is constantly changing—new places to discover, shops opening all the time, and hidden corners I stumble upon even after years here. I also like to travel to lesser-known areas in Japan and make new connections.

And of course, my work at Arigato is a huge part of what keeps me inspired. I get to meet incredible artisans and passionate people across Japan, learn their stories, and share them with the world. That opportunity to connect, learn, and spread the love I have for Japan is what continues to drive me every day.

Japanese music, especially Aimyon, is clearly a passion of yours—how has it influenced your life in Japan?

It all started when I was studying Japanese at language school. I asked my teacher for music recommendations, and Aimyon was on the list. The first time I listened to her, I immediately thought, “Wow, I like that!” I kept listening to more and more songs, and eventually thought, “Why not go to a live show and see how she is on stage?”

To apply for tickets, I had to join her fan club. At first, I told myself, “Okay, I’ll just join, try the lottery, and if I don’t get picked or if the concert isn’t that great, I’ll just cancel.” But I got selected, and the live performance was AMAZING. Seven years later, I’m still in the fan club, I’ve been to 13 of her concerts, and I’ve lost count of all the goods I’ve collected at home! I’ve honestly never been such a huge fan of any artist in my life.

Aimyon’s music has been a huge source of comfort and motivation for me in Japan. Since I came here alone, without family or close friends at first, I often listened to music while walking around. During COVID, when working in travel was especially tough, her songs really helped me get through hard days. I was even lucky enough to be selected to join a TV show with her on Zoom during that time—though I was so shy I couldn’t say a word!

Her lyrics are powerful, and her energy on stage is incredible. Honestly, I feel like if she weren’t famous, we could be great friends. She’s truly influenced my life in Japan and continues to motivate me every single day.

Can you walk us through your role as Marketing, Sales and Business Development Director—what does a typical day look like?

No two days are exactly the same, but my role is about connecting the dots between marketing, sales, and partnerships so our company can grow in a sustainable way. A “typical” day often starts around 6 or 7 a.m., when my brain is at its best, by checking messages from my interns and team members. Then I go through all my emails while drinking liters of coffee and reply to as many as I can. After that, I review our current marketing campaigns (looking at performance on social media, our blog, or ads and making adjustments if needed), while also planning for upcoming ones. I also spend time coordinating with my team on new ideas, whether that’s promoting seasonal experiences in Japan, launching new tours, or creating engaging posts that highlight our partners and artisans.

On the sales and business development side, I’m often in touch with potential new partners such as travel agents, tour or experience providers, hotels, and accommodations. That can involve anything from exploring new collaborations, joining calls, and preparing proposals to answering detailed questions. I also work closely with our HR and operations teams to ensure that what we’re promoting is aligned with availability on the ground.

So if I had to summarize, my days are a mix of creative work (marketing and content), strategic work (sales and growth), and people work (partnerships and team leadership). It’s a balancing act, but that’s what keeps it exciting!

What’s the most rewarding part of introducing Japan’s hidden gems and local experiences to visitors?

For me, the most rewarding part is seeing the reactions of our guests when they experience something they would have never found on their own. Japan has so much more to offer than the famous “must-see” spots, and I love being able to share those authentic, local moments, whether it’s meeting an artisan passionate about their craft, tasting a seasonal specialty in a tiny family-run restaurant, or exploring a neighborhood that rarely makes it into guidebooks.

It’s also incredibly meaningful to know that by bringing visitors to these places, we’re supporting local businesses and helping preserve traditions that might otherwise fade away. On top of that, many guests tell us that these encounters become their most cherished memories of Japan. Knowing we played a role in creating that connection between travelers and locals is truly the best part of my job.

Reflecting on your work experiences, is there a particular moment that made you realize your passion for marketing Japan and helping others discover Japanese culture and cuisine?

Yes, one moment that really stands out was early on when I was promoting our food tours. I remember joining a tour for photos and videos and watching guests taste something completely new for the first time, understanding more about the culture thanks to our guides, connecting with locals… and seeing their faces light up with surprise and joy. It struck me how powerful these small moments can be in shaping someone’s experience of Japan.

That was when I realized I wasn’t just “promoting tours;” I was creating opportunities for people to connect with Japan in a deeper, more authentic way. From there, my passion grew, not just for marketing the tours themselves, but for sharing the stories behind them: the artisans, the family businesses, and the traditions that make each experience special. That sense of connecting people to culture through food and storytelling is what continues to drive me today.

Finally, what’s your top travel tip for guests visiting Japan?

Don’t be afraid to wander! Some of the best experiences come from walking around with no set plan—step into small shops, chat with locals, and just see where the day takes you. And definitely make time to visit an izakaya. It’s the perfect place to enjoy great food, drinks, and the lively atmosphere that’s such a big part of Japanese culture. 

It was such a pleasure chatting with you, Jessica. Your dedication to marketing Japan’s local culture and helping travelers discover authentic experiences is truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing your insights and giving us such an engaging glimpse into your world at Arigato Travel!

Follow Jess on:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wirejess/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicairagne/ 
• X: https://x.com/WireJess 
• Threads: https://www.threads.com/@wirejess 
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wirejess 

Check her profile on our Team page: https://arigatotravel.com/about-us/our-team

Featured Photo Credit: Jessica Iragne

To learn more and share Jess’s love of Tokyo, make sure to book a Food Tour with a local expert guide!