Welcome to the Aoki Sisters

Hi! We’re Emily and Erika—18-year-old twin sisters who’d love to be your guides to Japan.

Our Story

We call our background “reverse culture shock.” We were born in Tokyo, spent our teenage years in California, and then moved back to Japan for college.

This means we see Japan as a visitor would, but with the knowledge of a local. We understand what it’s like to be both an outsider and an insider.

Meet the Twins

We’re sisters, but we’re very different:

• Emily: The calm one. I usually wear glasses and keep my hair down. I bring a relaxed vibe to our travels.

• Erika: The energetic one. I wear my hair in a ponytail and love adventure. I’m always excited to explore something new.

What We Offer

Free subscribers get our photo essays and ASMR podcast, where we share stories about the places we visit and what makes them special.

Paid members can join our community chat and get our latest digital downloads (photos, wallpapers, and video clips0.

Whether you’re planning a trip, dreaming about Japan, or just curious about our culture, we’re here to explore it together.

Never miss an update—every new post is sent directly to your email inbox!

For a spam-free, ad-free reading experience, plus audio and community features, get the Substack app.

Brands & Sponsors

Would you like to be featured? We work with brands and sponsors that fit our mission to share the very best Japan has to offer. Contact hi@aokisisters.com to learn more.

Our Producer

We’re produced by DLKR Inc.