Pikopiri
Artist & Illustrator
A Blissful villager living between two worlds — Tokyo and Florida.
I love the little discoveries of everyday life and the fun of cultural differences — taking photos, drawing illustrations, and creating characters along the way. Some of my work grows out of traditional Japanese culture; some starts as a silly idea that just won't leave me alone. LINE stickers (for the messaging app popular in Japan), designs and illustrations on Etsy and beyond — I follow my curiosity wherever it leads. Someday, stories and books, too. If something sounds fun, I give it shape.
Born and raised in Tokyo. Transferred to the US headquarters through an internal move at my company — and Florida became home. Married, became a mom, and haven't stopped being surprised since. Peacocks, bears, deer, turkeys, and alligators casually cross your path on the street or along hiking trails. At places like Rainbow Springs, you can float down a crystal-clear natural river on a tube — a real-life lazy river, no theme park required. School days include candy handouts and Pajama Day. And a bowl of ramen? $16 plus 20% tip. Proud owner of a "special sense of direction" — GPS is absolutely non-negotiable in Florida's car-dependent world. Driving a Prius, so gas prices don't scare me — and a full tank gets me all the way from Orlando to Miami. Before settling down, traveled solo to 10+ countries as a Couchsurfing member — and showed visiting Couchsurfers around Tokyo too. Got seriously into snowboarding and bodyboarding after joining the workforce — got so tan that some of our clients joked, "That girl is practically charred!" Once a flute player and brass band conductor in high school, briefly considered music college — then ended up in IT instead.
As a Florida resident, I file taxes, navigate the American health insurance maze (and its sky-high medical bills), and yes, we bought our house based on school districts. I've watched Central Florida transform over the past decade-plus.
Tokyo and Florida — I love them both. Tokyo-born and proud of it — the food, the culture, the sense of the seasons, and supermarkets and convenience stores that are, in my opinion, the best in the world. There's nowhere quite like it. Sharing the real, unfiltered life of someone living between two worlds, and the work that grows out of it — and yes, I've been a fan club member of Kishidan (a Japanese rock band) for over 10 years from overseas, known to fly back to Japan solo just for one of their shows. No regrets. Ever.
Tokyo & Florida. Two worlds, endless inspiration.
Instagram:blissfulpiko
Etsy:Pikopiri
