Written by Aarohi
Ananya Donapati is known for her Japanese-language prowess. Based in Tokyo and with more than 660k followers across Instagram and Youtube (and counting), the influencer-entrepreneur creates content for major clients, local and domestic. We spoke about how she got here, what she’s building, and what it takes to carve out a creative career in Japan.
What sparked your interest in moving to Japan?
Ananya Donapati (AD): I came to Japan in 2023, after about a decade of studying Japanese. I’d always wanted to come, but it never really worked out, partly because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and partly because I was young and didn’t have the resources.
I had visited once before, back in 2017, when I was in high school. I stayed with a friend’s family in Yokohama. It was a bit unconventional because it was self-organized, but it worked out, and we’re still close.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to live in Japan long-term. I’d heard a lot of mixed experiences. But after spending so much time learning the language, I felt like I needed to do something with it. I was working at Amazon in San Francisco and enjoying my life there, but I felt like something was missing. Moving to Japan felt like the next step, even if I didn’t have a clear plan.
What led you to leave corporate work and start doing your own thing?
AD: I moved here for a job at a startup (Woodstock.club), and that was my entry point.
But within about a year, I started to see an incredible amount of growth on my social media. Japan was suddenly everywhere and my audience grew quickly. I gained around 200,000 followers in that first year on top of the 100,000 I had accumulated so far.
At that point, I felt like there was something there. I’m quite logical about these things, so I didn’t want to jump in blindly, but I thought: if there’s real potential here, I should at least try. I’d already taken a big risk moving to Japan. It felt like the moment to go all in.
What does your work look like?
AD: Right now, it’s a mix of a few things.
I run a Japanese language course called Japanese with Ananya. We have users across more than 40 countries, and it’s aimed at beginners.
Then there’s content — that’s the main bulk of my work. I collaborate with brands, both Japanese and international. That ranges from big tech companies like Google and Amazon to fashion brands like H&M, and also local governments. A lot of my work in Japan is with tourism promotion, working with regional organizations and PR agencies.
At the same time, I’m trying to build something more long-term. I want to use content as a tool to build a business. So I’m working on my podcast Tokyo Talks, exploring different business ideas, and developing a physical product. I’ve tried a lot of ideas over the past year — some didn’t work. But that’s part of the process.
What have you learned about the practical side of building a life and career in Japan?
AD: One thing I’ve learned is that there are more possible paths than people might assume. Things like visas can feel intimidating from the outside, but there are options depending on your situation.
For me, the J-FIND visa has given me some time to think about what I want to build and how I want to work in Japan long-term. That kind of flexibility can be really valuable, especially if you’re still figuring things out.
Almost all of my work is in Japanese, so Japanese-language skills have been a prerequisite. If you don’t speak Japanese, it’s about finding the right people.
What does a typical day look like for you?
AD: In the morning, I usually spend one or two hours working on business ideas, things like product development or planning. During the day, I might have shoots, meetings, or collaborations. A lot of it is filming content or meeting people.
Then in the evening, around 9 p.m., I start editing. That’s when I put together reels and get them ready to post. Usually they go live around 10:30 p.m. The timing lines up with my audience in the U.S. My schedule is basically built around when people are watching.
I tend to batch-film content during the week and then edit daily. I enjoy filming, but editing is definitely more of a grind, so I leave it until the end of the day.
How has the transition from corporate to creative work been?
AD: It’s been one of the hardest things I’ve done.
The lack of structure is a big adjustment. Especially in Japan, where there’s a very defined idea of what a working schedule looks like. When you don’t fit into that, it can feel like you’re outside of the system.
At the same time, I love the freedom. Being able to plan my own time and work at my own pace, that’s something I wouldn’t trade. One thing I had to learn quickly was setting boundaries.
When you work for yourself, it’s easy to overwork. You can end up becoming a kind of “corporate slave” to yourself. In my first year, I was definitely overworking. Now I try to take weekends off, and that’s made a big difference.
What are some things you wish you knew about working in Japan?
AD: Japanese business culture is very different, and I’m still learning.
Things like bringing omiyage, how you write emails, how you speak on the phone — all of that matters a lot. The level of attention to detail is much higher than what I was used to.
Where I’m from, especially in tech, people don’t really focus on those things. Founders show up in T-shirts and jeans.
I try to adapt, but not completely. I don’t think it makes sense to fully change who you are. I take what I think is useful and leave the rest.
What advice would you give to someone looking to move to Japan and build a creative career?
AD: Your community is your biggest asset.
Everyone’s path to Japan is different, so it’s important to learn from other people’s experiences and figure out what works for you.
I’d also say: don’t be afraid to reach out to people. A lot of opportunities come from connections, and even cold emails or messages can lead to something meaningful.
Look into different visa options and job paths. Not everything is obvious from the outside.
More than anything, I think it’s worth trying. Even if things don’t work out, you’ll learn something from the experience.
How do you think about Tokyo as a place to work and create?
AD: Tokyo is incredibly creative. There’s always something happening, and I get a lot of inspiration just from being here. Areas like Setagaya have a really strong creative energy. Most of my ideas come from seeing what other people are doing and thinking, “That’s interesting, but what if I tried something different?”
There’s a lot of uncertainty, especially with visas and how things are changing in Japan. But I don’t think that’s a reason not to try. Japan is always evolving. Don’t let that stop you from chasing your dreams.
Interviews with other Japan creatives
- Chani Japan — Educator and YouTuber
- Steffie Harner — Creative technologist in Tokyo
- Michael Holmes — Photographer in Tokyo
- Erica Ward — Artist and illustrator in Tokyo
- Luis Mendo — Illustrator in Japan
- Studio Terranova — Creative agency in Tokyo
- Mehdi Fliss — CEO of Photo Trips
Some quotes have been edited down for clarity and brevity.
