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Yuki Nakatani

Traveller - Artist

Born in Nagasaki in 1996. In March 2023, after graduating from university and working for two years, quit the job and said goodbye to a boyfriend of two years at the airport, heading straight to Europe with a one-way ticket.


Arrived in Europe with just 35 euros left in the account. Using the only skill at the time—calligraphy, started since age seven—sold art on the streets, traveling through various countries for four months.


During this journey, deeply felt that ‘the world is full of love’ and wanted to share that message with everyone. After returning to Japan in December 2023, decided to self-publish the first essay book, LOVE.


Then decided to live as an artist. In March 2024, held the first solo exhibition ‘あいま。’ in Tokyo and released the book.


In May 2024, with the motto of "Spreading LOVE," began the next adventure—a trip around the world. With just a 28L backpack, hitchhiking and traveling the world with art.

1996年長崎生まれ、旅人&アーティスト。2023年3月、大学卒業後、新卒で2年勤めた会社を辞め、当時2年付き合っていた彼氏と空港で別れ、片道だけの航空券を持ってその足でヨーロッパへ旅立つ。


ヨーロッパに着いた時の口座の残高は約6000円。当時持っていた唯一のスキル、7歳から始めた「書道」で、路上で作品を売りながらそのまま4ヶ月、色んな国を旅しながら生き延びる。


この4ヶ月の旅を通して1番感じた「世界は愛でできている」ということをどうにかみんなに伝えたい思いから、2023年12月に帰国後、初のエッセイ本「LOVE」を自費出版することを決める。


アーティストとして生きることを決意し、 2024年3月、東京で初の個展となる「あいま。」を開催し、本をリリース。


2024年5月、「愛を拡げる」をモットーに、次なる旅、世界一周を開始。28Lのバックパック1つで、ヒッチハイクをしながら、自分のアートで世界を旅している。

The Path of My Art

  • Art Farm Sign

    Csólyospálos, Hungary|Sep 2023

    I made a sign for the art farm where I volunteered through Workaway.

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  • My Stone Footprints

    Madrid, Spain|Oct 2023

    I painted my calligraphy on stones I found by the river and left them in random spots around Madrid, where I spent a month.

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  • Words on the Wall

    Marrakech, Morocco|Nov 2023

    I stayed with a Couchsurfing host who asked me to do some calligraphy for him.

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  • Free Chocolate on Valentine’s Day

    Nagasaki, Japan|Feb 2024

    In my hometown of Nagasaki, I gave out chocolates and asked people, "When do you feel love?"

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  • Solo Exhibition ‘あいま。’

    Tokyo, Japan|Mar 2024

    After coming back from my trip to Europe, I held my very first solo exhibition. Over 300 people from more than 20 countries came in just 3 days.

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  • Calligraphy Exhibition 「書」

    Kharkhorin, Mongolia|Jul 2024

    I held my first solo exhibition solely focused on calligraphy, in a traditional Mongolian house “ger.”

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  • Studio Shoot

    Hohhot, Inner Mongolia|Aug 2024

    It was my first-ever proper studio shoot. It turned out like a mini-documentary.

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  • Live Performance ‘縁’

    Beijing, China|Sep 2024

    A live calligraphy performance at a beautiful studio in Beijing called AOTU SPACE.

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  • Live Performance ‘静と動’

    Deyang, China|Oct 2024

    A live calligraphy performance in the middle of a vast rice field. It was a magical moment where nature and calligraphy blended beautifully.

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A Glimpse into My Travel Catalog

  • Japan

    I've hitched over 350 rides so far, with more than 200 of them in Japan. I've traveled to all 47 prefectures by hitchhiking!

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  • India

    Traveled solo from the Bangladesh border to the Pakistan border, crossing the country east to west. Took a 26-hour train ride and even swam in the Ganges River.

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  • Hungary

    Spent three weeks with zero accommodation costs, using Workaway and Couchsurfing. Nearly got kidnapped while hitchhiking.

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  • Morocco

    Lived off just €30 and art sold on the way, mostly hitchhiking my way around the country during a 40-day trip. Sleeping at the desert, staying with Berber. 

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  • SouthKorea

    On my 4th visit, I discovered the charm of rural Korea, beyond just Seoul and Busan, during a hitchhiking adventure.

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  • Mongolia

    Hitchhiked about 6,000 km in two months, staying in gers and even had an exhibition in one. Paid a fine for overstaying my visa.

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  • China

    Crossed the border by train from Mongolia, explored for 4 months. Discovered essential travel tips like using VPNs and booking transport/accommodation. 

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