Takumi Ono Junglecity Network, Inc. Founder/President + Interviews

Any expatriate or traveler knows that connecting with locals in a foreign country unleashes the opportunities for meaningful life or deeper cultural exchanges. Having had to acclimate myself in Australia and the United States to pursue my high school and university studies, I am keenly aware of the value of the ability to bridge the gap between my native Japanese culture and Western sensibilities. In May 1998, after a stint as a market analyst in the cycling industry, I established Junglecity Network Inc with hopes it would evolve into a consummate resource. In fact, the name of the company reflects our desire to serve as guides through the complex jungle of overlapping cultures. I believe the prime showcase for our capabilities is Junglecity.com, which demonstrates the ability to organize information as well as the breadth of our services from web design to site management to event planning. I take pride in knowing the Northwest in and out and deeply appreciate the opportunities to meet people through my work who are making positive contributions to their lives and the society. I personally enjoy shopping at farmers markets, dining out at my favorite restaurants and sitting in a café over a good cup of coffee and pastries.

Allow me to introduce my team:

Natsumi Ozaki Seattle resident since 2000

Customer satisfaction is my primary goal, because there’s nothing better than knowing that a product we've designed accurately conveys the client’s message. I have degrees in business administration and communication, backgrounds that serve me well at Junglecity, where it’s a pleasure to nurture cross-cultural exchanges. In my free time, I enjoy losing myself in a book at one of Seattle’s many cafes as I sip a strong cup of coffee.

Akiko Ohashi Seattle resident since 1998

Having been an avid user of Junglecity.com before I joined the staff, I am intimately familiar with the site’s features and how best to present them. My degree is in information technology and while that makes me the resident expert, I find that learning is a perpetual process. The flexibility I enjoy at Junglecity is a quality that also pervades our approach to client services. We take pride in providing diverse avenues to communicate and connect users and clients.

Riho Miyamoto Seattle resident since 2008

I grew up in Kyoto and attended college in Tokyo. In my senior year, while I was exploring job options, my mother found an advertisement for a scholarship to study in Seattle. It was an opportunity that I knew I would have to follow. Moving to Seattle has proven to be a dream I never knew was possible. So many kindnesses have been bestowed upon me since my arrival and working for Junglecity.com is my way of giving back to the community. I want to help others through Junglecity.com by sharing tips on how to enjoy living in or visiting Seattle. I unwind by jogging along the numerous trails in and around the city, which has been a great way to learn about my new home.

Miki Naganuma Seattle resident since 1996

I was born in a small city near Osaka and lived there until I was eleven years old when my father's job transferred our family to Olympia, Washington. Eventually, I moved to Seattle to pursue a degree in International Business and Marketing at the University of Washington. In my free time, I enjoy exploring the local happy-hour scene with my friends. I also like to curl up with a good book, go running or play tennis. For me, Junglecity connects Japan, home to my cultural identity, and Seattle, the place I consider my home town. Junglecity allows me to remain active in the Japanese community and celebrate my heritage.

Maiko Nakai

I am a native of Osaka. My family opened its home to many exchange students over the years, which inspired me to apply for short-term home stays in the United States, China, Australia and Indonesia. All that traveling during my teen years profoundly influenced my desire to pursue a career that would allow me to connect different cultures. Through a part-time job at a large newspaper company and through school, I discovered that becoming a reporter might help me be the bridge between Japan and the United States and other Asian countries. After graduating from a two-year college, I enrolled at the University of Oregon to major in journalism and Chinese. Now, at Junglecity, I can encourage users to take full advantage of what the Northwest has to offer. In my spare time, I enjoy shopping, relaxing in cafes, listening to music and watching movies and musicals.

Hisashi (Kyu) Chida Tokyo

As the lone representative of Junglecity in Japan, I have the unique perspective of the company from the outside. I can say, without a doubt, that the site is the most comprehensive source of information about the Seattle area. Japanese visitors to the city find it invaluable. My background is in advertising, which, ultimately, is about reaching the masses. The beauty of Junglecity is that it allows me to meet new people and satisfy my personal passion for baseball (Go Mariners! site).

Miki Yonekura Rohbock New Orleans

My experience includes working for a public relations agency and promotions company in Tokyo. After moving to New Orleans, my husband’s hometown, I eventually started Mikazuki Connection, a business that organized tours, convention services and media coordination. I partnered with Junglecity to create Junglecity Travel, which is comprised of city-specific travel guides. New Orleans is the first in the lineup.

Fumiko Rushing New Orleans

Having born and raised in a countryside in Akita prefecture in northern Japan, I had fulfilled my dream of living in a metropolitan area when moving to Yokohama for college. Just when I started enjoying a new chapter in life after landing a job in a large corporation, I got married to a native of New Orleans and moved to Hawaii. Several years went by while working for a travel agency and an airline there before we moved to New Orleans in 1998. We have been here since and enjoying running a sports bar and being a part-time tour guide for Japanese tourists. I am happiest watching my son’s soccer, baseball and football games.