About

Why Trust JOC Japan Travel

• Firsthand perspective, not surface-level tips

Nami grew up in Yokohama, and our family returns to Japan frequently, taking trips all over the country. We offer insight from both growing up there and from extensive travel as regular visitors.

• Tested advice, not recycled content

Our guides are based on places our family has personally visited, routes we’ve navigated, and lessons learned over many years of travel.

• Written for real travelers

We focus on the questions people always ask when planning a trip to Japan—how things actually work, what to expect, and what really fits into a day—so you can plan with confidence and fewer surprises.

Namiko Hirasawa Chen (Nami)

Born and raised in Yokohama, Japan, and now based in San Francisco, Nami has spent the past 15 years sharing foolproof Japanese recipes with a global audience. She is passionate about preserving Japanese culinary traditions and empowering home cooks with clear, step-by-step guidance. Growing up, she traveled all across Japan with her family—including her grandparents and relatives—and those trips remain some of her fondest memories.

After studying in the U.S., marrying Shen, and raising a family, Nami often returns to Japan to visit her parents, creating new memories with her own family. For over a decade, she has shared and enjoyed these travel experiences with the JOC community through the blog and social media.

Shen Chen (Mr. JOC)

Shen Chen, affectionately known as Mr. JOC, is the co-founder of Just One Cookbook and the behind-the-scenes force that keeps everything running smoothly. Beyond photographing and video-recording Nami as she creates her recipes, he proudly serves as her chief taste tester. Responsible for operations, he manages the business and technology behind the brand, allowing Nami to focus on developing and sharing authentic Japanese recipes. With a deep passion for food, culture, and travel, Mr. JOC has expanded Just One Cookbook beyond recipes—running JOC Goods, an artisan Japanese tableware shop, and curating JOC’s travel content, offering an insider’s guide to their family’s adventures in Japan and beyond.

Andy Cheng, Travel Writer/Photographer

Andy is a freelance writer and chef, who grew up in the UK. His mother is Japanese and his father is from Hong Kong so was exposed to various cultures and cuisines. His father, who was once a chef, taught him how to cook from a young age, which ignited his passion for food. After graduating from the University of Nottingham in the UK, with a bachelor’s in Architecture, he moved to Tokyo to seek new adventures. It was there that he realized he didn’t want to be an architect but wanted to cook. This led him to train in various restaurants across Japan, from Roppongi, Tokyo to a Michelin Star restaurant in Sapporo, Hokkaido. Now, while cooking his own menu at various pop-up events, Andy also writes about Japanese food, culture, and lifestyle. If he’s not cooking or writing, he’s probably on a drive taking some photos, or eating at his local ramen shop.

Reese Lee, Marketing Manager

Reese has been part of the JOC family since 2016 and is Nami’s trusted sidekick. Originally from Penang, Malaysia—a tropical island known for its rich culture and history—she now calls Minnesota home, embracing its distinct seasons, including the famed winter. With a background in UNESCO Heritage projects in the performing arts, she brings a unique perspective to her work. She has also taught Modern Asian Cooking classes at local co-ops and community education programs. In her free time, Reese enjoys family time, dancing, listening to podcasts, and reading about wellness and design.