Nicole Watanabe

Born to a Japanese mother and American father in San Diego, Nicole spent her childhood summers in Kyoto with her maternal grandparents, developing a deep appreciation for cultural dualities. After a 30-year career in international education administration, she took early retirement at 58 to pursue her passion for documenting endangered cultural practices and archaeological sites threatened by climate change or development. What began as a personal project evolved into an influential travel blog that bridges academic research with accessible travel narratives, particularly resonating with older women seeking meaningful solo travel experiences.