WHO AM I
Hello! My name is Marco Acerbi and I was born in Tortona, Italy in 1993. I grew up in Sarezzano, within the so called “Colli Tortonesi” (Hills around Tortona). Sarezzano is the place where there are my roots and the people I love the most: my family and my dog Lucy.
I have always been in love with the idea of shaping your own personality through travelling and meeting new people around the world. I believe the people I met abroad helped me to become more thoughtful and perceptive.
In 2016 I lived in Finland for one year, as a student, and I had the chance to travel around the Northern countries in Europe, places that have always had a special meaning for me.
I love travelling, alone and with friends, managing the itineraries by myself. I do love learning new languages: this passion gave me the opportunity to fully enjoy the local customs and stories of the people I met during my trips.
I speak four languages: Italian, English, Spanish and Japanese.
I do believe “Learning Japanese” (always a work in progress) was the most difficult thing I have done in my life, but it gave me the possibility to get closer to the people and feel part the place I love the most in the world: Japan.
More about me:
I love reading novels and historical books. I love travel literature, especially adventure and non-fiction novels set in Japan and Asia. My favorite Japanese writer is Haruki Murakami, but I also love Natsuo Kirino, Kazuo Ishiguro. I really enjoyed the Noir saga of "Inspector Chen Chao" by Qiu Xialong, telling the story of China from the Cultural Revolution to the present day.
I love mountains and multi-day hiking. Kumano Kodo in Japan was the most challenging pathway done so far. Santiago de Compostela is on my To-Do list! Trentino Alto Adige and its Dolomites will always hold a special place in my heart.
I have loved basketball since I was a kid, playing it and watching it on TV, but the greatest joy has always been the time spent with my little dog Lucy, my Ikigai for many years.
Japan
In 2022, I quit my job in Italy, deciding it was time to follow my heart and I moved to Kyoto, where I lived for 16 months.
Life in Japan was a constant thrill. I studied Japanese at a local school in Kyoto, I lived in a Sharehouse with many Japanese people who allowed me to experience Japanese culture, make precious friendships and; finally, have two unique work experiences.
Firstly, I was responsible, through marketing and operational strategies, to help increasing the number of foreign tourists in Shiga prefecture (prefecture close to Kyoto, in Kansai) for a tourist office in the city of Koka, renowned for its story about Ninja, and part of the Japan Heritage program.
Japan Heritage is a program sponsored by the Agency for Cultural Affairs with the aim of spreading knowledge of places and activities that are not considered UNESCO heritage but which represent a fascinating heritage to be preserved and made known.
It was an incredible experience. I'll tell you more on my blog!
After that, I worked within the VIP Guest Experience Department at Universal Studios in Osaka with the aim of improving the park experience for foreign tourists: namely Americans and Europeans.
