Oscar López, founder and tour guide

The first time I went to Japan, I was only 18 years old. That was no surprise to my family; I had always dreamed of living in Asia since I was a little kid. The initial idea was to make a quick trip to browse around Japan, but suddenly I fell prey to a strong magnetism in the air. The sounds, lights, tone of the voices, peaceful aura, tiny objects, shrines, temples, language, smiles, underground culture of anime and manga, and history captivated me.

So I decided to stay and start a new and unexpected life on that fascinating island. However, I didn't speak Japanese, I was alone without money or bank cards, without even a phone, and without internet. In a country where you need a Japanese guarantor to rent a simple room, I had to eat snow from the streets to survive. Nevertheless, I wanted to stay. I was happy, a lonely ronin wandering around in the wonderful Land of the Rising Sun.

Luckily, I started a new job as a Spanish teacher and at the same time, I joined an editorial team of a newspaper in Tokyo. My Japanese was progressing, and finally, I was taking charge of my new life far, far away from my homeland.

Four years later, I decided to open a coffee shop in the Philippines. After selling it, I moved to London, where I joined British Airways as a cabin crew member for two more years.

Then I came to live in Madrid, Spain. But Japan was still there, deep inside my heart, always considered my second homeland. It was always present in my personality and thoughts. So the best idea ever came to my mind: why not continue to enjoy Japan with people like you? And so, Go!GayJAPAN was born!