“In Rotterdam I felt more free because it wasn’t so busy,” says Takashi. He comes from the even busier Tokyo. “Everything is open 24/7 there. Here in Rotterdam I often found it so dark and empty. Almost all the shops were closed after 6 pm.” Takashi also saw the good side of that. “It also means less stress. That felt liberating.”
He came to Rotterdam in February 2015 because his company sent him here. Takashi had to get used to the Netherlands, but especially to the fact of being alone without family. “I was single so I had to do everything by myself. After work I came home and I tried to cook and do my housework. I had a lot of time. So I decided to exercise for my health.” He was actually supposed to be here temporarily, but in 2024 he met his wife. She came from Nicaragua, so migration was their common denominator. The two fell hopelessly in love and he decided to stay. She helped him even more to find his place in the city. “It felt like it was my destiny to stay here. Just like I always wanted to stay with her.” They have been married for three years now and as far as this dream couple is concerned, they will spend the rest of their lives in Rotterdam. “This city makes dreams come true. If you just believe in yourself.”