Tokyo Epic Reunion: Miki Is Back
- LifeDesigner with Jingyu Chen
- 24 hours ago
- 9 min read
A full-circle moment—culminating in the unveiling of a long-awaited return episode in Tokyo
Hi everyone, welcome to my podcast—Life Designer.
Exactly three years ago in Sydney, I had the privilege of interviewing Miki—an illuminating character, a talented artist and photographer.
In that episode, she walked us through her extraordinary life trajectory of traveling and living across the world, embracing a nomadic lifestyle. She shared her aspirational pivot story—from architect to photographer—courageously carving out a second life for herself.
Today, we come full circle with a returning episode recorded in Tokyo, at the beautiful Tokyo Gajoen Hotel. A lot has shifted in three years. Miki has undergone profound transformations, both personally and professionally. The most significant change would be her stepping into a new season of life—Motherhood.
Last year, in 2024, when her daughter was about a year and a half, Miki and her husband made another big move and relocated to Japan. It was a decision that held multi-dimensional meaning—one of which was to give her daughter a sense of connection to her roots and to be closer to family.
Miki expressed:“We’re truly enjoying this chapter and all the growth, opportunities, and experiences it’s brought with it.”
Chapter One- Motherhood Journey
–Her love is boundless, and her strength beyond measure
In Part One of this episode, we delve into Miki's motherhood journey. Becoming a mum for the first time, Miki describes it as a truly magical experience. For her, the greatest joy and privilege has been seeing the world through her daughter’s eyes—almost like reliving childhood all over again.
Her motherhood philosophy resonates deeply with my own vision of being a mum in the future. For Miki, becoming a mother doesn’t mean putting your life on hold or sacrificing personal growth. Rather, it’s a new opportunity to enrich one’s life experience in its full spectrum—to expand the living matrix across multiple dimensions. As Miki aptly put it:“Your kids raise you.”
(One caveat: we both acknowledge that becoming a mum is a deeply personal choice. All of our reflections are built on that premise)
On the flipped side, being a mum comes with an exorbitant amount of responsibility, stress, and struggle—it truly is one of the hardest jobs in the world, as Miki put it in an analogy. We’re often conditioned to endure rigorous training or apprenticeships to master a domain of skill, yet when it comes to motherhood, we cling to perfectionism, eager to fast-track our way into mastering this unfamiliar, all-consuming role.
Miki said—through her lens of empathy and compassion:
“Be kind to yourself. Yes, there are many moments when things don’t go the way I hoped. But I try to remind myself—this is my very first time experiencing these things. I’ve only been in this ‘job’ for about three years, with no prior training. Every day is on-the-job learning. So it’s okay to make mistakes. It’s okay to not know everything. That mindset really helps relieve the pressure.”
“The truth is, even if you’ve had prior experience with children, every child is different. It takes trial and error to get things right—and that’s okay.”
Feelings of inadequacy often remain pronounced, especially in early parenthood. Mum guilt may sneak in at any given time and can easily take over. I believe Miki’s candid sharing will offer such strength to those of us hoping to become mothers one day, or those currently navigating their own unique parenting journeys.
That led us to the core traits she believes shape her motherhood journey:“If I had to name a few,” she said, “They would be patience, presence, adaptability—and a whole lot of love.”
To Miki, the core of motherhood is about showing up—even when you’re tired, uncertain, or feel like you’re getting it all wrong. It’s the willingness to keep trying, to keep learning, and to love unconditionally, no matter what.
We also touched on what presence means to Miki. For her, it’s about intentional interaction with your child—nurturing their curiosity and creativity, two attributes I personally value the most.
Being present is about truly seeing your children, engaging with their inner worlds, and being there—despite years of sleep deprivation and the emotional roller coaster of a single day. Yet through it all, Miki remains anchored in presence. Through my lens, she embodies the essence of motherhood: boundless love, and strength beyond measure.
She also opened up about her parenting ethos—believing that a parent's is to equip their children with fundamental tools such as character building and essential life skills, but ultimately, it’s their life to figure out and live. Once again, I found so much resonance and alignment in our shared parenting philosophy.
As Miki pointed out, over the past three years, one of the hardest parts has been navigating work–life balance—juggling the demands of running her business, caring for her baby and family, and trying to carve out moments for herself. That brought us to the vital importance of self-care—it plays a paramount role in sustaining us through the ups and downs of life. We both believe that self-care doesn’t have to come in the form of grand gestures. It can be simple yet mighty: walking in nature, sharing honest conversations with friends, or simply carving out a quiet sliver of time for yourself.
As our conversation continued, we further explored how becoming a mum has influenced her artistic lens and craft—both on an overarching and granular level.
Miki shared:“Since becoming a mum, I think my artistic lens has deepened. I’ve always found beauty in capturing family moments—but now, I feel it on a whole different level.”
She reflected on how it’s such a privilege to be trusted by her clients to document milestones in a family’s journey—whether it’s maternity, newborn sessions, or family portraits. She also understands more intimately what it takes for a mum to show up to a shoot—with exhaustion, emotions, and hopes. That empathy has helped her create a space that truly supports families in whatever season they’re in.
As she beautifully encapsulated:“I’d say motherhood hasn’t changed what I see through the lens, but it’s definitely changed how I see it—and how I hold the stories I get to tell.”
That’s why Miki’s artistry has always struck me as an amalgamation of aesthetic appeal and radiant humility. This has been such a profound and in-depth conversation, revolving around Miki’s motherhood journey—one that truly strikes a chord in me.
In Part Two, we’ll dive into another significant transformation in Miki’s life: Miki Sakai Photography in Tokyo. We’ll reflect on her evolving creative pursuit, the proud moments for both of us, and our enduring friendship that continues to blossom.
Chapter Two- Miki Sakai Photography In Tokyo
–Where Tender Moments meet Heartfelt Stories
In Part Two, we shine a spotlight on a new chapter of Miki Sakai Photography—the
transition from Sydney to Tokyo.
In our previous podcast, Miki shared her vision of reaching more clients worldwide—
allowing her to utilize her experience and background as someone who has lived
and worked internationally. I said back then : Miki belongs to the world ! Today she is
nothing short of thriving on globle stage.
As a photographer who has traversed both Western and Eastern landscapes—from
the southern hemisphere to a bustling Asian metropolis—Miki continues to evolve
and grow, opening herself up to different spectrums of human experience and
emotion. When relocation is woven into her creative pursuit, it adds an extra layer of
meaning and purpose. Miki has fully embraced the nuances and distinctions brought upon by this
geographical shift. As Miki poetically describes it: In Sydney, I was spoiled by
golden light, coastal calm, and a relaxed, nature-forward energy. Tokyo, by contrast,
is a sensory feast and a kind of poetic tension between the ultra-modern and the
deeply traditional.
With the geographical landscape shifting, her client base has also evolved.
In Sydney, she primarily worked with local families—often being warmly welcomed
into their homes for intimate family portraits. I was always drawn to the nostalgic
aesthetic she captured—something only derived from gazing into the reality of time ,
grounded in authentic storytelling.
Now, in Tokyo, Miki finds herself working with a new and emerging client base:
international families and travellers visiting on once-in-a-lifetime trips. There’s a
reciprocal energy exchange that reinvigorates her creativity. As Miki continuously
scouts and uncovers hidden gems across the city, her clients also bring a sense of
wonder and the joy of novelty—seeing Tokyo through fresh eyes. This reminds her,
day after day, why she loves what she does. Through this collaborative dynamic, she
captures fleeting, ephemeral moments of joy and transforms them into enduring,
perpetual visual storytelling.
Miki’s artistry transcends mere visual appeal. It is deeply rooted in her carefully
curated lens, meticulous attention to detail, and inherent sensitivity. Each image
holds a timeless quality—evoking emotion and preserving memories.
As a local photographer in Tokyo, Miki also brings a new layer of attentiveness to
her artistic lens. As she describes it: “I see myself as an ambassador for the city I
love—offering a warm, thoughtful experience that helps families feel seen,
welcomed, and connected to the magic of Tokyo. It’s not just about the photos—it’s
about the story they’ll take home.”
This led us to an essential question: Why does authentic storytelling remain at the
core of Miki Sakai Photography.
Miki revealed that “I’ve always believed a single image can say more than a
thousand words. But more than that, photographs hold emotion, memory,
connection, legacy. I often think about how powerful it is that an image can travel
through time. When I look at old photos of my own family—those quiet moments, the
candid expressions, the background objects, the clothes we wore—I’m not just
seeing a visual. I’m seeing a story, a slice of life, a memory that would otherwise be
lost.”
And that’s why I deeply admire her work. It’s not just photography—it’s art that
stands entirely on its own. Miki infuses humility, gentleness, and intention into every
frame, crafting visual heirlooms her clients can pass down for generations. She truly
lives up to her art ethos—Where Tender Moments meet Heartfelt Stories.
She also feels grateful to be connecting with a new photography community in
Tokyo—open to fresh collaborations and meaningful bonds with fellow
photographers—while still maintaining strong ties with her peers in Sydney. Through
her lens, the photography community is diverse and inclusive, yet united by a shared
creative spirit.
2024 ushered in a new era of Miki Sakai Photography. A Year passed, seeing her thrive in such an abundant and nourishing rhythm, I, as her friend, feel incredibly proud and happy for
her.
I once said to her:
“Our creative work is, at its core, a mirror of our emotional and mental state. Every
time I visit your website, it feels like stepping into a utopia—one that radiates
humility, warmth, and radiance . It’s always aesthetically healing and soothing. Those
evocative images could only come from the gentlest heart.”
In my book, I also wrote:
“It is truly the desire to live a beautiful life—toward aspirational and lofty goals—that
matters.” And Miki embodies that ethos fully.
Personally, I’ve gained so much strength, inspiration, joy, and hope from her
artistry—where our values align and our aesthetics unite. Officially, I want to say:
Thank you, Miki, for crafting beauty and adding light to this world!
Our conversation culminated in one pinnacle question—one that tied both
her journey through motherhood and her creativ journey: What have been her
proudest moments over the past three years?
Miki shared candidly that her biggest one has been raising her daughter—from
babyhood through the toddler years—while essentially restarting her business from
scratch in Tokyo. She revealed what happens behind the scenes: juggling nap
windows, working every spare minute, staying up late to edit or respond to emails.
She recalled: “It’s the kind of dedication no one sees—no one gives you a pat on the back at 1 a.m.—but you know what it takes. And I’m incredibly proud of her for that.”
I also shared my proud moments: my home tour video project last year, and this
year, the publication of my first book—Life Designer with Jingyu Chen: A Journey Towards Discipline, Mastery, Radiance.The prevailing message I want to send is: Yes, we are all constrained—by skills, resources, intelligence, etc.—yet I firmly believe we can transcend those emotional pitfalls and internal or external conditioning. An approach carried throughout my creative life has been: whenever an idea sparks, I seize it, act on it, and carefully nurture it—turning small flickers into full-blown flames.
By the end of the conversation, we reminisced on beautiful memories Miki and I
carved out in both Sydney and Tokyo. We always build new memories surpass the
magic of the last, topping the epicness of the previous one lol.
We also envision what the future hold for both of us:
Miki’s vision for Miki Sakai Photography is to continue creating work that feels honest,
emotive, and timeless—images that hold space for beauty, interpersonal connection,
and quiet storytelling.
In the long term, she’d love to give back to the community by mentoring photographers who are building their own soulful practices, and possibly host small workshops or retreats that blend photography, reflection, and intentional living.
Honestly, I truly believe she’s bound to become a mentor—not just for photographers, but for anyone walking their own life-designer path.
I want to end with her vision that deeply moved me: “I don’t see my work as just photography—it’s a way of observing life with care and depth. If I can continue offering that to others, while staying connected to my own creative truth, then that’s the path I want to keep walking.”
Her words perpetually propel me forward, fueling my resolve to carve out an my
authentic and unique journey.
We also read our letters to the future, marking Miki’s words once again as we affirmed:
“2025 is remarkable, sensational, and will carry on being that way.”
I’m so grateful to have a friend like her in my life. As I said to her: " A Friend like you elevates me.”
Miki and I poured our hearts and souls into this podcast project over the past half-
year—from contemplation to the completion. I said at the beginning: this episode
was bound to be epic.
It truly is.
Thank you for listening to my podcast, see you next time.
Links
Website: https://www.mikisakai.com/
Instagram: mikisakaiphotography
Comments