My Internship Journey in Japan

Hi, I’m Niels Johannes Birkle Flores, and my path to Japan has been anything but conventional. 

If you had asked me a few years ago where I would end up after graduating, Japan probably wouldn’t have been my first answer.

I grew up moving between countries, born in Mexico, spending years in Saudi Arabia, and later completing my IB in Germany. Because of that, adapting to new environments became second nature to me.

Business Management was always the most interesting class for me, learning how companies grow, how brands position themselves, but at some point, I didn't just want to study business, I wanted to experience it somewhere completely new and challenging. That's what brought me to Tokyo and Chotto Matcha.

My First Impressions

Before arriving, I felt the usual mix of excitement and pressure. Japan has a strong reputation for discipline, structure, and high standards.

I wondered how I would adjust, especially to a different communication style and work culture. Those thoughts didn't last long.

From the very beginning, the team at Chotto Matcha made me feel welcome.

Instead of feeling like “just the intern,” I felt included. People took the time to explain not only what we were doing, but why we were doing it. That openness made it much easier to adapt and focus on contributing rather than worrying about fitting in.

Learning Through Culture

One of the biggest differences I noticed was the attention to detail.

Whether it’s preparing matcha or developing a partnership idea, there is intention behind everything.

Time is respected.

Planning is structured.

Execution is thoughtful.

Communication is also more subtle than what I was used to in Europe.

I learned quickly that listening carefully and understanding context is just as important as speaking confidently.

It pushed me to be more observant and patient, and that has been one of the biggest personal growth moments for me.

Even small things like the calm atmosphere in the workplace felt refreshing and motivating.

What I have been working on 

At Chotto Matcha, I focused on business development and brand growth.

I was involved in preparing pitch decks for potential collaborations, supporting overall brand positioning, and helping optimize our online presence to ensure consistency across platforms. I also worked on collaboration proposals and outreach, researching companies that aligned with our vision and initiating conversations with them.

One of the projects I particularly enjoyed contributing to was the development of our Matcha Crawl concept in Asakusa, an event idea designed to connect community, culture, and product experience in a unique way.

Being part of both the strategic planning and the practical execution gave me a realistic understanding of how a growing brand operates behind the scenes.

It showed me that building a business isn’t just about big ideas; it’s about consistency, creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to turn concepts into action. 

Looking back 

Even though it has only been four weeks, this internship has pushed me to think more strategically, communicate more carefully, and take initiative in an international environment. I've been fortunate to work with a team that was open, supportive, and ambitious from the start. These four weeks have reinforced that I want to build an international career in business development, working across cultures and helping brands grow beyond borders. What stood out to me most, though, was the commitment of the CEOs. They are deeply involved, hands-on, and incredibly hardworking. Seeing their dedication firsthand, how much time and energy they invest into refining details, building relationships, and constantly improving the brand is inspirational