Atsushi Sugimoto: Becoming a Young Entrepreneur in Japan

Atsushi Sugimoto, Image From Ski Day in Kifu, February 2011

Atsushi Sugimoto was born in Hirakata, Osaka. At age 24, he is the youngest of three brothers and the owner of a local Hawaiian-themed business called Nose Ride Cafe. He is also an aspiring photographer and DJ. Atsushi's path to becoming an entrepreneur is unique.

At an early age Atsushi was on his way to becoming a competitive skier, in fact he spent the majority of his youth training around Europe and North America. Unfortunately during his second year of high school, he got a back injury and had to quit skiing.

With this change of lifestyle, at age 16 he moved to Venice, California and took up surfing. After graduating high school there, he spent half a year attending Santa Monica City College, but alas Japan beckoned him home. Upon his return he enrolled at Kansai Gaidai University and majored in English and Education.  

Atsushi's parents were pushing him to find work, but his greatest goal was to become a photographer. In order to accomplish his dreams, he wanted a job in which he could be his own boss and design vacation time, as opposed to being in an office. Thus Atsushi began Nose Ride Cafe.

Nose Ride is located across from Kansai Gaidai and its Hawaiian inspired atmosphere is unique in the area. Nose Ride is a favorite stop for some Kansai Gaidai students. The bar has a program called Speak EZ, which offers English lessons once a week. Within the same building is a massage business run by Atsushi's brother. Nose Ride also collaborates with a local dance studio for hula dancing.

At Kansai Gaidai, Atsushi surveyed Japanese students about what their specific dreams for the future were. 80% of the answers to this question was left blank. Apart from running Nose Ride, Atsushi sees a niche in helping young Japanese experience travel and adventure and thus find a goal in life, as he did. 

Nose Ride Employees Posing for the Camera

Alex, Atsushi's Friend, Relaxing at the Bar in Front of Movie Projector

Surfing Party Held at Nose Ride