Image Credit: YouTube/Ashiie
May 10, 2020 - 2:30 PM
Chika Ashida just wanted to show her mother, who lives in Japan, what the Okanagan looks like.
The Kelowna resident started her Japanese YouTube channel under the name Ashiie three weeks ago as a way to connect with her mother. The channel is entirely in Japanese but offers English subtitles and features popular Okanagan hiking trails like Pincushion in Peachland and Mount Boucherie in West Kelowna.
“I always wanted to do YouTube, but one of the reasons why I did it was I wanted to show my mom where I lived. My mom is in Japanese and she’s always wondering how my life is, because she never comes here,” Ashida said.
Ashida was born in Japan, and she’s lived in Kelowna for the last 10 years, after originally studying English in the Okanagan.
Her mom is 70, and doesn’t use much technology so it’s easier for her to watch the videos through YouTube.
The channel isn’t just for her mom, anyone can watch and learn about the trails.
READ MORE: Save your Mother’s Day hugs for the May long weekend
“Some people that have lived in Kelowna for 30 years may not know of (these places). It may be a good opportunity for them to explore their area a little bit,” she said.
Ashida doesn’t recommend that residents try to learn Japanese from the subtitles, however, as there’s a slight delay between the subtitles and her voice, she said, so if you try you might get mixed up.
READ MORE: COVID-19 blues got you down? Backyard birding in the Okanagan and Kamloops can offer some much needed colour
Quirky characters often fly across the screen in her videos. She enjoys animation so she incorporates it into videos as a joke, she said.
For Mother's Day, she's sent her mother a gift and the pair talk every day through text.
“I want (more) people to watch my videos, but I just started, so my skill is still improving. So the more videos I make the better videos I’m going to make,” she said.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2020