Hi my name is Skaiste Klaniute (Sky) and I am intern #192 at Obubu.
Instagram; @SkaisteKlaniute @Sky.photojournal – www.skaisteklaniute.com
Avant Obubu
I came to Obubu almost by accident, and I’m incredibly grateful to have been accepted. Recently, I’ve been diving into the world of freelance photography. About a year ago, I started working at a local photography gallery back in Glasgow, and during that time, I focused on building my business as a freelance fine art and fashion photographer.
It’s always tricky to answer the question “Where are you from?” because I’ve lived a third of my life in three different countries. You can decide for yourself which place that makes me “from.” I was born in Lithuania, then moved to Ireland at the age of nine, where I completed all my schooling. With a strong adventurous spirit, I moved to Scotland at 18 to study art and printmaking in Aberdeen — and I’ve never left.
But recently, I felt a little nudge, a hunch that it was finally time to pursue my long-held dream of travelling and learning about different cultures — all the while documenting my journey. I had visited Asia just seven months before coming to Obubu, and at the end of that trip, I told myself: Japan is next. It had been a dream of mine since my teenage years, and apparently, the universe heard me, because I had to pack my bags much sooner than expected! 😄
I found out about Obubu in a very roundabout way — through a friend of a friend. That specific person was Katrina Wild, who was about to head to Japan as an assistant manager. She has a very cool story herself, being a tea lover and a traveller, documenting her own journey — something that instantly caught my attention. Naturally, I wanted to connect with her — via Instagram, of course. I tentatively followed her, hoping to soak up her wisdom, and one day she happened to post a single Instagram story: “Anyone want to join me at Obubu?” That one sentence led me to apply, and not long after, I found myself meeting her in person — in Japan of all places!
To add to the magic, Katrina had also lived and studied in Glasgow, and had worked at our beloved bohemian teahouse just ten minutes from my flat — a place I used to frequent all the time. It’s funny to think we might’ve passed each other many times without ever knowing it.
Pendant Obubu
From day one, I was so excited to be here! It was a little overwhelming at first — we were definitely thrown into the deep end — but that’s sometimes the best way to learn, and it was exactly what I had been looking for.
What I really appreciated was getting to experience every side of Obubu — both the business and the farming. I had wanted to be close to nature, so working in the tea fields and harvesting was incredible. (Although I think I attracted every bug in Japan — I must have been a walking buffet!) Still, I didn’t hold it against them. I’m fascinated by the wildlife here, especially compared to Scotland, which has a much more limited range.
What struck me most was the sheer beauty of the place — the lush forests covering every hill and mountain. It felt so special to witness this kind of natural abundance, especially knowing how much of the world is facing deforestation and environmental degradation. It made me all the more grateful to be in such a place.
But beyond the landscape, what really made my experience were the people. Everyone I got to work with, or meet was so kind and welcoming. Some of those interactions created core memories — like the time I interviewed a third-generation potter whose work I instantly connected with. It all happened by chance, as they say back in Scotland: “What’s for you won’t go by you.”
In addition to trying and learning about all the incredible teas at Obubu, I also became deeply interested in pottery. That interest led me on a journey to explore some of Japan’s ancient kilns, take a wheel-throwing class at Asahiyaki, and even shadow Saito-san — a potter who collaborates with Obubu. I tried to absorb everything I could about the process: making, firing, glazing… I had no idea how many steps were involved! Through this experience, I came to truly appreciate pottery as an art form — which is funny, coming from someone who studied art. I guess I’d underestimated pottery, but I now see it as every bit as expressive and rich as painting or printmaking.
If you’re curious, I’ve shared more about this journey on my blog about pottery!
What Awaits Me After Obubu
To be honest, what I really wanted from this experience was to immerse myself — fully — in the culture, the language, and, of course tea.
Looking forward, I hope to continue my journey in photography and travel — but with a new twist. I’d love to create and host creative retreats that bring together all the things I love: photography, pottery, yoga, and tea. It’s my dream to share these passions with others in a meaningful way.
If that sounds like something you’d be interested in, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Who knows? Maybe we’ll meet in another corner of the world. How beautiful would that be?
That’s all for now. I trust in the mystery of life to guide me to the right places — just like it led me here, to this exceptional encounter that truly did not pass me by.
— Sky
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English (UK)