Three years ago, Kotaro Iwamoto from Saitama, Japan, was transferred by his company to work overseas as a resident employee in Guangzhou. He commuted every day between Yuexiu and Panyu districts, with the assistance of a dedicated translator provided by the company to help him solve daily life problems. 

However, he still felt the need to quickly master Chinese, adapt to Guangzhou's living habits, and understand Lingnan's customs and culture. Today, he can speak fluent Chinese and has gained a lot of knowledge about Chinese history and culture.

Iwamoto's hometown of Saitama, Japan, is also a city surrounded by rivers with a colorful history and culture. It also has a modern and bustling side. As one of the most populous cities in Japan, it serves as a key transportation hub connecting the east and west regions, and was also involved in hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup. These similarities made him quickly love and integrate into Guangzhou.

He said that since coming to work in China, he has backpacked through the scenic spots all over the country during his holidays, and tasted a variety of delicious local foods. However, Guangzhou's tolerant, optimistic, and positive city culture has allowed him, a foreigner, to experience many impressive human stories.

As a Japanese finance professional who works regular hours, he loves spending his free time exploring Guangzhou with friends, enjoying picnics and gatherings, learning Chinese, and soaking up the city's history and culture. Through these experiences, he has gained a wealth of knowledge and become known as an expert on Chinese culture, especially Canton culture in his Japanese community.

Thanks to recommendations from his friends, Iwamoto has also delved into numerous Chinese books, rapidly improving his language skills through these exchanges and readings. "Recently, I've been obsessed with Liu Cixin's science fiction The Three-Body Problem," he said. "I've read the Chinese version at least three times. It's incredible how human imagination can reach such infinite heights."

He also has a deep love for traditional Chinese poetry, particularly works from the Tang and Song dynasties, such as Su Shi, Tao Yuanming, and Du Fu. According to Iwamoto, reciting Chinese poetry is like listening to music, and when he recites ancient poems, he can feel firsthand how the beauty of nature was transformed into wonderful words by the ancients. These words continue to inspire and move people today.

Iwamoto's apartment is filled with souvenirs he collected from travels around China. He often invites colleagues and local friends to his home to cook authentic Japanese family-style meals together. After everyone is fed and full, he brings out his treasured set of Chinese tea equipment and uses traditional methods to brew Chinese teas such as Pu'er and Tie Guan Yin for his guests.

The cover photo of his WeChat moments features a corner of the Guangzhou Tower nestled among blooming yellow windbells. "Guangzhou has a spring-like climate all year round, with trees and flowers everywhere and good air quality. The scenery is beautiful, and the food is delicious. Here, you can not only try different local cuisines at any time but also enjoy representative foods from different countries," he said.

【视频】广州工作的日本职员岩本光太郎：热爱中国古诗词，最近迷上了《三体》

三年前，来自日本埼玉县的岩本光太郎跟随企业工作调动，成为一名驻外职员来到了广州，每天往返于越秀区和番禺区通勤。

虽然企业为驻外职员配备了专门的翻译，协助解决生活上的问题，他还是认为应该尽快掌握中文，适应广州的生活习惯，了解岭南的风俗文化。如今，他已经能说一口流利的中文，对中国历史和文化也有了不少了解。

他的家乡日本埼玉县，也是一座河流之城，具有多彩的历史文化，同时也拥有现代化繁华的一面，是日本人口数量最多的城市之一，是连接东西部最重要的交通中心，并参与举办过2022年世界杯足球赛。这些相似之处，都让他很快喜欢、融入广州。

他说，来中国工作以后，在假期他背着包游遍了大江南北的风景胜地，吃遍了各色各样的风味美食。但是广州包容乐观、积极向上的城市文化，让他作为一名外国人，体会到许多印象深刻的人文故事。

作为一名朝九晚五、准时下班的财务人员，工作之余，他喜欢跟朋友们一起郊游、野餐和聚会，不仅学习中文，还可以听到一些广州的历史文化故事。这些鲜为外国人所知的点点滴滴，让他丰富了见识，成为日本人圈子里的“中国通”“羊城通”。

在朋友们的推荐下，他也接触到许多中文书籍，中文水平更是在这些交流和阅读中进步神速，“我最近着迷的小说是刘慈欣的《三体》，中文版起码读了三遍以上，人类的想象力居然可以到达如此无限的境地。”

他也非常喜爱传统的古诗词，“尤其是唐宋时期的作品，比如苏轼的《水调歌头》、陶渊明的《饮酒》、杜甫的《登高》……”他说，汉语朗读起来就好像音乐一样，尤其在朗读古诗词的时候，能切身感受到古人把自然之美变成美妙的文字，流传到今天，依然让生活在现代的人能领略到同样的感动。

他的公寓摆满了他在中国各地旅行搜罗回来的纪念品。他经常会邀请同事和本地朋友来到自己的公寓，组织大家一起动手，制作一桌地地道道的日式家庭食物。吃饱喝足以后，他会拿出自己珍藏的一套中国茶具，用传统的手法给朋友们冲泡普洱、铁观音等中国茶。

他的微信朋友圈封面，是广州塔的一角掩映在盛开的黄风铃花丛中。“广州四季如春，到处都有树木、鲜花，空气质量好，景观赏心悦目。广州还有美味的食物，在这里除了随时可以尝试到各地菜系，还有不同国家的代表性美食。”

策划 | 新快报记者 罗韵
采写 | 新快报记者 罗韵 刘芯睿
图片 | 陈文锋 郑健辉
视频 | 陈文锋 郑健辉 蔡佳 张晨露 刘怡雯
翻译刘佳慧