Lauren Rise Masuda
Lauren Rise Masuda is a young writer currently in her senior year at South High School in Torrance, California. As a 2nd and 4th generation Japanese American, she hopes to offer a unique cultural perspective in her writing. Using personal experiences, she aims to showcase the complexities of cultural identity as well as the beauty that surrounds it, which often go unheard. Beyond just writing, she holds an interest in the creative arts, and will often spend her time sewing, sketching, or reading.
Updated October 2023
Stories from This Author
Embracing Imperfection: A Journey of Self-Exploration in Japan
Oct. 24, 2023 • Lauren Rise Masuda
In the early spring of 2023, I arrived in Tokyo, Japan along with my mom and two older sisters. It had been three years since our last visit, due to the Covid-19 restrictions, and I had felt excited to explore the city. Every time I got a chance to visit Japan, I would admire the varying architecture and all of the stores that didn’t exist back in California. I loved Japan, truly. From the street food to the hidden alleyways …