Inside the Life of a Japanese Artist in Sydney, Australia

Video description from @nevertoosmall

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See inside illustrator and artist Kentaro Yoshida's beachside Sydney apartment and his life outside it in the Northern Beaches. A place he's called home since leaving Japan for Australia at 18 without really being able to speak English. From his home, to early morning surfs and long-standing surf shops, to cafes that take him back to Japan, and the pubs and galleries that he loves most about Sydney. Discover how surfing became a common language, his art helped him navigate cultural and language barriers, and how he built 20 years of friendships that have made Sydney feel like home. Inspired by both his youth in Japan and the culture of his adopted city, Kentaro's work reflects a life shaped by the places around him and the experiences that have made Sydney his home. My City, My Backyard explores the places people return to, and the stories that make a city their own.

Places we visited this episode:
The Corso
Hotel Steyne https://www.instagram.com/hotelsteyne/
Aloha Manly Style https://www.instagram.com/alohamanlystyle/
Cafe MONAKA https://www.instagram.com/cafe.monaka/
Chaco Bar https://www.instagram.com/chaco_bar/
Art Gallery of NSW https://www.instagram.com/artgalleryofnsw/
4 Pines Truck Bar https://www.instagram.com/4pinestruckbar/
North Narrabeen Beach

Featuring: Kentaro Yoshida
Creative Director: Colin Chee
Executive Producer: James McPherson
Executive Producer : Nelson Khoury
Series Producer: Luke Clark
Head of Production: Lindsay Barnard
Producer: Jordan Barrett
Director: Rhys Graham
Director of Photography: Sam Kostevc
Fixer / B Cam: Michael Herman
Editor: Jess Ruasol
Colourist: Jess Ruasol
Archive Material: Kentaro Yoshida and Art Gallery of New South Wales
Music: Artlist.io
Only Love by RG404
Shoobie Doobie by Jimit
Coffee Stop by Aves
Hold A+B by friedee
Vegas by Skipp Whitman
Interlude by Skygaze
Turn It Up by Aves
King of Cups by Jim Swim
Shortcake by Just for Kicks
Space by KOLA
Blue Butter by Lalinea
Streets by Curtis Cole
New Day by Aves
Crop Circles by Francesco D'Andrea
Animals by Ardie Son
One for D by Aves
Letters to Myself Stay Here by ATELLER
Coves by Lake Union
Strata by Lake Union
Penance by warmkeys

Principal production funding from @ScreenAustralia in association with VicScreen.
Financed with the assistance of Scout Production Finance.
With support from @T2tea
© 2026 Never Too Small Pty Ltd