Sampson McFerrin
Artist, Storyteller and Cultural Producer
I’ve always been a creative in motion.
On the road, I’m a photographer, nomad, and cycling enthusiast. In the city, I’m a painter, host, and cultural producer, driven to build community and bring creative people together. Between art shows, bike trips, and restaurant work, I’ve always found ways to keep the journey moving.
I’ve traveled through 33 countries and cycled over 50,000 km. These experiences have shaped how I see the world and sparked a curiosity to keep exploring. This year in Japan has been a dream in the making, and I couldn’t be more stoked to make it real.
I was born in Minneapolis in 2001 and raised in Calgary from 2005 onwards with my brothers, Markos and Tarn. We grew up with my parents, Rick and Tanya McFerrin, who fostered a love for travel and experiential learning that carried through family adventures like a year-long trip to Mexico City in 2008 and a year-long world trip in 2017.
In 2019, I moved to Montréal to study at Concordia University, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Minor in Business Studies. There, I fell in love with event organization and launched projects like McFerrin House, Plateausheaga, and Cirque Mazeru.
In 2023, I met my partner, Volodia, who’s been incredibly supportive in helping make this Japan trip possible. Through Open Studio Japan, I’m bringing together everything I love: travel, art, food, and storytelling - enjoying a pause before “adult life” begins, whatever that means.
Why Japan?
I’ve always wanted to spend a year abroad and have long dreamed of living in Japan. I originally planned to study at Kansai Gaidai University in 2020 during my undergraduate studies in Montréal, but the pandemic put that opportunity on hold. By early 2025, I decided this was the year to make it happen with an 11-month stay on a Working Holiday Visa.
I first visited Japan in 2018 with my family during a year-long cycling trip around the world, riding for two months from Fukuoka to Tokyo. During that time, I developed a deep appreciation for Japanese culture and have long admired its values of efficiency, routine, and relationship-building. While those two months offered a great introduction to the country’s food, traditions, and way of life, I knew a longer stay would allow me to fully embrace Japan.
There are many things I want to do while here. First and foremost, I’m excited to enjoy the “Ja-pow” of Hokkaido. Growing up in Calgary instilled a desire to ski-bum for a season, and what better place than Japan, with an average of 15 meters of snow per season? With past experience as a server, I landed a job with Hokkaido Tourism Management (HTM) at Niseko Grand Hirafu, thanks in part to Step Abroad, an incredible program that helps people travel and work abroad.
I also plan to continue traveling by bike, bringing along the same Masi touring bike I rode here years ago. I have two trips planned so far: one from Kyoto to Sapporo with my cousin Jared from October 18 - November 18, 2025, and another with my parents and my friend Nate from Montreal sometime between April 21 and the end of May, 2026.
Next summer, I hope to take part in a printmaking residency or otherwise get involved in Japan’s cultural scene. Above all, I want to take the time to fully immerse myself - in the food, the culture, the mountains, and of course, the snow.
The Plan
October 5 - 15, 2025
October 16 - November 18, 2025
November 19, 2025 - April 7, 2026
April 7 - August 30, 2026
I’ll be spending time in Tokyo to get my feet on the ground and settle in. I’m hosted by Rika and Yuki, friends I met during our travels through Japan in 2018.
Adventure through Japan by bicycle with my cousin Jared! We’ll start in Kyoto and cycle north to Sapporo. The route isn’t finalized yet, but we have a full month to cover roughly 2,000 km — very doable over 30 days.
Work in Niseko: I’ll be a server at Kumo Restaurant in the Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu Resort, Hokkaido. This part of northern Japan is world-famous for its “Ja-pow” and winter culture.
The plan isn’t fully set yet. Ideas include a bike trip with my parents and friend Nate, participating in a printmaking residency, working with Yuki on events, or picking up a short-term job. More travel across Japan will definitely be part of these final five months.