{"id":150461,"date":"2025-08-11T09:14:28","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T16:14:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/blog\/?p=150461"},"modified":"2025-08-19T09:52:37","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T16:52:37","slug":"creativity-and-style-an-interview-with-_nokos_","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/blog\/2025\/08\/creativity-and-style-an-interview-with-_nokos_\/","title":{"rendered":"Creativity and style: an interview with _nokos_"},"content":{"rendered":"

From craftsman to cache owner, _nokos_<\/a>, brings creativity, mischief, and boldness to geocaching!<\/p>\n

In addition to their whimsical caches, _nokos_ hosts a geocaching podcast to inspire and connect Japan\u2019s geocaching community. <\/p>\n

What\u2019s your background outside of geocaching?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m originally a traditional Japanese craft artist who carves seal stamps from stone. So, a craftsman searching for treasure \u201con the stone,\u201d instead of \u201cunder the bench\u201d as a geocacher. I\u2019m used to expressing and presenting my work, so creating geocaches feels like a natural extension of that.<\/p>\n

\"\"
This cache gets our seal of approval! Image by DisnerdDuo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How and when did you hear about geocaching?<\/strong><\/p>\n

On New Year\u2019s Day 2022, I stumbled upon it on social media. I thought, \u201cWell, I guess I have no choice but to become Indiana Jones now.\u201d I still don\u2019t own a whip, though.<\/p>\n

Which cache got you hooked?<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was the amazing mystery cache \u201cReply from E.T.\u201d (GC6649X<\/a>). When I finally cracked the puzzle, I was so excited I couldn\u2019t sit still. I jumped on my bike in the middle of the night and went to find it!<\/p>\n

What is the story behind your username?<\/strong><\/p>\n

My partner and I run a cake shop called \u201cNokos.\u201d Her name is \u201cNoko,\u201d and she\u2019s annoyed that I used her name as my geocaching name without her permission. Right in front of our shop is the cache \u201cNES TB HOTEL \/ Famicom Cache\u201d (GCAQCBB<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NES-TB-Hotel.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n

Are you an individual or a team of geocachers? <\/strong><\/p>\n

I usually enjoy geocaching all by myself, grinning like a weirdo. My family sometimes gives me that cold \u201cAre you making another one?\u201d stare \u2014 but I don\u2019t let that stop me! I feel like everyone who finds my caches is part of my team.<\/p>\n

What is your favorite cache you\u2019ve found?<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of my favorites is \u201cKomori Bridge\u201d (GCB0PM8<\/a>) by tonitta2199, who also frequently appears on our podcast. The concept is genius: a container that can\u2019t be opened alone, as Komori means parenting. Seriously, how does he come up with this stuff?<\/p>\n

\"\"
Komori Bridge. Image by nokos.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What keeps you engaged with the game?<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s the perfect match with my love for making things\u2014and I get to exhibit my creations in public spaces. It feels like I\u2019ve become a secret street artist.<\/p>\n

You have so many great caches. What’s your secret to success?<\/strong><\/p>\n

More than technical skills, it\u2019s all about creativity and style. Well-written descriptions also make me happy.<\/p>\n

My secret? Hmm\u2026Well, I’d like to say, \u201cI won\u2019t sleep until the cache is complete!\u201d But really, I treat every cache as a piece of art, like an exhibit in a public space. I also love a little mischief and boldness \u2014 I especially love hiding caches in plain sight!<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the best approach to creating a geocache?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Start by digging into the history of the location, then let your imagination run wild. After that, get lost in a thrift store or hardware shop. Then, build it while grinning to yourself in the middle of the night. That\u2019s the magic formula.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/geocaching_radio-v1.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n

Do you have any plans for your next geocache? Can you share any spoilers?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I just finished a cache for the third hiding theme of 2025, \u201cHidden gems\u201d<\/a>! It\u2019s a gadget cache where you use a crane game to grab a frog disguised as a jewel. The special coin needed to play was 3D-printed by my geocaching friend GCkoba<\/a>. It\u2019s called \u201cGEO CATCHER\u201d\u2014fun for both kids and adults!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

If someone reading this is looking for inspiration, what advice would you give them?
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

A good story and one clever idea are more important than fancy tech skills. There\u2019s no \u201ccorrect\u201d way to create a cache. I\u2019d love to see what makes you unique!<\/p>\n

Geocaching isn\u2019t just a treasure hunt. It\u2019s the ultimate entertainment with the irrational level of thrill and satisfaction that non-geocachers would never understand! There\u2019s no winner, no loser. Finding more caches doesn\u2019t make you \u201cgreater.\u201d It\u2019s a non-competitive world, where filling a grid doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019ve \u201cleveled up.\u201d That\u2019s what I love about it.<\/p>\n

So come on, everyone\u2014make something crazy and full of love. Blow people\u2019s minds. And bask in that mysterious feeling of fulfillment.<\/p>\n

You host a podcast, TFTC!! GEOCACHING RADIO<\/a>. How did you get into podcasting?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Geocaching is still pretty unknown in Japan. In some regions, there aren\u2019t any Event Caches or opportunities to meet fellow cachers. What a pity, as it\u2019s such a fun game! I started the podcast to help expand the community. In each episode, I invite geocachers from different areas and have casual, Event Cache-like conversations with them.
\nWe share the latest geocaching news, beginner-friendly tips, and interviews with experienced geocachers. Please give it a listen!<\/p>\n

Thanks for sharing your love of geocaching with the community, _nokos_<\/a>!<\/p>\n

\n

Do you know an inspiring cache owner? Share them with us in the comments below and tell us what makes their cache hides memorable!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From craftsman to cache owner, _nokos_, brings creativity, mischief, and boldness to geocaching! In addition to their whimsical caches, _nokos_ hosts a geocaching podcast to inspire and connect Japan\u2019s geocaching community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":126,"featured_media":150499,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","filesize_raw":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[134,765],"tags":[],"series":[],"class_list":["post-150461","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-interview"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/d3mo08i005h0zn.cloudfront.net\/blog\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blog-800x450-_nokos_.jpg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/blog\/feed\/podcast\/inside-geocaching-hq-podcast","embedCode":"

Creativity and style: an interview with _nokos_<\/a><\/blockquote>