Janni Olsson

Janni Olsson
Born (1985-03-22) 22 March 1985
Gothenburg, Sweden
OccupationsTV host, actress, model, outdoor columnist
Years active2015–present
EmployerFree Wave Co. Ltl.
Notable workGetting Dirty in Japan
The Benza
Benza English
RelativesChristian Olsson (brother)

Janni Olsson (born 22 March 1985), also known in Japan as the "Swedish Outdoor Girl" (スウェーデンのアウトドアガール), is a Swedish television presenter, actress, and outdoor journalist based in Japan. She is best known as the co-creator and host of the travel and adventure series Getting Dirty in Japan, which has been distributed internationally on Amazon Prime Video.[1] As an actress, she appeared in the award-winning comedy series The Benza and its spin-off Benza English as Alena. She has also worked as a reporter for NHK World-Japan’s food and culture program Trails to Oishii Tokyo as well as Cycle Around Japan.[2] In addition to her television career, Olsson has written for outdoor magazines including BE-PAL and PEAKS.[3][4] She has also appeared across Japanese media such as commercials, radio programs, and stage productions. She works as a producer and writer, contributing to cross-cultural projects between Sweden and Japan.

Early life

Olsson was born in Sweden and grew up with a strong interest in outdoor activities, spending much of her childhood camping, hiking, and exploring nature with her family.[3][5]

Alongside her outdoor interests, she trained in martial arts, particularly Wing Chun which she continued to practice for 13 years.[4]

After a five week backpacking trip in Japan with her brother Christian Olsson, she developed an interest in Japanese culture. When she came back home she started studying Japanese language at the University of Gothenburg (Göteborgs Universitet).[6]

Olsson moved to Tokyo in 2012 where she initially studied as an exchange student at Tokyo Gakugei University before beginning her career in television, film, and fashion.[6]

Career

Acting

Janni Olsson began her entertainment career after being scouted while studying as an exchange student at Tokyo Gakugei University.[7] Before moving into Japanese media, she had worked as a theme-park mascot in Sweden.[8] In 2018, she joined the Tokyo Cowboys production of the web series The Benza as the character Alena. The series premiered internationally on Amazon Prime Video in 2019, and for her performance she won Best Supporting Actress at the 2019 Seoul Webfest.[9] She later appeared in the spin-off Benza English.[10]

In addition to television, she has acted in musicals and other stage productions in Tokyo, appeared in commercials, and provided voice work for video games such as The Benza RPG.[11]

Reporting and Presenting

Olsson’s breakthrough as a reporter came when she joined NHK World–Japan’s food and culture program Trails to Oishii Tokyo (then known as Trails to Tsukiji) in 2016, despite having no prior media experience.[7] She went on to contribute as a reporter to other NHK programs such as Cycle Around Japan, Journeys in Japan, and BOSAI: Be Prepared, and has appeared as a presenter on lifestyle shows like Dive in Tokyo.[12] In 2025, she also appeared on OgiYahagi no Happy Camper, where she introduced Nordic approaches to camping.[13][14]

Writing and Journalism

Alongside her television career, Olsson has built a reputation as a writer and outdoor journalist. She is a regular contributor to Japanese outdoor magazines such as BE-PAL and PEAKS, writing about hiking, camping, and other adventure sports.[8] In 2023, she contributed a column to Liniere magazine about her experiences in Tromsø, Norway,[15] and she has appeared in features about Scandinavian lifestyles, including Nordic holiday traditions, sauna culture, and Swedish interior decorating.[7][16]

Olsson has also spoken publicly about the Swedish tradition of fika, explaining that it is “not only about drinking coffee and eating sweets, but about taking a moment to connect with others and appreciate the environment around you.” She highlights that the custom reflects the Swedish approach to outdoor life, where social connection and nature are equally valued.[17]

In December 2020, she appeared on the NHK program Sekai wa Hoshii Mono ni Afureteiru, where she discussed Swedish culture alongside sumo wrestler Tochinoshin.[7]

Producing and Other Media Work

In addition to acting and reporting, Olsson co-produces and hosts the travel and adventure series Getting Dirty in Japan, which launched in 2023 on Amazon Prime Video.[13] The show combines outdoor experiences with cultural exploration and reflects her own interest in nature. She has also participated in cross-cultural projects linking Sweden and Japan and continues to make guest appearances on radio programs such as NHK, JFN, and InterFM, where she talks about travel, culture, and the outdoors.[8]

Olsson is currently represented in Japan by Free Wave CO., Ltd.

Personal life

Olsson is based in Tokyo, Japan.[5] In addition to her media career, she is active in a variety of outdoor sports including hiking, bouldering, and camping, interests she frequently documents in her writing and television work.[18] Because of her regular contributions to outdoor publications and her public promotion of outdoor activities, she has been nicknamed the "Swedish Outdoor Girl" (スウェーデンのアウトドアガール) in Japan.[19] She has described spending time in nature as an important balance to her professional activities.[5]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2016–Present Trails to Oishii Tokyo (former Trails to Tsukiji) Self Reporter [20]
2017 Doki Doki! ワールドTV Self Reporter [21]
2017-2018 Yojimo!Shibugoji (四時も!シブ五時) Self [22]
2018 J-Trip Plan Self Reporter [23]
2018 Tokyo Eye 2020 Self Reporter [24]
2018 Prime News Evening (プライムニュース イブニング) Self Reporter [25]
2019 Nippon hyakumeisan special (にっぽんの百名⼭スペシャル) Self Reporter, Special Guest [26]
2019 The Benza Alena Treasurehunter [27]
2020 Benza English Alena Treasurehunter [28]
2020 At One with Nature National Parks of Japan Self Reporter
2020 Sekai ga hoshii mono ni afureteiru (世界はほしいモノにあふれている) Self [29]
2022 Asagaya Apartment （阿佐ヶ谷アパートメント） Self [30]
2022–Present BOSAI: Be Prepared Self Reporter [31]
2022 Gojinimuchuu (5時に夢中!) Self [32]
2022-2023 Waruiko atsumare (ワルイコあつまれ) [33]
2023 The Masterfully Marbled World of Japanese Wagyu Beef Self Reporter
2023 CYCLE AROUND JAPAN Self Reporter [34]
2023 Journeys in Japan "Amami Oshima: Beauty in the Rain" Self Reporter [35]
2023 Getting Dirty in Japan (ゲッティング・ダーティ・イン・ジャパン) Self Host, Producer & Creator [36]
2023 Nippon Hyakumeizan (にっぽんの百名⼭) Self Reporter, Special Guest [37]
2024 Gaikokujin ga erabu nihon no onsenchi sousenkyo (外国人が選ぶ好きな日本の温泉地総選挙) Self Special Guest [38]

Magazine

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2023 Outdoor Japan Issue 87 「Getting Dirty in Japan」 Interview [36]
2023 NHK Publishing 「スウェーデンの人が英語も話せる理由は？【英会話タイムトライアル】」 Interview [39]
2022 Liniere Aug Issue「Outdoor with Nordic Style 北欧スタイルに学ぶ自然に親しむアウトドア」 Interview & Model [40][41]
2022 TRANSIT Issue 56「いつか泊まりたい、世界の山の宿」 Writer [42]
2022 English Journal March Issue「世界で輝く女性たちの言葉」 Interview [43]
2022 Anan March Issue 「私たちが見てきた世界と日本のSDGs」 Interview [44]
2022 GOODSPRESS Oct Issue 「キャンプ&アクティビティに取り入れたい"アウトドア・フィーカ"【趣味と遊びの秘密基地ギア】」 Interview [45]
2022 Be-Pal Oct Issue Model [46]
2021 週刊新潮【異邦人のグルメ】Issue 96 Interview [47]
2021 Liniere Dec issue「北欧から届いた暮らしのアイデア」 Interview & Model [48]
2021 PAPERSKY Nov Issue 「Old Japanese Highway歩いて旅する、日本の古道 祖谷街道トレイル」 Model [49]
2019 BE-PAL Dec Issue 「本格的北欧式サウナに北欧ガールが入ってみた！」 Interview & Model [50]
2019 BE-PAL Aug Issue 「ヤンニ・オルソンの北欧アウトドアのススメ」 Writer & Model [51]
2019 BE-PAL May Issue Cover Model & interview [52]
2019 PEAKS March Issue 「日本で見つけた登山の魅力と癒やし」 Interview [53]
2017 GARVY Oct/Nov Issue 「 全身で自然と戯れるボルダリング×キャンプ 」 Model [54]
2017 GARVY Sep Issue 「ヤンニのアウトドア日記・燕岳・北燕を歩く」 Writer & Model [55]
2017 GARVY April Issue 「服と冒険とガール・スリルと春を探して西伊豆林道ドライブ」 Model [56]

Magazine Serialisation

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2017 GARVY （ガルヴィ） Writer & Model [57]
2018–Present BE-PAL （ビーパル） Writer & Model [58]
2023 Liniere （リンネル） Writer & Model [59]

Radio

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2023 NHK Radio 英会話タイムトライアル Navigator [39][60][61]
2023 FM Yokohama The Burn Interview [62]
2023 FM Yokohama SUNSTAR WEEKEND JOURNEY Interview [63]

Musical

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2019 SIGNS! Various Roles [64]

Video games

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2021 The Benza RPG Alena Treasurehunter Voice Actor [65]

Awards

Year Award Category Role Result Ref.
2019 Festigious International Film Festival Best Ensemble Cast Alena – The Benza Won [66]
2019 Festigious International Film Festival Best Original Song "Running Around" Self – The Benza Soundtrack Won [66]
2019 Seoul Webfest Best Supporting Actress Alena – The Benza Won [67]

References

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