Ami Eldridge 
Shimon Iwazawa (©Ami Eldridge)
Skateboarding is more than just a sport. It is a lifestyle, a community, and sometimes, a force that can change lives. That is what Shimon Iwazawa, a skateboarder and video creator, strongly believes. Currently, he is directing his skateboarding passion into a related project. That is building a library in Butwal, Nepal, to provide educational opportunities for children in slum areas.
As Iwazawa spoke about his mission, he absentmindedly spun a finger-sized skateboard between his fingers, a habit that seemed second nature. We were sitting in The Créma. Club, his café in Meguro, where he personally brewed us a cup of coffee using beans sourced from Nepal. The coffee, much like his projects, was deeply connected to his broader vision — creating sustainable communities through skateboarding.
Finding a Place at the Skatepark
"When I moved back to Japan in elementary school, I didn't fit in. The culture, the language — I felt different. People saw me as a 'foreigner.' It was tough, and I stopped going to school."
Having spent his early childhood in Hungary and Germany, returning to Japan wasn't easy. He struggled with bullying and isolation and eventually stopped going to school. But then, he found the skatepark.
"There were all kinds of people at the skatepark. Some were jobless, some had dropped out of school, some were businessmen, and some were in their 50s and still skating. At the skate park, no one asked me why I wasn't in school or where I was from. They just saw me as another skater, and that felt really comfortable," he recalls.
Changing the World Through Skateboarding
Skateboarding gave him a place to belong. Now, he wants to use skateboarding to create opportunities for others.
"Skateboarding isn't just for fun or a sport. It builds communities and can even change society."
Right now, one of the biggest projects he is working on is building a skatepark in Nepal.
"When I was traveling across Southeast Asia, I met a group of skaters in Nepal. They told me, 'We don't have a skatepark.' So I thought, 'Alright, let's build one.'"
A New Challenge: From Skateboards to Books
Through crowdfunding and community support, he successfully built a professional skatepark in Nepal. The completion of the skate park transformed it into more than just a recreational space — it became a hub for the local community.
However, Iwazawa noticed that many of the children who regularly visited the park were not attending school. That realization led to his next mission: building a library adjacent to the skate park.
"I wanted the skate park to serve as a bridge between skateboarding and education. If kids come to skate and naturally gravitate toward books and learning, their possibilities in life will expand."
One pivotal moment was when Iwazawa met a young boy who helped him with construction every day. The boy, only in second grade, was barely attending school. Yet he was passionate about skateboarding and always present at the park.
"Seeing kids like him made me realize that education shouldn't be forced, but opportunities should be available. If they decide they want to learn, the chance should be right there."
Currently, Iwazawa is raising funds to complete the library. While the initial crowdfunding goal was met, additional funding is still required to sustain operations, and he is actively seeking corporate sponsorship.
The library will provide books but also feature computers where children can develop digital skills. By collaborating with local schools, Iwazawa aims to create a space where skateboarding kids can transition into an educational environment naturally.
"Skateboarding is not just a sport; it's a tool for learning and personal growth. With the library, these children will have more choices in their future. I hope the interaction between kids who are going to school and not can inspire each other."
The Vision of RITOPIA.
Iwazawa's company, RITOPIA aims to create a society where everyone can freely express themselves through skateboarding.
The name combines "RIDE" (to ride) and "TOPIA" (utopia, an ideal world), reflecting his desire to build a better society through skateboarding.
In a world where data and systems increasingly dominate, artists remain an essential part of our culture. Creativity, art, and expression empower people and inspire positive change. At RITOPIA, the goal is to support skaters as artists, helping them make a living through skateboarding and live freely as creators in an environment where self-expression is encouraged.
Skateboarding × Creativity: A New Career Path
"There are only about 20 professional skaters in Japan who can make a living off it. But skateboarding doesn't have to be just a career — it can be a lifestyle."
Iwazawa isn't just a skater. He's also a content creator, brand owner, and café entrepreneur.
"Skateboarding made me realize that life doesn't have to follow a fixed path. Most skaters don't fit into regular jobs and that's okay. We're not built for the corporate world," he laughs.
His YouTube channel, MDAskater, shares the essence of skateboarding — not just tricks but the philosophy and lifestyle behind it.
"People still have negative stereotypes about skateboarding. They also think it's rebellious. But there's so much more to it. I want to change that perception."
In addition to his online presence, he opened The Créma. Club, a café in Meguro, Tokyo.
"Just like how the skatepark was a 'safe space' for me, I wanted this café to be a place where people feel at home. Whether you're a skater or not, you can just drop by and connect with others."
The coffee beans he serves come from Nepalese farmers, connecting his projects and giving back to the communities he works with.
"I want to establish something that lasts beyond a single fundraising campaign. Whether it's skateboarding or coffee, it's important to cultivate culture and make it self-sustaining."
'You Don't Have to Make a Living from Skateboarding — You Can Build a Life with It'
"Skateboarding takes years to get good at. Even after 10 years, there are tricks I still can't land. But that's what makes it fun."
For Iwazawa, skateboarding is about more than just the sport—it's about spreading a message of freedom and self-expression.
"In life, you're going to fall. But as long as you get back up, you're fine. That's what skateboarding teaches you."
Changing society sounds like a big dream. But for him, it's really about making sure his friends can keep skating.
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Author: Ami Eldridge
