Janni Olsson

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. 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. In addition to her television career, Olsson has written for outdoor magazines including BE-PAL and PEAKS.

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

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).

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. Before moving into Japanese media, she had worked as a theme-park mascot in Sweden. 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. She later appeared in the spin-off Benza English.

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.

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. In 2025, she also appeared on OgiYahagi no Happy Camper, where she introduced Nordic approaches to camping.

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. and she has appeared in features about Scandinavian lifestyles, including Nordic holiday traditions, sauna culture, and Swedish interior decorating.

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.

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

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. 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. She has described spending time in nature as an important balance to her professional activities. 2017 Doki Doki! ワールドTV Self Reporter 2017-2018 Yojimo!Shibugoji (四時も!シブ五時) Self 2018 J-Trip Plan Self Reporter 2018 Tokyo Eye 2020 Self Reporter 2018 Prime News Evening (プライムニュース イブニング) Self Reporter 2019 Nippon hyakumeisan special (にっぽんの百名⼭スペシャル) Self Reporter, Special Guest

The Benza Alena Treasurehunter

Benza English Alena Treasurehunter

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 2022 Asagaya Apartment （阿佐ヶ谷アパートメント） Self 2022–Present BOSAI: Be Prepared Self Reporter 2022 Gojinimuchuu (5時に夢中!) Self 2022-2023 Waruiko atsumare (ワルイコあつまれ) 2023 The Masterfully Marbled World of Japanese Wagyu Beef Self Reporter 2023 CYCLE AROUND JAPAN Self Reporter 2023 Journeys in Japan "Amami Oshima: Beauty in the Rain" Self Reporter 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 2023 Nippon Hyakumeizan (にっぽんの百名⼭) Self Reporter, Special Guest 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 Magazine

Magazine Serialisation Year Title Role Notes 2017GARVY （ガルヴィ）Writer & Model 2018–PresentBE-PAL （ビーパル）Writer & Model 2023 Liniere （リンネル）Writer & Model

Radio

Musical Year Title Role Notes 2019SIGNS! Various Roles

Video games Year Title Role Notes 2021The Benza RPG Alena Treasurehunter Voice Actor

Awards Year Award Category Role Result 2019 Festigious International Film Festival Best Ensemble Cast Alena – The Benza 2019 Festigious International Film Festival Best Original Song "Running Around" Self – The Benza Soundtrack