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. 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.
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.
Career
Acting Janni Olsson began her entertainment career after being scouted while studying as an exchange student at Tokyo Gakugei University. 星野みなみとジョージアの出会いと『世界は欲しいモノにあふれてる』舞台裏. Honey Lemon Spice. Retrieved 9 September 2025. Before moving into Japanese media, she had worked as a theme-park mascot in Sweden. 日本で活躍するスウェーデン人タレント、ヤニ・オルソンが語る「アウトドアと自然」. Dime. Retrieved 9 September 2025. 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. The Benza Transformed into a Free-to-Play Retro RPG. Tokyo Weekender. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
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. 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. 「世界はほしいモノにあふれてる」ナビゲーター、ヤニ・オルソンが語る日本と北欧のアウトドア文化. NHK BOOK. Retrieved 9 September 2025. In 2025, she also appeared on OgiYahagi no Happy Camper, where she introduced Nordic approaches to camping. おぎやはぎのハピキャン: ヤニ・オルソン出演回. Happy Camper. Retrieved 9 September 2025.. Free Wave Co. Ltd. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
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. In 2023, she contributed a column to Liniere magazine about her experiences in Tromsø, Norway, 北欧便り: ノルウェー・トロムソでのヤニ・オルソンの体験. Liniere. Retrieved 9 September 2025. 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. Taking Time for Fika with Janni Olsson. Dig the Tea. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
In December 2020, she appeared on the NHK program Sekai wa Hoshii Mono ni Afureteiru, where she discussed Swedish culture alongside sumo wrestler Tochinoshin.
Olsson released Fika With a View, an e-book exploring Swedish fika, outdoor living, and seasonal recipes in August 2026. Fika With a View. Dig the Tea. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
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. 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.
Olsson is currently represented in Japan by Free Wave CO., Ltd.
Personal life Olsson is based in Tokyo, Japan. 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. 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.
Filmography
Television
Year Title Role Notes2016–PresentTrails to Oishii Tokyo (former Trails to Tsukiji)SelfReporter2017Doki Doki! ワールドTV SelfReporter2017-2018Yojimo!Shibugoji (四時も!シブ五時)Self2018J-Trip PlanSelfReporter2018Tokyo Eye 2020 SelfReporter2018Prime News Evening (プライムニュース イブニング)SelfReporter2019Nippon hyakumeisan special (にっぽんの百名⼭スペシャル)SelfReporter, Special Guest 2019The Benza Alena Treasurehunter2020Benza English Alena Treasurehunter2020At One with Nature National Parks of JapanSelfReporter2020Sekai ga hoshii mono ni afureteiru (世界はほしいモノにあふれている)Self2022Asagaya Apartment （阿佐ヶ谷アパートメント）Self2022–PresentBOSAI: Be Prepared SelfReporter2022Gojinimuchuu (5時に夢中!)Self2022-2023Waruiko atsumare (ワルイコあつまれ)2023The Masterfully Marbled World of Japanese Wagyu BeefSelfReporter2023CYCLE AROUND JAPANSelfReporter2023Journeys in Japan "Amami Oshima: Beauty in the Rain"SelfReporter2023Getting Dirty in Japan (ゲッティング・ダーティ・イン・ジャパン)SelfHost, Producer & Creator2023Nippon Hyakumeizan (にっぽんの百名⼭)SelfReporter, Special Guest2024Gaikokujin ga erabu nihon no onsenchi sousenkyo (外国人が選ぶ好きな日本の温泉地総選挙)SelfSpecial Guest
Magazine YearTitleRoleNotes2023Outdoor Japan Issue 87 「Getting Dirty in Japan」Interview2023NHK 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】」Interview2022Liniere 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 & Model2022TRANSIT Issue 56「いつか泊まりたい、世界の山の宿」Writer2022English Journal March Issue「世界で輝く女性たちの言葉」Interview2022Anan March Issue 「私たちが見てきた世界と日本のSDGs」Interview2022GOODSPRESS 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】」Interview2022Be-Pal Oct IssueModel2021週刊新潮【異邦人のグルメ】Issue 96Interview2021Liniere Dec issue「北欧から届いた暮らしのアイデア」Interview & Model2021PAPERSKY Nov Issue 「Old Japanese Highway歩いて旅する、日本の古道 祖谷街道トレイル」Model2019BE-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 & Model2019BE-PAL Aug Issue 「ヤンニ・オルソンの北欧アウトドアのススメ」Writer & Model2019BE-PAL May IssueCover Model & interview2019PEAKS March Issue 「日本で見つけた登山の魅力と癒やし」Interview 2017GARVY Oct/Nov Issue 「 全身で自然と戯れるボルダリング×キャンプ 」Model2017GARVY Sep Issue 「ヤンニのアウトドア日記・燕岳・北燕を歩く」Writer & Model2017GARVY 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
Magazine Serialisation Year Title Role Notes 2017GARVY （ガルヴィ）Writer & Model2018–PresentBE-PAL （ビーパル）Writer & Model2023 Liniere （リンネル）Writer & Model
Radio YearTitleRoleNotes2023NHK Radio 英会話タイムトライアルNavigator2023FM Yokohama The Burn Interview2023FM Yokohama SUNSTAR WEEKEND JOURNEYInterview
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 2019 Seoul Webfest Best Supporting Actress Alena – The Benza
References
External links