Honest experiences, turning points and new beginnings from across the international community.
Meet Chris Zhang, who chose to study in Japan for one clear reason: the culture. Chris didn’t come because family was already here. The decision came from curiosity about Japan’s way of life and the desire to experience it directly, not just through travel or media. In this interview, Chris shares what it felt like
Meet Danmarl Butad, originally from the Philippines, who began his journey to study in Japan through family. Instead of coming through a long scholarship process or a study-abroad agency, Danmarl’s path started with a family move and that support made the landing in Japan feel much more stable. Still, even with that advantage, studying in
Meet Issa, originally from Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, raised in Arusha City, who came to Japan through a rare full scholarship route and later built a long academic path here—bachelor’s, master’s, and a PhD in Agricultural Science. Issa’s story is a powerful example of moving to Japan through education, and what happens after arrival: culture shock, language
Today, we will be speaking to Long “Ron” Hoang. A resident of the country for years, he loves living in Japan, despite the difficulties that it can sometimes present… especially when moving. We’ll be discussing some of the issues that he’s had, and surprises along the way — and why living in a share house
What Is MyNumber? One of the things that can confuse English speakers the most when they arrive in Japan is the MyNumber system. It is not generally a problematic issue: people in the UK have national insurance numbers, while Americans have social security numbers. The big confusion, however, is that the Japanese version, known officially
You’ve just signed your lease and walked into your new place in Tokyo — only to find it completely empty. Don’t worry: this is common in Japan, where many apartments come unfurnished. But how do you transform that bare space into a cozy home without breaking the bank? In this guide, I’ll share my personal
Renting an apartment in Tokyo can be an exciting adventure, but it also presents unique challenges for foreigners. From finding the ideal location to navigating the language barrier and local customs, there’s a lot to learn. Below, I share my personal journey of securing my own place in Tokyo, along with practical tips to help
Meet Hien, originally from Vietnam, who has lived in Japan for about one year. While studying, Hien started working part-time in Japan at a coffee shop as a barista. It’s a very real “starter job” path for students and new arrivals looking up work in Japan or jobs in Japan because it’s accessible, it fits
Meet Long, a Vietnamese student who chose to study in Japan because it offered something that felt rare: a strong education system at a more affordable cost, plus the chance to study in English while still living in a Japanese environment every day. Long’s story is especially relatable for people who want to know how
Meet Danmarl, originally from the Philippines, who has lived in Japan for six years. Danmarl did middle school and high school in Japan, which made daily life here feel more familiar compared to someone arriving for the first time as an adult. Today, Danmarl works in Japan as a software engineer—one of the most common
Meet Danmarl Butad, originally from the Philippines. Danmarl didn’t move to Japan alone as an adult he moved here with his parents and ended up doing middle school and high school in Japan. Today, he works in Japan as a software engineer, but his moving journey story starts much earlier: with family, school life, and
Meet Hien, originally from Vietnam, who moved to Japan to study at a Japanese language school. The decision came from two places: wanting to learn Japanese seriously, and a long-time love of anime that made the language feel more personal. Hien’s move was smoother than many newcomers because a language school agency in Vietnam supported
Meet Hien, a Vietnamese student who chose to study in Japan after starting Japanese at a language school back home. Hien didn’t begin with a complicated “master plan.” The first step was simple: learning Japanese in Vietnam, then using the school’s study abroad support to turn interest into a real move. In this interview, Hien
Meet Issa Kachenje, originally from Tanzania, who first came to Japan as an international student and has since completed both a Master’s and PhD here. Today, Issa works in Japan as a research fellow and academic editor, while also teaching English part-time. This work interview is for anyone searching work in Japan or jobs in
Keith is originally from China and came to study in Japan through a university exchange program. What started as a one-year language school experience in Tokyo later turned into graduate school at Waseda University. In this interview, Keith shares why Japan felt like the right place to study abroad, what was harder than expected, and
Meet Lauren H, originally from Southern California and previously working as a graphic designer. After spending a short period living in Japan years ago and falling in love with the lifestyle, Lauren returned to Japan last year after finding a great organization to work for. Lauren’s story shows one of the smoothest paths: get a
Meet Kieth, a Chinese professional who has lived in Japan for over 10 years and now works as an IT consultant at a consulting firm in Tokyo. From Japanese-style application forms to daily client meetings, this interview shows what jobs in Japan can look like in a high-skill field, and what helped Kieth build a
Meet Ang, originally from Canada, who has been living in Japan for about a year and a half. Ang works at a Tokyo startup as a developer, supporting services and content that help foreigners come to Japan. This work interview is for anyone searching work in Japan, jobs in Japan, how to find a job
Meet Will Bennett, originally from Sydney, Australia, who has been living in Japan since August 2024. Will works in Tokyo in digital marketing as a videographer and video editor, creating content and appearing on camera as talent. This work interview is for anyone searching work in Japan or jobs in Japan and wondering what it
Meet Tobias, originally from the United Kingdom, who has been living in Japan since February 2019. Tobias works in media as a writer and editor, and his story gives a clear look at what daily work life in Japan actually feels like—from deadlines and editing tone, to job hunting platforms, to the small cultural differences
Meet Lin, born in Singapore and raised by Malaysian parents. She later switched nationality to Singaporean at 21. Lin didn’t move to Japan through a long-term plan or a company transfer. The move started after leaving a corporate job in Singapore that didn’t feel interesting anymore, taking a solo trip to Japan, and realizing Japan
Allow us to introduce you to Tobias! He has been working as a writer and editor for over a decade, and is here today to take you through his process of moving to Japan. Like everyone’s journey, his was unique, but hopefully you will be able to glean some insights into not only that it’s
When you get a new apartment, one of the most important things to do is set up your gas, water, and electricity bills. Luckily, the real estate agency I worked with was kind enough to send through the details necessary to get my lights turned one my water running, and my stove lit. But one
Japan is notoriously prone to natural disasters, including tsunamis, earthquakes, and typhoons. But while I have no experience with the first, and only experience with mild versions of the second, I have been through two typhoons since arriving in Japan. While one was pretty minor, resulting in nothing more than some delayed trains, the other
It’s not something anyone relishes, but sadly, it’s a fact of life that most of us, as some time or another, are going to need to go to the hospital. This might be a complex or simple issue in your homeland, depending on where you’re from, but going to the hospital in a foreign country
One of the small joys of living in Japan is discovering the many Shinto shrines dotted throughout cities and countryside alike. Even someone like me — an atheist — can appreciate the serenity of a well-maintained shrine and enjoy the charm of smaller, more rustic ones. But how do you actually visit these sacred spaces,
For many foreigners, one of the most intriguing aspects of life in Japan is the public bath, commonly known as the onsen. Historically significant for centuries, onsen culture plays a special role in many Japanese people’s routines — serving as a space to rest, reflect, and let life’s cares literally wash away. But what is