When I first moved to Japan, I thought I knew what daily life would be like—clean trains, sushi lunches, and neon lights.
But living here taught me that Japan is less about what you see… and more about what you feel.
So here’s what an ordinary day actually looks like for a foreigner living in Japan in 2025—through honest eyes, not travel brochures.
☀️ Morning: The Quiet Rush
The day starts early.
At 7:00 a.m., the streets of Kyoto are already alive—students in uniforms, salarymen with coffee cans, and elderly neighbors watering their plants.
I grab breakfast from a FamilyMart konbini — onigiri (rice ball) and hot coffee for under ¥300.
You can live cheaply here if you know where to look.
When I step into the train, silence fills the car. No loud phone calls. No small talk.
Just the rhythmic sound of the tracks and the polite chime announcing, “Tsugi wa — Kyoto Station.”
💡 Tip: Most foreigners are surprised by how quiet Japan’s mornings are.
If you talk loudly on public transport, you’ll feel out of place instantly.
💼 Midday: Work and Reality
I work in inventory management, a job that mixes logistics with learning Japanese on the fly.
At first, even simple office phrases like “otsukaresama desu” confused me.
Now I say it naturally at least twenty times a day.
Japanese workplaces are polite but formal.
People bow slightly when they pass your desk. Meetings start exactly on time.
No one leaves before the boss—ever.
Still, there’s kindness in the structure.
If you make an effort to speak Japanese, even a little, people notice.
It’s one of the fastest ways to earn respect here.
🗣️ Pro Tip: Learn workplace words like sumimasen (excuse me), arigatou gozaimasu (thank you), and yoroshiku onegaishimasu (let’s work well together).
They open more doors than perfect grammar.
🍱 Afternoon: Lunch, Walks, and Small Joys
Around noon, I take a short walk to a small teishoku restaurant.
You can get a full meal — rice, fish, soup, pickles — for about ¥800.
And somehow, even the smallest local shop feels like it’s run by a perfectionist chef.
After lunch, I like walking through quiet backstreets lined with vending machines and bicycles.
There’s a sense of calm — a feeling that every detail, from the smell of the tatami to the hum of the cicadas, matters.
🌇 Evening: Returning Home
After work, I stop by the supermarket.
Everything closes early, but late-night discounts are gold.
Half-price sushi at 8:30 p.m. is one of Japan’s best secrets.
My apartment is small — about 20m² — but it’s become my safe space.
Shoes off, lights dim, cup noodles ready.
Outside, Kyoto glows under streetlights.
Inside, I hear the faint melody of the neighborhood garbage truck — a surprisingly nostalgic tune that plays every night.
🌙 Reflection: What Living in Japan Really Feels Like
Living here isn’t always easy.
The bureaucracy, language barrier, and constant awareness of being a foreigner can wear you down.
But every small victory — understanding a sentence, making a new friend, or just catching the right train — feels deeply rewarding.
Japan has taught me patience, respect, and appreciation for the little things.
It’s not paradise. But it’s real.
And for many of us who came here chasing a dream, that’s more than enough.
🔗 Related Reads
- 🧳 Moving to Japan in 2025: What I Wish I Knew Before Relocating
- 🏠 Why Japanese Apartments Are So Small — and What They Teach About Life
- 📱 Best Apps for Living in Japan (2025 Edition)
Discover more from Ali in Japan
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.