Category: Culture & Society

💼 Why Japan’s Work Culture Is Changing (And What It Means for Foreigners)

Culture & Society, Life in Japan, Work & Career

When people think of Japan’s work culture, they often imagine long hours, strict hierarchies, and endless overtime.That stereotype still exists — but Japan in 2025 is not the Japan of the early 2000s. After five years of living here and working with both Japanese and international teams, I’ve seen real change.Slow, but steady.This new work […]

💼 Why Japan’s Work Culture Is Changing (And What It Means for Foreigners) Read More »

Why Japanese People Don’t Say “I Love You” (And What They Say Instead)

Culture & Society, Life in Japan

💬 Introduction When I first moved to Japan, I thought “I love you” (愛してる / aishiteru) would be something I’d hear in every romantic movie, every couple’s conversation, and maybe even from my Japanese friends. Five years later, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve heard someone say it — and

Why Japanese People Don’t Say “I Love You” (And What They Say Instead) Read More »

10 Things That Shock Every Foreigner When They Move to Japan (From My First Year Here)

Culture & Society, Life in Japan, My Journey, Tips & Resources, Travel in Japan

When I first landed in Japan back in 2020, I thought I was ready for everything — the language, the culture, the food.Spoiler: I wasn’t. Even after five years, I still remember those first few weeks — a mix of awe, confusion, and constant “Wait, what just happened?” moments. If you’re planning to move to

10 Things That Shock Every Foreigner When They Move to Japan (From My First Year Here) Read More »

🌅 A Day in the Life of a Foreigner in Japan (What It’s Really Like)

Culture & Society, Life in Japan, My Journey, Tips & Resources

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

🌅 A Day in the Life of a Foreigner in Japan (What It’s Really Like) Read More »

🧘‍♀️ The Japanese Concept of Wabi-Sabi: Finding Beauty in Imperfection

Culture & Society, Life in Japan

I was fascinated when I first came to Japan. Everything looked beautiful, from the perfect gardens to the quiet tea houses.But over time, I realized that Japanese beauty isn’t about perfection at all.It’s about accepting imperfection — and finding peace in it.That’s the heart of Wabi-Sabi. 🍃 What Wabi-Sabi Really Means “Wabi” once meant the

🧘‍♀️ The Japanese Concept of Wabi-Sabi: Finding Beauty in Imperfection Read More »

🤝 Best Apps to Make Japanese Friends in 2025 (Real Reviews & Tips from an Expat)

Culture & Society, Life in Japan, Tips & Resources

Making friends in Japan can be tough — not because Japanese people are unfriendly, but because social norms, language, and lifestyle rhythms are totally different from what most foreigners are used to. But the good news? In 2025, there are more apps than ever designed to help you meet locals, practice Japanese, or just share

🤝 Best Apps to Make Japanese Friends in 2025 (Real Reviews & Tips from an Expat) Read More »