To celebrate my 200th blog post and my 6-month milestone living in Japan, I thought I’d reflect on my life in Japan here as a foreigner.
What I’ve realized after living in Japan for 6 months is that every pro can be seen as a con and vice versa. Each point that I discuss in this article will be presented in a way that shows both sides of the coin and my personal take whether it’s a pro or con for me.
Getting Attention
Too much attention can be both a pro and a con, depending on the type of person you are.
In my case, being in the spotlight is something I find embarrassing, so I’m not too fond of the immediate stares I get when I walk into a convenience store.
I wouldn’t be quick to call it discriminatory, however, because the reality is Japan is a monoethnic society so there’s no denying that you’d stand out as a foreigner here.
In fact, even I find myself mindlessly staring at other foreigners when I occasionally encounter them (it really is a rarity!).
Being Far From Family & Friends
Okay, this one sounds like a pure con, but even this aspect of living in Japan can have its benefits. For one, it allows you time to focus on your own goals and visions without the daily distractions and temptations to meet up with friends and family.
Of course, the cons of this one are obvious, and you really do feel a sense of existential dread when you’re far away from your loved ones back home. This is one point that I’m still at odds with in determining for myself whether it’s been “good” or “bad” for me.
On the one hand, I feel I am growing every day by being forced to find other avenues for socializing and meeting new people. For example, I’ve had to make new friends in order to continue my life-long hobby of playing tennis, so it definitely helps to expand your network when you’re away from your hometown.
On the other hand, no new friendships can ever compare to being with the people that you’ve grown up with and known your whole life, for that is a special bond. Overall, my verdict on this point is that it’s important to walk your own path in life and expand your horizons, but always find a way to stay connected with the people you’ve cherished your whole life.
Language Barrier
As someone who has attempted to learn Japanese and has fallen very short of mastery, the language barrier is undoubtedly a con for me.
I struggle to form deeper connections with people here because of my inability to go beyond surface-level conversation.
However, if there are any benefits to take away from this, I’d say that keeping interpersonal relationships at a surface level can be convenient in the workplace.
As a man who is not fond of small talk, I delight in having the depth of my conversations with managers and employees at my part-time job kept to a bare minimum, allowing me to focus on the tasks at hand and conserve my mental energy.
Great Content!
Japan is definitely one of the best places to be as a content creator, albeit because of how different the vibe is compared to the rest of the world (including Asia!). In particular, if you live in a countryside town on the outskirts of Kyoto like I do, you’ll really feel cut off from the world through the absence of foreigners and international businesses.
From a foreigner’s perspective, there is so much to explore, discover, and share about Japan that is totally different from how things work back home in the West (or wherever you come from). Whether it’s the vending machines, the bowing culture, or the countless cyclists whizzing around, Japan really is a country like no other.
The only downside I can think of as a content creator in Japan is that you always have the lingering stress in the back of your mind that everything you see, taste, and touch would “make great content.” In other words, I sometimes struggle to just sit back and enjoy the moment as I constantly contemplate new article ideas related to every activity I engage with in Japan.
Final Take
My final analysis of my life in Japan as a foreigner so far is that it’s been a wonderful journey full of adventure, excitement, and of course, personal challenge. While some foreigners who come to Japan are intent on making it their mainstay home for the long haul, I prefer to integrate Japan into my life as more of a “second home” that I can visit regularly for extended periods (and of course, for content!), while keeping Australia as my true home.
I encourage anyone who has even the slightest bit of interest in Japan to come over and visit, at the very least for holiday purposes, and then consider living here for an extended stay if you feel a connection. This has certainly been the case for me, and while I do feel cut off in some sense when it comes to language and ethnicity, I can confidently say that Japan has grown on me in a way that no longer feels like a distant magical land, but rather, as a place I can call my second home.
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!