One of the foremost challenges right now in Japan is the language barrier. Despite my daily efforts to learn and practice Japanese, after 10 months here, understanding conversations remains a struggle. Whether it’s the postman or store staff, their words often sound often like gibberish to me. I rely heavily on context and non-verbal cues to piece together the meaning, allowing me to awkwardly respond in Japanese. Reading katakana, hiragana, and especially kanji adds another layer of complexity.
Another hurdle is the harsh winter air. Unlike my experience in the more humid climate of the Netherlands, the dry air in Japan wreaks havoc on my skin, leading to unexpected coughs from a perpetually dry throat.
Conversely, the humid summer is a stark contrast. Last summer felt like a perpetual sauna, making it challenging to differentiate between sweat and condensation. Unbearable heat at night hinders comfortable sleep, and the rainy season brings stickiness, slipperiness, and an unwelcome influx of mosquitoes. In essence, not the most pleasant experience.
Out of these challenges, only one is within my immediate control – mastering Japanese faster. Perhaps planning visits to Europe during Japan’s hot and rainy seasons could alleviate the discomfort. As for winter, a getaway to Thailand, with its warmer climate, seems like a tempting option.
Despite these struggles, I have no regrets about living in Japan. There are countless reasons why this experience is enriching, but I’ll save that story for another post.
#JapanLife #LanguageStruggles #SeasonalChallenges #AdaptAndOvercome
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