Experiences – Life – Inspiration 🇨🇭🇯🇵

Spending over a year in Japan has unveiled a world of disparities between being a tourist and calling it home. Let’s delve into these profound distinctions.

1. Embracing the Everyday
   As a tourist, my experiences were fleeting, based around famous sights and pre-set schedules, leaving little room for authentic daily life. However, living in Japan has allowed me to immerse myself in the day-to-day rhythm, fostering a deep understanding of local customs, language subtleties, and community integration.
   
2. Delving into Culture
   During my visits, surface-level engagements through guided tours and mainstream activities only scratched the surface of Japanese culture. Yet, as a resident, forging local connections, participating in community festivities, and immersing in diverse cultural practices offered profound cultural assimilation.
   
3. Language and Connections
   Relying on English-speaking services during my trips often created barriers to meaningful interactions and genuine comprehension. Living in Japan and delving into the nuances of the Japanese language has cultivated enriched connections and communication. The need to start learning Japanese became greater when living here, adding considerably to my personal experience in Japan.
   
4. Living the Everyday Life
   My visits were mainly centered on sightseeing and leisure, with minimal exposure to everyday rituals and local habits. On the other hand, living in Japan meant navigating routine tasks, from grocery shopping to adhering to local customs, delivering an authentic taste of Japanese livelihood.
   
5. Understanding Costs
   The elevated costs of short-term stays limited my exploration of cost-effective alternatives as a tourist. However, living there presented an opportunity to discover economical means, from local markets to public transport, unveiling the true spectrum of living expenses. Gaining insights into costs like insurances, taxes, utilities, and so on has added to the experience of what it means to live life in Japan.
   
6. Unveiling Hidden Treasures
   As a tourist, I found myself huddled around popular attractions, overlooking the unexplored treasures nestled in Japan’s heart. Conversely, living in Japan unveiled the enigmatic realms off the tourist trail, allowing me to relish local escapades and foster an intimate bond with Japan’s hidden gems.
   
7. Complete Integration
   Exploring as a tourist meant bypassing the need for complete adaptation, missing out on the essence of true integration. Living in Japan involved navigating and embracing local customs, cultural disparities, and societal norms, propelling a profound integration into Japan’s rich tapestry. Even simple things like taking out the trash on trash pick up days, where I have to write the family name in Japanese on each trash bag, felt like a vital part of integration – however unconventional that may sound.

After spending over a year in Japan and gaining a deeper understanding of its culture and daily life, I’ve made the decision to extend my stay to at least 5 years. Settling in here in Japan with my wife and her relatives has made this decision easier for me; this fact cannot be ignored. So far, my extended experience has allowed me to fully embrace the essence of the country, form meaningful connections, and deeply appreciate its beauty. I am dedicated to savoring and cherishing every experience during my time here.

#JapaneseCulture #LivingInJapan #CulturalImmersion