One of the questions I get asked the most is, “What’s it like in Japan?”, so here’s my perspective on life in the land of the rising sun along with some of my favourite things.
I’ve been travelling to Japan since 2009 and living here (intermittently) since 2013. I’m based in Osaka, which is a port city known for its street food, nightlife and modern architecture.
Outside of work and training, my time is spent driving my son to his various sports, including swimming, gymnastics, football training and matches on weekends. There’s a real sports culture here that’s supported by great infrastructure and months of sunshine.
It’s a chaotic life, because games are held all over the city, but that suits us fine, and we often fuel up after on sushi, ramen, or pizza.
Days off are spent in Hattori Riyokuchi Park with a ball and a packed lunch, or watching Gamba Osaka play.
Living abroad definitely has its challenges, but on the whole I think the benefits outweigh the discomfort.
My favourite things
- Destinations: Osaka, Tokyo, Kobe, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa
- Places: Namba, Riyokuchi Park, Banpaku Park, Minoh Park
- Restaurants: Ichiran, Ohsho, Kura Sushi, Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M
- Foods: Yakiniku, Sushi, Udon, Ramen, Nikuman (Steamed Pork Buns), Miso Soup, Green Tea
- Experiences: Swimming with a whale shark in Okinawa, Tenjin Matsuri, PL Art of Fireworks
What’s Japan like?
Some of the things I often notice and appreciate the most about Japan are:
Safety. Japan is a pretty safe place to live. That’s one of the main reasons I chose to raise kids here. The crime rate is low compared to the rest of the world, and women and children can go out after dark without the fear of unsavoury characters following them around.
Cleanliness. You don’t see rubbish lying around, even in the city centre. The Japanese people have generally high-standards of hygiene and cleanliness and take care of their own litter – as demonstrated by the Japanese football fans at the World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
Defined seasons. The seasons are very defined. Winters are cold, summers are (extremely) hot, spring and autumn are pleasant with rich colours to be seen in the leaves, flowers and sunsets. There’s a strong sense of nature here and many of the activities and festivals are in celebration of the changing seasons.
Commitment to the craft. From an early age, kids are participating in academics, sports, and the arts with great focus and determination. There’s an attitude of excellence that’s deep rooted and you see people of all ages working, training and studying late into the night.
Extreme characters. Japanese people are very respectful, diligent and well behaved, but they are also known for going to extremes. The extreme workaholism, eating and drinking, cosplay and Otaku shows that when they do something, they like to go all in. You see some interesting characters when you venture into the city.
A balance of opposites. Japan has a beautiful and harmonious balance of opposites. You have tradition and modernity, nature and technology all merging together. The people are driven and hardworking but have a high-regard for nature and community, and while there are many challenges, as with any advanced economy, they’re doing a pretty good job.
If you’re thinking of visiting Japan, I would highly recommend it. It’s the kind of experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life. There’s so much to see and do, that satisfies a wide range of interests, including food, nightlife, art, adventure and spirituality.
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