Table of Contents — Click any section to jump ahead. Why I came in the first place. What is it like to live in Japan? Is it a good idea to live in Japan? Is Japan expensive? What are Japanese taxes like? Is living in Japan hard? Can I live in Japan without Japanese? Is it hard finding housing in Japan? What is Japanese work culture like for foreigners? What are the pros and cons of living in Japan? Final Thoughts Why I came in the first place. I was born and raised in Southern California to Syrian immigrant parents. As someone who grew up Arab and Muslim in post-9/11 America, I know what it feels like to live in a constant state of apology for what people who shared my identity did to the U.S. It was never-ending suspicion, and a desperate attempt to prove I was as American as everyone else. After graduating college, I found myself stuck with the question of what to do next. I’d landed a job in tech support for a security camera manufactu...

Red maple leaves drift to the ground, the air turns crisp, and streets are alive with the scents of seasonal foods—but when is the best time to visit Japan? It’s a question I hear often from friends and family dreaming of their trips. Simple as it sounds, the answer is surprisingly complex. Every traveler values something different, and in Japan, there’s a saying that captures this perfectly: 「十人十色」 (jyu-nin to iro) —“ten people, ten colors.” Simply put, ten people have ten unique perspectives, ten different tastes. My own opinion has evolved over time. I used to think I loved summer, likely because of the long vacations I grew up enjoying in the U.S. But experiencing a true Japanese autumn changed everything. Fall has its own quiet magic—the leaves, the harvest flavors, the cozy traditions—a season of beginnings and endings all at once. So, when is the best season to visit Japan? There’s no single answer. Each season brings unforgettable experiences, and in this guide, I’ll walk you t...

At the very first drinking party I ever attended as an English teacher in Japan, the topic of Christmas came up. Someone asked me what it was like in the U.S.—but here’s the kicker: I’d never actually celebrated it. I’m not a Christian. When I said that, they hit me with a question I still haven’t forgotten: “What does being a Christian have to do with Christmas?” I just blinked at them. My brain stalled. What do you mean, what does being a Christian have to do with Christmas? The sarcastic voice in my head screamed, It's literally in the name! But to them, Christmas wasn’t about the birth of Jesus—any more than Halloween is about honoring saints. It wasn’t a religious holiday. It was just... a thing people do. With cake. And fried chicken. And maybe a date. That moment stuck with me. Because while Japan and the West share a few holiday traditions, they rarely share the deeper meaning—or even the day off. Off the top of my head, the only national holiday officially observed by both...