Adjusting to Life in Tokyo
I left Houston to fly out to Tokyo. The job was an opportunity of a lifetime and when it came down to it, the leap overseas was much harder than I could’ve known back then.
Working out here has forced me into a whole new society and culture. Tokyo is a unique horizon and while it’s exciting, interesting, and completely foreign…it’s slowly becoming home. Over time, I reminisce about my life in Houston. It will always be a resting place.
I have a strong connection to that city, the people, the vibe, the scenery, the energy, all of that. Although having lived in Japan for two years now, I have a good grasp of what I love about both cities.
Late 2017 was just the beginning, it’s been a non stop rush of adjustment. In the two years since then, my wife and I truly dove into our experience of living in Tokyo. We often wondered what an expat life would be like, and now it’s our reality. Back home, folks started asking us questions like,
“what’s it like?”
“how is {insert topic} over there?”
“What’s your favorite thing about….”
“Have you tried…”
And…to be honest there’s a lot to cover. When we first arrived, there were probably…more than a million thoughts and feelings rushing through me. I have lived in quite a few cities and countries over the course of my life, and the culture shock hits every time because it’s like to comparing entire worlds. Here are just some of the things I had to get used to.
『 Language Barrier 』
For one, the language is completely new to me. At first I picked up words and phrases on the go. The first new Japanese word I learned when I arrived was ‘to charge’ (じゅでん - Jūden) because…my phone died.
Fast forward two years and I can handle most spoken conversation, expressing myself, greetings/farewells, and overall basic communication. The google translate app works great for written words that I haven’t picked up on yet while shopping or reading documents.
Fortunately there are a lot more English translations for signs and products because Tokyo is preparing for the incoming tourists flying in for the 2020 Summer Olympics. I’d recommend at least self study if you’re coming out here and a simple study routine while visiting or residing here.
Listening was very helpful in learning the Japanese language. From music, movies, anime, to background conversations, and of course putting it all into practice. These were great learning materials for studying.
『 Food & Markets 』
Credit: Slimu
Finding new grocery stores and places to eat can be confusing at first, but Japan has endless options. If you enjoy Japanese food and ingredients, you’ll find exactly what you need.
Well…I’m super picky, so finding quick foods, groceries to cook, and spices was a challenge. Things to note, fruit is very expensive, pork is in almost everything, spicy levels are disappointing, and expect most foods to be wrapped in layers of plastic.
I recommend learning new recipes, discover locals favorite restaurants, and finding shops that sell imports from your country if you’re feeling a bit homesick. Use translate apps if you can’t read the products at the store until you get accustomed to what you normally would buy.
Do your research on what markets are around you, ask locals or friends in your area where they recommend shopping at. Once we found our favorite shops, it got a lot easier to shop for foods and register for a point card to get discounts overtime.
Check Out → Top 8 Japanese Foods for Picky Eaters
『 Cash, Cash, Cash 』
Speaking of money, (wow, what a transition, so writer desu) in Houston I got used to mobile and card payment culture. Online shopping and light wallets was super convenient. Now, in Japan they still run heavily on cash. You can even order groceries online to deliver to your home and pay cash on delivery in some areas.
Convenience stores (aka Conbini’s) are a dime a dozen. From Seven-Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart, Mini-Mart, etc. You’ll get used to visiting ATM’s to pull out cash often, because most places are cash-only.** You will often have to pay for your bills as well in cash at conbini’s. This was relatively easier to adjust to but it’s still weird paying for things with cash all the time.
Too much cash on hand? Open a Japanese bank account for a cash card, where it stores your money after you deposit or receive direct deposit from your job. Debit and credit cards are not common and are hard to get as a non permanent resident. Before moving to Japan, having a traveler credit card from your home country is helpful for big purchases. As major cities get ready for the Olympics, they are now accepting international credit + debit cards as a form of payment at shops, restaurants, and conbini’s.
**As of 2021 many places have become more accepting of cashless payments, digital wallets and credit cards. It’s slowly getting more common, but I wouldn’t rely on it. It’s always safe to have cash on you, or easily accessible just in case.
『 Small Spaces 』
And then there’s the streets and houses. A Houston apartment is a castle compared to the average single person apartments in Tokyo. Space saving is…a nice way to put it. Tokyo is entirely space oriented and there are so many people that live in small living quarters. It’s not uncommon for a lot of people to pay for WAY over priced single room studios in the central 23 wards of Tokyo. I call it…"The Tokyo Tax” because you’re mainly paying extra for location.
I know rental prices in the States are still high, but at least you get appliances and lightbulbs in your apartment before you move in. I’m not kidding. When you rent out here, you just get the walls, floors, pipes and ceiling. Windows may vary.
The apartments are not all bad, and finding decent spaces just requires a bit of research. I found that the apartment scene is getting more modern too. Share houses where you just get a room with a shared kitchen and (maybe showers) are also popular. You gotta find a place that allows foreign residents to rent with them too. There are a plenty of landlords that won’t approved your application citing concerns about not being able to communicate with you or…other reasons. Finding an agent that can help you with your search will ease that a lot, but it’s something to be aware of.
Getting used to the height and size of counters, toilets, chairs and doors is probably the hardest part of smaller homes and living areas. Good luck if you’re a large and/or tall person, everything is short and small here.
Those were just some of the things that took time getting adjusted to. As with anything it gets easier over time though initially it was a lot to handle. If you’re traveling or considering moving to Japan, I hope this helped with your research and potential decision making.
My partner and I discuss the process moving from Houston to Tokyo, the differences, and similarities. Tune in!
