15 Years in Japan: A Life Between Cultures

Fifteen years ago, I arrived in Japan with a suitcase full of dreams and not much else. I knew almost nothing of the language, even less of the cultural codes, and had only a vague idea of how long I would actually stay.

As it turns out, 15 years go by pretty fast.

I’ve experienced so much since then. I’ve danced in local summer festivals, worn kimono for ceremonies I once only saw in movies, and slowly, layer by layer, built a life here that feels strangely — beautifully — like my own. Japan, with all its seasons and silences, became home in ways I couldn’t have planned for.

But despite all of that... I still mess up. Regularly. Often with just enough flair to remind myself: “Ah yes, you are still an outsider.”

Here are a few of my greatest hits:

• Shinjuku Station? I somehow keep convincing myself I’ve mastered it. And yet, I still end up at the wrong platform, walking in tight circles, muttering “this is impossible” under my breath.

• Going cashless like a Tokyo local… until I have to awkwardly ask the table next to me at a café if they can sell me ¥1000 via PayPay. (Bless them, they did.)

• Boarding the right train, in the wrong kind. Because in Japan, a train can go in the right direction… and still skip your stop entirely.

• Sunburn at Izu Beach in September. Every year, I underestimate the Japanese sun. Every year, the sun wins.

Even after 15 years, these small embarrassments make me laugh. They remind me how deep — and how delightful — the culture here can be. Living in Japan is like learning a language you’ll never fully finish. But that’s also part of the charm, isn’t it?

What I’ve gained over these years goes far beyond what can be photographed or posted. It’s in the gentle nods from neighbors, the seasonal greetings at the post office, the tiny shrines on street corners I pass every day and still sometimes stop at.

It’s also in the friendships — both old and new — that carried me through hard winters and hot summers. Some of you have been part of this journey from the very beginning, others I’ve met along the way. Either way, I’m grateful beyond words.

To Japan — thank you for these 15 years. To everyone who has been part of it — thank you, truly. Here's to whatever comes next. ✨

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👘 15 years of kimono memories
🫶 One heart, very full

About Anette
Anette came to Japan as an exchange student in 2010, met the love of her life and got stuck. From her base in Tokyo she writes about her experiences as a full-time worker in Tokyo and about her travels in Japan and abroad. She's a free-spirited adventurer who enjoys both the great outdoors and her urban lifestyle.