Written and shared by Mia Horiguchi San I recently saw news about a restaurant in Osaka reportedly banning all Chinese customers because of “bad manners.” The story spread quickly online, and as expected, many people immediately took sides. Some supported the restaurant completely. Others called it discrimination. Personally, I can understand why emotions are high on both sides. Japan is experiencing massive tourism growth right now. Popular areas like Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo

Everyone dreams about Japan. Clean streets, polite people, safe neighborhoods, and a system that just works. And honestly, all of that is real. Japan can be an amazing place to live. But after spending years here, you start to see a different side, one that tourists rarely notice. Politeness doesn’t equal acceptance The first truth is that politeness does not always mean acceptance. People are kind, respectful, and well-mannered. But building deep relationships can take a lo

Written and shared by Mia Horiguchi “Japan needs workers.” I used to hear this and think it meant opportunity. A friend of mine came to Japan with a strong background. Good education, solid experience, and decent Japanese. He wasn’t looking for shortcuts, just a fair chance to build a stable life. At first, things seemed promising. Jobs were available. Companies were hiring. Everywhere you looked, there was talk about labor shortage. But after some time, the feeling changed.

Written and shared by Mia Horiguchi Sakura will be gone in a few days… and most people won’t even notice. For a few short days, everything turns soft… pink… almost dreamlike. Streets you pass every day suddenly feel magical. Even the air feels lighter. What I love most is not just the flowers, it’s the people. Everyone comes out. Families, couples, elderly, kids… walking, smiling, taking photos. No rush. No stress. Just appreciating something beautiful that won’t last long. A

Did you know that Japan does not have a retirement visa? This often surprises many people, especially those who dream of spending their later years surrounded by cherry blossoms or enjoying the quiet beauty of the Japanese countryside. In countries like Thailand or Malaysia, retirement visas are quite common and even encouraged. These programs are designed to attract retirees by offering long-term stays with relatively simple requirements. Japan, however, takes a very differe

“I’m Over 40… Should I Still Move to Japan?” Written and shared by Mia Horiguchi San. People ask me this all the time. And my honest answer? Yes — you can still move to Japan in your 40s. But you must understand what it really means. Moving here in your 40s is not the same as moving here in your 20s. By now, you think about: stability health your children long-term life quality peace over excitement And in many ways, that’s exactly why Japan becomes attractive. Japan gi

Written and shared by Mia Horiguchi San. In Japan, it’s not about what you say… it’s about what you don’t say. One of the most fascinating things about living in Japan is the concept of “間（ま / ma）”—the space, the pause, the silence between things. At first, silence can feel uncomfortable. You might think, “Did I say something wrong?” “Why is no one replying?” But over time, you start to realize… that silence is not empty. It’s meaningful. In Japan, people don’t always say eve

Written and shared by Mia Horiguchi San. Lately, I’ve been feeling something I didn’t expect to feel in Japan—discomfort. Not because Japan has changed overnight, but because the pace of change is starting to show in daily life. Of course, tourism is a good thing. It brings money, energy, and global attention. Shops are busier, businesses are recovering, and the streets feel alive again. But at the same time, there’s another side we don’t talk about enough. Food quality in

Written and shared by Mia Horiguchi San. I’ve noticed something interesting after years of living in Japan and meeting people from all over the world. Many of my Asian classmates study Japanese very seriously. They push themselves, memorizing kanji, practicing keigo, trying to sound as natural as possible. When you ask why, the answer is often simple: they don’t want to go back. For many of them, the ultimate goal is clear—getting PR (permanent residency) and building a stab

Written and shared by Mia Horiguchi San. Many people ask me, “Is it hard to find a job in Japan?” My honest answer? It can be hard… if you do it the “cold” way. Sending resumes online, waiting, no reply is very common. But the easiest way I’ve seen actually works is something much simpler: Connections. In Japan, relationships matter a lot. A friend introduces you. A colleague recommends you. Someone you met at an event remembers you. Suddenly, the process becomes smoother. L