Written and shared by Mia Horiguchi San “Will the Japanese yen become even weaker?” Recently, I hear this question more and more from both Japanese people and foreigners living in Japan. Honestly, nobody really knows what will happen next. But one thing many people can feel already is this: Life in Japan is getting more expensive. Food prices are going up. Electricity bills are higher. Imported products cost more. Even eating simple meals outside is not as cheap as before. F

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 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

Why Do So Many Women in Japan Dream of Becoming a Housewife? Recently I asked a few Japanese friends… even some of my kids’ friends: “What’s your dream for the future?” And surprisingly, many girls still say: “I want to be a housewife.” Not influencer. Not CEO. Not pilot. Housewife. At first I was shocked — in 2026? Really? But after living in Japan long enough, I started to understand the deeper reasons behind this dream. Here are some possible reasons 1. Housewife = stabil

A few days ago, I was chatting with a foreign friend here in Japan. He looked exhausted… like really exhausted. I asked him, “忙しいの？” (Busy?) He laughed and said, “Not busy… just working in a black company.” That word again. ブラック企業. If you’ve lived in Japan long enough, you’ve probably heard it. At first, I didn’t understand it either. Japan is known for discipline, responsibility, and hard work… so what’s the difference? But after hearing more stories, I realized something im

“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

In the past, the path was clearer. Work hard, stay in one company, and slowly your life improves. Salary goes up, stability comes, maybe you buy a house, build a family. Today, that feeling is different. Salaries have stayed almost the same for years, but living costs keep rising. Rent, food, insurance, everything feels heavier. Even saving money feels like a challenge. Job stability has also changed. Not everyone gets that “lifetime job” anymore. More young people are on con

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