Tokyo Life: Notes from my life in Japan

After more than ten years in Japan, the “honeymoon phase” is long gone. And that’s exactly when things get interesting. Once you stop looking at Japan as a theme park, you realize: It’s just a place where people live, work, and try to get by.

This section isn’t about travel tips; it’s about the nuts and bolts of daily existence. From navigating bureaucracy to staying healthy—this is my logbook on real life, stripped of the neon filters.

Functioning in a Different Culture

Living abroad long-term exposes you to differences tourists never see. I use this blog to sort through these differences and make sense of them—for myself and for you.

What I cover:

  • Body & Mind (Yōjō): To me, Japanese health concepts aren’t just a wellness trend; they are pragmatic tools. Whether it’s gut health (Chōkatsu) or seasonal eating, I explore what actually works in daily life.
  • Money & Systems: Yes, I write about the Japanese pension system and NISA investment accounts. Sounds dry? Maybe. But understanding these systems is key to understanding how this society plans for the future.
  • Observations: The unwritten rules. The silence on the train. The social mechanics of a 38-million-person metropolis.

No kitsch or cherry blossom romanticism, but real experiences and thoughts.