14 Years in Japan - What Keeps Us Sane
After living in Japan for many years, one thing that surprised me is how my entertainment habits have changed. Before moving here, I actively looked for Japanese music, TV, and anything that helped me learn more about the country. Once Japan became everyday life, though, I found myself doing almost the opposite.
In this episode, guest co-host Devin and I talked about the shows, music, games, and online content we actually enjoy after more than a decade in Japan—and how living here has changed the way we unwind.
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When Everyday Life Changes Your Interests
Many people assume that foreigners living in Japan spend all their free time watching anime, listening to J-pop, or following Japanese television.
For us, that hasn't really been the case.
Living in Japan means we're already surrounded by the language and culture every day, so when it's finally time to relax, we often find ourselves reaching for familiar English-language content instead. At the same time, we've both noticed that as our Japanese has improved, we've gradually become more comfortable enjoying Japanese media without feeling mentally exhausted by it.
Entertainment Becomes Part of Language Learning
One thing we both discovered is that entertainment can become an unexpected language teacher.
Whether it's singing karaoke, watching Japanese television, or following conversations in anime, there comes a point where you suddenly realize you're understanding far more than you used to. Those moments are incredibly satisfying because they remind you how much progress you've made without always noticing it day to day.
Looking back, karaoke probably taught me as much about pronunciation and rhythm as any textbook ever did.
Finding Time to Relax
The conversation also touched on something that changes for almost everyone after living abroad for a long time: your priorities.
With work, family, and everyday responsibilities, there's simply less time to spend on hobbies than there used to be. Games, television, and music become less about keeping up with the latest releases and more about finding something that genuinely helps you relax at the end of the day.
It's a different way of enjoying entertainment than when I first arrived in Japan.
Appreciating the Things That Never Get Old
Even after many years here, there are still everyday things that continue to impress me.
Whether it's affordable sushi, convenience store food, discovering a great local restaurant, or finding another show that helps improve my Japanese, those small experiences remind me why I still enjoy living here after all these years.
If you've lived abroad for a long time, have your hobbies or entertainment habits changed too? I'd love to hear what you find yourself enjoying now compared to before you moved.