The XQ Sumimasen Podcast

Moving to Japan changes more than your address. It changes how you communicate, how you solve problems, and sometimes even how you see yourself. After living here for more than 14 years, there are plenty of practical things I've learned, but the biggest lessons weren't about paperwork or what to pack. They were about mindset. In this episode, I talk about some of the things I genuinely wish I'd understood before making Japan my home. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Learning Japanese Starts Over When You Arrive Before moving to Japan, I thought my Japanese was in pretty good shape. I'd studied it for years and used it regularly. Then I arrived. Suddenly, even simple trips to the convenience store felt intimidating. Conversations moved faster than I expected, peo...

When people picture Tokyo, they usually imagine places like Shibuya, Shinjuku, or some other part of the city filled with crowds, lights, and tourists. But when you actually live here long term, choosing where to build your life comes down to very different things. I've lived in Kasai for more than 14 years. It isn't one of Tokyo's famous neighborhoods, but its location, transportation, green spaces, and local community have made it a practical and comfortable place to raise a family and build a life. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Why Kasai Works for Everyday Life Kasai is still part of Tokyo, but it doesn't feel like the center of the city. The Tozai Line makes it easy to reach central Tokyo, while the neighborhood itself feels calmer and more residential. Y...