The XQ Sumimasen Podcast

Body image is shaped by more than just mirrors. The people around us, the media we grow up with, and even the cost of staying fit all influence how we see ourselves. In this episode, we compared some of the biggest differences we’ve experienced between Japan and the United States, from beauty standards and fitness culture to the way muscular men are perceived in each country. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube The Cost of Staying Fit in Japan One of the biggest surprises for many people is how expensive fitness can be in Japan. Gym memberships, supplements, and high-protein foods often cost significantly more than they do in countries like the United States. Those higher costs can make fitness feel less accessible and may influence who is able to pursue it as a serious hobby or l...

Living in Japan for more than 13 years changes the way you notice cultural differences. The major adjustments are obvious at first, but over time, it’s often the smaller parts of everyday life that stand out: grocery shopping, the food you miss, the size of your home, and the routines you slowly build around all of it. In this episode, we compared some of the things we had to get used to after moving to Japan and how those experiences continued to change the longer we lived here. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Grocery Shopping and the Food You Miss Grocery shopping in Japan can feel surprisingly unfamiliar when you first arrive. You can usually find everything you need to make a meal, but the brands, package sizes, cuts of meat, and available seasonings may be different from what yo...

Street skating in Japan isn’t just about skateboarding. It’s one of those topics that reveals a lot about how Japan works as a society. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Street Skating and Public Space in Japan Coming from the U.S., one of the biggest differences I noticed was how little public space there seems to be for skating. Dedicated skate parks exist, but compared with many parts of America, there are far fewer places where skating is simply accepted. That often leaves skaters wondering whether they’re allowed to be somewhere, whether they’ll be asked to leave, or whether they’re bothering the people around them. That uncertainty reflects something bigger. Japan generally places a much stronger emphasis on following rules, avoiding inconvenience to others, and respecti...

Living in Japan with a Japanese spouse isn’t just about learning a new language or getting used to different customs. It’s also about figuring out which traditions to keep, which ones to adapt, and which new routines you create together. Every international couple is different, but comparing experiences with other foreigners married to Japanese partners has reminded me that there isn’t a single “right” way to build a life here. Listen to the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Language at Home One of the biggest differences between international couples is the language they use at home. Many couples naturally settle into one language, while others constantly switch between the two. One friend of mine speaks almost entirely Japanese with his wife, yet they text each other almost exclusively in English. In ...