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...

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. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube 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. Liv...

The pandemic changed every country in different ways, and living in Japan before, during, and after COVID has made those changes especially noticeable. Some shifts happened almost overnight, while others have continued gradually over the past few years. In this episode, guest co-host Devin and I looked at several ways everyday life in Japan has evolved since the pandemic and discussed which changes seem likely to remain. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube Everyday Life Looks Different One of the most visible changes has been how people approach health and public spaces. Masks, staying home when sick, and paying closer attention to illness have become much more common parts of daily life than they were before. While some habits are slowly returning to normal, others have become ...

Tattoos have long carried a different meaning in Japan than they do in many Western countries. While attitudes have gradually begun to change, tattoos can still influence where you're allowed to go, how strangers react to you, and sometimes even the opportunities available to you. In this episode, guest co-host Scoey and I talked about our experiences with tattoos in Japan, how public attitudes have changed over the years, and why the conversation is more nuanced than many people realize. Watch the Full Episode Listen on: Spotify Apple YouTube A Different Cultural Perspective One of the biggest surprises for many foreigners is that tattoos in Japan have traditionally been associated with organized crime rather than personal expression. Because of that history, older generations are often more likel...