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Today is my one year Japaniversary. One year since I arrived in Japan with nothing but my gaijin spirit and far too few jumpers for an apartment with no central heating. So what did I learn? Was the last year in vain? And more importantly, is any of it actually relevant to you?

Below is a list of 52 things that I have learnt from one year of living in Japan. Some items may be helpful. Some items may be funny. And some items will be useless. You have been warned.

1. Focus on the Journey

Yep, totally cliché. Bear with me.

For almost one year, I spent my days fixated upon getting to Japan. So much so, that I became totally disillusioned and disconnected to what was going on around me. It was always about getting to the next stage so things would be better. Strangely enough, things actually did get better, but living in the future like that was not healthy. I struggled to get out of bed. I didn’t want to go to work.  I just wanted to pass the time.

I know that I still have a tendency to live in the future (as terrifying as it may look), so this is a work in progress. At least now though, I realise that attaching happiness to a place is destined to fail. Why wish my time away when it’s the most precious thing I have?

2. Prioritise What’s Important

I had a tendency of just waiting until I felt like doing something, or procrastinating until that thing became urgent, before I took action. But if it’s important to me now, it has to be a priority now. 

3. Plan Ahead

This ties in with the last point. Scheduling in time for exercising, socialising and work helps me ensure that I do the important thing first. In the last few months of keeping a journal, and regularly updating my calendar, I’ve seen a massive improvement in my productivity, and happiness.

4. Goals are Important, Not Hashtags

For most of my life I drifted from job to job and idea to idea depending upon what someone else recommended not because it was what I truly wanted. And until recently I never even wrote down my goals. Heck, I never even knew what I wanted at all.

I know I have to be careful not to live in the future here. But how can I plan or prioritise anything without truly knowing myself, and what I want?

5. Sweating for 96-Hours Straight Can Happen

The catalyst for this sweat-induced state is commonly known amongst the foreigners here as a “Japanese Summer”.

6. My Culture is Unique to Me

As is, yours to you. I may have been raised in the UK and have a baseline for what is “normal” largely based upon that. But quite frankly, if you do things in a way that I perceive to be better, more interesting or more fun, then I will happily replace my “tradition” for yours.

7. There’s a Distinct Lack of Sonic the Hedgehog

Yes, I know, Japan has created many, many wonderful things. But Sonic the Hedgehog was one of them. So why can I only see Pokémon, One Piece and Summiko Gurashi?

8. Rice Cookers are Necessary for Survival

At least they’re necessary for my survival. Who actually needs sliced bread when you have a rice cooker? And why did I never own one in the UK? (2022 UPDATE: I am now the proud owner of a rice cooker!)

9. Independence is an Illusion

Since I was old enough to earn money, I always prided myself on “being independent and never needing anyone”. But living a life alone, never helping or receiving support from anyone, is sad, and pointless. Just because I can do “everything” for myself doesn’t mean it makes sense, or that it’s healthy. I rely on the trains, the supermarkets, my landlord, my phone company and of course,  my friends, and my family. I don’t care who you are or where you’re from. We all need each other. That’s what humanity is about: connection, sharing and cooperation.

10. Vulnerability isn’t Weakness

Making new friends here means someone has to say hello first. Someone has to share something deeper than the weather. And it may as well be me.

If I want real connection, relationships, growth… love. I have to be open. This doesn’t always come easily to me.

11. I’ve Never Felt Safer Anywhere Else

Whether I’m walking home alone at 3am, or just waiting for the next subway, I’ve always felt completely safe, in Japan. Although, Japan is not a utopia and it does have its fair share of issues and natural disasters, so I realise that this may be a completely false sense of security based upon the short amount of time I’ve spent here.

12. I’m Apparently Doomed to Always Get Lost in Shinjuku Station

Even after one year, the world’s busiest station still conquers me. Every. Single. Time. Even yesterday I got on the wrong train. And I wouldn’t have even noticed if my friend hadn’t pointed it out.

13. Prioritising Your Health isn’t Selfish

Contrary to contemporary popular belief, putting your sleep, diet and mental health first is not selfish.

14. Know Your Reasons for Doing Things

Knowing why I want to do the things I do motivates me to keep going.

15. I Care Too Much About What People Think

Caring about what my close friends and family think is one thing. But strangers and people who really just aren’t that interested? That’s something else entirely. Of course it’s okay for me to take other people’s opinions into consideration – I don’t want to become a dickhead – but ultimately, I have to follow my heart. People who really love me will understand and support me, even if it is something they wouldn’t do.

16. Japanese Rubbish Separation Should Be a University Course

I’ve told myself 25 million times not to exaggerate. But what is so deeply wrong to me is that I am still learning the art of rubbish separation.

17. Native English Speakers are Lucky AF

Love it or hate it, English has become the predominant international language. This gives many of us, including me of course, an unfair advantage when it comes to things like programming, healthcare, travel and science. I really do commend all of you that speak foreign languages, especially if you had to learn it from necessity rather than desire.

18. Spaced Repetition for Memorisation is Boss

Nothing else has helped me own those kanjis (Chinese characters) better.

19. Try This, Try That, Try Those, Then Choose.

The first option is not always the best option, mate.

20. I Don’t Connect Enough with Older/Younger People

I have friends from all over the world, but why are most of my friends in my age group? I really want to start working to change this next year. I find it incredible how Japan has the oldest percentage of centenarians in the world and I don’t know any of them! There are millions of years of experience just waiting to be shared!

21. Curly Hair = Brazilian, Straight Hair =  “Where Are You From?”

I have no issues with people making assumptions upon where I am from. It’s a totally normal snap judgement. I just wish I could actually speak Portugese. Obrigada!

22. I Love Trusting Strangers

Unlike some other places I have been. I truly feel like in Japan, you are assumed to be innocent and harmless before anything else. I can leave my laptop in a café and wander down the road for a pint and come back to find my laptop hasn’t been pilfered. Okay that’s not completely true, I don’t drink pints.

23. Japanese People Know Good Manners (Generally)

Sorry to generalise but it’s quite a nice generalisation, I think. Us British LOVE politeness. A queue for the queue? Yes please!

24. Japanese Toothbrushes are Small

My toothbrush looks like a fat baby’s toothbrush, and that’s just how I like it.

25. Driving in the Japanese Countryside is Fun

The Japanese countryside, with its numerous mountains and rice fields, is simply stunning. If you get the chance to drive around Japan, do it!

26. Driving in Tokyo is not Fun

Yes, yes, I probably should have known this anyway. Do I really need to stop at every red light though?

27. Some Relationships are Transactional/Convenience-based

After I got to Japan I stopped hearing from people who were pretty interested in me when I had a house and furniture to give away. Once that transaction ran its course though, the friendship was over. That’s okay. The way I see it is, those friendships served whatever purpose they needed to, for both of us.

28. Always Keep 2-Litres of Green Tea in Your Fridge

Because, er, why wouldn’t you?

29. Living in Tokyo is Pretty Cheap

Despite what the media may have you think, Tokyo is surprisingly affordable if you’re willing to live Japanese-Tokyoan style life: i.e. single room apartment, no car, no garden, no air.

Travel, food and bills are pretty cheap and my money can go a long way here if I am sensible (much further than London, that’s for sure).

30. I Talk Too Much

Being unable to communicate effectively with people at times made me realise just how much of what I say is utter drivel. I would talk just to fill a void, or an uncomfortable silence. It’s not only up to me to steer a conversation, and there’s nothing wrong with silence anyway. I don’t need to express an opinion on everything, we’re said to have two ears and one mouth for a reason.

31. Everyone Assumes You Teach English

Look I’m Brazilian all right? No really, English teaching is one of the easiest, best-paying jobs for foreigners to have in Japan. So this isn’t exactly a shocker.

32. My Skin Hates Japanese Winters

Imagine a love child of the basilisk from Harry Potter and the Ents from Lord of the Rings. That’s me in winter.

33. Rush Hour in Tokyo is More Intimate Than 99% of My Relationships

Did my umbrella go up his bum? Does he mind me sleeping on his shoulder?

34. People Will Assume You Don’t Know Any Japanese At All

But Tamara, you don’t? That’s not the point! Jeez.

35. I’m an Otaku

I love talking to people. But I also love not talking to people. And staying in. And listening to video game music. So sad.

36. Japanese Food Tastes Like Heaven

Technically I knew this before moving to Japan. However, I had no idea just how diverse Japanese cuisine really was. It’s not just sushi and udon. I’ve eaten some of the tastiest fruits and vegetables here.

37. And I Don’t Know How to Make Any of It.

Expect sushi. Tragic.

38. Living Small Doesn’t Mean You are Small

Us British people are pretty obsessed with buying houses. That’s fine and all… I just find it intriguing how we look at our budget and say: “Right, what is the largest most unaffordable house I can get with this?” Why do we do this? Although, I must add, I have been guilty of this myself too.

39. Being Vegetarian and Having a Social Life is Hard

There are vegetarian options available all over Tokyo. But you may need to plan things in advance, ask about ingredients and accept that there will be times when those mushrooms are in fact beef.

40. Being Vegan and Having a Social Life is Impossible

Unless all of your friends are vegans too. Or your only friend is yourself.

41. I Love Being Self-employed

The only thing I miss about full-time employment is the office banter. Oh yeah, and knowing where my next meal is coming from. I’ve wanted to be self-employed for as long as I’ve had a contract phone (not long really).

42. Overwork in Japan Really is a Thing

I’ve had countless conversations about this over the last few months. And I still stand by my original opinion: regardless of whether it’s better or worse in your home country, please let’s not try to minimise each other’s problems. Working 100 hours overtime because you feel obliged to is not okay.

43. I Love Japanese Efficiency

Though some processes are unnecessarily bureaucratic and unable to cater to exceptions, when a process works here, it works well.

44. There are Different Onsen (Hot Spring) Types

Many moons ago, when I was wee lass (aka last year) I thought that all onsen were created equally. Alas, I was incorrect. Different minerals can be found in different hot springs, each providing different health and skin benefits.

45. Foreign Books are Painfully Expensive

That is, if they are new. In that case, be prepared to pay £20/$25 for a book that would usually cost a third of that back home. The best place to get foreign books is from second hand stores and of course, fellow gaijin (foreigners)!

46. I Don’t Say “No” Enough

I only noticed this in the last few weeks. I would say yes to things that I really, really don’t want to do  just to please someone else. Then I would get all irritated about it and whinge to myself about doing that thing. No more my friend. No more. This comes back to the point “I care too much about what people think”. No more peoples, seriously.

47. Skin Whitening is a Thing Here, Just Not How I Thought…

Yes, there are numerous skin whitening products available on Japanese beauty shelves. Yet, these are mainly to remove freckles and age-spots. Not to bleach the face off of yourself. Either way, I don’t align with these beauty standards and I don’t want to.

48. I Don’t Need to Be “The Best” at Something To Do It

If I like writing, painting and singing then I will do it anyway. I stopped doing certain things before because I said I wasn’t really good at it. Living here has taught me the importance of self-expression and doing things for the love of it. Not to impress or to “win at it”. If I want to play that violin out of tune for three hours then I will do it damn it.

49. People May Doubt You Until Someone Else Believes in You

Value the support of those that do. And don’t worry about the ones that don’t. I don’t know why I expected people to support my latest “crazy” idea. They’re entitled to their opinion and I’m not doing it for them anyway.

50. I Actually Do Like Routines

I used to say I hated routines and too much structure. Actually though, it was the lack of challenge and variety in my routines that I hated. I don’t enjoy doing the same thing every day. For example: running the same meeting in the same way, or doing the same exercises every other day. What I do enjoy, is progress, and noticing improvements over time through good habits.

51. I Really, Really Hate Shopping

Unless it’s for food. I have absolutely no interest. Zero. Keine. Zilch. This is becoming a massive problem because I now only have two pairs of shoes that aren’t falling apart. I knew I didn’t like shopping before, this is just ridiculous though.

52. I Feel Connection Through Frequent, Open Communication

I’ve discovered that I feel most strongly connected to people when I speak to them frequently, without any barriers. Sure, distance and timezones can make relationships more complicated, but I don’t feel that I need to physically be near someone to have a strong relationship with them.

Whether you found this intriguing, funny, or just a massive hairy waste of time, let me know. Or just send me a present, my birthday is coming up soon. Thanks.