Expat Experiences in Japan

Dave is a Canadian writer, originally hailing from Vancouver Island. These days he lives in Kyoto, Japan, and is working on a soon-to-be-published novella. Read about his expat experiences in Japan.

Originally from Macedonia, expat Sania is passionate about Japan and loves discovering new places and learning about new cultures. Here, she tells us about her expat life in Ashiya, a picturesque city situated between Osaka and Kobe.

American expat Kim is a lover of travel and adventure, both of which can be found in abundance in Japan. Having lived in Yokohama for the last three years, here Kim shares the ups and downs of her expat life in Japan.

In September 2014, Joan Kissler left her home soil of the USA in search of a new life in Japan. Now working as an assistant language teacher in Tokyo, she shares what she misses about home and what enjoys most about her expat life in Japan.

When Jonathan Hewitt was sent to Tokyo, Japan, by his UK company, he thought of it as a two-year adventure in a foreign country. More than 20 years later, he still calls Tokyo home and is married to a Japanese woman. He reveals some insider secrets to making a success of expat life in Japan. Read more about his expat life in Japan.

Becki is an American expat living in Japan. She has lived in several cities in Japan but currently resides in Wakayama, where she teaches Business English to engineers. Although Becki finds the city lacking in nightlife and not as diverse as cities like Osaka and Tokyo, she enjoys the fact that it is within easy reach of beaches, mountains and world heritage sites. Read more about her expat experience in Japan.

Christopher Carr is a man of many talents and identities, among them husband, father, writer, editor and expat. Chris has avid interests in mountain climbing, skiing, spending time with his stepson and two daughters, Arnold Schwarzenegger movies, exploring the internet, reading, and listening to MIT Open Course Ware. Read his marvellously informed and helpful account of expat life in Japan. 

Di Clark and her husband lived in Northwest Louisiana until they were struck with a strong desire to travel in 2003. They up-and-moved to Japan, where her husband taught fifth grade on an American military base. They remained in Japan for 6 years before moving to Germany. Read about her expat experience in Japan.

Born and raised in the Northwest Washington State (USA), Ashley Thompson crossed over the ocean to Japan. After a year and a half teaching English full-time to high school students, she currently spends her time writing, blogging, learning Japanese and experiencing the culture first-hand (with some occasional English teaching thrown in). Read about her take on expat life in Japan.

Franzi Kasch spent a student's year in Osaka and has plans to return and continue research in the city. Even in her short time, she became enamoured with the magic of the metropolis, and now shares some of her expat experience in Japan with Expat Arrivals.

Sibylle Ito moved to Tokyo nine years ago after a lengthy stint in Los Angeles. She's passionate about supporting and creating growth within companies that relate to Japan and has the professional experience and the multi-lingual ability needed to accompany such a bold motivation. Read about her expat experience in Japan.