I’ve lived all over, always managing life solo. Opening a bank acc in Japan? Should be easy. Newbies can only open a JP Post acc at the closest branch, I went to one 900m from home. But once I showed my docs: “You need to go to the designated branch.” I pointed at the map, showing both were the same distance. He looked at me like I was an alien and sent me back to Earth. Mission 1 failed. Logic doesn’t matter here, rules are the only language. Next day I went to the right bra

Life Reset Journal   When I first moved to Japan, nothing terrified me more than phone calls. The rapid fire Japanese on the other side felt like a monster charging at me. One time, the lash salon called. I panicked and passed the phone to my friend after saying hi. What should’ve been a quick confirmation dragged on and on to over 10 mins. He said was used to this, but I felt sorry for wasting his time. I didn’t want to trouble anyone, yet I still memorized a line in Japanes

Life Reset Journal   by Sio That day I thought a few cough drops could fix my sore throat. But it got worse day by day, until I was shivering in bed like a virus was throwing a party inside me. Seeing a doctor never crossed my mind. Making an appointment in Japanese terrified me. How do I start? What’d they say? Many clinics don’t accept foreigners without Japanese. For me, this was mission impossible. By day 5, I couldn’t hold on. I forced myself to call with my less than N5

Life Reset Journal by Sio My first lashes salon in Tennoji used Google Translate, but the result was so-so. Then I tried one in Namba and loved it. I decided to stick with it. But the 2nd visit I fell into a 4D black hole. The beautician fired off rapid Japanese. I showed her my phone, but she didn’t even glance. I pleaded in broken Japanese for her to check my phone, but she still didn’t care. Her lips kept moving, her voice drifting from a 4D space. Just as I spaced out, s

Life Reset Journal   by Sio I have chronic neck pain. After moving to Japan, I continue to swim weekly. Pools here feel like onsens—everyone changes together and locks up stuff. One day I swam, soaked, steamed—totally relaxed—and walked back naked. Typed “1234.” Nothing. Tried combos—still locked. I was naked, phone inside, no Japanese. Total panic: x$&@::;(😫😭🫠 After panicking, I looked around, just elderlies. Then a young woman came in. I rushed to her, said Locker, made

Life Reset Journal  by Sio The first thing you do when you move to Japan is the making of a personal seal. In Japan, signatures don’t matter much, but seals carry the legal weight. From receiving packages, opening a bank account, to signing a contract, everything requires an official stamp. On my first day after moving to Osaka, I rushed to Hankodo, located in front of Abeno Q’s Mall in Tennoji, to get my seal made. Since my residence card shows my name in Roman letters, my