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

Japan Life Guide    by Sio Although I work at a real estate firm, my first home search was just like any foreigner’s - I was rejected by landlords. Renting in Japan isn’t as simple as money solves all. Why landlords worried of foreigners: 1️⃣ Limited Japanese, poor communication 2️⃣ Cultural gap, may disturb neighbors 3️⃣ Thin credit history, late/missed rent risk 4️⃣ Sudden departure, early termination 5️⃣ No Japanese guarantor, just too much hassle The most practical route

Another Life at 40s    by Sio Ten years ago, I became a travel writer after roaming the world. At 35, desperate and broke, it felt like my last shot. I poured everything into social media until algorithms sucked the life out of it, and I it quit all. Luckily, I met a partner who led me into international real estate. At 38, with limited time, it was my true last shot. I worked hard and built success - Until pandemic left my partner stuck in Japan and me in Macau’s three-year

Into The Japanese Mind   by Sio I once asked a metro staff for help. He nodded politely and fired off a long string of fast Japanese. I said, “English OK? Google OK?” He stared at me, then repeated it even faster. I was furious. Was that a joke? He knew I didn’t get a word! Why keep going?   These robotic responses shows up everywhere — at banks, gyms, post offices. No matter how confused I look, the lines just keep firing. Then I met a teacher I could finally understand. She

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

Japan Life Guide    by Sio I have no plans for exams, I just want train my listening and speaking skills. After a few months of self-study, I’m on N4 and can handle basic talks. Here are the ways I’ve tried, see what suits you 1️⃣ Free Local Classes Each ward offers free classes weekly,  taught by retired volunteers. I attend classes in Abeno, Nishi, and Kita. Content varies—grammar, chatting, or writing. 🔎 Call to book. If full, join the waiting list. 2️⃣ Language Exchanges

Another Life at 40s    by Sio In youth, friendships came easily. Just a Hello could spark a bond. But the older we get, the harder it becomes. When I moved to Japan, I had no friends outside work. I threw myself into event after event like a second job. The more I tried, the more out of place I felt. Small talk in a second language buried in noise left me exhausted. But watching others click and making plans, I wondered: Am I too cold? Too old? Why does no one ask me out? I f

Into The Japanese Mind   by Sio In Osaka’s meetups, I often see familiar faces, but few become friends. One day, a Japanese girl ran over like an old friend: “So happy to see you! Let’s go karaoke after!” Her sudden warmth surprised me, cos we barely talked before. After the event, I approached her. She glanced briefly, as if we’d never met, then turned back, laughing with her friends. I was stunned. How could she change so fast? Did she mistake me? Were both warmth and cold

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

Japan Life Guide    by Sio I came to Japan on a work visa. Most people get 1 yr at first; I got 3 yrs. The longer the period, the more trust from immigration, making renewals and PR easier. But I feel it’s fate giving me more time to write my story with Japan. If you’re planning to move to Japan, see which visa below might fit you: 1）Student Visa University, vocational school, language school. Usually 1–4 yrs. After graduation, you must switch to any visa below to qualify for

Another Life at 40s    by Sio In my 30s, I backpacked across continents with no plan. I ventured into the Amazon, crossed remote borders, got lost and sick — life felt like a romantic movie.  A decade flew by. I no longer roam, my body won’t let me. Long flights hurt, jet lag lingers. Checkups feel like lottery. Midlife has arrived, but I’m not ready. 10 hrs of walking at Expo left my knees failing. Doctor said it might be early aging. I panicked: “I’m only in my 40s! Is my a

Into The Japanese Mind   by Sio You need to be fully naked in a Japanese onsen. I used to think it’d be awkward, but on my first visit, everything felt so unfamiliar — I was too busy copying others to feel embarrassed. The moment I stepped into the water, heat wrapped around my body and soul. So relaxing. The sound of the water was healing. I was instantly hooked. Later I realized, Japanese people grow up being naked with others. No wonder their collective mindset runs so dee

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

Japan Life Guide  by Sio There’s a scary little urban legend that every foreigner hears before coming to Japan—and yeah, it freaks people out. “To open a bank account, you need a phone and residence certificate. To get the certificate, you need an address. To rent a place, you need a phone and a bank account. To get a phone, you need a bank account.” Before moving to Japan, I saw many posts about this loop and it really made me worry how I’d handle it. Turns out, there are a

Another Life at 40s  by Sio Japan was never on my Dream List — no anime, no J-Pop, no love for tatami. When I got the job offer, I thought: not for me. I’d started over in Europe and the Americas, but always with passions. But Japan? No sparks at all. To live properly means handling life on your own. Doctor visits, banking, lashes... But without love for Japan, I had no will to learn the language. So how could I possibly say yes to the offer? Then came the year everything fe

Into The Japanese Mind  by Sio I once thought I had escaped materialism after I backpacked across half the globe. Before I moved to Japan, clearing out my 3-bed flat in Macau shocked me with so many unused goods I didn’t even remember buying. In Osaka, I moved into a 20m² flat with just one suitcase. Shopping became cautious. Every item takes up room. Spent a week deciding on a foldable table. Measured bins again and again. Held a bath mat for way too long, then put it back,

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

Japan Life Guide   by Sio 1) Make a Personal Seal A seal in Japan is like your signature, so choose carefully. Pitfall: When I arrived, a friend suggested I make a seal with just my surname - NG. I trusted him and did it — only later did I realize he was just trying to save me money. I would’ve preferred using my full name, since the seal stays with me in Japan… 2) Visit the Ward Office Within 14 days of arriving, you have to go to the local ward office to register your addre

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