| Getting the most out of life in Japan can be a | | | | meet people, make friends, and have |
| challenge. We have found living in Japan an | | | | opportunities to use the Japanese language. Once |
| amazing experience. Here are our top six tips to | | | | you join a group, you will be welcome to do |
| help you adapt, learn and grow in Japan, getting | | | | everything the group does. People in whatever |
| as much out of your expatriate experience as | | | | group you join will also invite you to do other |
| possible: | | | | things, outside the group. Joining a group is |
| 1. Learn the language | | | | especially important for people who work in an |
| Prioritize learning Japanese. You never know how | | | | English-speaking environment. |
| long you will stay. Even if you stay only a short | | | | 5. Find a coffee shop |
| time, learning a little Japanese will help you to get | | | | Coffee shops can be excellent venues to meet |
| around better. Many people come to Japan, | | | | people, make friends, and practice your Japanese. |
| thinking they will stay for a short time, never | | | | If you live in an area where you are one of only |
| learning the language. Some of them end up | | | | a few Westerners, a few visits to the coffee |
| staying for years. Begin to learn the language | | | | shop may be necessary for people there to get |
| from day one. On the basic level, you will be able | | | | used to you. Places with counters are best. If you |
| to order food in restaurants, ask directions, and | | | | sit at the counter, you can talk with the people |
| do many other things that will make your life | | | | working there and other patrons who sit at the |
| easier. On the more complex level, you will be | | | | counter. You never know where any of these |
| able to talk with people, make friends, and do | | | | meetings may lead: to new friends, a new job, or |
| many things that will enrich your life. | | | | new knowledge. Just go to the coffee shop, hang |
| 2. Eat the food | | | | out, and see what happens. The amount of |
| So you come from an area where people don't | | | | Japanese you speak will probably also influence |
| eat sushi or sashimi? Try it. So, you don't like it? | | | | the speed at which things happen. If your |
| Try it again. Work on developing a taste for both. | | | | Japanese is still not that good, bring a Japanese |
| Living in Japan and avoiding many Japanese foods | | | | book or two and study. |
| can make life difficult. Many of these foods are an | | | | 6. Remember this will probably never be your |
| acquired taste. Work on acquiring the taste. | | | | country |
| 3. See the country | | | | Japan is a lovely place, but remember that this will |
| Many people visit Japan simply for sightseeing, | | | | probably never be your country, not unless your |
| travel, and see much. Other people come for | | | | ancestors were Japanese. This may change in the |
| years, but are busy with work or other parts of | | | | future if immigration significantly increases. Now, |
| their lives and travel little. From the coral reefs of | | | | however, most Japanese view people as |
| Okinawa to the ancient capitals of Kyoto and | | | | Japanese and foreigners. Foreigner, to most |
| Nara to the Sapporo Snow and Ice Festival, Japan | | | | Japanese, is a positive word, not a negative one. |
| offers much to see. Take advantage of | | | | You will hear young people say that foreigners |
| everything while you are here. | | | | are cool; many young women state they want to |
| 4. Join a group | | | | marry foreigners. Still, this will never be your |
| Japan is a group oriented society. Find a group | | | | country. No matter how good your Japanese is or |
| that does something you are interested in | | | | how long you have lived in Japan, people will |
| whether it is cooking, surfing, hiking, mountain | | | | continue to ask if you can use chopsticks. |
| climbing, skiing, ice skating, archery, calligraphy, | | | | Remember that in some ways, Japan will never |
| origami, go, or shogi. If you are not interested in | | | | be your country, even if you take Japanese |
| any of those activities, sports, or games, find | | | | citizenship. |
| something else. Joining a group is a great way to | | | | |