Blending in, standing out, and expat identity Living in Japan as a Western foreigner can be rather interesting. People spot you, freeze, and then quietly decide not to engage unless absolutely necessary. It's entertaining, frustrating, and occasionally useful, depending on how much social interaction you're trying to avoid that day. No matter how long I've lived here, my face will always be a dead giveaway that I'm not from around here. And with that comes a whole bouquet of

Marking years abroad and life in Japan On 30 September, I will be celebrating my 29th Japaniversary – that's right, 29 years since I started a new life in the Land of the Rising Sun, with almost zero language skills and no job, but with a Japanese wife and a suitcase full of optimism. Now, I hadn't just stumbled into Japan like a confused tourist looking for Mt. Fuji. I had visited twice before. The first time was to spend a few weeks with my then-girlfriend, criss-crossing t

Japan’s tech quirks and nostalgic surprises Last week I made the bold decision that our loyal, 8-year-old car had earned its pension. Time for a shiny new replacement, I thought. A monumental decision, to be sure... at least for me. My dearest wife was considerably less enthused. While she made a contribution to the choice of colour, the rest was left to me as the sole driver: the heroic expedition to the Mazda dealership, the epic quest for the perfect chariot, and the gladi

Heatwaves, weather extremes, and cultural reactions It’s official: The Japan Meteorological Agency has confirmed that Japan just survived (barely) its hottest summer on record. The national average temperature from June to August came in at a sweaty 2.36°C above the norm. That may not sound like much, but trust me, in meteorology it's colossal. And this wasn’t a one-off. This comes hot (pun 100% intended) on the heels of the previous hottest summers of 2024 and 2023. Japan is

Deepening the comparison of two disciplined cultures 🗻 Mountains: A Matter of Ownership and Space Sure, the Swiss Alps are world-famous, but here's a surprising fact: Switzerland only owns 14% of them. But in true Swiss efficiency, that 14% covers 60% of the country, which really drives home how compact Switzerland actually is. Say "Japanese mountains", and Mt. Fuji immediately jumps to mind, although the gloriously symmetrical volcano is by no means the only peak in the lan

Swiss traditions and identity viewed from Japan So, here's a fun fact: around 11% of Swiss citizens live abroad. That's right – roughly one in ten people born in the land of cheese, Toblerone, and punctual trains have packed their bags and said "Thanks, but I'm off." And the trend is up. Now, this might come as a shock. After all, Switzerland is often seen as an Alpine utopia (albeit an expensive one!) – a place where cows wear bells, mountains look like postcards, and everyt

The many meanings of “sumimasen” in daily life Last week, I talked about the British "apology reflex" – that charming Olympic sport where two strangers bump into each other and then spend the next five minutes locked in a duel of “No, I insist, it was my fault!” until someone either dies of politeness or misses their train. So, what about Japan, I hear you ask? Well, here it’s a bit different. If you collide with someone on the street, you’ll usually get a quick 「すみません」(sumim

Apologies, nuance, and cultural expectations in Japan Last week, I reflected on how different cultures handle small talk. Just a day later, I was reminded of this in the most unexpectedly sweaty way: while trying to pay for a bottle of water at a convenience store: I confidently stride into my local 7-Eleven, parched from my 37°C walk. I grab a bottle of chilled mineral water, in a bid to avert heat stroke, head to the counter and whip out my phone like a digital samurai, App

Small talk, silence, and communication across cultures I’ve just returned from a two-week holiday trip to Switzerland and the UK, and once again, I'm left marvelling at the wildly different ways humans choose to interact – or not. One of the greatest joys of travel is not just the food and the sights, but observing how people in various locations engage in that ancient ritual called small talk. So, grab a metaphorical chocolate (you'll see why), and join me on a virtual tour

Drinking culture differences between Japan, Britain and Switzerland Summer has kicked off in earnest, temperatures are soaring, and hydration has become a competitive sport. Health experts are telling us to drink lots of fluids, so naturally, many of us are reaching for ice-cold beverages – some of which may contain more alcohol than hydration, but they, it's the thought that counts, right? As I sit here with a frosty glass by my side (non-alcoholic, I swear – after all, it's

More cultural contrasts between Switzerland and Japan 🌿 Obsession with Botanical Beauty Swiss and Japanese homeowners treat gardens like tiny works of art, but the expectations come with different levels of pressure. Japanese gardens strive for zen-like tranquility, featuring rock arrangements, koi ponds, and perfectly raked gravel that looks too flawless to be accidental. But of course, these serene wonders require space, and that is a rare commodity in metropolitan areas –

Language mishaps and translation quirks in Japan The other day, I made what I believed to be a casual, innocent comment to my wife. You know, one of those soft suggestions disguised as idle musings. I merely said, "It's been a while since we had a proper full English breakfast." Translation: My soul is dying inside, please send bacon. I wasn't demanding. I wasn't even requesting. It was just a subtle cry for help – a whisper, really – in the general direction of cholesterol.

Humidity, weather, and cultural reactions in Japan Earlier this week, the Japanese Meteorological Agency cautiously announced that the Tokyo region had "likely entered the rainy season." "Likely?" I thought. Looking at the monsoon-level deluge outside, I was pretty certain that we had DEFINITELY entered the rainy season. But I suppose meteorologists aren't in the business of guarantees. They wouldn’t want to be flooded (pun intended) with complaints like, "Excuse me, where ar

Japan’s readiness culture through Swiss humour Last week, my wife and I went to the opera – expecting culture, drama, and, inevitably, an overpriced glass of champagne (but that's part of the experience). What we didn't expect was a full-scale disaster preparedness briefing before the curtain even rose. The announcement, delivered in both Japanese and English, wasn’t just about turning off your phone or refraining from illegal filming. No, this was a detailed monologue on ear

Comparing Swiss and Japanese orderliness At first glance, Switzerland and Japan seem like long-lost cousins – both obsessively clean, absurdly punctual, and so devoted to their train schedules that make the rest of the world feel a twinge of envy. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find that beneath their polished efficiency lies a delightful clash of logic, tradition, and quirks that make their differences as entertaining as their similarities. 🏳️ Flags: Minimalist and Bol

Swiss order meets Japanese social expectations Switzerland’s flag is basically the peak of minimalist design - sleek, square, and effortlessly stylish. While other countries went wild with complicated patterns that could win an embroidery contest, Switzerland kept it simple: red background, white cross, no unnecessary fluff. It’s the flag equivalent of an espresso - unapologetically strong, practical, and secretly judging anyone who adds cream. But the Swiss flag nearly took

Japan’s waste rules and cultural discipline Japanese sports fans have earned global admiration for their magical ability to clean up after themselves before leaving stadiums. They don’t just toss their trash - they meticulously gather it, sort it, and leave the place better than when they arrived. It’s basically a post-game cleaning ritual, like a victory dance, but with garbage bags. This comes as no surprise to anyone familiar with Japan’s school system, where children are

Tokyo’s dog culture and its charming extremes Japan is shrinking. Well, not geographically, but demographically. It turns out, people just aren't making enough more people. Over the past thirty years, Japan's birthrate has dropped from 1.50 to 1.26. In the same time period, the percentage of over 65s has risen from 12% to 29%, now making up almost one third of the entire population. Japan may have one of the longest life expectancies, but the nation's population has been in d

Swiss unity, politics, and cultural identity abroad The contrast couldn't be more dramatic. In the world's richest and most powerful country, a president has taken office who is determined to use every inch of executive power to push through his agenda, with the world watching on in bemusement. Meanwhile, in the rich - but somewhat less powerful - Switzerland (more"chocolate and watches" than "global dominance"), it's not always clear what the president and her government col

Swiss citizenship debates from a Japanese vantage point Being in an international marriage comes with its fair share of complications, and no, I’m not talking about clashing cultures or language barriers - after all, plenty of couples share a nationality and still can’t agree on the correct way to load a dishwasher. No, I’m talking about the practical implications of navigating two different passports. On paper, both my wife and I are the proud holders of travel documents