5 Years In Japan Today!
Half a decade ago today, I embarked on a new journey of my life - to live in the unknown, away from my family and friends. I've always challenged myself by stepping out of my comfort zone but this was the biggest challenge so far.
Sometimes you'll discover things about yourself when you are in a new environment, which will lead to growth and maturity.
For those who don't know, I'm a foreigner living in Japan. I've always been mistaken for a Japanese national or a half-Japanese. I don't know why, maybe because my blogs are all about Japan..? I'm a Filipino by the way and a proud member of Hive PH community (Shout out!! LOL). I've always loved Japan and now, here I am living in the land of the rising sun for 5 wonderful years!
I've shared a bit of my story in my previous blog post here.
The past 5 years have been nothing but exciting. It's not always butterflies and rainbows though. I've been through a lot, and believe it or not, I'm always broke. Filipinos always have this perception that living/working abroad can make you rich and when you go back to your hometown, you're required to give loads of cash to your family and/or relatives. But yeah, I've always wondered where my money goes. 😂 But I think I have an idea where. 🚄🍣🍜🍵💸
The main reason why I chose to come to Japan was to travel and experience the culture. Ooopps, I came here to work of course! 😂 But when I have an opportunity to go around, you wouldn't see me in the house. I've been to 24 out of 47 prefectures in Japan and I want to complete them all. I have no concrete plans yet though, and I'm not in a hurry to complete them.
One of the hurdles I encountered in the first few days was getting vinegar from the grocery store. There were so many types, I just don't know what to get. I took photos to send to my friend @thinkeringbart but sometimes he wasn't online so I had to translate the labels by myself. Google Translate app was my very best friend at that time. 😂
These photos are some random shots I took with my camera and my phone 5 years ago, during my first 2 months in Osaka, and some I took when I went to Tokyo for a business trip. My friends took photos of me when I was in Shibuya.
The first time I cross the street in the famous Shibuya crossing, I felt overwhelmed because of the crowd. There was even a group of young men who were holding a signboard saying Free Hugs. I found it hilarious and crazy! Shibuya was fun. And til now, it still is!
I was used to walking but not this much! When I first arrived, I didn't know I would be walking a lot every single day. And the crowd walking with you was also so fast so you couldn't help but be fast in walking too! I thought meeting my friends in Tokyo would be relaxing but we walked from Shibuya station to Harajuku station. Good thing, we weren't that fast and it wasn't super cold so I managed.
My friends lived in Tokyo while I lived in Osaka so I was forced to meet new friends. I hang out with my coworkers on work weekdays but most of the time, I roam around Osaka by myself.
Prior to coming to Japan, I prepared myself to enjoy things alone like watching movies alone, dining out by myself, and many others. So I kinda enjoyed my own company, especially in this foreign land. It was Winter when I arrived in Japan so I wasn't used to the cold yet. One time, I was walking around the neighborhood and suddenly felt cold because it became windy so I was praying that I would reach the house sooner, but I was still so far from it.
Looking at the photos I took, I couldn't help but reminisce about these random and wonderful moments. I still have difficulties but at least, I've graduated from the basic ones. I got used to living in Japan, and will probably continue to live here for a long time. I'm even thinking of getting a permanent residence but that's still too far from the future.
Since it's an anniversary, I guess I should do something special. What do you think? Should I buy myself a cake? 😅
Thanks for reading!
See you around! じゃあ、またね!
All photos are taken using my phone/camera unless stated otherwise.
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Thanks jiji!
Ah, you are lucky! I was stuck bringing my electronic dictionary and trying to type in what I saw. I could never really figure that thing out so I was always using it half-blind. ...or mostly blind.
Anyway, congrats on 5 years here!
Thank you! Time flies so fast! And I just realized half of my time here was pandemic 😂
The electronic dictionary! That would be too complicated for me I think. I got a dictionary when I arrived but it didn’t help much 😂
Wow..more than half na nabisita mo..sana makapunta din ako jan..
Yan din rason kya ko dinactivate yung main FB account ko. Pwerket nakikita nla ako travel2, kala dami pera 😂..d nla alam, I'm also broke lol.. Mura lang naman kc lumibot dto .prang Manila lang pupunta ng Marikina, Cubao, Pasig, etc...lol
Uu nga eh, di naman nila alam na minsan nga libre pa ung mga pinupuntahan. Marami din kasing mga tsismosa sa fb.
Congratulations in your five years living in Japan. Ako kahit one day wala. Haha
But, I am happy and excited if somebody featured any of the countries abroad. ☺️
Japan is always beautiful just like the people living there. ☺️
Thank you!! It's a beautiful country to live. One thing I like about living here is the convenience. Imagine going to one place to another using trains. Aaahh~ no traffic but sometimes train is crowded. 😅
Better than waiting for so long just like here. 😁 panington tag maayo tungods traffic. Hehe
You're welcome. ☺️
Eg abot nimos padulngan, haggard na hahahaha
Ahahahahaha
You're a hero in my eyes. I mean I love to travel and learn new languages, but Japanese? That would be all Chinese to me 😂. I'm glad you've been able to adapt and travel a lot, collect memories. Good luck with the permanent residence.
Hahahaha! I’ve been promoted to a hero 😂
Learning a new language is cool! You can talk with your friends using that, then the other people won’t understand you.
Good for judging peoplehahahahahaOMG, so proud of you Wittyzel 🥲 You've grown a lot through the years in your stay in Japan. It is really hard to be away from home, of course, you will miss a lot but you are so strong! Bili ka na ng cake, deserve mo!
!PIZZA
Nag grow ako, pero bakit parang pa horizontal? 🤣
Huhu cake.. Wanted to get a whole cake but cake shop’s closed now. So I got ice cream instead. 😅
Ramen! Ramen! Ramen! Hahahah
I gifted $PIZZA slices here:
@jijisaurart(1/5) tipped @wittyzell (x1)
Join us in Discord!
I would love to experience this. I cannot seem to find work in Japan though (and the work visa that would be needed).
What's your profession? I got lucky to find a job here as a Software Engineer. Not sure about other professions though.
I am a Mechanical Engineer, with over 20 years experience in the automotive industry. Basically physics, testing, engineering, and data analysis.
Ohh I see. I'm not familiar with that industry so I can't say.
Ah huh! na feel kita dito hanggang sa kaibuturan ng aking buto. 😂
why not? have a drink after too?
Happy Anniversary @wittyzell , Cheers to a more soulful and lifer life 'YOU' down there! Cheers.
Thank you @chichi18! Alams na, basta mga taga ibang bansa 😂
I didn't drink, I was planning to since I have wine at home but didn't realized it's already midnight. 😂 So ayown, edi bukas na lang..? hahaha
The city scape of shibuya is so beautiful! I began to love shibuya because of the anime blue period where he was floating in the area and seeing blue color as he painted it! And adds the song Gunjou by Yoasobi
The line was:
Sanzameku yoru, koe, kyou mo
Shibuya no machi ni asa ga furu
"the vibrant loud nights morning falls the street of shibuya"
I always sing this while i paint or more like all the yoasobi song 😍
I laughed at the part where you asked where your money goes and the emojis tho hahaah gets na gets!!
Tsaka happy 5 years in japan witty! Love love!!!
Blue Period was one of the best anime I've watched in its genre. And the song, I also like it! I sang the lyrics you commented by the way hahaha
You'd understand more about why it's like that when you go to Shibuya!
hahahahaha eh kasi naman
Thank you jude! Lablab! as a friend
That’s really nice
You have explored the color’s in life !
Congratulations for 5 years !
I wish you have a healthy and prosperous life ahead in Japan .
Thanks @gaurav.art! 5 years just went by so fast.
5 nen omedetou gozaimasu! You arrived Japan when I left Japan around 5 years ago (for me nearly 6 years ago soon). I hope you have a wonderful time in Japan. Lots of nice photos of Japan!
Ieie 😅
Oh, total opposite! I'm having the best time here~ Thank you!
H A P P Y ٠ A N N I V E R S A R Y ! 😃
What an amazing experience for you, immersing yourself into another culture!
Thank you for showing us the wonders of Japan through your eyes!
🎉
Thank you kittygirl! Few people have been posting about Japan, so I hope to share the wonders I've experienced here.
I appreciate you taking the time, to either use my TAG, or post in my Community. There are plenty of them to choose from. So...
Thank you!!
Thank you too Wes!
Happy 5th Anniversary in Japan Miss @wittyzell. Your journey in Japan is inspiring😍 I think I was one of those people who thought you are half Japanese and you are rich! Hahaha.
Your photos and smiles are proof that you are enjoying your foreign Home Miss Wit. Congrats sayo.😍
Hahahaha! I'm neither. 😂
And yessss, it's an adventure living here every day.
Di ko rin sure bakit may ganyang mindset. Pero ayown, mahirap ichange kasi almost all think that way.
I think Sushi would be better than a cake to celebrate with... but that might be too cliché, and you may be desensitized to it since you have lived there for so long. 😂 You got some great shots and thanks for sharing your anniversary with us in the community. Also, thank you for all you do behind the scenes for HIVE as well. Cheers!
Sushi! It may be cliché but that's actually my favorite food in Japan. I have lots but sushi is at the top. That's a good idea, but I guess I'll have to celebrate with sushi on Sunday at my favorite sushi place. 😆
Thank youuuu!
Sweet! I was hoping it wasn't a cringey suggestion!
belated happy japaniversary. nag grow ka na nga talaga.
Happy 5 years, Witty!
YESS! Hopefully in the near future I get to be as courageous as you to step out of my comfort zone.
You deserve to treat yourself! 💓
5 years - how cool is that. I'm quite impressed, and as you say, what a great way to travel, learn and experience another culture. And what place - Japan - one of the most distinct cultures in the world !