I’m a Korean-American father living in Suginami-ku, a quiet, leafy suburb nestled west of Tokyo — just a 20-minute train ride from the neon swirl of Shibuya. It’s a place where you can still hear birds in the morning and see kids playing freely on the narrow backstreets after school. After nearly three decades in Japan, this place — once foreign — has become home.
I came to Japan as a young professional, thinking I’d stay a few years, maybe five at most. That was over twenty years ago. Since then, I’ve built a career in finance, a family with deep roots here, and a deep admiration for the culture that continues to teach me something new every day.
Each weekday morning, I ride my mama chari — a uniquely Japanese bicycle with a child seat — through winding alleys lined with old houses and blooming potted plants. My two-year-old clings to his favorite toy as we head to a local hoikuen (daycare). My five-year-old attends a kindergarten in Mitaka, a bilingual preschool that seamlessly blends English and Japanese. Watching him switch between languages so naturally is both awe-inspiring and humbling — he’s already navigating a bicultural world more fluently than I ever imagined.
👶 Raising Kids in Japan as a Foreigner
Raising children in Japan as a foreigner is a journey filled with contrasts — between tradition and modernity, East and West, strict discipline and gentle encouragement. It’s not always easy. Language barriers, differing parenting norms, and subtle cultural expectations can feel overwhelming, especially when you want the best of both worlds for your children.
There’s a unique pressure that comes with raising bicultural kids. Will they feel fully accepted? Will they be able to express themselves freely in both languages? Will they carry the best parts of both cultures — or feel torn between them?
At the same time, there’s immense beauty in it. I get to raise kids who throw soybeans at “oni” during Setsubun, bow to elders and share rice cakes for Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), and excitedly decorate a Christmas tree in late November — even though Christmas isn’t a national holiday in Japan. We still bake cookies, play holiday music, and wake up to stockings on December 25th. These moments, stitched from multiple cultures, create a rich tapestry of memories and values.
They eat both onigiri and hamburger, sing “Twinkle Twinkle” in English and Japanese, and learn that silence can be powerful — but so can speaking your truth. I want them to learn Korean as well when the time allows, but two languages keep them busy already. Through Life in JP, I want to explore these complexities — the small wins, the cultural stumbles, and the ways we grow together.
I’ll share stories from our everyday life, such as navigating the Japanese school system, dealing with seasonal allergies (a real rite of passage), learning how to pack a kyushoku lunch box, and helping our kids forge friendships in both languages. Parenting in Japan has taught me patience, humility, and the value of observation — and I hope to pass along some of that insight.
đź‘” Working in Japan as a Foreigner
Professionally, Japan has been a rewarding yet humbling place. I’ve spent most of my career in Tokyo’s financial sector, currently serving as a VP at one of the world’s largest banks. I support executive leadership and oversee regional initiatives across APAC.
Working in Japan as a non-native speaker — especially in a corporate setting — is its own kind of culture shock. There are unspoken rules, levels of hierarchy, and modes of communication that often go beyond what’s written in the handbook.
Things like knowing when to speak (and when not to), how to bow appropriately in meetings, or how to interpret a polite “maybe” that actually means “no” — all of this took years to learn. But they are vital to building trust and navigating the workplace successfully here.
On the blog, I’ll be diving into:
- Job-hunting strategies for foreigners, even if you don’t speak perfect Japanese
- Resume and interview tips tailored for Japanese companies or international firms based in Japan
- How to ask for a promotion or raise in a culture that rarely talks about either
- How to build your career network when you’re not part of the traditional alumni or senpai-kohai system
Whether you’re a fresh grad or an experienced professional looking for a change, I hope to provide honest, experience-based advice for anyone trying to build a career here.
🌸 Traveling Beyond the Guidebooks
I’ve been lucky to explore Japan not just as a tourist, but as someone who’s made it home. While Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka offer dazzling sights, I’ve come to love the quiet places — the countryside towns, the coastal fishing villages, the hot springs hidden in the mountains.
Some of the most memorable trips I’ve taken include:
- A snowy weekend at a family-run ryokan in Nagano, where the host still uses wood to heat the bathwater.
- Wandering through the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field in Niigata, where art installations blend with rice paddies and old schoolhouses.
- Discovering a moss-covered shrine deep in Chichibu, where I met an elderly caretaker who taught my son how to ring the temple bell.
These moments often don’t appear in glossy travel guides, but they stay with you. I’ll be sharing seasonal travel guides, family-friendly itineraries, and personal recommendations for exploring Japan in a deeper, more meaningful way. Think of it as travel for the soul — not just the camera roll.
🎯 What to Expect from This Blog
Whether you’re:
- A parent raising bicultural kids abroad
- A mid-career expat figuring out how to thrive professionally
- A traveler seeking more than just photo ops
— you’re in the right place.
Here’s what Life in JP will offer:
- Stories from the suburbs of Tokyo — the places and people behind the headlines
- Real talk about raising kids, building a career, and navigating identity
- Practical advice on finding daycare, dealing with bureaucracy, and blending cultures at home
- Travel recommendations that take you off the beaten path — places that offer reflection, not crowds
- A community for fellow foreigners trying to balance ambition with presence
đź‘‹ A Final Note
Life in JP isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about being present, even when things are uncertain. It’s about learning to appreciate the tiny, quiet moments — a shared snack in a park, a silent nod from your Japanese neighbor, or your child laughing in a language you’re still learning.
It’s also about connection. I hope this blog becomes a space where we can share ideas, challenges, and encouragement. If you’re a fellow foreigner living in Japan — or dreaming of moving here — I hope you’ll find this space helpful, relatable, and even comforting.
Let’s figure it out together.