Our new home: Japan!

Japan is truly a land of contrasts; streets are serene, no one talks on public transport, and the bus driver practically whispers when announcing stops. But behold, the moment you step into a cheap everything-and-anything market; it’s a sensory overload of blaring announcements and a cacophony of voices that send you running for the exit. Then, just when you’re enjoying the peace and quiet on a tram, a cute and cheerful jingle pops up out of nowhere, completely shattering the calm. We also learned the hard way that you’re only supposed to exit at the front of the tram or bus (which means you often have to elbow your way out). The driver wasn’t shy about reminding us over the microphone when we tried to check out the back! But we have to mention, buses here always stop and even wait for you to sit before they move, on top of their famous punctuality.

Japanese cities don’t really have a city center, like we’re used to in Europe. This makes it a bit harder to navigate cities, but on the upside, each neighborhood has its own unique charm, with plenty of sites and restaurants to discover. And even in the tiniest towns, you’re guaranteed to find at least one Pachinko hall. Inside, you’ll be met with loud music, flashing lights, cigarette smoke and rows of pachinko enthusiasts intensely focused on their games. The best way to describe pachinko is that it’s a hybrid between pinball and slot machines, a game that requires both skill and a good dose of luck to come out on top. Nagasaki also still retains some Chinese influences, particularly during the Obon summer festival. It’s one of the few regions in Japan where you’ll hear loud firecrackers and can witness numerous fireworks displays throughout the summer. Fortunately, our neighborhood is incredibly peaceful as we’re living right on the edge of Nagasaki. Lush mountains are just a few steps away! We’ve been exploring our new backyard over the past few weeks, and every day brings new routes, trails, and hidden spots to discover. Honestly, there is not enough time in a day to explore it all!

There are many cultural practices or behaviors that we do not understand yet, or have to get used to. To us, it seems laughing is done at the strangest moments: “There is a typhoon coming, HAHAHA”. We’ve also learned it’s best to keep your opinions to yourself—unless, of course, you’re in a bar with a few beers in hand. The waste separation is next level, though the categories seem to be odd to us. By the time you’ve sorted everything into burnable, non-burnable, plastics, and recycled goods, you’ll feel like you’ve earned a degree in recycling, but isn’t all garbage burnable at a certain point? We still haven’t completely figured out the system yet, but you need at least five different trash bags. And of course, we also had to tackle all the paperwork and practices that come with moving to a new country. As no one here speaks English, and we haven’t exactly mastered Japanese yet, everything becomes a little bit more challenging. While Google translate remains your best friend, don’t get us started on opening bank accounts in Japan and their limitations for foreign residents. Fortunately, Ota Sensei (the Professor Viola is collaborating with) has been very helpful in guiding us through some of these bureaucratic processes. We also had some fun registering at the municipality and sorting out our health insurance. Apparently, they needed a “head of the household,” and when Erik pointed to Viola as the head, it threw them off quite a bit. “Wait, a woman in charge? Is that allowed?” After a few double-checks and some raised eyebrows, they finally decided to let this radical idea slide… progress, right?