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An Expat Talks about Living in Tokyo , Japan

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Tokyo

Describe how you "dreamed" expat life would be before you moved overseas. Please provide as much detail as possible.

For me, I heard so many stories online about how people “dreamed” of all these great experiences and this perfect life. I wanted to avoid that disappointment. I had to keep in mind that I would still be working full-time while living in Japan. It would just be like working a full-time job in America, except I happened to live in Japan. Also, moving to another country has so many hardships that no one can every really lost them all. This includes homesickness, depression, isolation, and more.

How has your expat experience met the expectations you dreamed about before you moved abroad?

I kept an extremely low expectation when I prepared for my move to Tokyo. I expected to feel isolated and to experience every little errand be challenging. In ways, I did feel that, but I also did not expect to feel the warmth of the Japanese culture, even in the most crowded places of the city. I went in with low expectations and came out with my expectations surpassed.

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Traveling MailboxTraveling Mailbox

Traveling Mailbox serves thousands of travelers, expats, digital nomads, businesses, individuals and others in over 47 Countries by scanning their postal mail so they can view it online anywhere in the world. They provide customer service 7 days a week so if you need assistance, it is just a phone call away. Traveling Mailbox works with Evernote, Bill.com and Dropbox. And, there are Traveling Mailbox apps available for iOS and Android devices.
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Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

How has your expat experience NOT met the expectations you dreamed about before you moved abroad?

There are so many unsaid rules in Japanese culture that it can be brutal. Some will expect you to know these rules without ever being told, but most are understanding and are more helpful than a lot of Americans. Also, Japan is technologically advanced in some ways, but is also behind the world in a lot of different ways. One example is that they still use FAX machines regularly. Their traditional thinking limits them at times.

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William RussellWilliam Russell

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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Traveling Mailbox
Traveling Mailbox

Traveling Mailbox lets you view your postal mail online anywhere and it's is affordable, simple, and flexible.
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Traveling MailboxTraveling Mailbox

Traveling Mailbox lets you view your postal mail online anywhere and it's is affordable, simple, and flexible.
Learn More

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